Jersey Bites

New Jersey might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of Italian wines. But nestled within the Garden State’s diverse terroir, a few winemaking visionaries are crafting exceptional Italian varietals. These wines are a testament to the resilience of viticulture in this region and the passion of winemakers who carry forward their Italian heritage.

I had the opportunity to connect with two of these winemakers. We discussed why their unique respective terroirs in the Cape May Penninsula American Viticultural Area (AVA) and Central Delaware Valley AVA allows Italian varietals to thrive in the state.

Turdo Vineyards and Winery

One such winemaker is Luca Turdo, one of the forces behind Turdo Vineyards and Winery, in Cape May. His journey into winemaking began many years ago, when he assisted his father and grandfather in making wine in their garage. This early introduction to winemaking instilled in him a deep appreciation of wine as an integral part of life. 

“In Italy, wine is part of the meal,” Luca says. “It’s just as important as the bread or plate of cheeses.” Growing up with this mindset, Luca’s winemaking philosophy leans toward the Old World style—wines that are “food friendly” and meant to be enjoyed with a meal. Even today, Luca rarely drinks a glass of wine by itself. There’s always something to savor alongside it. 

Luca’s personal connection to Italian wine culture and heritage, rooted in his Sicilian background, has a strong influence on his winemaking philosophy. He vividly recalls the “Sicilian Shirley Temples” his nonno would prepare for him and his cousins. (Think 7Up with ice, with a dash of red wine floating on top.) It was a charming, normal part of his childhood, an experience that highlights the integral role of wine in the Sicilian way of life.

Hopewell Valley Vineyards

Also making strides in the realm of Italian varietals is Violetta Neri and husband, Sergio Neri, of Hopewell Valley Vineyards (shown at top). Though not of Italian descent herself, Violetta shares a deep appreciation for Italian culture and viticulture. The two were inspired to plant Italian varietals in Violetta’s vineyard. The Neris knew the varietals would thrive in the Garden State’s terroir.

Sergio comes from a family of winemakers. His father, an engineer, also owned a vineyard in Tuscany’s famous Brunello di Montalcino region. He eventually sold the vineyard, in the late 1980s. He was a businessman in Milan, and it was a tremendous amount of travel to overcome. Sergio’s brother also owns a vineyard in Tuscany, which is solely focused on the production of sangiovese. 

Italian varietals like barbera and sangiovese have found a home at Hopewell Valley Vineyards, demonstrating the adaptability of these grapes to New Jersey’s climate. Violetta’s commitment to sustainability and her hands-on approach to winemaking have contributed to the success of Italian varietals at her vineyard.

In the Right Place at the Right Time

What inspired these two winemakers to focus on Italian varietals in New Jersey? Luca says, “Obviously, our background.” Both of his parents hail from Sicily, and the family often indulged in Italian wines, such as Chianti, nebbiolo, barbera, and pinot grigio.

When they established Turdo Vineyards in Cape May, they family knew they wanted to plant the noble grapes of Italy, including nero d’avola, an indigenous Sicilian varietal. The vines thrived in Cape May’s unique conditions — sandy soil for drainage, proximity to the water for a longer growing season, and hot days followed by cool nights that enhance phenolic structure in the grapes. In recent years, they also started growing grillo, a Sicilian white varietal.

Luca emphasizes that the success of Italian varietals in New Jersey depends on the region. “The further south you go, the better for growing Italian varietals,” he notes. Specific varietals like Sangiovese, Barbera, and Dolcetto can be found in certain vineyards. But the choice of clones and vineyard location plays a significant role. The longer growing season in Cape May, with a delayed hard frost, allows grapes to mature fully and attain physiological maturity. This is a crucial factor for the wines’ aroma, flavor profile, and mouthfeel.

Violetta and Sergio are focused on which grape varietals will grow best in their terroir, the Central Delaware Valley AVA. She feels it would be a stretch of one to two hundred years before they could bring more Italian varietals to where they would want them to be due to the climate in Central Jersey. Right now, Violetta and Sergio are focused on producing the best quality old-world wines possible. Perhaps Nebbiolo is not too far off in the future?  

New Jersey and Winemaking: Perfect Together

While New Jersey may not usually be synonymous with Italian wine, the Garden State’s diverse terroir and dedicated winemakers like Luca Turdo and Violetta and Sergio Neri prove that Italian varietals can flourish here. These winemakers’ journeys and the unique conditions of the Garden State are paving the way for a growing appreciation of Italian wines in New Jersey, one bottle at a time.

The Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, home of the New Jersey Devils, has a new and improved VIP food and beverage experience. The chic VIP lounge now features an exciting new menu and signature cocktails from hospitality partner Levy. 

Inside the VIP Lounge

The VIP lounge is available for season ticket holders and those with seats in designated areas (click here for more information). The lounge features a window-lined wall with a view of Mulberry Street, a bar area, high-top and low-top tables, and a velvet couch seating area. The lounge also has intricate architecture featuring a gorgeous ceiling with what looks to be bronze floral detailing. This gorgeous lounge truly makes you feel like a VIP! 

Aaron Zaks, Executive Chef

New Jersey native Aaron Zaks has always had a love for the food industry. He started out working in pizzerias, working his way up to fine dining. Zaks was recently named executive chef at the Prudential Center. He is eager to serve up all that Levy has to offer.

“We tried to take our typical fanfare and elevate it for you,” says Zaks about the new food offerings. “We wanted to make you a burger, but New Jersey style. And we wanted to make you chicken fingers, but not only chicken fingers that you can find in every arena, we wanted to make them in-house — we are hand breading them.”

“We want to elevate the experience and make sure that everyone who’s coming to the Prudential Center knows that this is New Jersey. We are New Jersey, and we appreciate everyone that comes here,” says Zaks. 

On the Menu

This new-and-improved menu features 10 new items and, of course, fan-favorites such as the hand-breaded chicken tenders, cheese pizza, and classic disco fries. 

You’ll also find items that can’t be found at other arenas. The Honey Hen sandwich is a personal favorite. It’s made with crispy fried chicken breast, hot honey, cheddar, and Chef Asia’s honey butter served on a toasted brioche bun. It’s the perfect combination of savory and sweet. 

Die-hard Jersey fans: Be on the lookout for items that really speak to you. Here’s a look.

• Traffic Jam Burger: Pat La Frieda beef patty, hot pepper bacon jam, crispy Taylor ham, and a deep-fried mac and cheese puck, on a toasted Calandra’s bakery bun

• The Jersey Ripper: Foot-long deep-fried beef hot dog, secret slaw, grilled peppers and onions, and Jersey Jerk relish, on a hot dog bun

For lighter fare, Levy also offers a Greek salad with iceberg and mixed-green blend, tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, feta, kalamata olives, and Greek vinaigrette. This salad works as a meal or as a side dish! 

Other menu options include:

• The Rock’s Smash Burger: Double Pat LaFrieda beef patty, American cheese, bread-and-butter pickles, and the Rock’s sauce, on a toasted Calandra’s bakery bun
• Popcorn Shrimp: Fried shrimp, boardwalk style

Aside from these menu options, if you are in the market for a quick snack while enjoying the game, you can also find Popcorn For The People. The company is dedicated to creating career opportunities for people who learn and think differently. And the product is made locally, in Piscataway. The Prudential Center will be serving three flavors: caramel, cheese, and cookies and cream.

New Signature Cocktails

We had the pleasure of trying the two new delicious signature sips available at the bar.

• Heater: Hijole Tequila, grapefruit, jalapeno and club soda
• Remy Ginger: Remy 1738, ginger beer, and lime

Discover the heightened food and beverage experience at the Prudential Center in Newark, where Levy’s culinary offerings and signature cocktails have redefined the game-day experience. With Aaron Zaks leading the charge, the arena’s new menu promises an unforgettable blend of traditional favorites and Jersey-inspired creations. 

Prudential Center
25 Lafayette Street
Newark, New Jersey 

As far as I’m concerned, every day should be Pasta Day! Pasta, and Italian food in general, has been my comfort food for as long as I can remember. Like many Italian Americans, every weekend, birthday, and holiday meant chicken cutlets, baked ziti, and my Grandma’s meatballs and sauce simmering on the stove all day. (And yes, it’s sauce — not gravy — in my fam!)

My grandma’s pasta fazool was one of the first recipes I learned to cook at age 8. So it didn’t surprise anyone when I decided to change careers from engineering to attend culinary school. It also came as no surprise to people in my life when I launched my Women’s Food & Wine travel business in Italy, with tours to Florence, Tuscany, and Sicily. Visiting Italy multiple times a year to host my foodie tours, has only deepened my love for pasta.

In honor of National Pasta Day, October 17, here are three of my favorite, pasta dishes. Check out the link below for the recipes. Not feeling like hanging out by the stove? I’ve also included my two favorite places to go for your pasta fix, in Hoboken and Jersey City. Buon Appetito!

One Pan Cacio e Pepe for Two

This classic Roman pasta dish has a cult following for a reason! It uses just three ingredients; pasta, Pecorino Romano cheese, and pepper. This combination creates a creamy, luscious, and amazingly flavorful cheese sauce that beautifully coats thick-cut bucatini. My easy, speedy, one-pan version cleverly uses the starch from the pasta cooking water to create thick and luxurious results.

Grandma’s Pasta Fazool

My grandma’s “Pasta Fazool” was my number one favorite comfort food dish when I was a little girl! Fun fact: fazool really fagioli, which is Italian for beans. On menus, you might see it listed either way. This dish is served all throughout Italy with either cannellini or Ceci beans, aka chickpeas. You can make this thick, one-pot, pasta-based soup in under 30 minutes. It’s a family-friendly crowd pleaser!

Pappardelle with Bolognese Sauce

This beloved meat sauce is from Bologna, the capital city of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, also often considered Italy’s food capital. My version features tender ground lamb simmered in a flavorful red wine-tomato sauce with Grana Padano or Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. Serve this hearty sauce over thick-cut pappardelle or tortellini.

Grab these three pasta recipes and more of Julie’s Italian favorites in her free mini book La Dolce Vita at Home, linked here.

Not in the mood to cook? Here are my two favorite local pasta spots. Both are BYO (bonus!) so grab your favorite bottle of red or white before you go.

Julie’s Hoboken Favorite

Cafe Michelina

Family run since 1994, we’ve celebrated just about every family milestone with Pete, Sal, and their family at “Cafe Mich.” My daughters even devoured the perennial favorite penne vodka, aka “Pete’s pasta” as toddlers, in their high chairs.

Give Cafe Michelina a try when you want to satisfy your red sauce cravings, for a big group dinner with heaping plates of pasta and fried calamari, or just to pick up takeout on a weeknight. No matter your reason, get ready for a meal that will take you straight to your favorite Italian grandma’s House, served up by the nicest family around. The newer menu favorite of stuffed rigatoni with chicken and vodka sauce is a must try — as are all the specials.

Julie’s Jersey City Favorite

Corto

Corto opened in 2018 in the ever-changing, buzzing area of Jersey City affectionately known as “The Heights” and quickly received acclaim from Bon Appetit, Thrilllist, Eater, The Infatuation and so many more. It immediately became a go-to for me and my professional wine group for their incredible handmade pasta, charcuterie and creativity in their seasonal menus. This vintage-vibed, cozy spot only has a few menu mainstays including their fan favorite Rigatoni with bianco di napoli tomato, pancetta, calabrian chili, basil, mint, and Pecorino Romano below plus a not-to-be-missed “Angry Chicken”. You really can’t go wrong with anything on their menu including a current fall Ravioli with kabocha squash, ricotta, local mushroom, guanciale, brown butter, and sage.

About Julie

Chef Julie Hartigan of JulieHartigan.com is a Jersey City-based professional chef and food media personality who hosts Women’s Food & Wine Tours to Italy. Grab her free mini book, La Dolce Vita at Home to try her pasta recipes. Or join her for a dreamy food-and-wine tasting tour to Italy. Check out Julie’s latest tours here!  

Follow Julie’s foodie adventures at home and abroad on Instagram @juliehartigan.