HADDONFIELD, N.J. — The Garden State Wine Growers Association – a coalition of 60+ New Jersey wineries and vineyards supporting the Garden State’s wine industry through information, resources, and advocacy – establishes a partnership with Sally Seremia, a Sommelier, and her colleague Davide Gilioli, the newly appointed European Ambassadors to New Jersey Wine Country, to introduce New Jersey wine to Italy.
Around seven years ago, Sally Semeria, a Sommelier Food & Wine Expert based in Milan and part of the Sommelier Association, had a goal to help small wine producers around the United States grow their presence in Italy. A “New Jersey Wines to Italy Project” was established by the Garden State Wine Growers Association after significant progress and a partnership with Semeria and Gilioli.
Last week, from June 21 through June 23, the Garden State Wine Growers Association held the Judgement of Princeton International Wine Summit Media Tour to publicly announce this partnership. During this tour, Sally and Davide explored New Jersey Wine Country where they got to taste various wines, learn about the wine-making process, meet the passionate owners and winemakers, and gain an exclusive look at the wineries’ barrel rooms and vineyards. The centerpiece of the visit was the New Jersey Wine Ambassador Reception on June 22.
On June 26, Sally, alongside Garden State Wine Growers winery members from Auburn Road Vineyards in Pilesgrove, NJ, Scott and Julianne Donnini, showcased New Jersey wines at the US Ambassador’s residence, the Villa Taverna, in Rome, Italy, with an estimated 3,500 people in attendance. This collaboration aimed to introduce Italian wine experts, international media, and U.S. Embassy agricultural and marketing attachés and support staff to New Jersey wines as legitimate entrants into the European market to meet the increasing demand for wines from emerging wine regions.
Wines Poured:
Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery: Dry rose, The White Bottle Chardonnay, Gaia red blend, and Giulia red blend
Bellview Winery: Gruner Veltliner and San Marco
Cedar Rose Winery: Traminette
Hawk Haven Winery: Brut Sparkling, Dry rose, and Q red blend
“It was a great honor to present the wines of the Garden State and represent our industry to the Ambassador and his guests,” said Co-owner of Auburn Road Vineyard and Winery and Board Member of the Garden State Wine Growers Association, Scott Donnini. “The response was overwhelming and they promised support, resources and encouragement for the continued expansion of Garden State wine into the Italian market and more broadly into the other markets of the European Union.”
–Garden State Wine Growers Association
