Renault Winery's Vintner Wonderland Open Now Through January 19th

Published by New Jersey Stage
11/28/2025

(EGG HARBOR CITY, NJ) -- Renault Winery presents Vintner Wonderland now through January 19, 2026. The South Jersey winery has been transformed into a scene from a Hallmark movie with the entire estate decked out for the holiday season - and beyond. America's Most Historic Winery invites families from the tri-state region and East Coast to experience centuries-old European holiday traditions, reimagined across Renault's sprawling vineyard estate, with festive vibes and decor around every turn.

Guests are invited to gather outdoors around cozy fire pits, dine inside wintery igloos, sip hot spiced wine, indulge in decadent over-the-top hot chocolate and enjoy sweets and treats - all while soaking in the sights, songs and flavors of the season.

Highlights this year include the Vintner Ice Skating Rink, Vintner Village, the Vintner Barrel Train, the unique Vintner Wonderland Barrel Tree, Cookies and Cocktails, Festival of Trees, Rudolphi Run Cookie Decorating Classes and so much more. Renault Winery is located at 72 North Bremen Avenue in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.

Family fun will include Breakfast with Santa, Stories with Santa, crafts and activities, face painting, family skate nights and more. Plus watch for the return of Grinch's Lair Pop-Up Holiday Bar, Santa's Workshop, Louie's Lounge Wine Bar, Buddy's Sweet Shoppe and other surprises. new look for Santa's Post Office, Santa's Workshop, and more decor and vibes than ever before.

Look for special events throughout the season, and make sure to take home a bottle of the winery's festive award-winning Blueberry Champagne for your midnight toast. New this year, Renault now offers a Renault Passport Vintner Edition with premium seasonal perks designed to enhance the guest experience. For a full schedule, passport details and the full calendar of events, click here.

"Vintner Wonderland continues to be a place where friends and families can connect and make unforgettable holiday memories. This year, we've expanded our offerings to make the season even more magical," Josh McCallen, Renault Winery & Resort. "Look for even more holiday vibes and things to do. Bring your special someone for a romantic date night or bring the entire family out and make a new holiday tradition."

Vintner Wonderland has transformed Renault Winery into a one-of-a-kind seasonal destination - a place where cherished memories are made, and the true spirit of the holidays comes alive.

Traditionally, this time of year marks a mystical moment in winemaking, as vintners oversee the magic of fermentation - transforming grapes, nurtured through the seasons, into wine. At Renault Winery, celebrated as America's Most Historic Winery, this enchanting process extends far beyond the cellar.

Vintner Wonderland is a celebration of a successful harvest at Renault Winery. This winter festival provides the opportunity to gather loved ones, savor the season, and create enduring memories. From ice skating, to culinary and wine, to local artisans and live entertainment, there's something for everyone this season at Renault.

Guests are invited to revive their senses and create lasting memories as they explore a wonderland of experiences: ice skating beneath twinkling lights, sipping signature cocktails, indulging in sweets from the Sweet Shoppe, and savoring Raclette from the Cheese Shoppe. The Vintner Village features themed huts including Santa's Post Office, The Grinch's Village Bar, and the cozy, heated Louie's Lounge, which also houses Santa's Workshop for kids. Visitors can shop local artisans, enjoy live entertainment, and dine at TASTE 1864, Renault's signature restaurant.

The opening highlight of the season takes place on Friday, December 5, 2025, during Renault's annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Join them as Santa Claus himself arrives to light their historic Barrel Tree in the heart of Vintner Wonderland - an unforgettable moment that captures the spirit of the holidays. The night will feature local vendors, live entertainment, a DJ, giveaways, and plenty of family fun to officially ring in the holiday season.

For those seeking a more private experience, Renault offers bubble igloos, fire pits, and cabin cabanas for rent—perfect for festive gatherings and winter celebrations. With customizable menus, twelve unique event venues, and world-class hospitality, Renault Winery Resort continues to embody its legacy as a place where guests can gather, celebrate, and revive their souls through the joy of the season.

Returning favorite activities and new surprises will include:

* The Vintner Ice Rink: Glide across a sparkling outdoor rink surrounded by festive lights.

* Vintner Village: Explore a charming marketplace featuring artisan shops and unique culinary delights. Watch artisans hard at work and purchase their one-of-a-kind crafts and gifts.

* Family-Friendly Activities: Enjoy games for children of all ages, visit Santa in his cozy workshop, try your hand at crafts and activities, or meet the face painter for a festive touch.

* Festival of Trees: The Renault family gives back this season to support Hope Chest with their enchanting festival of decorated trees displayed and auction off through Dec. 2rd.

* Barrel Tree: Renault's famous barrell tree is known as one of the most unique trees in America - it returns at the very center of the outdoor holiday village with streaming twinkling lights cascading from each side to connect the festivities outside.

 * The Vintner Express Barrel Train: Hop aboard this whimsical train for a delightful ride around the vineyard village.

* Grinch's Lair Pop-Up Bar: Enjoy a mischievously good time with whimsical cocktails and a playful atmosphere inspired by the Grinch himself.

* Santa's Workshop: Create cherished memories with Santa in a cozy, photo-ready space filled with holiday cheer. Perfect for families and children!

* Louie's Lounge Wine Bar: Unwind with a glass of Renault's finest wines in an elegant setting designed for relaxation and celebration.

* Buddy's Sweet Shoppe: Indulge your sweet tooth with delectable holiday-themed treats and confections, plus Buddy's ginormous hot chocolate, perfect for kids and adults alike.

* Santa's Post Office: Get a direct connect with Santa at the North Pole, but only for those on the nice list, of course.

SPECIAL EVENTS

STORIES WITH SANTA - Santa Clause will host Stories with Santa on December 4, 6, 11, 13, 18 and 20, 2025 at 4:30pm, and 6:00pm on weekdays and 11:00am and 12:30pm on weekend days. Gather for an intimate storytime with Santa, complete with freshly baked cookies from Café La Fleur. Join us for a magical afternoon as Santa reads a classic Christmas story! Kids will enjoy milk & freshly baked cookies from Café La Fleur & receive a special gift from Santa (a coloring book and crayons), and have the chance to chat with Santa and take photos after story time. $15 per person (kids only need tickets).

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA - Santa is back on December 7 and 14, 2025, at 9:00am, 9:30am, 11:30 am and 12:00pm.  Join us for a magical morning as Santa Claus spreads holiday cheer! Enjoy a festive breakfast, surrounded by family, friends, and the spirit of the season. Create memories to treasure forever! $35-75 per person.

FESTIVAL OF TREES - The Festival of Trees is back! The holidays are all about sharing, caring and spreading joy, during the Vintner Wonderland season the Renault family will give back to the community by supporting the Beacon Church Hope Chest. Renault team members will decorate holiday trees that will be displayed on the property through December 23rd. Please visit Renaultwinery dot com for more information on how to get involved.

REINDEER RUN - Renault Winery presents this annual Holiday themed Race as part of Vintner Wonderland on Saturday, December 20, 2025, rain or shine, with the 1 mile kids fun run at 9:45am and the 5K run at 10:00am. Enjoy amazing views of Renault Winery Vineyard and Vintner Wonderland Festival Grounds during the experience.

COOKING AND DECORATING EVENTS - Sign-up for Gingerbread Decorating, Cookies and Cocktails, Chef Master Class: Yule Log, Chef Master Class: The Art of Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres and more.

NOON YEAR'S EVE - Noon Year's Eve - December 31, 2025 starting at 11:30am. Join us for a magical New Year's Eve Countdown for Kids at noon! Lace up your skates and hit the ice in our Vintner Wonderland filled with joy. Our event promises family fun with activities for everyone, from ice skating under the open sky to cozying up in igloos and the new French chalets with your loved ones. Indulge in delicious bites from our curated food truck & sweets from our sweet shop. And when the clock strikes 12pm, let's raise our glasses to the New Year with a toast of nonalcoholic sparkling cider. It's a celebration for the whole family, filled with laughter, warmth, and the promise of new beginnings. See you there as we skate into the New Year together!  This event is complimentary. Ice skating, fire pits, French chalets and igloos are paid extras.

LIVE MUSIC AND DJ - Look for live music and DJs throughout December and January at Vintner Wonderland including in TASTE and at the Ice Skating Rink.

Melanie McCallen, co-founder of VIVÂMEE Hospitality, is a seasoned real estate investor who has revitalized over 1,000 acres of legendary real estate into thriving destinations. At Renault Winery Resort, widely considered America's Most Historic Winery, Melanie has led the transformation of the 246-acre estate into a vibrant hub for families and visitors, highlighted by the creation of the enchanting Vintner Wonderland.

Vintner Wonderland invites guests to experience the magic of European holiday traditions reimagined across Renault's sprawling vineyard estate. From gliding on the sparkling Vintner Ice Rink and shopping in the artisan-filled Vintner Village to enjoying family-friendly activities like Santa's Workshop and festive crafts, every detail has been crafted to delight guests of all ages. New for 2024, guests can ride the whimsical Vintner Express Barrel Train for a unique holiday experience. With cozy fire pits, hot spiced wine, decadent hot chocolate, and heartwarming charity initiatives, Vintner Wonderland has become a cherished seasonal tradition where families create lasting memories and celebrate the true spirit of the holidays.

Melanie is the proud mother of 10 children and has been happily married to Josh McCallen for 28 years, bringing her passion for family and community to every aspect of her work.