Auburn Road

What Auburn Road does

Auburn Road Vineyards is a privately-held estate winery founded in 2003 by former Philadelphia lawyers Scott and Julianne (Jules) Donnini, located in Pilesgrove, New Jersey within the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. The company farms 23 acres across two distinct estate vineyards (Auburn Road Vineyard at 10 acres surrounding the Enoteca, and Woodfield Vineyard at 13 acres one mile north), producing approximately 6,500 cases of wine annually. The winemaking approach follows Old World methods with small batch fermentation, sur lie aging, and gentle oak use; Jules Donnini is entirely self-taught. The portfolio spans dry whites, rosés, reds, sweet and fruit wines, sparkling (Spirit Animal Firefly), and a fortified/vermouth program (Lavender and Elderberry Vermouths, Vintage Gold and Ruby ports) with brandy distilled from the winery's own wine by Independent Spirits Distillers.

The company's go-to-market is a hybrid of direct-to-consumer hospitality, subscription, e-commerce, and wholesale. The Enoteca is a European-style vineyard wine bar serving wood-fired pizza, Italian piadine sandwiches, housemade soups, gelato, and espresso alongside wine flights; it functions as both a tasting room and an F&B destination. The CSA Wine Club delivers curated quarterly shipments with member pricing. Ticketed experiences include Guided Premium Tastings ($25-$35/person), Winemaker Tours ($45-$55/person), Dinners in the Vineyard ($100/person with Haddon Culinary), Covered Wagon Tours ($35/person) with Cowtown Rodeo, and weekly LIVE! From the Vineyard Stage and Open Mic Nights. Distribution includes direct shipping to NJ/NY/PA/MD via orderport.net, wholesale to 50+ NJ and PA retailers (including Total Wine & More and ShopRite), two Good Karma Cafe locations in Philadelphia (Society Hill and Wilma Theater), and international export to Italy via Siply.it — making Auburn Road the first NJ winery to sell wine in Italy.

Revenue mechanics span on-site wine and food sales (one-time and per-visit transactions), recurring CSA Wine Club subscriptions, experience-based transactional revenue, private event rentals (Garden House and Enoteca), and wholesale distribution. The customer base includes wine enthusiasts and foodies visiting the estate, wine club members, event hosters, and retail/restaurant partners across the Mid-Atlantic. The company has no disclosed external investment, is entirely founder-owned, and has earned recognition including the 2022 NJ Governor's Cup for Best White Wine and 2024 Double Gold at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.

Name

Auburn Road

Legal name

Auburn Road, LLC

Website

https://auburnroadvineyards.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Auburn Road Vineyards is a Pilesgrove, New Jersey estate winery producing 6,500 cases annually from 23 acres, serving wine enthusiasts through its European-style Enoteca wine bar, CSA Wine Club, guided tastings, tours, and wholesale distribution across NJ and PA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Estate Winery & Vineyard

NAICS

Wineries (312130), Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (722410), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (445320)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wineries & Vineyards (Tasting Rooms) (THAFALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD), Wine Bars (THAFAEAF), Wine Retail (Bottle Shops & Wine Merchants) (CRANABAB)

Keywords

• Estate vineyard winery
• Small batch winemaking
• Wine club subscription
• Vineyard wine bar
• Farm-to-table dining

Headquarters

HQ city

Salem

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Direct Wine Sales: On-site wine sales at Enoteca wine bar by the glass, bottle, and flight. Also includes online store with shipping to NJ, NY, PA, and MD. 2.5% cash discount offered.
2. Food & Beverage Service: Revenue from wood-fired pizza, piadine (Italian street sandwiches), housemade soups, gelato, espresso, and coffee beverages served at The Enoteca.
3. CSA Wine Club: Quarterly wine club subscription providing members with curated wine selections, discounts on flights (17 vs 20), and access to exclusive cellar wines.
4. Tours and Experiences: Guided Premium Tastings ($25/person scheduled, $35/person by appointment), Winemaker Tours ($45/person scheduled, $55/person by appointment), and Dinners in the Vineyard ($100/person).
5. Private Events: Rental of Garden House and Enoteca for private events including weddings, corporate events, and celebrations.
6. Covered Wagon Tours: Collaborative agri-tourism experience at $35/person, including wine tasting, wagon ride, brewery tour, and boot shopping.
7. Wholesale Distribution: Sales to liquor stores, wine shops, restaurants, and retailers across New Jersey and Pennsylvania markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Auburn Road is a family-owned vineyard and winery that produces approximately 6,500 cases of estate-grown wine annually from 23 acres across two distinct vineyard sites in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA of New Jersey. The winery's centerpiece is The Enoteca, a European-style vineyard wine bar offering wine flights, wood-fired pizza, Italian street sandwiches, gelato, and espresso alongside live music. Complementary revenue comes from a CSA Wine Club subscription, guided tastings, winemaker tours, farm-to-table dinners, and Covered Wagon agri-tourism experiences.

Product overview

Auburn Road is a winery and vineyard in Pilesgrove, New Jersey, founded in 2003 by Scott and Julianne (Jules) Donnini. The core product is The Enoteca, a European-style vineyard wine bar offering wine flights, gourmet wood-fired pizza, Italian street sandwiches (piadine), housemade soups, gelato, and espresso alongside live music. Complementary offerings include the CSA Wine Club for quarterly wine shipments, Guided Premium Tastings with rare cellar wines curated by the winemaker, Wine Tours with the Winemakers, Dinners in the Vineyard (farm-to-table experiences), Covered Wagon Tours, LIVE! From the Vineyard Stage (weekly live music), and Private Events hosting. The portfolio also includes the Good Karma Cafe Philly sub-brand with two café/wine bar locations in Philadelphia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Spirit Animal: A brand featuring wines with Spirit Animal themes, allowing winemakers to experiment outside traditional blends and styles.

Products and services

• Auburn Road Wines Artisanal estate-grown wines including dry whites (Pinot Grigio, blancNU, Barrel Reserve Chardonnay, Featherbed Vineyard Chardonnay), rosé (Dry Rosé), dry reds (Good Karma, Peaceful Warrior, Gaia, Eidólon, Spirit Animal Firefly), sweet and fruit wines (Hill Creek Apple, Blessington, Give Peach A Chance, Rosalita, Sangria Blanca, Sangria Roja), sparkling (Spirit Animal Firefly), and fortified wines (Lavender Vermouth, Elderberry Vermouth, Vintage Gold, Vintage Ruby). Sold by the bottle at the winery, online, and through wholesale channels.
• The Enoteca Wine Bar European-style vineyard wine bar offering wine flights, glasses, and bottles alongside wood-fired pizza, Italian street sandwiches (piadine), salads, housemade soups, gelato, espresso, and coffee beverages, with outdoor courtyard seating surrounded by vines and live music on the Vineyard Stage.
• CSA Wine Club Quarterly wine subscription club delivering curated selections of Auburn Road wines to members, with member discounts on flights ($17 vs $20) and exclusive access to cellar wines not otherwise available.
• Guided Premium Tastings

Quantifiable outcome

• New Jersey Governor's Cup Best White Wine award for Barrel Reserve Chardonnay
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bellview WinerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2025Collaborative partnership for 'Vigne Senza Frontiere - Vineyards Without Borders' tasting series with Ligurian wine producers from Italy. First event in Italy July 4, 2025, final event at Auburn Road July 29, 2025 featuring guided tastings, Ligurian-inspired food pairings, and live music.
• Ligurian Wine Producers (Multiple)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 July 2025Ten producers from Liguria, Italy including Tenuta Anfosso, Tenuta Maffone, Azienda Mammoliti, Maixei, Cantina Lunae, Bruzzone Vini, Luca Calvini, La Ginestraia, and Cantina San Steva participating in international wine exchange program.
• Cowtown RodeocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Covered Wagon Tours experience - agricultural tourism combining wine tasting, wagon rides through vineyards and bull pastures, with supported by NJ Dept of State Division of Travel and Tourism and NJ Dept of Agriculture grants.
• Bullhide BreweryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Covered Wagon Tours - brewery tour and beer tasting included in the agri-tourism experience.
• Cowtown Cowboy OutfittersminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Covered Wagon Tours - western retail experience included in the agri-tourism tour.
• Independent Spirits DistillerscoreTechnology or IntegrationDistills brandy from Auburn Road wine for fortification of vermouths (Lavender Vermouth and Elderberry Vermouth) and Vintage Gold/Vintage Ruby port-style wines.
• Field and Flock Lavender FarmminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides locally grown lavender infused into Lavender Vermouth and botanical ingredients for Elderberry Vermouth.
• Sparkling Pointe VineyardminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong Island vineyard providing Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes for Spirit Animal Firefly sparkling wine made in Traditional method.
• Visit South JerseycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional tourism marketing partner promoting NJ wine region. Supported Vigne Senza Frontiere event and general wine tourism initiatives.
• Garden State Wine Growers AssociationcoreGTM or Marketing Partner60+ member coalition supporting NJ wine industry. Scott Donnini is active member. Winery participates in association events and promotions.
• Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAssociation representing wineries in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA where Auburn Road is located.
• Terroir New Jersey Wine ShowcasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndependent showcase for NJ wines featuring international judges. Auburn Road Good Karma 2024 selected for inaugural showcase in 2025.
• Wine AmericaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNational wine industry association providing advocacy and promotion.
• Sally Semeria (Italian Sommelier)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified sommelier and European Ambassador to NJ Wine Country facilitating international wine exchange between NJ and Italy.
• Davide Gilioli (European Ambassador)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewly appointed European Ambassador to NJ Wine Country working to introduce NJ wine to Italian market.
• Haddon CulinaryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRestaurant partner with locations in Collingswood and Haddonfield serving Auburn Road wines. Chef owners James Liuzza and Joseph Muldoon curate farm-to-table dinners.
• Haddon Culinary Chef Owners (James Liuzza & Joseph Muldoon)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCurate four-course farm-to-table dinners at Auburn Road featuring locally sourced foods perfectly paired with wines by winemaker Julianne.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Renault Winery: One of New Jersey's oldest operating wineries, also located in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA, with an on-site restaurant, tasting room, hotel, and golf course. Comparable estate-grown wine program plus agri-tourism and private event focus serving the same NJ/Philadelphia customer base.
• Terhune Orchards & Winery: Central New Jersey farm winery combining vineyard, winery, farm store, and agritourism experiences. Comparable family-operated, multi-revenue-stream DTC model with CSA-style subscriptions and on-site food/beverage service.
• Laurita Winery: New Jersey estate winery in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA producing small-lot wines with an on-site bistro, live music events, and event hosting. Direct competitor for NJ wine tourism, DTC subscriptions, and regional wholesale distribution.
• Hawk Haven Vineyard: South Jersey estate vineyard and tasting room in Cape May with comparable small-batch wine production, on-site food service, and event programming. Similar premium positioning targeting the Philadelphia and NJ Shore wine tourism market.
• Bellview Winery: Family-owned South Jersey winery and Auburn Road's strategic partner for the Vigne Senza Frontiere transatlantic tasting series. Both produce estate-grown wines in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA with on-site tasting rooms, food service, and event venues, serving similar regional wine tourists.
• Unionville Vineyards: New Jersey estate winery in the Hunterdon County region producing small-lot, Old-World style wines with on-site tastings and wine club. Comparable size, philosophy, and DTC-centric business model targeting NJ/PA wine consumers.
• Working Dog Winery: South Jersey estate winery producing small-batch wines from estate vineyards with a tasting room and event programming. Comparable scale, regional position, and DTC/wholesale mix serving the same Outer Coastal Plain AVA wine tourism market.

Others

• Total Wine & More: Largest US independent specialty retailer of wine, beer, and spirits and Auburn Road's most prominent wholesale partner. Relevant as the dominant off-premise distribution channel whose shelf decisions shape which small/estate wineries achieve scaled retail visibility.
• Garden State Wine Growers Association: 60+ member coalition representing NJ wineries of which Auburn Road is an active participant. Relevant ecosystem peer because it shapes regional marketing, lobbying, and consumer awareness that directly drive tasting-room traffic and wholesale demand for member estates.

Regional players

• Sparkling Pointe Vineyard: Long Island, NY sparkling wine producer supplying grapes for Auburn Road's Spirit Animal Firefly traditional-method sparkling. Comparable premium, small-lot, méthode-traditionnelle production philosophy in the broader Northeast US estate wine segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjDWBe2tG2QgdACnturOheA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AuburnRoad
• Instagraminstagram.com/auburnroadvineyards
• TikToktiktok.com/search?lang=en&q=auburn%20road%20vineyard&t=1773952806864
• Xx.com/auburnroadwine
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auburn-road-vineyards

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auburn Road