Mount Salem Vineyards is a boutique winery in the Pittstown section of Alexandria Township in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States. Formerly a produce, grain, and dairy farm, the vineyard was first planted in 2005, and opened to the public in 2010. It is owned by Peter Leitner.
Mount Salem Vineyards specializes in the use of Austrian and Northern Italian grapes. Wine is produced from Albariño, Barbera, Blaufränkisch (Lemberger), Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Grüner Veltliner, Merlot, Riesling, St. Laurent, Traminette, Viognier, and Zweigelt grapes. It is the only winery in New Jersey that produces wine from St. Laurent, which is a vinifera grape indigenous to Austria. Mount Salem is not located in one of New Jersey's three viticultural areas. The winery is not a member of the Garden State Wine Growers Association, but is a member of the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association.
I was traveling along side a group during the pandemic, which posed its own unique problems, especially on rainy days. Despite, we tried to maintain our spacing etc. Sometimes we momentarily grouped up for photos.
The first wine that struck me as amazing was the Mount Salem Cab Franc Rose.They used the Sagniee method, which means “to bleed,” and it also describes a method of rosé winemaking that involves “bleeding” off a portion of red wine juice after it's been in contact with the skins and seeds. It had a pretty light pink color. It was super aromatic, with big strawberry jam, strawberry rhubarb. It was super fresh, easy to drink. Truly fantastic!
Mount Salem has been featuring virtual wine dinners since early October. Participants pick up food and optional 1 bottle of a featured wine for dinner (at curbside)/ The owners host a 30 minute dinner with suggested bottle. $60 dinner for two dinners. The participants sign on to a Zoom dinner with piece of suggested music in their background. So far, its been extremely popular. They have one every two weeks or so.
Lietner Gruner Veltliner is a reserve white wine, tropical fruits with lots of exotic spice, a hint of white pepper finish and citrus finish. Lovely bright acidity. Lip smacking good. Really meant for food. Really impressive.
The Leitner Barbera is 85% Barbera and 15% northern Italian varieties
all grown at the Larry Coia Vineyard in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. A big juicy, soft red wine, and the deep cherry flavor lingers in the mouth, a long, long time.
The Leitner Matthias 2014 is a big red blend og Blaufrankisch, Zweigelt, and St. Laurent. This is a big red blend. Deep, deep fruit characteristics. Absolutely outstanding! Absolutely stellar!!
A wonderful, if not rain soaked, visit. Wonderful stuff!
