When asked what’s been the most rewarding aspect of owning and operating a restaurant firmly established as a dining destination in South Jersey, Phil Brunozzi doesn’t need much time to craft a response.
“Without a doubt, it’s the friends and relationships that we’ve made. The strangers that you now call friends and have dinner with or go to parties with—those relationships have been so extensive,” he says.
Since 2008, Brunozzi has been building these relationships with customers, both first-timers and frequent visitors, who regularly fill the dining room at Annata Wine Bar, the popular Hammonton restaurant he co-owns alongside his brother Matt and sister Jacqueline.
With roots firmly planted in town, Brunozzi and his family sought to bring a new type of dining concept to Hammonton and the inspiration for the wine-themed eatery was born. But the restaurant has always been much more than a spot to pair charcuterie boards with glasses of vino, rather it’s a place where guests can expect a first-class culinary experience with a menu full of dishes that are fresh, vibrant and showcase the finest ingredients. What’s more, in addition to its award-winning wine list, Annata also houses a full bar providing patrons with signature cocktails, a highly respectable collection of whiskeys and plenty of local craft brews.
“Wine is the theme, but the culinary experience is by far what brings people back,” Brunozzi says. “Our menu is fresh and local, and full of traditional dishes with a twist as well as Italian-inspired tapas. Herb-encrusted prime rib, duo gnocchi, lamb lollipops and nonna’s risotto are just a few of the favorites.”
Guests also routinely rave about Annata’s welcoming atmosphere—both in the cozy interior as well as the outdoor wine garden—and the ability of the staff to make them feel like extended members of the family.
“It’s a comfortable, very inviting atmosphere. People come in and they don’t want to leave, they want to stay and hang out,” Brunozzi says.
It should come as no surprise that as word of mouth spread, Annata’s reputation for excellence has only grown. Now, as the restaurant gets ready to celebrate its 17th anniversary in August, it continues to be a focal point of Hammonton’s dining scene, attracting both locals as well as many from across the South Jersey region.
While Brunozzi takes tremendous pride knowing how much Annata has evolved over the years, he makes it clear that the restaurant is just a part of the collective of businesses that have made Hammonton the place to be.
“I think Annata has helped make Hammonton a destination [for other restaurants and businesses]. We have the breweries, the distilleries, the vineyards and all the wine experiences throughout town that really complement one another. I don’t think we stand out or are the pivot point by any means, but we have held hands on a lot of that [growth],” says Brunozzi.
With the anniversary approaching and Brunozzi reflecting on the longevity Annata has enjoyed, he thinks back to opening the restaurant’s doors back in 2008 with little knowhow or expertise and marvels at how far the restaurant has evolved since those early days.
“We opened in the middle of a major recession and people thought we were nuts,” he recalls. “We didn’t really know any better, so we just forged ahead and kept going. I think it laid a foundation for us to roll up our sleeves … and then 12 years later we are in the middle of the pandemic. But we survived 2008, we survived 2020 and we’ve learned so much. Sometimes those tough times bring out some good things, and for us, we weathered the storm and came out of it really well.”
While the journey has been gratifying in many ways, Brunozzi also has his eyes firmly set on the future and being able to provide a memorable experience for years to come to all those who walk through the door.
“I always hope that we continue to attract new people, which I know we do every day and I hope that never ends. If we can keep getting new people to try us out and keep bringing the established customers back for more, reaching that blend and balance would definitely be my goal.”
Annata Wine Bar
Hammonton
(609) 704-9797
AnnataWineBar.com
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Published and copyrighted in South Jersey Magazine, Volume 22, Issue 4 (July 2025)
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