Laurita Winery

Laurita Winery is a winery and hospitality destination in the New Egypt section of Plumsted Township, Ocean County, New Jersey. The property began as a dairy farm before being converted in part to grape growing. Its vineyard was first planted in 1998, and the winery opened to the public in 2008. The name Laurita combines the names Laura and Rita, identified as the mothers of the winery's owners. The winery is located within New Jersey's Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area and is among the state's larger winegrowing operations. Reference material describes approximately 44 acres of grapes under cultivation and annual production of about 14,000 cases. Its portfolio draws on a broad selection of grape varieties, including Albariño, Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Norton or Cynthiana, Pinot gris, and Zweigelt. In addition to conventional grape wines, Laurita has produced fruit wine from strawberries and milk, as well as a dessert-style wine made with milk, chocolate, and Chambourcin grapes. It has been described as the only New Jersey winery producing dairy-based wines. Laurita operates as more than a production facility. Since 2002, the property has included a 10-suite bed-and-breakfast housed in an 1835 farmhouse. It also has a bistro offering items such as cheeses, salads, and sandwiches, and an equestrian center providing horseback riding and therapeutic riding. These facilities position the business as a farm-based leisure and tourism destination as well as a wine producer. The winery holds a plenary winery license issued by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The license permits unrestricted wine production, operation of as many as 15 off-premises sales rooms, and shipment of up to 12 cases annually to consumers in New Jersey or other states, subject to applicable rules. Laurita is associated with the Garden State Wine Growers Association and the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association. The property has also been involved in public policy disputes concerning the use of preserved farmland. State authorities questioned proposed solar-panel installation and the hosting of weddings and other non-agricultural events on the site. In 2012, the New Jersey Agriculture Development Committee stated that preserved-farm restrictions prevented those activities under the rules then in effect. Laurita subsequently advocated changes to state law that would give preserved farms greater flexibility to host events. Its public profile has additionally been supported by tourism and media exposure, including a March 2011 visit by travel guide Burt Wolf connected with a New Jersey Network fundraiser.

Laurita Winery developed from a former dairy farm in New Egypt, a community within Plumsted Township in Ocean County, New Jersey. The agricultural property was gradually adapted for viticulture, with the first grapevines planted in 1998. The winery's name was formed by combining Laura and Rita, the names of the owners' mothers. Although vineyard development began in the late 1990s, the winery did not open to the public until 2008. The property expanded beyond vineyard and cellar operations. A 10-suite bed-and-breakfast has operated since 2002 in an 1835 farmhouse, predating the public opening of the winery. Laurita also established a bistro serving light meals and an equestrian center offering recreational horseback riding and therapeutic riding. The combination of wine, lodging, food, and rural activities made the site a broader agritourism destination rather than a production-only winery. Laurita is situated in the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area, one of New Jersey's recognized wine regions. The operation is described as one of the larger winegrowers in the state, with about 44 acres planted to grapes and production of roughly 14,000 cases annually. Its grape portfolio includes both familiar international varieties and cultivars associated with regional or alternative wine production. Listed varieties include Albariño, Blaufränkisch or Lemberger, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Norton or Cynthiana, Pinot gris, and Zweigelt. The winery is notable for experimenting beyond standard grape wine. It has produced a strawberry-and-milk fruit wine and a dessert wine combining milk, chocolate, and Chambourcin grapes. Reference material characterizes Laurita as the only New Jersey winery making dairy-based wines, a distinctive product strategy within the state's wine sector. Its operating framework is shaped by New Jersey alcohol and farmland regulation. Laurita holds a plenary winery license from the state's Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The license permits unrestricted wine production, up to 15 off-premises sales rooms, and shipments of up to 12 cases per year to consumers in or outside New Jersey, subject to legal requirements. The winery belongs to the Garden State Wine Growers Association and the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association. Laurita became involved in a policy controversy concerning activities on preserved farmland. In 2012, the New Jersey Agriculture Development Committee said that the property's preserved-farm status barred the installation of solar panels and the holding of non-agricultural events, including weddings. The winery advocated legislative changes that would allow preserved farms to host more events. The issue illustrates the tension between farmland-preservation rules and the diversified agritourism model used by many farm-based wineries. The property has also received tourism-related publicity. In March 2011, travel guide Burt Wolf visited Laurita as part of a fundraiser for New Jersey Network. Through its vineyard, hospitality facilities, specialty wines, and policy advocacy, Laurita occupies a hybrid position in New Jersey's agricultural and tourism economies.

• 2012

  Preserved-farmland use dispute

  [1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The New Jersey Agriculture Development Committee addressed proposed solar panels and non-agricultural events at the winery, prompting Laurita to support changes to state law.

• 2011

  Burt Wolf publicity visit

  [1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Travel guide Burt Wolf visited Laurita in connection with a New Jersey Network fundraiser.

• 2008

  Winery opens to the public

  [1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Laurita Winery opened its winery operation and visitor facilities to the public.

• 2002

  Farmhouse bed-and-breakfast begins operating

  [1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  A 10-suite bed-and-breakfast began operating in the property's 1835 farmhouse.

• 1998

  First grapevines planted

  [1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Viticulture began on the former dairy-farm property with the planting of Laurita's first vineyard.

A destination winery combining New Jersey wine production with farm tourism, lodging, food service, equestrian activities, and distinctive dairy-based wine products.

• Wine

  Laurita grape wines

  Laurita produces a broad range of wines from grapes grown in or associated with New Jersey's Outer Coastal Plain region. Reported varieties include Albariño, Blaufränkisch or Lemberger, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Grenache, Merlot, Norton or Cynthiana, Pinot gris, and Zweigelt. The range combines established international grapes with varieties suited to regional growing conditions.

• Fruit and dairy-based wine

  Strawberry-and-milk wine

  A distinctive fruit wine made with strawberries and milk. The product forms part of Laurita's experimental dairy-based wine offering and differentiates the winery from conventional grape-wine producers in New Jersey.

• Dessert wine

  Milk, chocolate, and Chambourcin dessert wine

  A dessert-style wine combining milk, chocolate, and Chambourcin grapes. It is one of Laurita's most unusual reported products and reflects the winery's use of dairy and confectionery flavors alongside regional grape production.

• Winery hospitality · 2002

  Laurita hospitality and farm experiences

  The winery property includes a bed-and-breakfast in an historic farmhouse, a bistro serving cheeses, salads, and sandwiches, and an equestrian center offering horseback riding and therapeutic riding. Together these services extend the brand into lodging, food, recreation, and agritourism.

• 2011New Jersey Network fundraiser visit

  United States · New Jersey

  Travel guide Burt Wolf visited Laurita Winery in March 2011 as part of a fundraiser associated with New Jersey Network. The appearance connected the winery with regional tourism and public-media promotion.

  Outcome. The visit provided documented publicity for the winery; a broader measurable campaign result is not reported.

  Source

• 2012

  Advocacy for expanded preserved-farm event rightsStrategy

  Background

  State authorities determined that preserved-farmland restrictions prevented Laurita from installing solar panels and hosting non-agricultural events such as weddings.

  Action taken

  Laurita advocated changes to New Jersey law that would allow preserved farms to hold more events and pursue a broader agritourism model.

  Aftermath

  The dispute highlighted regulatory limits on diversified farm businesses. The reference material does not establish the final legislative outcome.

  Source

• 2012

  State authorities challenge proposed solar panels and non-agricultural events on preserved farmland[1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  The New Jersey Agriculture Development Committee stated that restrictions applying to preserved farmland prevented Laurita Winery from installing solar panels and holding non-agricultural events such as weddings under the rules then in force.

• 2012

  Laurita Winery advocates broader event rights for preserved farms[1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Following the dispute over weddings and other activities, the winery supported changing New Jersey law to permit preserved farms to host a wider range of events.

• 2011

  Travel presenter Burt Wolf visits Laurita Winery for New Jersey Network fundraiser[1]Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Burt Wolf visited the winery in March 2011 as part of a fundraiser connected with New Jersey Network, giving the property additional tourism and media exposure.

1. 1Laurita Wineryen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Laurita Winery official websitelauritawinery.com