“It’s right across the bridge,” said Tom Sharko, owner of Alba Vineyard. Ironically also in love with the show “Shark Tank,” you would never guess this wine connoisseur is only 24-years-old. But when you’ve been working in the business since you were a child – for 17 years total now – that knowledge comes easily. As does the taste for some good wine.
From Manayunk, it took us a good hour and 20 minutes and it was just across the bridge – from Riegelsville, Pa. that is. With lots of twists, turns and Victorian homes, it reminded me of a scenic central Pa. drive. And we chose the perfect sunny fall day to explore.
With 100 acres of pure New Jersey majestic landscape in front of us and the fall colors still holding on, it was breathtaking – with pure, clean air that actually filled your lungs without exhaust fumes. We explored and did a mini-hike up the hill to see what a great view mother nature – and Tom’s dad – created for us. Then it was into the new addition of the warehouse that housed extra barrels and some random moose horns with plans for more expansion projects with a nice patio to enjoy the view.
To the bottling area and through the wine process, our senses were on high alert with a range of smells, sights and a slight learning curve. Finally we were rewarded with the most thorough wine tasting I have ever had before – with every available bottle. My favorite flavors (and the one that brought me here) was the German-style sweet Riesling and a new favorite, the sweet and potent (18.5%) Vintage Port. Another surprising wine was the Pinot Noir, which unless you knew saw were drinking a red, you would never know. My partner in wine enjoyed the Blueberry and Red Raspberry which they are trying to phase out, but their customers won’t seem to let them just yet. Because the customer is always right!
Look for the telltale sign from the road, you might miss it!A fireplace to warm your hands by the fire with a glass in the other.More of the wine shop.A lovely outdoor seating area which is hopping on the weekends.Mandatory sign as people will show up with coolers of beer, food and attempt to party on the premises.People are often inspired to paint what they see here.The barn where the magic happens and the gift shop.The beautiful barn.New Jersey wine awards line the walls in the store.A tasty selection of reds, including my fave the potent Vintage Port.The wine shop when you walk in.Cheers to finding some reds I actually enjoy (without the telltale headache).Some of my favorite white wines.The map to the grapes of the 100 acre spread (not shown, more land on top and the barn, farmhouse below).Here’s where you smell the wine the most and the last part of the process.Making white wines bottles recently.Where the bottling magic happens.Jon Altmaier, winemaker, has been with Alba for 14 years and has 30+ years under his belt in Germany and Australia. Don’t mind the jugs of Carlo Rossi, those are for my mom (just kidding, she loves those jugs though!)Some other winemakers store their wines here – for a fee. Dolium and Alba actually ended up making a wine together.Some other winemakers store their wines here – for a fee.
We transition into the temperature controlled warehouse.This bunghole has a lovely psychedelic red wine leak.Award winning signs from years past adorn the new addition.A random moose horn from a Canadian trip hangs out in the new addition.The new warehouse view from near the outhouse.No farmland is complete without a (working) outhouse.People pay $7,500 to secure weddings for this priceless view.
Each cluster of grapes looks different from region to region. These I tasted were slightly bitter but didn’t make the crop cut regardless.A scarecrow owl sits on the edge of a post to scare off all the grape-loving birds.A scarecrow hawk sits on the edge of a post to scare off all the grape-loving birds.
Sharko’s father placed all these large stones to form a sort of Stonehenge vibe.Owner Tom Sharko of Alba Vineyards above the “wedding rock”
