The Digest | New Jersey Magazine
Issue link: https://magazines.vuenj.com/i/1545708
Visiting Alba is itself a wine-forward experience. Guests can choose from a guided tasting featuring six wines led by the Alba team or explore one of three self-guided flights: a White Wine Flight showcasing the estate's aromatic whites, a Red Wine Flight featuring Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, or a Reserve Flight highlighting small-batch and single-vineyard selections. For those who want the full picture, a Vineyard & Winery Tour takes guests through the estate vines, into the barrel cellar, and closes with a guided tasting—a rare, firsthand look at how wine is grown and made at one of New Jersey's most serious estates. During the warmer months, Reverie Kitchen is on hand with seasonally driven, locally sourced dishes designed to complement whatever's in the glass. Monthly Chef Dinners pair multi-course meals with Alba wines in a more intimate, elegant setting. And Alba wines are no longer just a winery exclusive; they're now carried in Wegmans and featured on local restaurant wine lists across the region. Alba embraces the philosophy that world-class wine is grown, not made. By applying Old World ideals to a New World estate, Alba allows their vineyards to speak through every vintage. The thoughtful selection of grape varieties, combined with the remarkable diversity of the estate, has positioned Alba at the forefront of East Coast winegrowing. Family, hard work, and passion are at the heart of Alba Vineyard's success and the qualities that make it uniquely special in New Jersey. "ere are no secrets and no shortcuts," said Tom Sharko Jr. when asked about the winemaking business. "It's relentless work, and you have to wear many different hats." "We are a true family farm, and in the age of AI, people are looking for authentic experiences and ways to support local businesses," shared Tom. "For many of our guests, it's their first visit to a winery, and we want to make wine approachable and enjoyable for everyone who walks through our doors." "We sustainably grow premium grapes and cra them into world-class wines that express our estate," the Sharko family said of their mission. e land, the density, the hands-on farming, the minimal- intervention cellar work-all of it points toward one thing: wine that means something. To plan a visit or explore the wines, head to albavineyard.com. VUE ON | WINE 46 VUENJ.COM