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theCompass mobile application is a winery, brewery, and distillery locator for North America. |
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Renault Winery
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The House of Renault was founded by Mastervintner Louis Nicholas Renault more than a century ago. He came to the United States in 1855, representing the ancient champagne house of the Duke of Montebello at Rheims, France, to establish a vineyard free of the phylloxera aphid which was ravishing the grape vines of western Europe. Renault first planted his grapes in California, but here too their root system was destroyed by phylloxera. Learning that the east coast grew a native American grape which was resistant to pests and disease, he came to Southern New Jersey where it thrived. Finding a climate and soil similar to that which he knew in France, he decided to settle and establish his own vineyard. In 1864 he purchased land in the Egg Harbor area for the Renault vineyard. By 1870 he had introduced his New Jersey Champagne. Renault Winery soon won prizes for it's wines and became the largest distributor of champagne in the United States earning Egg Harbor the name of "wine city". In 1919 John D'Agostino and family bought the company and continued to operate during the fourteen years of Prohibition under a special government permit which allowed the production of wines for religious and medicinal purposes. Renault Wine Tonic, which had an alcoholic content of 22 percent, became the chief product and was sold in drug stores throughout the nation. A label warned not to chill the tonic as it would turn into wine. When John D'Agostino died in 1948 his sister Maria took charge. Having a talent for design, she made a showplace of the old winery by building the current chateau style hospitality house. In 1966 she added the wineglass museum to display her impressive collection of wineglass art which dated back as far as the thirteenth century. In 1968 Universal Foods, a world-wide food distributor, acquired the winery and operated it until 1974 when MCC Presidential, a New Jersey based investment group, assumed ownership. In 1977, after a period of of decline, it was purchased by the current owner. Joseph P. Milza, former newspaper owner and publisher, owns and operates the winery and vineyards with his family. Under Milza's supervision, the winery has thrived and become one of the most popular tourist attractions in New Jersey as well as a favorite of local residents. The Renault Gourmet Restaurant was awarded Best Romantic Restaurant by Atlantic City Magazine and has also won Best Sunday Brunch twice. Gourmet food and excellent service may also be experienced in one of the five private banquet rooms, including a lavish new Ballroom. Old world charm and a romantic atmosphere have made Renault Winery one of the area's most popular banquet and wedding facilities. Future plans include a championship golf course and a Mediterranean villa-style hotel.
Renault Winery is a recognized New Jersey State Historical site and one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the United States.
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Directions
From Philadelphia: Atlantic City Expressway to the Egg Harbor Exit (17). Left onto Route 50 North, turn right onto Route 30. Left onto Bremen Ave., 2 1/4 miles to Renault. From North Jersey: Garden State Parkway South to Exit 44. Sharp right onto Moss Mill Road (Alt. #561), follow five miles to Bremen Ave. Turn right onto remen Ave., 1/4 mile to Renault. From South Jersey: Garden State Parkway North - Exit at food and fuel service area, mile marker #41. Proceed to north end of service area. Follow signs to Jimmy Leeds Rd. At traffic light turn left,
at fork bear right and continue on Route 561, continue to Bremen Ave, right onto Bremen, 1 1/2 miles to Renault.
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