For over a dozen years, Federal Twist Vineyard customers have sipped their wine from plastic cups amid the Stockton grape vines, surrounded by playing dogs and kids.
With a philosophy that’s all about having fun and being approachable rather than getting caught up in the sometimes-intimidating mystique of wine, the outdoor ambiance is a fitting one.
But it hasn’t been so helpful during the harsh Hunterdon County winters, when the winery without an indoor tasting room had to close seasonally and during poor weather.
That isn’t a problem anymore, though.
Federal Twist Vineyard’s first indoor tasting room is now open noon to 5 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays. Reservations are not required, and flights, snacks, bottles of wine, and wine by the glass — not plastic — are available for purchase.
Six wines are offered, including a dry rose, Vidal Blanc, field white, Chardonnay, Blaufränkisch and Chambourcin.
After the tasting room’s grand opening celebration on Friday, May 2, hours and days will be extended.
A wine flight at Federal Twist Vineyard.
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The 70-seat tasting room has a contemporary and minimalist vibe that’s a far cry from that of many other winery tasting rooms, which often have rustic ambiances.
“So many places do stereotypical décor and that’s not who we are,” said Libbey Junius, who co-owns the 13-year-old winery alongside her parents and four siblings. “We’re new and fresh.”
Outfitted with simple dark wood details, a raw maple table, concrete floors, plush seating and iron chandeliers, the open and airy tasting room is surrounded by wood and gray neutral tones dotted with pops of color from vases of daffodils.
A large center tasting bar with wine on tap will soon be added to the room.
Federal Twist Vineyard’s outdoor veranda.
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The tasting room also has an attached 36-seat private event space.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and sliding doors attach the tasting room to a 60-seat veranda for an indoor-outdoor feel. The veranda has a double-sided fireplace and outdoor heating.
Next year, patios available for rent, gardens and a water feature will be added.
And yes, people can still opt to sip their wine in the fields surrounded by their pets, families and lawn games. Live music will continue to be hosted on May through October weekends, and indoor live music will be hosted during other months.
People can still opt to sip their wine at Federal Twist Vineyard in the fields surrounded by their pets, families and lawn games.
The welcoming and family-forward nature is a natural one for Federal Twist Vineyard, which is co-owned by Paul and Hattie Dorko and their five grown children.
Grandchildren are now involved in the 13-year-old winery, too, and visitors will often see them helping out on weekends.
“A lot of vineyards have rules like no dogs or kids, but we try not to take ourselves too seriously and just be open to everyone,” Junius said. “It’s about having fun and enjoying the wine.”
Go: 8 Federal Twist Road, Stockton; 609-773-6066, federaltwistvineyard.com.
Jenna Intersimone.
Contact: JIntersimone@MyCentralJersey.com
Jenna Intersimone has been a staff member at the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey since 2014, although she’s a lifetime Jersey girl who considers herself an expert in everything from the Jersey Shore to the Garden State’s buzzing downtowns. To get unlimited access to her stories about food, drink and fun, please subscribe or activate your digital account today. You can also follow her on Instagram at @seejennaeat and on Twitter at @JIntersimone.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Federal Twist Vineyard in Hunterdon County opens indoor tasting room
