You’re driving down Highway 33 in Freehold, past the suburban sprawl and the strip malls, and suddenly there’s this massive apple on a pole. That’s Wemrock Orchards. Most people pull in for the cider donuts—which, honestly, are worth the trip alone—but if you walk past the pies and the seasonal decor, you’ll find the Tomasello Winery tasting room at Wemrock Orchards. It’s a bit of a "business within a business" vibe. It’s unassuming. It’s tucked away. And for anyone who thinks New Jersey can't produce a sophisticated bottle of wine, it’s a total reality check.
Tomasello isn't some new kid on the block trying to find its footing. They’ve been at this since 1933. That’s post-Prohibition legacy territory. While their main estate is down in Hammonton, this specific tasting room at Wemrock provides a weirdly perfect bridge between Monmouth County farm culture and South Jersey viticulture. You get the rustic, "just picked this apple" energy of the orchard paired with the technical precision of a third-generation winery.
It’s an odd pairing that just works.
What to Expect at the Tomasello Winery Tasting Room at Wemrock Orchards
Don't expect a Napa Valley marble countertop or a sommelier in a tuxedo. That’s not what this is. The Tomasello Winery tasting room at Wemrock Orchards is cozy. Think wood accents, shelves lined with bottles, and a staff that actually knows the difference between a dry Petit Verdot and a fruit wine without checking a cheat sheet.
Usually, when you walk in, you can opt for a structured tasting. They use a ticket system or a set flight list. It’s casual. You can stand at the bar and chat or find a little nook to sit in. The beauty here is the sheer variety. Tomasello grows over 30 varieties of grapes, which is kind of insane when you think about the microclimates in Jersey. At Wemrock, they bring a curated slice of that massive portfolio to the local crowd.
One thing that surprises people? The fruit wines. Normally, "fruit wine" is code for "syrup in a bottle." Not here. Because they are located inside an orchard, there’s a thematic resonance to their cranberry, blackberry, and raspberry wines. They use 100% fruit. No cheap fillers. If you’re a dry wine snob, you might roll your eyes, but try the Cranberry with a Thanksgiving-style meal and tell me it doesn't change your mind. It’s tart, crisp, and surprisingly complex.
The Grapes You Didn't Know New Jersey Could Grow
New Jersey is the Garden State, but for a long time, the wine scene was... let's just say "developing." That has changed. The Outer Coastal Plain AVA (American Viticultural Area) is where Tomasello sources most of its fruit, and the sandy soil there is surprisingly similar to parts of Bordeaux.
✨ Don't miss: Bed and Breakfast Wedding Venues: Why Smaller Might Actually Be Better
At the Wemrock location, you’ll often find their Palmaris series. This is their high-end stuff. We’re talking reserve-level Outer Coastal Plain Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. These wines are aged in French oak. They have tannins. They have legs. They have that earthy, "Old World" funk that you usually have to pay $80 a bottle for in a boutique shop. Here, you’re getting it straight from the source.
If you’re into whites, their Rkatsiteli is a weird one to try—it’s an ancient Georgian grape variety that thrives in Jersey's humidity. It’s floral but bone-dry. Most visitors walk in asking for a Chardonnay (which they have, and it's solid), but the staff will usually nudge you toward something more adventurous. Listen to them.
The Vibe: It’s Not Just About the Wine
The context matters. You aren't just sitting in a vacuum; you’re at Wemrock Orchards. This means your wine tasting is likely sandwiched between buying a pumpkin and grabbing a bag of Jersey Fresh corn.
- The Crowd: On a Saturday in October, it’s chaotic. You’ll see families getting pies while couples are tucked in the corner sipping a flight of reds.
- The Seasonal Factor: In the winter, it’s incredibly quiet. It’s one of the best times to go if you actually want to talk to the pourers about the fermentation process or the 2023 harvest.
- The Food Hookup: Since you’re in an orchard, the snack game is elevated. You can’t exactly bring a full picnic into the tasting room, but the proximity to fresh-baked goods is a dangerous game for your waistline.
The Tomasello Winery tasting room at Wemrock Orchards also hosts specific events. They do these "Wine and Salad" or "Wine and Cupcake" pairings. Some people find them kitschy. Others live for them. If you’re looking for a serious, silent evaluation of vintage quality, maybe skip the cupcake day. But if you want a fun Sunday afternoon with your friends, it’s a blast.
Why This Specific Location Matters for Monmouth County
Let’s be real: Driving down to Hammonton or Cape May for a wine tasting is a whole day trip. For people in Manalapan, Marlboro, or Freehold, having a satellite tasting room like this is a massive convenience. You get the estate experience without the two-hour turnpike haul.
There’s also a sense of community here. The Tomasello family has kept this partnership with the Schick family (who own Wemrock) for years. It’s a local collaboration that feels authentic. In an era where everything is becoming a corporate franchise, there’s something nice about two long-standing Jersey families sharing a roof.
🔗 Read more: Virgo Love Horoscope for Today and Tomorrow: Why You Need to Stop Fixing People
Debunking the "Jersey Wine is Sweet" Myth
If I hear one more person say they don't like Jersey wine because it’s "too sweet," I’m going to lose it. Yes, Tomasello makes sweet wines. Their Spumante and their Moscato are popular for a reason—they’re accessible and well-made.
But at the Tomasello Winery tasting room at Wemrock Orchards, the dry reds are the real story. Their Cabernet Franc is consistently decorated in competitions. It has that characteristic peppery finish and bright acidity that defines the North Atlantic style. It isn't trying to be a California fruit bomb. It’s lean, it’s food-friendly, and it’s undeniably "Jersey."
Practical Tips for Your Visit
If you’re planning to head over, here’s how to actually enjoy it without getting overwhelmed by the orchard crowds.
First, timing is everything. If you go during peak apple-picking season (late September through October), the parking lot at Wemrock is a battlefield. Try to go on a weekday afternoon or a Friday evening if they have extended hours.
Second, join the wine club. If you find yourself liking more than two bottles, the Tomasello wine club is actually one of the better deals in the state. You get discounts on bottles and usually some perks for tastings at any of their locations. Since they have rooms in places like Lambertville and Cranford too, it’s a high-value move for locals.
Third, don't sleep on the sparkling wines. Tomasello uses the methode champenoise for their high-end bubbles. It’s the real deal—secondary fermentation in the bottle, hand-riddled, the whole nine yards. Their Blanc de Blanc is legit.
💡 You might also like: Lo que nadie te dice sobre la moda verano 2025 mujer y por qué tu armario va a cambiar por completo
The Technical Side: What’s in the Bottle?
For the geeks out there, Tomasello is one of the few wineries in the region that really experiments with hybrids alongside Vitis vinifera. You’ll see Chambourcin on the menu.
Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid that basically loves the Mid-Atlantic climate. It’s deep purple, almost opaque, with a soft tannin structure. It’s the "pizza wine" of New Jersey. At the Tomasello Winery tasting room at Wemrock Orchards, they often have a few different expressions of it. It’s a great entry point if you want to understand what local terroir actually tastes like.
Is it Worth the Trip?
Honestly? Yes. Even if you aren't a "wine person," the atmosphere of Wemrock Orchards makes it a destination. You can spend an hour tasting through a flight of five or six wines, find a bottle you love for twenty bucks, and then go buy a fresh chicken pot pie for dinner. It’s the ultimate suburban New Jersey Saturday.
It lacks the pretension of the North Fork in Long Island or the price tags of the Finger Lakes. It’s just good wine, grown by people who have been doing it for ninety years, served in a room that smells like cinnamon and apples.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Calendar: Before you go, visit the Wemrock Orchards website or the Tomasello events page. They frequently host themed pairing events (like chocolate or cheese) that require advanced tickets.
- Start Dry, End Sweet: If you’re doing a custom flight, start with the Palmaris Cabernet Sauvignon or the Dry Riesling. Save the specialty fruit wines—like the famous Blackberry III—for the very end as a dessert sip.
- Grab the "Hard" Cider: While you're at the orchard, check if they have any of the hard ciders on tap or in bottles. It’s a nice palate cleanser between the heavier reds.
- Temperature Matters: If you buy a bottle of their white or rosé, ask them for a cold one from the back if you plan on drinking it soon. Otherwise, the room-temp bottles on the shelf will need a good hour in the fridge.
- Plan Your Meal: Since the tasting room doesn't have a full-service kitchen, plan to hit one of the local Freehold eateries afterward. Federici’s for thin-crust pizza is the classic "locals only" move that pairs perfectly with a bottle of Tomasello red you just bought.
The Tomasello Winery tasting room at Wemrock Orchards isn't trying to be a fancy estate. It's a functional, friendly spot to discover that New Jersey wine is a lot more serious than most people give it credit for. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Monmouth County, it’s a stop that consistently over-delivers.