Photo via Meadowbrook Winery

The tasting room at Meadowbrook Winery opened in the fall of 2025. One of New Jersey’s newest wineries, started in 2019 by owner Frank Schwab, this winery in Oldwick, New Jersey, has just five grape varieties planted in its vineyards: Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Albariño. Anyone familiar with wine grapes will recognize the first three as the predominant grapes used in Champagne production. That’s no coincidence.

Photo via Meadowbrook Winery

Meadowbrook has a strong sparkling wine program, and this spring, some of the traditional method sparkling wines that winemaker Conor Quilty has been aging for the past five years will finally be released. First up will be a Blanc de Blanc from Chardonnay.

Even though the traditional method bubbles haven’t been released just yet, Meadowbrook has had plenty of wine for visitors to enjoy. Tasting room staff have been pouring still wines, like Chardonnay, White Cabernet Franc, Rosé of Cabernet Franc, three different bottlings of red Cabernet Franc, and a zesty, aromatic Albariño, which is the winery’s current best-seller.

Conor Quilty, photo via Meadowbrook Winery

“Albariño grows so beautifully here,” says Quilty. “People just love it.”

There has also been one bottle for those who can’t wait for the release of the traditional sparkling wines, a Pétillant Naturel made from hard pressings from the traditional method sparkling wines, fermented then bottled before fermentation fully finishes, creating a young, tangy, fruity bubbly.

“The goal is to keep the portfolio very concise while growing the right grapes for the site,” says Quilty, who previously worked in wine regions such as Alexander Mountains, Sonoma Valley, Sonoma Coast, and McLaren Vale before making wines on the East Coast. He made wine at New Jersey’s Unionville Vineyards for five years before taking the helm at Meadowbrook.

Quilty’s efforts are already garnering awards for the winery. The 2022 Reserve Cabernet Franc won the Best Red Vinifera wine in the 2024 New Jersey Governor’s Cup.

Photo via Meadowbrook Winery

The Vineyards
The northern Hunterdon County boutique winery’s vineyards are planted on rolling hills with rocky, well-drained soils beneath that aid in the slow ripening of grapes, beneficial for creating even ripening and balanced, expressive fruit.

Planted intentionally so grapes receive appropriate sun exposure and access to winds (which are beneficial during humid summers), the vines are managed and harvested by hand.

Many of the 15-or-so acres of vines planted on protected farmland can be seen from the tasting room’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Past those vines, there are views for 5 to 7 miles of the region’s rolling hills, green and lush in the summer and full of vibrant color in the fall. When the weather cooperates, visitors can appreciate those views from inside the tasting room or from a seat on the patio with its Adirondack chairs and fire pits.

Photo by Drink Philly

The Tasting Room Experience
Meadowbrook Winery is 21+ only, and reservations are required for formal tastings. The Seasonal Tasting, a curated selection of five wines showing the winery’s current portfolio, is $40 and lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The Premium Tasting, seven small-batch and reserve wines paired with local fare, is $75 and lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Both tastings start with a welcome pour of sparkling wine.

“The tastings are high touch, similar to a restaurant, and led by a credentialed wine professional,” says Quilty. “It’s upscale, but it’s relaxed.”

Walk-ins are accepted, and they may take a seat at the bar or on the patio, enjoying a single glass of wine, a flight of three pre–determined wines, or a bottle. They can also purchase food from the small but well-curated menu.

Photo via Meadowbrook Winery

“We’re big on local partnerships,” Quilty says, and the wines are paired with local cheeses, charcuterie, and fresh focaccia from nearby farm-to-table Juniper Hill Restaurant, all of which are also available for sale outside of the seated tastings, along with marinated olives. No outside food or drinks are allowed.

Meadowbrook’s elevated experience and well-made, fine, dry wines make the boutique winery—which pours its wines in some of the most elegant glassware you’ll find at a farm winery—well worth the drive from Philadelphia to beautiful Hunterdon County, where many of New Jersey’s quality wineries are located.

Photo by Drink Philly

Hours of operation:
Open seasonally, starting March 5.
Thursday: 2-6 PM
Friday: Noon-6 PM
Saturday: Noon-6 PM
Sunday: Noon-6 PM

Final tasting appointment is at 5 PM each day.
Address: 18 King Street, Oldwick, NJ
Connect: Meadowbrook Winery on Instagram