Southwind Vineyard & Winery

The young and promising growth of the Outer Coastal Plain

Southwind Vineyard & Winery is a young winery in the Outer Coastal Plain, specifically between Vineland and Millville (New Jersey). A vineyard but not only! Initially (and it is still relevant!) Southwind has a horse ranch activity.

The property was founded in 1978 by Jeannie & Fred Allen. Purchased by Lorre Allen & Joseph P. Riley e in 2002 and the vineyard was planted in 2006. Former (Lorre Allen) French teacher, lover of French life style and outdoor life in 2006 she decided to quit her teaching job to convert a portion of the family property into a vineyard. Assisted by her husband Joseph P. Riley it then plant the first acres of vines Southwind (Chambourcin, Cabernet and Muscat Blanc). Gradually the vineyard grew and became equipped with wine making equipment. In 2012 Southwind Vineyard even adopts a tasting room and sales. The latter is also decorated with a bunch of objects recalling the passion Lorre for France.

For tip information, the property is “dog friendly” so feel free to come with your dog. You can enjoy a glass of wine while strolling with your pet in the garden.

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Where does the name ” Southwind Vineyard & Winery ” come from?

The name “Southwind” is a nod to southern origins (Arkansas and Texas ) parents Lorre Allen. The name as many things at the winery are reminders of southern hospitality.

How did your passion for the world of wine born?

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“My passion for wine was born when I was a professor of French and my travels in France. It was 10 years ago I started as I could to make wine for my family and friends.

In 2006, to supplement the ranch / dressage property business and enhance our land, my husband (Joseph P. Riley) and I have planted a few acres of vines on our 100 acres farm. As the vines matured, I learned everything I could about viticulture and winemaking.

Well before the first harvest I hired a brilliant arborist and horticulturist Jamie Sherman. Together, we are a determined and strong complementary team. Then, things have flourished thanks to lots of hard work and a little luck. We have already produced award winning wines after a few years of production, showing encouraging sign that we are on the right track. “(Lorre Allen)

What do you look for year for making Southwind’ wines?

“What I try to do with our red wines is to have a deep and lush color. A wine when tasting reveals balanced and moves comfortably through the palate from front to rear to awaken the senses and greed.

I also like to assemble wines, additional varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot or Cabernet Franc. This gives very good results, very comprehensive balanced wines where the best features of these three wines are combined. I also always reserve about 20% of my red grape juice for the development of a dry, refreshing rosé. This sample allows us to increase the depth and richness of the wine by increasing / seed ratio skin with grape juice.

For white as our Muscat, we raise on the lees to increase aromas , complexity of aromas while limiting acidity. “(Lorre Allen)

Side project:

Lorre Allen and Joseph P. Riley have plans to dig a tunnel (like some California wineries) in the property to create a new winery and greatest tasting room. See you in a few years to discover 😉 .

Side anecdote:

Passing Southwind Vineyard & Winery you probably notice the atypical logo proudly displayed on the bottles and in the tasting room. This logo is cut with a few drops of blood and below water fish and a hand. This logo is a tribute to one of the ancestor of Lorre Allen arrived by ship to the Irish Coast there is some of it centuries. Upon arrival, the ship’s captain told his sailors “the first who touches the land, this land belong to him.” To be sure to own land on the new continent, the ancestor before the boat docked, cut off his left hand and threw it away.