Exploring New Jersey Wine Country
The Northeast is a popular travel destination from the larger cities of New York and Philadelphia to the idyllic nature getaways in Hudson Valley or even Delaware or Maryland. Some famous wine getaways near here are as far away as the Finger Lakes or Virginia, but just a quick rental car drive away are the winery trips and trails available in New Jersey. And anyone with bonafide New Jersey pride knows that any getaway you can imagine is available just a short ride away.
Depending on your starting point, here’s some recommended journeys through NJ Wine Country. Awaiting you are the 52 wineries currently open in the state.
Head down the Garden State Parkway from the New York area, and head down the proverbial shore. There are miles of beaches and boardwalks and if you’ve had your fix of the sun, head out to these nearby wineries. In Monmouth and Ocean County, these wineries are just a short ride away.
4 JG’s Orchards Vineyards
Colts Neck, NJ
Cream Ridge Winery
Cream Ridge, NJ
https://www.creamridgewinery.com/
Fox Hollow Vineyards
Holmdel, NJ
https://www.foxhollowvineyards.com/
Laurita Winery
New Egypt, NJ
Travel down the coast of New Jersey, and you’ll hit the southernmost tip of NJ, the Cape May Peninsula. Cape May itself is a popular and charming seaside town and the namesake for one of the state’s most exciting new AVAs.
Cape May Winery & Vineyard
North Cape May, NJ
Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery
Rio Grande, NJ
https://hawkhavenvineyard.com/
Jessie Creek Winery
Dias Creek, NJ
https://jessiecreekwinery.com/
Natali Vineyards
Goshen, NJ
Turdo Vineyards & Winery
North Cape May, NJ
https://www.turdovineyards.com/
Willow Creek Winery
West Cape May, NJ
https://willowcreekwinerycapemay.com/
Just north of Cape May is Cumberland County where three new wineries await you.
Cedar Rose Vineyards
Millville, NJ
https://cedarrosevineyards.com/
Frightened Turtle
Bridgeton, NJ
http://www.sunnyslope.com/frightenedturtlewinery.html
Terra Nonno Vineyard & Winery
Millville, NJ
After spending time in Atlantic City, check out the rest of the county where it’s home to many of the wineries that make up the Outer Coastal Plains AVA, the largest in the state.
Here you can explore the parks that make up the NJ Pine Barrens and New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve. You can visit Renault Winery, the second-oldest operating winery in the country as well as a cluster of wineries located in Hammonton, known as the blueberry capital of the world, but also home to some of the state’s best wineries. You can also visit and taste many of the winning wines at the 2020’s Governor’s Cup—be sure to taste Sharrot’s Best in Show winning red Merlot.
This AVA covers much of the southern part of the state and is known for its well-drained soils and maritime climate; you’ll find warm and ripe Bordeaux blends along with innovative and quenchable sparklings and whites.
Amalthea Cellars
Atco, NJ
Balic Winery
Mays Landing, NJ
Bellview Winery
Landisville, NJ
DiMatteo’s Vineyards
Hammonton, NJ
https://www.dimatteofamilyvineyards.com/
Plagido’s Winery
Hammonton, NJ
https://www.plagidoswinery.com/
Renault Winery
Egg Harbor City, NJ
https://www.renaultwinery.com/
Sharrott Winery
Hammonton, NJ
Tomasello Winery
Hammonton, NJ
Valenzano Winery – located in lower Burlington County
Shamong, NJ
White Horse Winery
Hammonton, NJ
https://www.whitehorsewinery.com/
Head west or head out a short ride from Philadelphia, and you’re exploring New Jersey’s farmlands in Gloucester and Salem Counties. This area is also part of the Pinelands National Reserve and includes the Red Bank Battlefield for wildlife lovers and historical aficionados. Intersperse that with some (responsible) day drinking of Vinifera along the way. Most of the wineries in this region are also part of the Outer Coastal Plain AVA.
Auburn Road Vineyards
Pilesgrove, NJ
https://www.auburnroadvineyards.com/
Autumn Lake Winery
Williamstown, NJ
Blue Cork Winery
Williamstown, NJ
Cedarvale Winery
Logan Twp., NJ
Chestnut Run Farm
Pilesgrove, NJ
Coda Rossa Winery
Franklinville, NJ
DiBella Winery
Woolwich Twp., NJ
Monroeville Vineyard & Winery
Monroeville, NJ
https://monroevillewinery.com/
Salem Oak Vineyards
Pedrickstown, NJ
https://www.salemoakvineyards.com/
Summit City Winery
Glassboro, NJ
Wagonhouse Winery
Swedesboro, NJ
https://www.wagonhousewinery.com/
William Heritage Winery
Mullica Hill, NJ
https://www.heritagewinenj.com/
The Warren Hills AVA covers the areas in Northern NJ abut to the Delaware River. It’s one of the cooler AVAs due to its more rural, vegetative, and mountainous nature. Enjoy time on the River or in the mountains while stopping by the some of the region’s six wineries, including the newest winery in the state, Little Ridge Vineyards in Phillipsburg, which just opened in June. You can also travel to Sussex County to visit the northernmost winery in the state.
Alba Vineyard
Finesville, NJ
Villa Milagro
Phillipsburg, NJ
https://www.villamilagrovineyards.com/
Four Sisters Winery
White Township, NJ
https://www.foursisterswinery.com/
Little Ridge Vineyards
607 Ridge Road
Phillipsburg, NJ
https://www.littleridgenj.com/
Brook Hollow Winery
Columbia, NJ
https://www.brookhollowwinery.com/
Ventimiglia Vineyards – Sussex County
Wantage, NJ
Hunterdon and Mercer Counties are in Central Jersey and an easy trip from major cities in the region. Enjoy the scenic rides, small hikes, and charming towns, and make sure to check out these wineries:
Hunterdon County:
Beneduce Vineyards
Pittstown, NJ
https://beneducevineyards.com/
Federal Twist Vineyard
Stockton
https://www.federaltwistvineyard.com/
Mount Salem Vineyards
Pittstown, NJ
https://www.mountsalemvineyards.com/
Old York Cellars
Ringoes, NJ
https://www.oldyorkcellars.com/
Unionville Vineyards
Ringoes, NJ
https://unionvillevineyards.com/
Mercer County:
Hopewell Valley Vineyards
Pennington
https://www.hopewellvalleyvineyards.com/
Terhune Orchards Vineyard & Winery
Princeton
https://www.terhuneorchards.com/
Working Dog Winery
Hightsown
https://workingdogwinerynj.com/
Upper Burlington County
Iron Plow Vineyards
Columbus
https://www.ironplowvineyards.com/