Video and Photos: Wining and Dining At Grape Expectations

Grape Expectations on Kearny Street in Bridgewater held a free open house Sunday for people to sample wine, cheese and crackers.

Friends gathered to eat cheese, and to sample and discuss the different batches of wine that had been made by locals throughout the year.

Grape Expectations is a warehouse where the barrels are stored, and guests can rent them to make their own wines. 

Those making their own wines are required to make a minimum of five cases, but they can work with others and share barrels. Participants are instructed step-by-step through the process, and they can even stomp the grapes themselves.

Creative juices normally flow when guests customize their own labels, with names ranging from "The Three Stooge Brothers" to "Vampire," which is a red wine made from grapes in Transylvania.

Grape Expectations opened 11 years ago, importing Californian, Chilean and Argentinian grapes. This year, the business has also begun bringing in Italian grapes and juices.

The next open house will be held Sept. 12, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, visit grapeexpectationsnj.com.

Download the movie