Golf Styles, December 2007
As the Renault Winery and its vineyard golf course continue to mature, visitors to the resort just outside of Atlanta City are quick to find out why this is a world-class facility
Like an Italian artist painting a masterpiece, Joseph P. Milza has been creating his major opus since 1977. The same year:ir gambling arrived in nearby Atlantic City, Milza arrived in Egg Harbor, purchasing a 1,000-acrc winery and vineyard in the tranquil fields and pine barrens of South Jersey.
Renault Winery is a New Jersey State Historical Site, as one of the oldest continuously operating wineries in the country, dating back to 1864. Renault was able to run uninterrupted through Prohibition because it produced church wine.
Today, the winery is producing 300,000 bottles annually, including whites from Riesling, Chardonnay, Norton, Vidal Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc vines, and reds from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes – 13 varieties in all. Almost 50 tons are hand-picked and shepherded through the winemaking process by cellar master Marco Bucchi.
Milza’s masterwork includes the Winery Gourmet Restaurant. It opened 25 years ago, a benchmark time for expansion from winery to resort. In 2001, the 47-room Tuscany House Hotel and Joseph’s Restaurant welcomed its first guests. “People come for the winery experience, to taste the wine, eat great food, play a great golf course and enjoy our peaceful location” said owner Milza. “Each year brings more.”
Special events help in this effort – Dining with the Chefs, Harvest Festival, Grape-Stomping Festival, Oktoberfest, and Brunch with Santa bring new company.
In October of 2004, golfers began taking their cuts at the Vineyard Golf Course. It added a new dimension to the masterpiece and has garnered discerning acclaim for design, layout, conditioning and playability ever since. It flows smoothly across the land, meandering along vineyards, fruit orchards, blueberry patches and tall antique windbreak pines.
Credit Arthur Hills and Ed Shearon for the result. Hills buoyed Milza’s confidence over building the force, and then developed a routing through operating vines. Shearon turners Milza’s vision into reality.
“Hills took me to the starting gate. Ed Shearon took me through the gate for what has been the ride of my life.” said Milza.
Ed Shearon didn’t move a lot of dirt but integrated and used existing natural features. Shaper Peter Fazio sculpted existing contours.
“The theme of this course design is angles,” said Shearon. “Each player has a decision to make – circumvent the diagonal hazards or attempt to go over them to gain a better angle to the green.”
The course is an enjoyable play for high or low handicappers, provided one picks the correct tee of five, ranging from 7,213 yards (132 slope) from the tips to 5,176 yards (117 slope) from the forward tees.
“The charge was to have a course suitable for conference attendees who visit once or twice a year – really a resort-style layout – yet make it challenging for the better player.” said Shearon. Superintendent Mike Renk previously at Pine Valley works the course like an artist skillfully brushing canvas. The open, sunny, windswept fairways, relatively flat terrain and sandy soil present favorable – and not so favorable – conditions.
“The sand is perfect for deep rooting grass growth, drainage and fast greens,” said Renk. “But the sun and wind can dry things out. State-mandated water allocation requires us to do a lot of hand water.” Renk’s crew has applied the right touch: The greens are some of the best in New Jersey. Each year, the course, like a vintage Renault wine – gets better with age.
“Head professional Brian Crompton created some affordable midweek programs that are very popular and have increased play significantly,” said Kevin McCarty, director of golf.
“Their job is to bring them here. My job is to bring them back time and again,” said Renk.
It’s a formula that’s working quite well.
Family owned and operated, Renault Winery Resort & Golf offers visitors an ideal getaway with meeting, banquet, and wedding space for 20 to 300.
Be assured, Milza is not finished with his objet d’art. Golfers look forward to seeing what comes next.
