Valentine’s weekend in New Jersey is unfolding not inside crowded restaurants or traditional banquet halls, but among vineyard rows, candlelit tasting rooms and softly lit estate barns as wineries across the Garden State open their doors for the annual Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend.
Running from February 13 through February 15, the statewide celebration brings together dozens of local vineyards for a coordinated experience built around handcrafted wine, artisan chocolates, live music and intimate food pairings. The event, organized by the Garden State’s winery community, has become one of the most anticipated seasonal showcases for New Jersey’s growing wine industry and a signature destination for couples, friends and small groups looking for a more memorable way to mark Valentine’s Day.
Across South Jersey, Central Jersey and the Hunterdon and Warren County wine regions, tasting rooms are transforming into curated pairing spaces where visitors can explore how locally produced reds, whites and sparkling wines interact with handcrafted confections, pastry-based desserts and plated dining courses. The result is a weekend that blends wine tourism with culinary creativity and regional storytelling.
Visitors searching for additional vineyard destinations and year-round tasting experiences can continue discovering local wineries through Explore New Jersey’s dedicated wine and winery coverage, which highlights the state’s expanding vineyard scene and its role in regional travel and agritourism.
Among the most immersive tasting experiences of the weekend is taking place at Alba Vineyard & Winery, where guests are invited to sample six wines paired with handcrafted chocolate bites in a guided tasting format. The estate is also offering self-guided chocolate and wine flights for visitors who prefer a more flexible pace. Live acoustic performances throughout the weekend help create an easygoing atmosphere that encourages guests to linger between pours and pairings.
In Cape May County, Willow Creek Winery is elevating the traditional tasting experience into a full-scale Valentine dining event. Its “Valentine’s in the Vines” celebration features a four-course, wine-paired dinner presented in a refined, candlelit setting accompanied by live music. In addition to the ticketed dinner experience, the winery is also offering chocolate and wine pairing flights throughout the weekend, allowing guests to participate whether they are visiting for an evening meal or a relaxed afternoon tasting.
Old York Cellars is offering one of the most visually distinctive experiences on the trail with its Valentine Cabana Experience. Semi-private cabanas create an intimate, lounge-style setting where guests can enjoy sparkling wine, tapas and dessert service while remaining fully immersed in the vineyard environment. For visitors seeking a more structured culinary experience, the winery is also hosting multi-course pairing dinners on both Friday and Saturday nights, each built around seasonal menus and estate wines.
At Stokelan Estate Winery, the focus is placed squarely on local collaboration. The vineyard has partnered with Reily’s Candy to produce a pairing flight featuring six wines matched with six artisan chocolates. The experience allows guests to explore how different chocolate profiles—from creamy milk to darker cocoa blends—interact with the winery’s portfolio of varietals, highlighting the complexity that can emerge when regional producers work together.
Terhune Orchards is bringing a farm-forward approach to the weekend by pairing its estate-grown wines with chocolates sourced from Pierre’s Chocolates of New Hope. In addition to the curated tasting flights, guests can enjoy homemade chocolate treats produced by the on-site bakery, adding a warm, small-batch feel to the experience that reflects Terhune’s agricultural roots.
While romance is certainly central to the weekend, several wineries are also offering themed experiences designed for friends, small groups and solo visitors.
Willow Creek Winery & Farm is hosting a Galentine’s Day celebration on Sunday afternoon, creating a social shopping and tasting atmosphere with pop-up vendors that include a mobile bookstore and handcrafted jewelry. The event adds a lifestyle element to the weekend, blending wine culture with small-business support and community shopping.
Unionville Vineyards is presenting a dessert-focused pairing experience titled “Sweets and Wine with Your Valentine,” offering a structured tasting built around indulgent courses designed to highlight the sweeter side of the winery’s portfolio. The event places particular emphasis on balance, guiding guests through how acidity, residual sugar and fruit-forward profiles interact with rich dessert pairings.
Sharrott Winery is offering a Wine & Chocolate Brunch complete with live music and an extended lineup of chocolate tasting flights. Unlike many Valentine-only events, Sharrott is continuing its specialty chocolate and wine offerings throughout the month, giving visitors additional flexibility if they are unable to attend during the main trail weekend.
Autumn Lake Winery is also participating in the Wine & Chocolate Trail while extending its community focus beyond Valentine’s Day itself. Following the weekend, the winery will host a Teacher Appreciation Day, offering special discounts to educators who present school identification. The gesture reflects how many local wineries are weaving community engagement into their broader hospitality models.
What makes the Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend increasingly popular each year is not simply the novelty of pairing wine with sweets. It is the way New Jersey wineries are using the event to showcase the maturity and diversity of the state’s wine industry. From boutique estate vineyards to larger, destination-style properties, each location presents its own interpretation of hospitality, culinary partnership and tasting education.
For first-time visitors, the trail provides an accessible introduction to New Jersey wine culture. For returning guests, it offers a chance to explore new producers, seasonal releases and collaborative offerings that may not be available during standard tasting hours.
Reservations remain strongly encouraged at many participating vineyards, particularly for limited-seating pairing dinners, cabana experiences and multi-course events. Several wineries operate under 21-and-over policies during Valentine-themed programs, even if they are family-friendly during regular business hours. Visitors are advised to review individual venue guidelines in advance when planning their weekend itinerary.
As February settles into its most festive weekend, New Jersey’s vineyards are once again proving that the state’s wine scene is no longer a quiet niche. It is a thriving, creative network of producers and hosts—capable of turning a holiday weekend into a multi-day celebration of craftsmanship, local flavor and shared experience.
