Wine Tasting Competition Winner

Whippany, NJ – Vintner’s Circle Whippany wine maker, Gary LoPinto took home six medals recently from Wine Competition at the State Fair Meadowlands, held June 24 through July 8 at the Giants Stadium Fairgrounds in East Rutherford.Out of the eight wines LoPinto entered, he won gold for both his Chocolate Raspberry Port and Australian Cabernet, silver for his Riesling Ice Wine, Valpolicella, and Pomegranate Zinfandel, and bronze for his Wildberry Shiraz.
 

Creating Award Winning Wines for Wine Tasting Competition

“It was very exciting to have my wines chosen,” says LoPinto. “I didn’t expect to come home with six medals on my very first try.”

Continuing Wine Making Traditions

After a 15 year hiatus, LoPinto recently took up wine making again at Vintner’s Circle Whippany wine making shop. The Tom’s River, New Jersey resident travels to the Whippany location to work with Wine making Shop Manager Ron Franco to create his award-winning wines.

“I love working with Ron,” says LoPinto. “He operates a great shop and it is well worth the trip to have his wine making guidance and support.”

The wine tasting competition, sponsored by the North Jersey Italian American Foundation (NJIAF), was introduced this year, which also is the 25th anniversary of the state fair. The wine tasting competition was open to amateurs and professionals. More than 50 entries were received in the categories of red, white and grappa.

Professional wine judges John Grezzi, president and Diann Greco, vice president of makewinewithus.com presided over the competition. Proceeds from the event went to the First Cerebral Palsy Center of New Jersey and the Belleville/Nutley Columbus Day Parade organization.

Vintner’s Circle Wine Making shops enable friends and family to spend time together making award winning wine in four easy steps. Customers can choose from more than 80 varieties of wine as well as a large selection of bottles and personalized labels. Wine education courses and daily tastings also are available. Vintner’s Circle shops are located in Hackettstown, Whippany, Middletown and Chester, New Jersey and Easton and Dickson City Pennsylvania. For information, contact Jennifer Alviani, Vice President of Brand Development for Vintners Circle Franchising at 908-979-9463.