Working Dog Winery

Very lovely winery to spend an afternoon. The property is beautiful with outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard. They also have indoor seating as well. $18 comes with a wine tasting of 5 different wines and the wine glass. You can also purchase wine by the pour or the bottle. The wine tasting was fun because we got to try before we bought the bottle. This place allows you to bring your own food so my friend and I made a charcuterie board and enjoyed our time at the vineyard! Friendly staff as well!

It turns out that if you go to a winery that literally has "dog" in their name but it's raining all day, you will see NO canine chums. A very sad state of affairs, but I certainly don't blame the winery for that. I do think going forward I would hesitate to go to a winery in rainy conditions unless I absolutely had to - you can tell this place is probably gorgeous outside on a sunny day, but we weren't able to take advantage of that. I came here with my cousin chums yesterday afternoon for a few hours. It's conveniently located in that it's roughly equidistant between us, a few minutes off the Turnpike and pretty easy to find with some GPS assistance. We were one of the few customers/guests there when we showed up around noon, but it did actually fill up a bit as the afternoon progressed. Many reviewers have mentioned the rules, and deservedly so. We'd all looked through them beforehand, and there are some VERY specific restrictions. I'm used to seeing a list of rules/instructions from wineries that clearly were written in response to some rowdier parties, but based on this compilation, it seemed like they had the Birthday Party From Hell at some point, featuring hoagies, kites and baseball bats. I've never seen anything like it. I will say though that, having actually been on the premises, I didn't feel like I was burdened by the rules, per se - yes, they are framed and displayed in a few areas (see attached), but I also expected one or two employees to sort of embody that mindset, and I didn't get that vibe, thankfully. Everyone was very pleasant and professional. There was an older gentleman outside I think overseeing the parking situation (it's pretty informal and mostly on the grass, so it does require a little direction at times), and he told me as part of his introductory script, "We only have one rule - to have fun." Sir, I saw the rule about the hoagies. Not true. Nice guy though. We decided to do the $18 tasting, which I thought was reasonably priced, especially when you take into account that a) you got a solid list of options to choose from, b) a bottle of water and c) a free winery glass to take home. I think that's one of the better tasting packages I've encountered, so kudos to them. The young woman who handled our tasting was very nice and accommodating (at one point, my one cousin chum asked if we could take a break to eat some of our charcuterie we'd brought in, and we were told it wasn't an issue since the place was still pretty empty), and was well equipped with descriptions and preferences for the wines she was showcasing. This is a personal palate preference for sure, but I just wasn't a fan of the wines. Even the Traminette to me (while definitely perfume-y with a distinct citrus note) seemed too light and bland, and that was a general impression I got from all of the wines I tried, including one of the Ugly Duckling sweet wines and the Chambourcin. It could be the soil in this area of the state, which is probably a bit sandier than what I'm used to from the northern area (I grew up in northern Hunterdon so I have a lot of experience with Alba Vineyard in Finesville, which is basically in the Appalachian foothills), but I didn't like any of them to the point where I thought it was worth bringing a bottle home. I also think it's a huge unforced error on Working Dog's part not to have some type of eating options on the premises, even just a fridge with some informal charcuterie options. This area is totally devoid of any legit eating destinations (I even asked a native of nearby Allentown if he had any recs for a post-winery meal and he simply replied, "No.") so you're basically putting the onus on your customers to ensure that they pack their own provisions for a trip here. That to me is the most obvious and easiest element to improve. This wasn't a terrible experience by any means and I always enjoy sipping some vino with my cousin chums whilst discussing Frasier reruns, but I'd be reluctant to come back given my tepidness on the wine and the lack of food.

Great winery for hangout with friends, family or casual date. Love the vibes and view. Outdoor tables are limited for 4 people only. You can bring your food or buy their with their wine is great combination. We also took a wine tour but disappointed with it. It is not like usual wine tasting and chaotic selection and they give you and sometimes they forget as well but instructor was very friendly and knowledgeable. Only thing was they had live bands and whatever they were saying, wasn’t clearly audible. It is good to visit and experience what they have to offer. I found their few wines not good but some wines are good and i am sure you will enjoy them.

We ordered the wine tasting for 2. If you are sitting on their patio you are expected to get up and go get your wine. Why not let me get a flight of wine often service is non existent. Couldn’t sit back and enjoy the scenery, we were just running back and forth. THE SIZE OF THE POUR IS A SCAM. I am attaching a photo of a double pour from the tasting (we asked for double just for the sake of not running back and forth)

Excellent place to get good wine. Working Dog Winery was founded by a group of friends in 2001 and is one of the most visited during the summer. New Jersey has a long history of wine production, dating back to the early days of European settlement. The first vineyards in New Jersey were planted by the Dutch in the late 17th century; the state was home to more than 100 wineries. "Wine is sunlight, united by water" 🍷 Galileo Galilei Note: Entry to minors under 21 years of age is not permitted.

Local winery with friendly, helpful staff who are knowledgeable about not only their own winery, but others, as well. Like many Central and Northern NJ wineries, their Reds are not as full bodied as west coast wines. However, their whites, particularly the Traminette and Riesling are quite good. Your dog is allowed, but not your kids under 21. Of course wine is like art, where your taste is your taste, but give Working Dog a try.

Working Dog Winery perfectly blends rustic charm and sophistication, creating an atmosphere that's both inviting and unforgettable for wine enthusiasts. The staff, including Russ and Mark, truly makes the winery special. Their warm and personable approach ensures every visitor feels part of the winery family. As Russ welcomes you with his charismatic personality, don't forget to ask how he's doing - his signature response, "Marvelous!", never fails to brighten the day. Meanwhile, Mark, with his in-depth knowledge of wine and infectious enthusiasm, turns each visit into an enlightening journey. The selection of wines on offer is impressive, with the Traminette being a standout. This captivating wine introduces itself with a bright note, gradually reveals a tropical citrus lime mid-palate, and concludes with a clean, refreshing finish. Adding to the rich experience, Working Dog Winery regularly hosts live music and food trucks, contributing to an ever-vibrant and enjoyable atmosphere. The combination of excellent wines, friendly staff, lively music, and scrumptious food from the food trucks ensures a truly unforgettable experience. Working Dog Winery is not just a destination for tasting amazing wines - it's a place that offers an exceptional experience. With every visit, you feel like a part of the family, making it a destination you'll eagerly return to. Undeniably, it's a well-deserved five-star experience!

Great place!. The staff is great, the wine is great, and they allow dogs! 🐾 We did a wine tasting which was only $7 per person and we each got to try 5 different wines. The prices for the bottles are not bad either, we got a bottle for $17. They also allow you to bring snacks but no drinks which is fine because they sell bottled water for only $1. The staff here is very nice, friendly, and helpful. They have indoor and outdoor seating and they have water bowls available for the doggies. A great place to come with friends, family, or a date.

It turns out that if you go to a winery that literally has "dog" in their name but it's raining all day, you will see NO canine chums. A very sad state of affairs, but I certainly don't blame the winery for that. I do think going forward I would hesitate to go to a winery in rainy conditions unless I absolutely had to - you can tell this place is probably gorgeous outside on a sunny day, but we weren't able to take advantage of that. I came here with my cousin chums yesterday afternoon for a few hours. It's conveniently located in that it's roughly equidistant between us, a few minutes off the Turnpike and pretty easy to find with some GPS assistance. We were one of the few customers/guests there when we showed up around noon, but it did actually fill up a bit as the afternoon progressed. Many reviewers have mentioned the rules, and deservedly so. We'd all looked through them beforehand, and there are some VERY specific restrictions. I'm used to seeing a list of rules/instructions from wineries that clearly were written in response to some rowdier parties, but based on this compilation, it seemed like they had the Birthday Party From Hell at some point, featuring hoagies, kites and baseball bats. I've never seen anything like it. I will say though that, having actually been on the premises, I didn't feel like I was burdened by the rules, per se - yes, they are framed and displayed in a few areas (see attached), but I also expected one or two employees to sort of embody that mindset, and I didn't get that vibe, thankfully. Everyone was very pleasant and professional. There was an older gentleman outside I think overseeing the parking situation (it's pretty informal and mostly on the grass, so it does require a little direction at times), and he told me as part of his introductory script, "We only have one rule - to have fun." Sir, I saw the rule about the hoagies. Not true. Nice guy though. We decided to do the $18 tasting, which I thought was reasonably priced, especially when you take into account that a) you got a solid list of options to choose from, b) a bottle of water and c) a free winery glass to take home. I think that's one of the better tasting packages I've encountered, so kudos to them. The young woman who handled our tasting was very nice and accommodating (at one point, my one cousin chum asked if we could take a break to eat some of our charcuterie we'd brought in, and we were told it wasn't an issue since the place was still pretty empty), and was well equipped with descriptions and preferences for the wines she was showcasing. This is a personal palate preference for sure, but I just wasn't a fan of the wines. Even the Traminette to me (while definitely perfume-y with a distinct citrus note) seemed too light and bland, and that was a general impression I got from all of the wines I tried, including one of the Ugly Duckling sweet wines and the Chambourcin. It could be the soil in this area of the state, which is probably a bit sandier than what I'm used to from the northern area (I grew up in northern Hunterdon so I have a lot of experience with Alba Vineyard in Finesville, which is basically in the Appalachian foothills), but I didn't like any of them to the point where I thought it was worth bringing a bottle home. I also think it's a huge unforced error on Working Dog's part not to have some type of eating options on the premises, even just a fridge with some informal charcuterie options. This area is totally devoid of any legit eating destinations (I even asked a native of nearby Allentown if he had any recs for a post-winery meal and he simply replied, "No.") so you're basically putting the onus on your customers to ensure that they pack their own provisions for a trip here. That to me is the most obvious and easiest element to improve. This wasn't a terrible experience by any means and I always enjoy sipping some vino with my cousin chums whilst discussing Frasier reruns, but I'd be reluctant to come back given my tepidness on the wine and the lack of food.

Very lovely winery to spend an afternoon. The property is beautiful with outdoor seating overlooking the vineyard. They also have indoor seating as well. $18 comes with a wine tasting of 5 different wines and the wine glass. You can also purchase wine by the pour or the bottle. The wine tasting was fun because we got to try before we bought the bottle. This place allows you to bring your own food so my friend and I made a charcuterie board and enjoyed our time at the vineyard! Friendly staff as well!