Uncork Wine Festival was a tasty event

Wine enthusiasts, drinkers and tasters gathered in Mercer County Park to enjoy some of New Jersey’s best products at the annual Uncork Wine Festival.

The festival took place on the grounds of the Mercer County Park in West Windsor on April 27 and 28.

“This is year three for the festival being here in Mercer County Park and we absolutely love this park,” said Kathy Bullock, GPS Inc., the organizer of the event. “It is such a beautiful location for this festival. We have done a number of these festivals across the state. This festival allows us to bring awareness to people who may not be aware of New Jersey wines. We started by getting people introduced to it and then the festival became a fan favorite.”

She said the greatest thing for her is when she gets a notice from someone looking to purchases tickets as they prepare for the event each year.

“The festival has become a must do in peoples schedule for the year,” Bullock said.

There are 12 wineries in New Jersey that participated in the weekend event.

The wineries are the Auburn Road Vineyards from Pilesgrove, Chestnut Run Farm from Pilesgrove, DiMatteo Vine yards in Hammonton, Four Sisters Winery at Matarazzo Farms in Belvidere, Monroeville Vineyard from Monroeville, Plagido’s Winery from Hammonton, Terhune Orchards in Princeton, Terra Nono Winery in Millville, Tomasello Winery from Hammonton, Valenzano Winery from Shamong, Villari Vineyards in Sewell, and WagonHouse Winery in South Harrison Township, according to officials.

“To see the lines at the door makes you feel good. This community and area has completely embraced the event,” Bullock said. “They are great about New Jersey wines and wineries. It is great to see as well people trying a new wine they have never had before. People sample here and get to try a wine or winery they may have not known about. This is what this festival is all about.”

Lois Long of Kennett Square, Pa said she enjoyed her time at the festival.

“This is my first time at a wine festival. I have enjoyed myself today. I am here with my girlfriends who live in the area. We have already sampled several wines and I even bought a bottle of wine,” she said.

Bullock said the festival also had 22 craft vendors.

“They have everything from hand-made jewelry, marinades, and painted wine glasses, really anything that compliments the wine and winery experience at the festival,” she said. “We have great live musical entertainment, food trucks and even some activities for children. We want people to come and say that they make a day of this event, because that is what this is about for us.”

Laurie Sost of Bordentown said it was her first time participating in Uncork.

“The wine is what brings me out here today. This is my first time at this festival. I am definitely enjoying myself, there is really good wine here. I have sampled about 10 wines today. I love the sweet wines, they are just nice and tasty.”

She said the festival is something she thinks she will definitely come back to.

Dawn Frederick of East Brunswick said she really enjoys attending wine festivals.

“I was here at this festival last year. The best thing about drinking wine is the social aspect of doing it,” she said. “We have a whole group here today of about 10 people. This event is great because we are outside doing something and not on social media.”

She said she also enjoys the sweeter wines and had been sampling them throughout the day.

“The takeaway from this festival is come, explore, and learn about New Jersey wines and love it. To love the wine in such a beautiful location as Mercer County Park is just amazing,” Bullock said.