As the calendar turns and resolutions take shape, more Garden State residents are choosing to make one delicious commitment for the year ahead: drinking local. New Jersey’s wine scene has entered 2026 with remarkable momentum, buoyed by a standout harvest, record-setting economic impact, and a growing calendar of immersive vineyard experiences that continue to redefine what it means to sip close to home.

The most recent growing season delivered what winemakers have described as a notably ripe and expressive vintage. Warmer nights throughout the summer and early fall helped grapes reach full maturity, producing fruit with deeper concentration and richer character. Early-release wines from several South Jersey and Shore-based vineyards have already found their way into tasting rooms, offering a first glimpse of what many believe will be one of the more memorable New Jersey vintages in recent years.

Beyond the vines, the state’s wine industry reached a major milestone in overall economic contribution, surpassing five billion dollars in total activity. That growth reflects more than bottle sales alone. It includes vineyard tourism, hospitality, seasonal employment, and the ripple effect that wineries create for surrounding towns through dining, lodging, and local retail spending. For rural communities and historic downtowns alike, wine tourism has become a powerful economic engine.

Recognition on the competition circuit further elevated New Jersey’s profile in 2025. Several wineries earned top honors at the annual Governor’s Cup, with standout awards spanning vinifera, hybrid, and specialty categories. Ice ciders, reds, and whites from across the state showcased the diversity and quality that now define Garden State winemaking, reinforcing that New Jersey wines can compete on a national level.

The year also featured one of the largest celebrations of local wine ever held in the state. The New Jersey Wine Expo returned to Holmdel, bringing together more than a thousand attendees and over a hundred locally produced wines under one roof. The event served as both a tasting experience and a statement of pride for an industry that continues to grow in scale, sophistication, and public interest.

As New Year’s Eve ushered in 2026, wineries across the state leaned into the celebratory spirit with curated dinners, early countdown gatherings, and live music parties designed for every type of guest, from night owls to those who prefer to toast before midnight. Tastings, specialty flights, and creative vineyard events helped transform wineries into festive destinations where visitors could ring in the new year surrounded by barrels, vineyards, and the warm glow of tasting rooms.

Looking ahead, the statewide wine calendar is already filling quickly. The next New Jersey Wine Expo has been scheduled for November 2026, promising another large-scale showcase of the state’s producers and their newest releases. In the months leading up to it, vineyards are expanding their offerings with hands-on workshops, seasonal décor classes, ceramic painting sessions, and live music series that turn winery visits into full-day or weekend experiences. These events highlight how New Jersey wineries are becoming not just tasting destinations, but creative community hubs that blend art, music, food, and wine.

Working Dog Winery, among others, is setting the tone for winter with a packed lineup of live music afternoons and hands-on craft workshops that invite guests to pair creativity with a glass of locally made wine. From resin suncatcher classes to rustic winter décor projects and Valentine-themed ceramic painting sessions, these gatherings reflect the evolving personality of New Jersey vineyards as welcoming, year-round destinations.

For residents and visitors looking to explore tasting rooms, vineyard trails, and upcoming wine events across the state, Explore New Jersey’s wine and wineries section offers ongoing coverage and guides to the growing world of Garden State wine.

As 2026 begins, New Jersey’s wine industry stands at a rare intersection of quality, creativity, and community. With an outstanding vintage in the bottle and a calendar full of engaging experiences ahead, choosing to drink local has never felt more rewarding or more exciting.