It was the United States Bicentennial commemorative event that shocked the wine world. In 1976, British wine merchant Steven Spurrier and his American colleague, Patricia Gallagher, organized The Paris Wine Tasting, or Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting competition that pitted top-quality French chardonnays and Bordeaux reds against cabernet sauvignons from California’s then undiscovered Napa County.
In a startling upset, Napa’s sweep of top honors forever changed global perception of American wines.
In 2012, it was time for New Jersey wines to shine at The Judgment of Princeton International Wine Summit. Garden State winemakers bested their French counterparts with three of the top four spots for chardonnay whites, with “statistically insignificant” differences in the Bordeaux red category.
This unlikely success underscored the steady progression of Garden State wines following passage in 1981 of the New Jersey Farm Winery Act, which freed industry growth from a suffocating Prohibition-era restriction on winery licensure.
Today, the celebrated land of Jersey sweet corn, blueberries, tomatoes and other produce is harvesting serious notice from wine connoisseurs and publications, including Wine Enthusiast and Travel + Leisure, for its wine industry, which according to the National Association of American Wineries, has uncorked $4.5 billion in total economic activity since 2022, including more than $92 million in annual tourism spending.
Ranging from the Cape May peninsula to northernmost Warren County, New Jersey’s 60-plus licensed wineries and vineyards form the state’s fastest-growing agricultural sector. Here are select destinations offering scenic settings and versatile venues for memorable tours, tastings and private events.
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Southern New Jersey’s Sparkling Wine Culture
Atlantic City and other area groups have a unique historic destination for champagnes, wines and events at Renault Winery & Resort.
Founder Louis Renault, a master vintner from France’s Champagne region, left for California in the mid-1800s to escape the parasitic insect then threatening Europe’s wine industry. When his vines failed on the West Coast, he ventured east to Egg Harbor City, 20 miles north of Atlantic City, where his vines flourished in the sandy, loamy soil and temperate climate. Established in 1864, his namesake winery follows New York’s Brotherhood Winery (1838) as the second-oldest continuous operator in the nation.
Strict appellation rules dictate that to be labeled champagne, a sparkling wine must be made with grapes grown in France’s ancient Champagne region and follow “méthode Champenoise” production techniques.
On that basis, Renault enjoys the rarest of privileges, through grandfathering, to call their wines champagne. The exclusive blueberry champagne is reason alone to go, along with versatile indoor and outdoor venues, 55-room hotel, tasting tours and 18-hole championship golf course.
Spanning southern New Jersey, the 2.25 million-acre Outer Coastal Plain AVA is the largest of the state’s four American Viticultural Areas, or AVAs.
"With over 30 wineries and vineyards, South Jersey’s wine country invites visitors to enjoy a premier experience through its many vineyard tours, award-winning wine tastings, farm-to-glass offerings, private celebrations and teambuilding retreats, set among scenic views and landscapes that define the region," said Visit South Jersey Tourism Director of Operations Michael Snyder. “We are proud to say our reputation for producing high-quality wines continues to grow and gain national recognition. Paired with our small-town charm and convenient location—just minutes from Philadelphia and a short drive from New York City, Baltimore and Washington, D.C.—this makes South Jersey an ideal destination for any private or business excursion.”
Cape May Winery, the state’s southernmost winery, selectively seats groups of 12 and hosts intimate events. Popular programs at nearby third-generation family run Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery include the summertime Rootstock concert series, featuring live music and food trucks, and Hawktoberfest celebration in the fall.
Attractive group venues at Auburn Road Vineyard & Winery in Salem County include the rustic year-round Garden House in the vineyard and Enoteca Wine Bar, Patio and Courtyard.
Set forever protected farmland bestowed by George Washington to his personal guard in 1772, Saddlehill Winery and Vineyards in Camden County offers tours, tastings, classes and private bookings. Executive Chef Daniel Stern, formerly with Philadelphia’s legendary Le-Bec-Fin restaurant, oversees the culinary program.
At inviting Cedar Rose Vineyards in Cumberland County, rentals such as the seasonal 60-capacity Tank Room put groups in the heart of the winemaking operation.
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The Viticultural Vibrancy of Central and Northern New Jersey
An hour-plus west of New York City, Hunterdon County’s agrarian heritage dates to the early 1700s. To date, the Hunterdon Land Trust has preserved more than 12,000 acres of county land, including historic farms turned over to viticulture. Committed to "putting New Jersey wine on the map," Mike Beneduce, whose great-grandparents emigrated from near Naples, Italy, in the early 1900s to Madison, New Jersey and started the family garden center business growing roses for New York farm markets, has done just that at his namesake farm-estate, Beneduce Vineyards.
In 2009, while majoring in plant sciences, viticulture and wine-making at Cornell University, Beneduce planted chardonnay vines on three acres of a 50-acre Hunterdon production farm for the family business. Opened in 2012, his much-expanded operation has taken off with award-winning 100% estate-grown wines.
“New Jersey's diverse topographies and soils suit all different kinds of quality wine,” said Beneduce, an industry champion whose name means “good leader” in Italian and whose acclaim includes New Jersey’s “Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year” in 2022. “Taking time as an industry to understand the best varieties for our soils and to fine-tune our winemaking techniques, we are making the right decisions, and people are taking notice.”
Versatile rentals include the 10-person Loft overlooking the barrel-stocked Tasting Room and lush 150-capacity Oasis greenhouse. “We can enhance your event with guided wine tastings led by our knowledgeable staff or charcuterie and cheese pairings,” said Kara North, event and marketing manager.
Established in 1993 as a sustainably farmed estate winery, Unionville Vineyards produces rave-reviewed wines from five different sites. Dating to 1858, the bucolic home vineyard was once part of the largest peach orchard in the U.S. George Washington and his troops notably camped on Unionville’s rich land, which gives life to superb terroir-driven, food-friendly chardonnays and other hand-crafted wines. Flexible rentals include a 175-capacity tented patio and 75-person Winery Floor and Cave Room.
Calling cards at Old York Cellars include a wine collaboration with hip hop pioneer and Run-DMC co-founder Darryl McDaniels, and round-trip excursions in partnership with the historic Black River & Western Railroad. Group resources include private 16-person wine cabanas overlooking the vineyards and team wine blending experiences.
Neighboring Warren County is home to some of the state’s prettiest wine destinations. Translated as “dawn” or “sunrise,” trailblazing farm-estate Alba Vineyard & Winery resides in a picturesque upland valley that provides a postcard-perfect setting for events in venues including the 125-capacity timber-framed Arbor and 300-capacity Main Field. Featuring four-county, two-state views, picturesque Villa Milagro Vineyards hosts indoor and outdoor events for up to 200 people.
The New Jersey Wine & Food Festival celebrated its 13th anniversary this May at group-capable Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County with food from 30 local chefs and 200-plus wines from 50 wineries.
Through its website and online app, the Garden State Wine Growers Association is a one-stop resource for winery listings, tourism partners, wine trails, events, and other valuable information for planners.
