:: Grape Beginnings :: Your Hands On Approach to Wine Making

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Master Winemakers

Rich Trawinski (pictured left)
With over a decade of Winemaking experience and a dedication to the craft, Rich combines a formal education in Chemistry with independent study as it relates to Enology (the science of Wine and Winemaking). Along with Grape Beginnings Co-founder Frank D’Aponte, he has traveled extensively throughout California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys. Both have developed close personal relationship with some of California’s premier Winemakers and grape producers.

Frank D’Aponte (pictured right)
Frank is a Third-Generation Winemaker from a family steeped in Winemaking history. He also has an extensive knowledge of the culinary arts. Along with Grape Beginnings Co-founder Rich Trawinski, he has traveled throughout California’s Napa and Sonoma Valleys while studying Wine and the art of Winemaking. Both have developed close personal relationships with some of Napa’s premier Winemakers and grape growers.

Both Rich and Frank have dedicated themselves to years of hands-on study, modeling their education on the prestigious University of California Davis curriculum. Their professional credentials include having studied Winemaking and Winery operations at Sequoia Grove Winery in Napa, California under Owner/ Winemaker extraordinaire James Allen.

We’re Passionate About Our Craft

Grape Beginnings was started in 2002 by Winemakers Rich Trawinski and Frank D’Aponte. Both have received numerous awards and accolades for their Winemaking and have been frequently featured in Winemaker Magazine for their award-winning wines.

With over 20 years of combined Winemaking experience and a love for the craft, Rich and Frank established Grape Beginnings. The 5,000 square foot Winery is conveniently located in historic Freehold, New Jersey and is setup to provide the aspiring Winemaker and Wine lover alike, expert guidance on winemaking, while creating a fun and enjoyable experience. Since it’s inception, Grape Beginnings has become the embodiment of their vision- a place where people can gather to learn about Winemaking and produce their own Ultra-Premium Quality wines at reasonable prices. For Rich and Frank, Winemaking is a passion. Grape Beginnings allows them to share this passion with clients and pass along their Winemaking knowledge.

Let Our Passion Enhance Your Experience

Prior to the creation of Grape Beginnings, Rich Trawinski and his partner Frank D’Aponte had made it their goal to learn everything there was to know about Wine and Winemaking. They began making Wine on a large scale in 1995 and soon discovered that it was not only fun, but that family and friends loved the Wine and wanted to participate in the Winemaking process.

Rich and Frank have put all that they’ve learned through apprenticeships, travel and study-along with their passion for Winemaking-into the creation of Grape Beginnings Hands-on Winery. It is their hope that those that visit will find Winemaking as rewarding as they do.

Grape Beginnings Hands on Winery | 31 McLean Street | Freehold, NJ 07728 | 732-431-3313

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