Certain places in the world have come to be synonymous with fine wines. Tuscany, Bordeaux, Napa and Sonoma are regions that command respect among the most discerning of wine connoisseurs.
Longtime vintner Joe Guarino would like to add Sayreville to that list.
“It’s quite an interesting journey making wine, and it’s a mystery, too,” said Guarino, who recently opened Grapes N’ Barrels, a hands-on wine-making center, off Jernee Mill Road. “And it’s fun.”
Guarino’s passion for the art of making wine comes through when he talks about it, and it’s no wonder.
“I’ve made wines with my family all my life,” he said.
Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, Guarino continued making wine in his garage over the years, while working in various executive positions. He became more serious with his craft over the past decade, with help from a wine-making mentor.
Now, as wine guide at Grapes N’ Barrels, Guarino is able to share his passion with fellow wine lovers.
“A lot of people who come through don’t really know how much goes into the wine-making process,” Guarino said. “There is a lot of science to it.”
While he is happy to impart his knowledge to others about the intricacies of the process — and has plans to do so in a formal 10-week course in late fall — Guarino won’t force-feed his wine wisdom on those who simply want to create something tasty to sip.
“You can get as physical, or not, as you like, you can get as involved or not as you like, and you can get as involved in the educational aspect of it as you like,” he said. “It’s very flexible and we go with the flow.”
The process — set to kick off in earnest at the start of fall, when grapes are harvested — involves crushing, pressing, racking and bottling the wine. The sessions correspond with the wine’s natural fermentation periods (two to three months) and aging (eight to 10 months or more). However, any aspiring vintner who wants to forgo taking part in any of those steps is welcome to do so, Guarino said.
In addition to choosing the parts of the process to partake in, guests at Grapes N’ Barrels have a number of options regarding their wine-making preferences.
Grapes N’ Barrels offers a number of packages to meet wine-makers’ needs. Full 50-gallon barrels yield 240 bottles of wine; half, or 25-gallon barrels, yield 120 bottles; and quarter, or 13-gallon barrels, yield 60 bottles. Barrel share options are also available, as are introductory specials, which allow participants to make a case or more.
Prices are all-inclusive, and groups coming in to make barrels or portions thereof are given individualized treatment, having the facility to themselves, Guarino said.
Grapes N’ Barrels welcomes all types of parties, along with family and corporate events, and attendees are able to bring along snacks and wine of their own. Guarino also has wines available for tasting, he said.
A class on making fresh mozzarella and a wine tasting was recently held at the center. For $35 per person, attendees received the lessons and wine tastings, and were sent home with two pounds of mozzarella.
Wines made in the fall are ready by summer, Guarino said.
Since opening last winter, Guarino has hosted people from throughout New Jersey, as well as from Brooklyn, Staten Island and Pennsylvania.
Settling in Sayreville became a nobrainer after the warm reception Guarino received from the municipality.
“Sayreville was probably the most business friendly,” he said. “I actually talked to the mayor by phone, which I thought was unbelievable. They welcomed me.”
In turn, Guarino said he hopes to welcome many others to enjoy his passion with him. For more information, call 732-851- 6800 or visit grapesnbarrels.com.
— Jessica D’Amico