Laurita’s story began twenty-three years ago when friends, Engineer and Developer Randy Johnson and Attorney Ray Shea began acquiring acres of corn fields, cow pastures, abandoned dairy farms, horse stables, and an old farmhouse in a small town located in the south-central region of New Jersey. Over the years, the partners developed this New Egypt, New Jersey parcel with the Laurita Equestrian Center, Reindancer Therapeutic Riding Center, and the Dancer Farm Bed & Breakfast Inn.

In 1997, their bigger dream of creating a winery had just begun to take shape. Geologists from Rutgers University were consulted to determine if the soil and growing conditions on the property could support a vineyard. Indeed, the sandy soils, rolling hills, gentle breezes, and ample sunlight would be an ideal location to cultivate classic European noble grape varieties. And so, in June of 1998, the very first seeds were hand-planted at Laurita. Over the next two years, a total of twenty acres of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot were planted. In 2002, an additional twenty acres of vineyards received the cuttings for the Pinot Gris, Lemberger, Chambourcin, Norton and Zweigelt grapes.

As Laurita’s vintner Nicolaas Opdam nurtured the growing vines, Randy and Ray focused their attention on the construction of the 22,000 square foot winery, with aesthetics evocative of “Manhattan meets the farm.” Highlighting a deep commitment to the environment, the partners installed automated solar-tracking panels to produce clean energy for the facility and constructed the winery from recycled building materials. Two old late 19th century dairy barns on the property were dismantled and reassembled to form the main structure. Bricks from an old elementary school, stained glass pendant lights from a convent and tilework from an old racetrack were also used in the design. Instead of gravel, crushed seashells from the Jersey shore were installed as the bedding for the picnic benches beds under the vineyard pergolas. To compliment the rustic, hip, and elegant look they had envisioned, they scoured flea markets, old hotels and auction houses to amass the unique collection of antique furniture, architectural accessories, and paintings found at Laurita.

Today, as a fully-functioning winery, Laurita’s 36,000 vines produces 14,000 cases of wine annually. As a small scale producer, Laurita can exercise greater control over the winemaking, beginning with the care and cultivation of the vines through the harvesting, production and bottling. Laurita Oenologist Opdam asserts that this intensive care guarantees more dramatic wines, ones that exhibit flavors that distinguish the particular grape variety and the terroir of the vineyard.

Elegance, graceful balance, structure and finesse define the very essence of Laurita Winery and the impressive wine roster it produces.