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Local Viticultural History Vineland has always been home to grapes. Indeed it is so named because of the abundance of wild grapes on the virgin land which its founder, Charles Landis, saw over 150 years ago. At right are 1920's Vineland farmers picking grapes at harvest time. This hospitable location for viticulture also prompted Dr. Thomas Welch to found Welch's Grape Juice here in the mid- nineteeth century. And historically the surrounding area has always been home to vineyards and wineries. Before Prohibition, neighboring Atlantic County was the location of numerous wineries. In fact the oldest continuously operating winery in the US still exists there. |
Our Climate We are part of the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area (AVA), so designated because of its unique soils, climate and history of grape growing. Our climate is particularly influenced by the two large bodies of water to our east (Atlantic Ocean) and our south (Delaware Bay), our farm being almost exactly equidistant from the two. These moderate our climate and allow us to do things that might be unsuitable in areas farther inland. This hospitable climate in the "OCP" also supports a growing number of other vineyards and wineries. To learn more about our AVA click here for an interesting article about the area. Despite having a relatively long growing season, the OCP is still a maritime climate. Thus wines produced in it are typically European in style, with elegant, refined and subtle characteristics along with good acidity that allow them to pair well with food, compared to the big, fruitty, more alcoholic wines that often come from hotter areas such as the west coast. OCP wines generally display subtle fruit but stronger earth tones. Our wines share these traits. |
Our Soils Panther Branch Vineyard soils are mainly gravelly sandy loam with deeper soils interlaced with white and red clay deposits which are mostly in an unconsolidated form, yet sometimes existing in a distinct layer. These are very well drained soils for the most part, while the clays add complexity to the overall soil composition. As you can see from the picture to the right of one of our Cabernet Franc vines, we also have a significant presence of small stones and gravels that are spread throughout our soils, especially at upper levels, adding yet another layer of complexity. Curently we have two separate vineyard blocks, the original planting with our Chambourcin and Vidal Blanc on soils that are a bit richer and finer grained sandy loam, and our "Pasqua" vineyard where Viognier, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Grigio grow on more gravelly poorer soils similar to what is seen to the right. |
Our Future Though we have been exclusively a vineyard since our inception, our plans are to open a winery in the upcoming future. Check back with us periodically and we'll keep you informed on how that progresses. In the meantime we hope you can enjoy the "fruits" of our labors by suporting other New Jersey wineries that buy our grapes. See our "Links" page for more info. |
Some of the clay deposits found in the lower soils |