AS with many small, utilitarian wineries in California, barrels and tanks practically spill out of Tenbrink, home of Scholium Project, here in the Suisun Valley, just east of Napa Valley.
Moreover, they have been sensible enough to take under their wing many smaller "boutique" wineries, thus ensuring that their customers can move up the ladder from basic bestsellers like Jacob's Creek and Lindeman's Bin 65 Chardonnay.
First of all, at wholesale level, production is characterized by very low concentration of supply, due to the presence of many small-medium wineries with a small market shares.
Many of the small wineries in the region still focus on hybrid and native grapes, rather than the more familiar array of wines made from vinifera grapes like riesling, pinot noir and cabernet franc, and they do their big business selling to walk-ups.
The growth of the state's winery industry has been bolstered by the 1981 New Jersey Farm Winery Act, which repealed many Prohibition-era laws and allowed many small growers to open new wineries., New Jersey has 48 licensed and operating wineries which produce wine from more than 90 varieties of grapes, and from over 25 other fruits.
Not only are the start-up costs of a bricks-and-mortar winery prohibitive for many small operators, but getting the finished product onto store shelves is an even bigger challenge.
Many of these smaller wineries are required by law to take reservations only, so call ahead to make an appointment.
Hundreds of small wineries within 90 minutes' drive of Vienna are open daily and welcome visitors.
