By Cindy Christy Fertsch
A towering lit Christmas tree constructed with over 75 stacked, authentic wine barrels is the focal point of Renault Winery’s Vintner Wonderland. It is what first grabs your eye and makes you realize you are entering something extraordinary! South Jersey has never seen anything like this. Vintner Wonderland at Renault is a winter dreamland where you can skate, shop, wine, dine and and a whole lot more. Best of all, it is outdoors, following Covid-19 safety protocols, even offering enclosed private igloos to dine in.
If the pandemic stole the holiday spirit, Vintner Wonderland has brought it back. With an ice-skating rink, horse and carriage rides, live music, fire pits surrounded by rocking chairs, bon fires, wine tasting and hot beverages that warm your bones and spirit, the magic of the season is in the air.
“It was designed to be similar to a European Winter Festival,” explained Josh McCallen, President of Renault Properties LLC and Executive with Vivamee Hospitality. “A ‘vintner’ is a winemaker. That’s why we call it ‘Vintner Wonderland.’ The hot or mulled wine warms your fingers, then your belly and heart. And because it is wine, it also helps you to feel jovial for the season.”
McCallen had lived in Austria and he describes similar scenes of winter delight there and throughout Europe. McCallen, along with his wife, Melanie and their ten children are often at Vintner Wonderland working behind the scenes and assisting in multiple ways.
“When we purchased Renault in December of 2018, it was a national treasure with much tarnish on it,” said McCallen. ” Vivamee literally means reviving the soul and that is what we are doing with this 156 year old French Countryside Winery. We have kept every artifact and every piece of history during its restoration.” That also includes the French pronunciation of Renault where the t is silent. (‘Re-know’)
“Vintner Wonderland was part of the vision McCallen had for the “Four seasons of Renault,” but when Covid-19 regulations tightened up, it was expedited to create a safe and festive atmosphere where people could enjoy the holidays and winter season safely,” explained Jon Schaffer, an event coordinator who played a key role in bringing McCallen’s vision to fruition. When asked about events for the upcoming seasons, Schaffer said only that exciting things are in the works.
Additionally, Renault’s staff has decorated themed Christmas Trees to be bid on valued at over $10,000 with all proceeds being donated to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey to assist those in need. The trees displayed are both innovative and stunning, viewing them is worth the trip alone to Vintner Wonderland at Renault. Winning bids receive both the tree, and any added value gifts attached. Online bidding ends at 8 PM on Saturday, December 12th. You can also bid on the trees in person between 12-8 PM on Saturday.
Vintner Wonderland continues to offer even more. Monday, December 14th is the first installment of Movie Mondays. Holiday movies will play on Renault’s 6×10 foot silver screen easily viewable on and off the Ice-skating rink. Parking, entry and movie viewing is always free but tickets must be purchased online or at the door for admission onto the 6,000 foot outdoor skating rink.
Vintner Wonderland is open seven days a week , but the full service outdoor dining is Friday through Sunday.
The aesthetic is breathtaking with local vendors sell their wares in huts, holiday light displays, an ice-skating rink, a Christmas tree farm, horse and carriage rides, live music, and of course, wine.
Best of all, most of it is FREE with free parking, free admission, and free live music. Only the ice skating rink, carriage rides and of course, the food and beverages require additional charges. The Vintner Wonderland is open from now through February 28th. For more information visit www.RenaultWinery.com
