To make great wines you need a few key ingredients. Naturally, things like good soil, healthy vines, sunlight, plentiful grapes and good barrels are all necessary. However, truly great wines require something more, something our family has cultivated alongside our 70 acres of premium varietals since 1933, hard work and passion.
Founded over 80 years ago by our grandfather, we are the third generation of Tomasellos to build upon his great vision. Not only through dedicating our lives to growing and producing excellent wines that are a true expression of the Outer Coastal Plain, a historically celebrated American wine growing region, but by bringing our wines closer to your families with elegant tasting rooms and gift shops throughout the great Garden State. There is a saying in the wine business that “great wines are made in the vineyard.” We would like to take that a step beyond and say that: Yes, great wines are made at our vineyard, but it is the celebrations, the gatherings, the good times with family and friends that makes a wine even greater. Thank you for your continued love of our wines and loyalty. As our family grows, and our children learn the ways of the vineyard, we look forward to a place at your table for generations to come.
As was common during Prohibition, many in this great American wine-growing region became traditional farmers. In the 1930’s, our grandfather, Frank Tomasello was a berry farmer in Hammonton, New Jersey. He was known for his raspberries, strawberries, peaches and sweet potatoes. But he had a special knack for growing grapes and a passion for wine.
In February 1933, when Frank heard the federal government was repealing Prohibition and was ready to once again issue licenses he did not waste any time. He jumped into his truck and drove through a snow storm to Washington, DC to be one of the first in line for a license. Tomasello was bonded that year, license number 68 for the entire country. That June, New Jersey passed the 21st amendment repealing prohibition and Tomasello was officially in business. Our grandfather understood that the soil and climate in this area were perfect for grape growing. In fact, native grape vines were so common that the Vikings declared the neighboring town “Vineland.” Prior to prohibition, New Jersey was home to nearly 100 wineries, some of the oldest in the country. This special state was, and still is, known for it’s outstanding produce, proving that it could also be ideal for growing exceptional grapes.
The first wines that Frank produced were Ranier Red, Ranier White and Ranier Rosé, in honor of his wife’s maiden name. The delightful blend of American varietals were a huge success, so much so that they are still being made today and are among our top selling wines with a very loyal following. In the 1940’s, Frank welcomed his sons, Charles and Joseph, into the business. They grew their Tomasello into a commercial business while adding some new products to the portfolio, including sparkling wines made in the classical French method known as methode champenoise. By the 1960’s, sparkling wines accounted for half of all the wines produced at Tomasello . Joseph Tomasello passed away in 1971, leaving Charles Tomasello, Sr., then 48, to expand the family’s vineyard. He added the first generation of French American hybrids, many of which were in the experimental stages, being developed and introduced by Cornell University’s Extension Station. While many of these grapes are currently being planted throughout the United States, Charles Tomasello, Sr. was the first to plant many of the successful varieties at the Tomasello vineyard.
