About the Winery
Welcome to Laurita Winery! The name “Laurita” derives from the first names of owners Randy Johnson’s and Ray Shea’s mothers, Laura and Rita, to whom the winery is dedicated.
Our Philosophy: Local, Authentic, Sustainable
Laurita Winery is a sustainable alternative, linked to the local area through tradition, culture and respect for its natural resources. Our estate grown wines are nature’s purest expression of vineyard, varietal and vintage, reflecting old world traditions and the vision of wine’s place at the table as a complement to food. To sip our wines, which make the case for elegance and finesse over size and power, is to savor the freshness of taste of grapes at their source.
Located in the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area (AVA) in central New Jersey, the winery is committed to creating wines that derive as much character from the fruit as possible. As responsible stewards of the land, we devote ourselves to the intensive care of the vines and grapes when thinning and pruning, hand harvesting and processing. During the wine production stage, we are committed to preserving the fruit as the heart of the wine.
About the Vineyards & the Winery
Production focuses on making wines from grapes that are recognized and accepted worldwide, concentrating on the Vinifera, the classic European noble varieties. From 1998 through 2000, the first 20 acres of Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot were planted; in 2002 the second 20 acres of vineyards received the cuttings for the Pinot Gris, Lemberger, Chambourcin, Norton and Zweigelt. The first harvest and bottling was of the Merlot and Chardonnay in 2003.
Laurita, with its structure and interior built mostly from recycled or reclaimed materials, is also an eco destination. The skeleton of the building, which dictated the size of the winery which is 20,000 square feet, was formed through the merging of two 150 year old barns that had been destined for demolition. The winery utilizes solar systems to produce clean energy for heat, hot water, steam, cooling and refrigeration.
The landscaping surrounding the winery emphasizes the value of water retention and conservation as does the method by which the vineyards are irrigated. Johnson and Shea have preserved and enhanced the existing natural environment with the intent of providing habitat for wildlife including birds, mammals and amphibians.
The view from the winery and its gently graduating slopes of terraces, pergolas and wide lawns is one of 40 fully cultivated acres of neatly planted linear rows of vineyards and 200 acres of woodlands, meadows and pasture.
The winery produces 14,000-16,000 cases of wine that are exclusive to the winery and offers wine tasting and vineyard and winery tours. Laurita Winery is a regional destination for the enjoyment of diverse musical and cultural entertainment from country line dancing and outdoor movie nights, to jazz and blues to multi-media art displays. Listen to the music and sip our estate grown wines accompanied with gourmet sandwich platters from our deli and cheeses and meats from our fromagerie.