From Corporate Law to International Winemaking: Auburn Road Brings Italian Riviera Wine Exchange to South Jersey

Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia Nico Frandi will join New Jersey and Italian winemakers for a cross-Atlantic celebration of wine, food and cultural connection on July 29

PILESGROVE, NJ–July 28, 2026 — Scott and Jules Donnini traded corporate law for grapevines, and now the South Jersey winemakers are taking their unlikely second act to the international stage.

The owners of Auburn Road Vineyards recently returned from Italy, where their New Jersey wines were featured during three cultural exchanges with acclaimed producers from Liguria, the coastal region known as the Italian Riviera. Now, the Donnini’s are bringing that experience home for “Vigne Senza Frontiere – Vineyards Without Borders,” an international wine, food and cultural celebration taking place tomorrow, Wednesday, July 29, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Auburn Road Vineyards in Pilesgrove.

Adding official international significance to the evening, Nico Frandi, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia, will attend as the event’s guest of honor and deliver remarks at 6:15 p.m. about the cultural connection between Italy and the South Jersey region.

The sold-out event will showcase 25 wines from four New Jersey producers and six Italian producers, offering guests a rare opportunity to experience the two winemaking regions side by side.

More than a tasting, the evening is intended to demonstrate how winemakers, artists, food and shared experiences can create connections across borders at a time when the world could use more of them.

“We want people to meet the winemakers and artists, experience the food and wine of the Italian Riviera and recognize how much we can discover about one another when we gather around a table,” said Scott Donnini. “Wine gives us a way to bridge distances and differences. That is really what this first South Jersey–Liguria wine exchange is about.”

The Donnini’s left careers as corporate attorneys in the 1990’s to pursue an entirely different life. They purchased the Auburn Road property in 2003 and built it into one of South Jersey’s notable wine producers and gathering places. Their participation in the Ligurian exchange represents another step toward establishing Auburn Road—and the wider South Jersey wine region—on a global stage.

The first three “Vineyards Without Borders” events were held in Italy, culminating in a July 4 celebration near Cinque Terre. The timing carried special meaning as the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary and as Philadelphia and the surrounding region prepare to welcome international visitors for a historic year of events.

The New Jersey finale will recreate the spirit and flavors of the Italian gatherings through guided tastings, live music, artistic and cultural elements, video presentations and light Ligurian-inspired bites, including focaccia, pasta, burrata and tomatoes.

“This is what destination storytelling looks like at its best,” said Michael Snyder, Director of Operations for Visit South Jersey. “Scott and Jules took South Jersey wine to Italy and returned with a cultural experience that allows our region to participate in a much larger international conversation. Consul General Frandi’s participation further demonstrates the importance of building cultural and economic relationships through travel, food and wine.”

Reporters, photographers and regional content creators are invited to attend, meet the winemakers, experience the guided tasting and capture the food, music and international story behind the event. Interview opportunities will include Scott and Jules Donnini, participating winemakers and Consul General Nico Frandi.

Event Details

Vigne Senza Frontiere – Vineyards Without Borders
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
6–8:30 p.m.
Auburn Road Vineyards
Pilesgrove, New Jersey

Guest of Honor: Nico Frandi, Consul General of Italy in Philadelphia

The evening will feature 25 wines from four New Jersey and six Italian producers, accompanied by Ligurian-inspired light bites, live music, guided tastings and special presentations from the Italian events.

The Four New Jersey and six Italian (Ligurian wine producers) on site will be:

NJ: Auburn Road Vineyards, Bellview Winery, Working Dog Winery, Unionville Vineyards

Liguria: Bruzzone, Maixei, Ca’ Lunae, Tenuta Maffone, Azienda Agricola Calvini, Azienda Agricola Anfosso

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