Mom may love flowers. She may truly appreciate a gift card for a mani/pedi. Both accurate! But let’s be honest: what mom really wants for Mother’s Day is to be with the people she loves. And we suspect she would be thrilled to gather at a scenic New Jersey winery with her loved ones, enjoying her favorite local wine, with no cooking or clean up required!
The wineries of the Garden State have you covered. From May 12th through the 14th, the always-anticipated Mother’s Day Wine Trail is back! Our wineries have each developed plans to fete mothers, mothers-in-law, grandmothers and any special person who has fulfilled the role of maternal caregiver. Here’s a sample of what the wineries are planning – space is limited so we suggest that you call ahead to reserve so you can make unforgettable memories this Mother’s Day weekend.
Live Entertainment
On Bellview Winery’s Vineyard Stage, live music will fill the air from 12:30 – 4:30 pm on Saturday the 13th and Sunday the 14th. On Saturday, local musician Bo Rain will perform, and on Sunday, Adam and Cate Monaco will bring the music. Both performers pair exceptionally well with Bellview’s Mimosa Flights and of course, their famous Fiesta Sangria. The Top Shelf Mobile Cuisine food truck will be on-site, too.
Up north, Federal Twist has two days of special live music planned. On Saturday the 13th, the Sensational Soul Cruisers play a ticketed event ($22 online/$28 at the door the day of). The 11-man horn group is fronted by four soulful vocalists who will pay homage and tribute to the very best of the ‘60s, ‘70s & ‘80s Old School, Classic Soul, RnB, Motown, and Disco. On Sunday the 14th, the winery gifts moms a complimentary glass of rosé while they enjoy the music of The Strange Brew Crew.
Creative Crafts
Treat mom to a wine bottle succulent workshop at Cedar Rose Vineyards on Saturday, the 13th, from 6-8 pm. Hosted by Cabernet Candles, the ticketed event includes all supplies, succulents, and wine for each guest. Live music by Dylan Waterman accompanies the event, the kitchen will be open for snacks and dinner, and of course, there will be additional wine for sale by the glass and bottle.
Tickets: $55 and up
Let Mom choose a craft that someone else thoughtfully created at DiBella Winery’s local vendor event on Saturday, the 13th. Planned vendors include Mrs. B’s Sips & Dips, Color Street, Wood and epoxy crafts, Young Living Oils, Monat, Avon, Art by Bri, and others. In addition, John Rossi will be on-site playing live music. The winery will also be selling hot dogs and nachos, and there will be a wine raffle!
Culinary Delights on the 14th
Four Sisters Winery celebrates the holiday with a ticketed Mother’s Day Dinner of roast turkey, baked ham, garlic potatoes, roasted vegetables, and dessert – with no dish duty for mom! The music of Smooth Retsina Glow will entertain guests while they dine. Four Sisters also has strolling vineyard and wine cellar tours planned for the day.
Tickets: $38.50 per person for adults 11+; $20 per person 4-10; ages 3 and under free
Enjoy a brunch buffet in Tomasello Winery’s Palmaris and Vintner’s Rooms. There will be several timed seatings for this ticketed event. Tomasello is serving all the brunch classics: pastries, salads, a carving station, several entree choices including eggs Benedict, Belgian waffles, baked salmon, an omelet station, a dessert station, and more. This event is a cash bar.
Tickets: $49.95 for adults; $19.95 for kids
Mother’s Day Brunch at Laurita Winery is a ticketed treat for moms and their loved ones with two separate seatings. Brunch includes a carving station, shrimp cocktail, omelet station, pastries, chicken fingers for the kids, entrees such as French toast and penne vodka, a chocolate fountain, and more. Coffee, tea, and juice are included. Wine is an additional purchase.
Tickets: $58 for adults, $30 for children 6-12
A ticketed outdoor Mother’s Day Lunch is in the works at Blue Cork Winery. From noon to 3 pm, guests will enjoy an Italian-inspired buffet of pasta, roast beef sandwiches, salmon, roasted vegetables, one glass of wine, and more. Specialty drinks will be available for additional purchase. After 3pm, the winery will be open for first come, first serve regular seating.
Tickets: $49.95 for adults; $19.95 for children 5+
Remember, this is just a sampling of what’s happening. Most of the wineries throughout the state have special events planned during the Garden State Wine Growers Association Mother’s Day Trail Weekend. Check your favorite winery’s Facebook page or website to see what it has planned to celebrate moms.
Here are some other helpful things to remember.
- No outside alcohol is allowed at any New Jersey winery.
- Some wineries allow guests to bring in food; some don’t. Make sure you know a winery’s policy before heading there.
- Some wineries only allow 21+. Make sure you know a winery’s policy before heading there.
- If you plan to bring a pet, know the winery’s pet policy.
- Many wineries allow you to bring your own chairs, but not all do. Again, your best bet is to call ahead and know the winery’s policy.
