Turdo Vineyards & Winery

Turdo Vineyards & Winery is a family-owned winery in the North Cape May section of Lower Township, Cape May County, New Jersey. The property is situated within the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area, a southeastern New Jersey wine region influenced by a relatively moderate coastal climate and sandy soils. The vineyard was first planted in 1999, and the winery opened to the public in 2004. The business operates on a small agricultural footprint, with approximately five acres of grapes under cultivation and reported production of about 1,100 cases of wine annually. Its identity is closely tied to the Turdo family, whose name is used by the winery. Rather than focusing only on the grape varieties traditionally associated with the northeastern United States, Turdo emphasizes Italian and Mediterranean grapes, offering a broad portfolio that has included Albariño, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, and Syrah. Turdo is particularly associated with Nero d'Avola, an aromatic red vinifera grape native to Sicily. The winery has been described as one of only two wineries in the United States using the variety, a positioning that gives it a distinctive niche within the American wine market. Its wines are sold under the Turis and DiLuca labels. These names are derived from members of the owner’s family: Turis is named after the winery owner, while DiLuca is named after his son. The winery’s operations also have an environmental and regulatory dimension. The facility is powered entirely by solar energy, according to reference material. Turdo holds a farm winery license issued by the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. That license framework permits production of up to 50,000 gallons of wine annually, operation of as many as 15 off-premises sales rooms, and shipment of up to 12 cases per year to consumers in or outside New Jersey, subject to applicable rules. Turdo participates in the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association, a regional wine-industry organization, but is not identified as a member of the Garden State Wine Growers Association. Its public profile extended beyond the regional wine community when stand-up comedian and television host Jay Leno featured the winery on The Tonight Show in April 2009. The available material does not establish a current ownership structure, executive roster, production level, or operating status beyond the historical descriptions above.

Turdo Vineyards & Winery developed as a small family wine operation in North Cape May, in Lower Township, Cape May County, New Jersey. The vineyard’s first plantings date to 1999. After several years of vineyard development and wine production preparation, the winery opened to the public in 2004. The business is located in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA, one of New Jersey’s recognized wine-growing regions. Its location provides the agricultural setting for a portfolio that differs from a narrowly regional or conventional northeastern wine program. Turdo has emphasized Italian grape varieties and has cultivated or produced wines from grapes including Albariño, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Sangiovese, and other international varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sauvignon blanc, Pinot gris, and Syrah. Nero d'Avola became the winery’s most distinctive variety. Native to Sicily, the grape is known for producing intensely aromatic red wines. Turdo has been identified as one of only two wineries in the United States using Nero d'Avola, giving the business a specialized identity within American wine. Its wines have been marketed through the Turis and DiLuca brands, names connected to the owner and his son. The winery’s reported scale has remained that of a small producer: approximately five acres of grapes and annual production of roughly 1,100 cases. Its facility is described as being powered entirely by solar energy, an operational feature that forms part of the winery’s public identity. Turdo also operates under a New Jersey farm winery license. The license allows substantial production and distribution privileges within statutory limits, including production of up to 50,000 gallons annually, up to 15 off-premises sales rooms, and limited direct shipping to consumers. Turdo joined the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association but was not listed as a member of the Garden State Wine Growers Association. In April 2009, the winery received broader publicity when Jay Leno featured it on The Tonight Show. The available reference material does not provide a detailed account of later expansion, ownership changes, executive appointments, acquisitions, financial performance, or current operating status. Accordingly, those aspects remain undocumented in this entry.

• 2009

  National television profile

  [1]Turdo Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Jay Leno profiled the winery on The Tonight Show in April 2009.

• 2004

  Winery opens to the public

  [1]Turdo Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Turdo Vineyards & Winery opened its facilities to the public after several years of vineyard development.

• 1999

  First vineyard plantings

  [1]Turdo Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The vineyard was first planted at the future Turdo Vineyards & Winery property in North Cape May, New Jersey.

A small, family-owned coastal New Jersey winery differentiated by Italian grape varieties, a signature Nero d'Avola offering, and solar-powered winery operations.

• Red wine

  Nero d'Avola wines

  Nero d'Avola is Turdo’s signature grape and one of the principal features distinguishing the winery from many other American producers. The variety is a highly aromatic red vinifera grape indigenous to Sicily. Turdo’s use of it supports the winery’s Italian-varietal positioning and gives its red-wine range a strong Mediterranean association.

• Wine brand

  Turis

  Turis is one of the labels under which Turdo Vineyards sells wine. The name is derived from the owner of the winery. The available reference material does not specify the complete range of varietals, vintages, blends, or current distribution associated with the label.

• Wine brand

  DiLuca

  DiLuca is a Turdo Vineyards wine label named after the owner’s son. It forms part of the winery’s family-centered brand architecture. Specific wines, vintages, and current sales channels for the label are not documented in the available reference material.

• Wine

  Italian-varietal wine portfolio

  Turdo’s broader portfolio has included wines made from Italian and international grape varieties. Documented grapes include Albariño, Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Nero d'Avola, Pinot gris, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, and Syrah. The portfolio spans red and white wine styles, although individual cuvées and current product listings are not specified.

1. 1Turdo Vineyards & Wineryen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Associationocpva.com