New Tasting Room at Reynolds in Manhawkin - Come Visit!

Article as will be seen in Breakers Magazine - By Tim Schlitzer

In agriculture, you come to realize how vital seeds are—they are the origin of all great things. Seeds initiate the journey that leads to harvest, spreading life from trees and fruits to people. Often overlooked, seeds are the first step in any big idea or breakthrough. Sometimes, we don't even know where that seed originated or how impactful it might become in our lives.

In 1988, our winery opened its doors and has since become a cornerstone of our community for nearly 38 years. Our founder, Tom Amabile, recognized that producing only traditional wines would limit his creativity and hinder our winery’s uniqueness. He began with cherry wine, earning numerous awards, including six NJ Governor’s Cup Awards for the best wine in New Jersey. He expanded into making wines from peaches, apples, strawberries, blueberries, and homegrown blackberries—embracing the Garden State’s bounty, as he often said, before passing away in 2014.

When my wife Jackie, my best friend Jerry (Tom’s son), and I took over in 2012, we knew we were onto something special—a difference that set us apart. While many of our wines appeal to dry red and white wine enthusiasts, we also focus on fruit wines that are lightly sweet, bursting with flavor, and bring joy to those overlooked by traditional wine offerings. Our tropical wines made from mangoes, passionfruit, and aronia berries evoke a sense of relaxation by the ocean and celebrate New Jersey’s beautiful beaches.

Soon after taking over, we felt the pull toward the coast, planting seeds along New Jersey’s shoreline—supporting farmers’ markets in Brigantine, Toms River, Brick, Barnegat, Tuckerton, Red Bank, Point Pleasant, and Stafford Township. We participated in festivals and community events, creating meaningful connections and collaborations.

One such partnership was with the Jetty Rock Foundation, for which we created “Tropical Storm,” a passionfruit and mango wine supporting their community projects.  Since this project began we have raised over $10,000 in contributions to the foundation.

Our journey eventually led us to live on Mallard Island, where we kept returning to the idea of a coastal winery. After over three years of searching for the perfect location, fate stepped in just before Christmas. During a visit to Reynolds Shops on Bay Avenue, our daughter Amanda suggested that this would be an ideal site for our winery—a seed quickly planted and nurtured. Reaching out to the Reynolds family, we felt a warm and welcoming response. We began supporting their annual events and sharing a common passion for agriculture, community, and connection.

It took about a year and a half of careful planning and coordination with local authorities and the NJ ABC, trusting that seeds cannot be rushed—they bloom when the time is right. In September, we proudly opened Cream Ridge Winery Coastal at the Shops at Reynolds, a warm, inviting space to taste wines and share special moments.

Katie Reynolds shared, “We are excited to partner with Cream Ridge Winery Coastal. They create incredible wines and are genuinely wonderful people committed to community. This partnership allows our guests to enjoy their wines locally, adding a delicious touch to their shopping experience.”

Initially, we plan to be open on Fridays and Saturdays, with occasional pop-up tastings. Visitors can enjoy free tastings, purchase bottles to take home, create a unique gift basket or savor a bottle outside in Reynolds' beautiful garden area during our hours from noon to 5 pm.

Come taste the flavors of the coast and see beyond traditional wines—coastal wines bring a unique spirit to New Jersey, reflecting our connection to the big blue ocean we all cherish.

Cheers,Tim Schlitzer CEO, Cream Ridge Winery