VUE

Praised by Wine Enthusiast for putting the Warren Hills AVA on the map, and recognized by critics like Jancis Robinson and Hugh Johnson, Alba has become a benchmark for East Coast viticulture. What makes that possible starts not in the cellar, but in the ground. In 1988, the surrounding landscape was officially recognized with the creation of the Warren Hills AVA—one of the earliest American Viticultural Areas established in the United States. Today, it is considered the premier AVA in New Jersey. Alba's estate sits at its heart, where the soils and slopes first revealed what the designation later confirmed: a place capable of producing world-class estate-grown wines on the East Coast. Alba's vineyards lie within the Musconetcong River Valley; the result is a landscape of soils layered over deposits of limestone and granite-mineral-rich ground that naturally limits vine vigor, encourages deep root systems, and allows for the slow, even ripening that defines wines with structure, acidity, and true site expression. Dramatic diurnal temperature swings and strong southern sun exposure complete the picture, making this one of the most distinctive cool-climate vineyard sites in New Jersey. e Sharko family, who purchased the property in 1996, recognized early on what this land was capable of. Following the philosophy applied in the world's greatest wine regions, the estate is planted at high density, pushing vines to compete, produce less fruit, and deliver far more concentration, structure, and character in every bottle. e estate is planted around the cultivars that best suit its limestone soils and cool climate. Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc round out the core varieties. At the heart of the operation are brothers Tom and Nick Sharko, both of whom grew up working the land and have shaped Alba into what it is today. Tom Jr. grew up following his father and learning all it takes to run a family farm and winery. He oversees operations across the estate, involved in everything from picking grapes to outside sales and everything in between. Meanwhile, Nick took to the vines at a young age and has grown to lead all of Alba's planting and farming operations. He personally prunes every vine on the estate each year to set the vines up for a successful season. Together, the two brothers embody a winery built not on outside investment, but on family, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the land. In the cellar, winemaker Blake Trobaugh—who joined the Alba team in 2025—carries those vineyard-driven principles forward. Alba practices minimal intervention winemaking, relying on native yeast fermentations to let each wine develop naturally and express a genuine sense of place. Whole-cluster pressing preserves purity and texture, while a barrel program using François Frères cooperage provides consistency across vintages without overshadowing the fruit. e goal in every bottle is the same: let the terroir speak. VUENJ.COM 45

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