Old York Cellars

Old York Cellars is a winery located in the Ringoes section of East Amwell Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The winery takes its name from the road on which it is situated and is associated with New Jersey’s farm-winery and wine-tourism sector. The property was originally established and owned by the Fishers of Ringoes. David Wolin acquired the winery in 2008, and Old York Cellars opened to the public in 2010. The winery cultivates approximately 12 acres of grapes and produces an estimated 3,600 cases of wine annually, according to the cited reference material. Its portfolio is based on a broad selection of European, American, and hybrid grape varieties suited to New Jersey growing conditions. These include Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cayuga White, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Colobel, Landot noir, Malbec, Marechal Foch, Merlot, Pinot gris, Riesling, Seyval blanc, Syrah, Vidal blanc, and Vignoles, also known as Ravat 51. In addition to grape wines, the winery makes fruit wines from blackberries and peaches. One distinctive aspect of Old York Cellars is its use of Colobel, a red hybrid grape developed in France in the early twentieth century and commonly associated with coloration in wine production. The reference identifies Old York Cellars as the only New Jersey winery producing wine from Colobel. The winery’s products therefore combine familiar international varieties with less common hybrid grapes and fruit-based styles, reflecting the diversity of New Jersey viticulture rather than a narrow focus on a single traditional appellation. Old York Cellars also produces a separate New Jersey-themed range called What Exit Wines. The range has been used to support special events and charitable fundraising, including relief efforts following Hurricane Sandy in 2012. This gives the brand a locally oriented identity that extends beyond wine production into regional culture and community activity. The winery holds a plenary winery license issued by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The license allows it to produce an unrestricted amount of wine, operate as many as 15 off-premises sales rooms, and ship wine throughout New Jersey and to 20 states, subject to applicable laws and regulations. Old York Cellars is a member of the Garden State Wine Growers Association and its subsidiary organization, Vintage North Jersey. The winery is not situated within any of New Jersey’s three designated viticultural areas. Based on the available material, Old York Cellars is best understood as an active, independently identified New Jersey winery whose business combines vineyard production, direct public visitation, wine sales, regional branding, and community-oriented programming.

Old York Cellars developed from a winery property in Ringoes, a community in East Amwell Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The property was originally established and owned by the Fishers of Ringoes. Its name comes from the road on which the winery is located, giving the business a direct geographic identity rather than a name tied to a broader national wine region. David Wolin purchased the winery in 2008. Under his ownership, the operation was prepared for a public opening, which took place in 2010. Opening to visitors placed Old York Cellars within New Jersey’s growing farm-winery and wine-tourism environment, where production is combined with consumer-facing experiences and direct sales. The available reference does not specify the original founding year of the property or provide further details about the transition from the Fishers’ ownership. The winery’s production is based on approximately 12 acres of cultivated grapes and an estimated annual output of 3,600 cases. Its vineyard and cellar program uses a wide range of varieties, including internationally recognized grapes such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling, and Syrah, as well as American and French-American hybrid varieties. The portfolio also includes Colobel, Landot noir, Marechal Foch, Seyval blanc, Vidal blanc, and Vignoles. Old York Cellars is identified in the reference as the only New Jersey winery producing wine from Colobel, a red hybrid grape developed in France in the early twentieth century and often used to add color to wine. The winery additionally makes fruit wines from blackberries and peaches, broadening its range beyond conventional grape-based products. A notable part of the brand’s regional identity is What Exit Wines, a separate line of New Jersey-themed vintages. The line has served both branding and fundraising purposes. In 2012, it was used in connection with efforts to raise money for special events, including Hurricane Sandy relief. This activity linked the winery’s product identity with New Jersey culture and local community response. Old York Cellars operates under a plenary winery license from the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. The license framework permits unrestricted wine production, up to 15 off-premises sales rooms, and shipment throughout New Jersey and to 20 states. The winery is also affiliated with the Garden State Wine Growers Association and Vintage North Jersey. Although it participates in the state’s wine industry, it is not located within one of New Jersey’s three viticultural areas. The available sources do not provide a later ownership change, closure date, or evidence that the winery has become part of a larger wine group, so its current status is recorded as active with ownership and corporate structure otherwise limited to the documented information.

• 2012

  What Exit Wines supported Hurricane Sandy relief

  [1]Old York Cellarsen.wikipedia.org

  The winery’s New Jersey-themed What Exit Wines line was used to raise funds for special events, including Hurricane Sandy relief.

• 2010

  The winery opened to the public

  [1]Old York Cellarsen.wikipedia.org

  Old York Cellars began welcoming the public, establishing its role as a visitor-facing New Jersey winery as well as a production site.

• 2008

  David Wolin purchased the winery

  [1]Old York Cellarsen.wikipedia.org

  David Wolin acquired Old York Cellars from the Fishers of Ringoes, who had originally established and owned the property.

A locally rooted New Jersey winery emphasizing varietal diversity, direct public engagement, fruit wines, unusual hybrid grapes, and regional identity.

• Wine

  Grape wines

  Old York Cellars produces wines from a broad range of grape varieties, including Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cayuga White, Chardonnay, Chenin blanc, Colobel, Landot noir, Malbec, Marechal Foch, Merlot, Pinot gris, Riesling, Seyval blanc, Syrah, Vidal blanc, and Vignoles. The selection combines familiar vinifera varieties with hybrid grapes associated with regional and cooler-climate production.

• Fruit wine

  Fruit wines

  The winery makes fruit wines from blackberries and peaches. These products extend the portfolio beyond grape wine and provide styles based on locally recognizable fruit flavors.

• New Jersey-themed wine

  What Exit Wines

  What Exit Wines is a separate New Jersey-themed range produced by Old York Cellars. The line connects the winery with regional culture and has also been used for fundraising tied to special events, including Hurricane Sandy relief in 2012.

• 2012What Exit Wines Hurricane Sandy relief fundraising

  New Jersey

  Old York Cellars used its New Jersey-themed What Exit Wines line in fundraising activity connected with Hurricane Sandy relief and other special events.

  Outcome. The cited material confirms the fundraising purpose but does not provide the amount raised or a detailed account of the program’s final results.

  Source

• 2012

  Old York Cellars used What Exit Wines to support Hurricane Sandy relief[1]Old York Cellarsen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  The winery’s New Jersey-themed What Exit Wines range was used to raise money for special events, including relief efforts connected with Hurricane Sandy.

1. 1Old York Cellarsen.wikipedia.org