New Jersey is quickly becoming a popular destination for wine lovers from all over the world. With more than fifty wineries, the state offers a wide variety of experiences for visitors to enjoy. From sampling wine fresh from the barrel to taking a tour of the vineyards, there is something for everyone. Whether you are looking for a day trip or a weekend getaway, New Jersey has something to offer.
Heritage Vineyards is one of the most popular wineries in New Jersey. They host a series of events throughout the year, such as the Wine and Cheese Event. Visitors can also take a day trip to Cape May Winery & Vineyard, where they can sample wine fresh from the barrel while exploring the facilities or enjoy a bottle of wine while contemplating the lush gardens. Amalthea Cellars Winery is another popular destination in New Jersey.
Founded in 1976, it is one of the few remaining wineries in the world that produces its wines by hand from harvest to bottle. Their wines can only be purchased by appointment or on special occasions, such as weekends with wine tours. Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery is located on a 30-acre farm and offers visitors a tour of the vineyards and wineries. They specialize in growing and producing wine from Vitis vinifera and Vitis labrusca grape varieties or French hybrids.
Visitors can also enjoy live music and wine tastings in their state-of-the-art tasting room. Southwind Vineyard is another popular destination for wine lovers in New Jersey. Focusing mainly on Bordeaux-style wines, such as Blood Sweat and Tears, Southwind also offers some sweeter wines, as well as its Grape Kiss and Chard. This 50-acre vineyard has exceptional grape harvests, but produces excellent fine wines from its unique vininfera grape varieties that are 10 years old. New Jersey wines have won top prizes in some of the most famous international wine competitions in the world.
The state legislature enacted the New Jersey Agricultural Vineyard Act in 1981, which consisted of exempting low-volume family wineries from bans and allowing wineries to open retail stores.
