If you go to the Chatham Borough Farmers Market this weekend, you'll notice a new addition to the vendors. Unionville Vineyards of Ringoes, NJ will offer samples and sell bottles of their award-winning artisanal wines at their inaugural appearance at the market.
Jennifer Tanner, the director of Sales and Marketing, said that the vineyard was originally a peach farm. They planted their first vines in 1982 and began winemaking in the late 1980s.
Most people think of tomatoes, corn and farm stands when considering the Garden State. Wineries, however, are on the rise thanks to New Jersey's fertile soil, especially in Hunterdon County’s Amwell Valley.
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Unionville Vineyards produces over 3,900 cases of wine each year from 20 varieties of grapes. They sell to wine shops and restaurants, and bring their product directly to consumers via farmers markets and their vineyard store, which is open daily from noon to 5 p.m.
Chardonnays, merlots and cabernets are a sampling of the types of their wines, as well as some blended ones such as Field of Fire and Heritage White.
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Consumers' tastes change throughout the year and season, Tanner said. She added, "Chilled wines are very popular this time of year.”
Here are other events happening in Chatham this weekend:
Friday, July 15
- Centercourt Athletic Club, 222 N. Passaic Ave.. $5000 Lexus Men’s Open and 45’s Divisions Tournament. Watch highly ranked players (from the top 200 in the world) compete on Centercourt’s outside clay courts. Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, and continuing on Saturday and Sunday at noon. Free to the public.
Saturday, July 16
- Chatham Borough Farmer’s Market from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Chatham Train Station. Special guests this week include:
- Wine tasting from Unionville Vineyards. Purchase wines or sample a few from one of the Garden State’s own vineyards.
- Story time with Ms. Sarah, begins at 10:30 a.m. for 30 minutes on the grass by the red shed.
- Edge of Knife. Owner Jim Montecallo will sharpen your knives and blades, prices ranging from $3 to $7.
- Sign up for the fourth annual “Bake It! Summer Fruits Contest.” Information at the CBFM community table. Contest takes place on July 30.
- “Ask the Doctor” at the Mayor’s Wellness Campaign booth. Dr. Toby Ippolito will answer questions regarding “Know Your Numbers.”
- Live music at River Grille, 34 River Road. Listen to a rare (i.e. not so loud) all-acoustic performance by New Dakota. Starts before 10 p.m. and continues late. Great food, no cover charge.
- Atlantic Estate Sale at 210 Fairmount Ave., 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Partial contents of a beautiful home, including furniture, rugs, decorative objects and art.
- Centercourt Athletic Club, 222 N. Passaic Ave.. $5000 Lexus Men’s Open and 45’s Divisions Tournament. Watch highly ranked players (from the top 200 in the world) compete on Centercourt’s outside clay courts. Starting at 5 p.m. on Friday, and continuing on Saturday and Sunday at noon. Free to the public.
