Yes, it is in the heart of the Pine Barrens but when you pull into the entry of Renault Winery, the vineyards . . . the Mediterranean-inspired hotel . . . the winery building and the sweeping, sloping 18-hole golf course that is surrounded by some of the original grapevines, you could get a fleeting glimpse of what it is like to be in Italy, right here in South Jersey.

Drop by any day – they are open daily for tours -- and you can enjoy a twenty minute tour of the winery. Check out the display of some of the old-fashioned pressing, crushing and corking equipment that dates back to the late 1800s and then contrast that with the modern apparatus Renault uses today. And anybody who ever clinked a wine glass in a celebratory toast will want to see the wine glass museum that includes hundreds of antique wine glasses, including one from the 13th century.

While you are there, sample some of Renault’s 24 wines in their wine-tasting room then stop by the shop to pick out your favorite. Their top-seller is a blueberry champagne flavored with locally-grown berries. The merlot and cabernet sauvignon also flies off the shelves.

And here is something that is loads of fun and more than a little messy to put on your calendar. On the Sunday of Labor Day weekend and the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, Renault celebrates the start and end of their picking season with festivals that include do-it-yourself wine-stomping. Wear your old clothes because just like Lucy in the classic episode of I Love Lucy, you’ll get pretty messy but they will take care of hosing you down afterwards.

Duffers can test their Tiger-ness on the custom-designed 18 hole golf course that is set on the site of the old vineyards. Throughout the course, you’ll still see some of the original vines that add an interesting and unusual challenge to your game.

And if all that gets you tuckered out, settle into one of their two restaurants for an outstanding meal and then check into their grand hotel where each room is a little different but each one features a luxurious old-world atmosphere.