Bellview Winery - Still Thriving After 25 Years
How it All Started:
In 1999, Jim Quarella, the 4th generation in vegetable farming at Bellview Farms, wanted to take the farm in a whole new direction. He wanted to grow a new crop - wine grapes. He wanted to grow them with care, to produce top quality grapes, and with them, he wanted to make the best possible wine that they could become. After much research, he chose and planted the first varieties in his new vineyard.
In 2000, the winery license for Bellview Winery was granted. Together, Jim and his wife, Nancy, planned and built their winery and tasting room, renovating an older building (pictured below) located on his great-grandparents' old homestead. Jim crafted his first commercial wines, and then, with high hopes, Jim and Nancy opened their tasting room to the public.
This past summer, they celebrated the winery's 25th anniversary!
Learn About the Owners:
Jim and Nancy came from totally different backgrounds, with totally different skills, which they were happy to find blended surprisingly well to create a good winery-building team. After many years of working together and raising their family, they're still happily married. Today, with good friends Larry and Barb Coia now as partners in the winery, they all look forward to more years of the adventure.
Fun facts:
Jim at one point kept several mules and Belgian draft horses that he would use to plow fields, for fun!
Nancy has a love for foraging and making her ingredients from scratch. Recently she's made muffins from redbud flowers, raisins from grapes grown in our vineyards and chamomile tea from chamomile flowers she foraged on our farm.
Larry retired from his career in medicine and followed his passion of viticulture. He has been growing grapevines in Vineland for 50 years, since 1975!
Barbara is a key volunteer to her local library and is a woman of many talents, one of which is playing the harp.
Before and after photos of Bellview Winery:
Plagido’s Winery: Four-Generations of Farming
Plagido's Winery is steeped in a four-generation tradition of farming, all culminating in their family's passion for winemaking.
Ollie and his father planted the first vines on their property 26 years ago, building on a family tradition that dates back to growing peaches and blackberries. Plagido’s Winery opened their tasting room 18 years ago, and since the passing of Ollie’s father, he’s continued the journey with his loving wife, Candice. The wine industry is actually what brought them together! Candice, who is originally from South Dakota, has a deep passion for wine that has been instrumental in their success.
Ollie and Candice’s favorite wines are their Reverence, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc.
Blue Rascal Distillery: A Spirited Legacy Rooted in Blueberry Country
Blue Rascal Distillery: A Spirited Legacy Rooted in Blueberry Country
In the heart of Hammonton, New Jersey—where the scent of ripe blueberries fills the summer air—stands a distillery that’s as bold and flavorful as the fruit it celebrates. Blue Rascal Distillery is more than a craft spirits producer; it’s a tribute to local heritage, a symbol of resilience, and a dream distilled into reality.
From Farm Roots to Fine Spirits
The story begins with Curtis Perone, a Hammonton native with deep ties to the land and a passion for community. Inspired by the town’s agricultural legacy and his family’s farming roots, Perone envisioned a business that would support local growers while crafting something truly unique. That vision became Blue Rascal Distillery, a name that cheekily nods to the town’s high school mascot—the Blue Devils—and the legendary Jersey Devil said to haunt the nearby Pine Barrens.
Perone spent nearly a decade preparing for this venture, immersing himself in the world of distillation through hands-on training. His dedication paid off when Blue Rascal officially opened its doors in March 2021, despite the challenges of launching during the pandemic.
Crafted in the Blueberry Capital of the World
Hammonton proudly claims the title of “Blueberry Capital of the World,” and Blue Rascal Distillery lives up to that reputation. Partnering with Macrie Brothers Blueberry Farm, one of the largest in the state, the distillery sources thousands of pounds of Jersey Fresh-certified blueberries each year to create its signature spirits.
Their Blueberry Brandy, Blueberry Vodka, and Blueberry Liqueur all showcase this local fruit. The result is a lineup of spirits that are not only flavorful but also deeply connected to the land and people of South Jersey.
A Taste of Innovation and Community
Blue Rascal’s tasting room is a warm, welcoming space where guests can sip on inventive cocktails or sample award-winning spirits like their Gold Medal Gin and Silver Medal Blueberry Brandy or their latest product offering, Blueberry Flavored Vodka. Curt’s current favorite cocktail is our Blueberry Vodka Martini or the Wise Gimlet, featuring our aged gin.
But beyond the drinks, Blue Rascal is about building community. Perone’s mission was always to create a space that celebrates Hammonton’s culture, supports local farmers, and brings people together. Whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or a curious newcomer, the distillery offers a sensory experience that’s as rich in story as it is in flavor.
