Tennessee Avenue Restaurants to Feature a Different NJ Winery Each Month with Specials and Events, Starting in November
Restaurateur Mark Callazzo loves Atlantic City, which is why he’s investing millions as a key developer of the vibrant business district known as the Orange Loop, already having opened four restaurants on Tennessee Avenue. He also loves wine and the exceptional wineries in his home state, which is why he reached out to the Garden State Wine Growers Association with an idea to bring these wines to a wider audience. Callazzo is now proud to announce his restaurants will host a year-long celebration of the state’s top wines, featuring a different winery each month.
“Even though you will usually find me wearing blue jeans, I can emphatically say that I am a wine snob,” said Mark Callazzo, Developer of Tennessee Avenue restaurants. “That’s why I am proud that my home state produces some of the finest wines you’ll find anywhere, and my partners and I want to showcase them at our restaurants so others will recognize the quality.”
The restaurants include Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall, which USA Today named one of the top five beer halls in the U.S.; Rhythm & Spirits, an upscale Italian restaurant; Cuzzie’s Pizzeria; and BAR 32, perhaps Callazzo’s favorite, which is the only bean-to-bar restaurant in the U.S. that features wine, cocktails, and desserts.
Devon Perry, Executive Director of the Garden State Wine Growers Association, toasted the idea and hopes other restaurant owners will follow suit. She suggested Callazzo kick off the celebration in November as the third week of the month is the annual New Jersey Wine Week (November 13-19, 2022).
“The Garden State is home to four thriving American Viticultural Areas with Atlantic City located squarely in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA covering nine southern counties – and there’s an incredible selection of local wine within less than an hour drive from Atlantic City,” said Perry. “Getting New Jersey wines on the map via Tennessee Avenue is a great way for locals and visitors from all over the world to experience the finest Garden State wines.”
Each month Callazzo’s restaurants will feature the wines of a different N.J. winery. The first will be the Sharrott Winery in Hammonton. It’s befitting since Sharrott’s Tango, a red wine blend, was just chosen as Best New Jersey Hybrid Red Wine as part of the Garden State Wine Growers Association annual Governor’s Cup awards.
“We are thrilled that Mark chose us to kick off a year-long celebration of N.J.’s fine wineries,” said Larry Sharrott Sr., Owner Sharrott Winery. “Our state produces wines that rival any of the great wine regions of the world. We encourage everyone to visit Tennessee Ave to try some of New Jersey’s best wine producers.”
All four restaurant venues will feature Sharrott wines available by the glass and bottle.
The first of Tennessee Avenue Restaurants & Sharrott Wine Events in November is a Wine Pairing Dinner on Friday, November 11 at 6:30PM:
• Rhythm and Spirits will host a five-course dinner with Sharrott wine pairings for $99
• Bar 32 will host the final course with bean-to-bar chocolate desserts
*Menu and pairings to be released at a later date along with future events
