Toast to Mom (With Something You Know She’ll Like) on New Jersey’s Mother’s Day Trail
Most people (an incredible 84% of U.S. adults) celebrate Mother’s Day in some form, often spending north of $250 on mom in the process. While spending big on mom is tempting, the truth is, what she really wants is time with you. OK. Time with you AND a glass of wine.
Here at the Garden State Wine Growers Association, we have all of the bases covered: from May 9 – May 11, wineries will roll out the red carpet for mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and their families during the annual Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend.
“As a mother and a daughter, I know how challenging it can be to find fun ways to honor mom on Mother’s Day,” says Devon Perry, Executive Director for the Garden State Wine Growers Association. “But the truth is, there are few better ways to do it than to celebrate at one of the more than 60 wineries and vineyards across the state of New Jersey. Winemakers are excited to showcase their best wines,with delicious food pairings, and help you make unforgettable memories along the way.”
On the Mother’s Day Wine Trail, you can expect a range of experiences that will appeal to the mothers in your life, including:
- Outdoor seating options with views of the vineyards
- Live entertainment
- Special Mother’s Day drinks and tastings, guided by sommeliers
- Brunch, lunch, indulgent desserts, wine flights
- Food trucks and fire pits
Special Brunches for Mom:
Tomasello Winery’s Creative Brunch for Mom: On May 11 from 10 am to 4:30 pm, Tomasello is serving up a reservation-only brunch for mothers and their families. The generous buffet will include assorted pastries, salads, a carving station, sweet and savory entrees like bananas foster French toast and baked salmon, a build-your-own omelette station and a dessert station with cookies, cakes and more. $49.95 for adults, $19.95 for kids.
White Horse Winery Brings the Fun for Mom: On May 11, White Horse Winery is throwing its annual Mother’s Day Brunch bash, featuring Red’s Rolling Food Truck. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the vines with mom, featuring live music by Camille Peruto from 2 to 5 pm. Free to enter.
Sharrott Winery Toasts Mom All Weekend Long: Winemaker Larry Sharrott says that “Mother’s Day is always a big deal at Sharrott Winery.” As usual, they are pulling out all the stops all weekend long. On Saturday, May 10, Sharrott will have live music, special wine tastings and a Spring menu. On Sunday, May 11, there will be a special Mother’s Day Brunch with sweet and savory items, live music and mimosa flights. Seating is available inside and outside, reserve ahead!
Hopewell Valley Vineyards Creates Breakfast To Remember: If the mother(s) in your life love pancakes, pizza and pastries, head over to Hopewell Valley Vineyards. The winery’s famous ricotta pancakes, breakfast pizzas, artisanal cheese spread, plus all of the usual breakfast fixings (bacon, sausage, pastries, fresh fruit, roasted potatoes) will be available. $38.95. Reserve ahead. Special Mimosas, Bellinis and wines will also be available for purchase.
Celebrate Mom All Week Long at Blue Cork Winery: Blue Cork Winery is, as co-founder Michelle Tantaros says, “a small, family-owned and operated business, so we personally know what it takes to be both a parent and a full-time business owner.” They are toasting mothers everywhere by kicking things off on Thursday, May 8 at 6 pm with Gilmore Girls trivia. From there, the weekend will be filled with special drinks, live music and toasts to mom Friday-Sunday. On Mother’s Day itself, May 11, Blue Cork will host its annual Mother’s Day lunch. Reservations are required for buffet dining. After that, the doors will open to all and the Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck will serve up treats for all.
Autumn Lake Winery Is Showering Mom with Wine + Gifts: Autumn Lake is toasting mom on May 11 with wine, food and a commemorative Mother’s Day glass as a special memorial token. Mother’s will also be able to shop from an array of talented local vendors offering personalized experiences, from creating their own bespoke bouquet to snagging a gorgeous piece of jewelry or other hand-crafted item.
Hawk Haven Vineyard Is Ready To Wow Mom: Hawk Haven Vineyard will be offering guided tastings in honor of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 11. Participants can start with a guided tasting, learning how to See, Swirl and Sniff. Then, they can explore the vineyard on a guided walk. There will also be wine by the glass, live music and a food truck from 12 to 5 pm.
With 60+ wineries and vineyards in four American Viticultural Areas, there will always be a winery within less than an hour’s drive within the state, and Mother’s Day weekend is the perfect time to explore one of them. Because the terroir is so diverse, you’ll find about 80 grape varieties for mom to choose from, from Cabernet Sauvignon to Riesling. Plus there are the iconic fruit wines.
If you’re still looking for ideas, get the full scoop on all of the happenings at the Mother’s Day Trail weekend events page. Cheers to you for honoring the matriarchs in your life!
