New Jersey’s wine industry is entering a defining new era marked by national recognition, historic harvest quality, and major legislative advancements that are transforming the Garden State into one of the East Coast’s fastest-growing wine destinations. As of February 16, 2026, more than 60 wineries across New Jersey are experiencing unprecedented momentum, fueled by a landmark national award, expanded business opportunities through new state legislation, and a thriving calendar of spring events that continue to elevate the region’s reputation for world-class wine production.
This remarkable convergence of innovation, recognition, and community engagement signals a powerful shift for New Jersey’s agricultural economy and positions the state as a major player in American wine culture.
Through continued coverage featured across Explore New Jersey’s wine and winery programming, audiences are discovering how the state’s vineyards, tasting rooms, and culinary experiences are reshaping the regional wine landscape.
A National Victory Places New Jersey Wine on the Global Stage
In one of the most significant achievements in the state’s winemaking history, Saddlehill Winery in Voorhees earned national acclaim on January 20, 2026, becoming the only East Coast winery to receive the prestigious “Best of Class” award for a Red Blend at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
The award-winning wine, Saddlehill’s 2023 Renegade Red Blend, represents a milestone not only for the winery but for New Jersey’s entire wine industry. The recognition highlights the growing quality and craftsmanship emerging from the state’s vineyards, challenging long-standing perceptions of East Coast wine production.
Industry leaders describe the achievement as a turning point that demonstrates New Jersey’s ability to compete with established wine regions while showcasing distinctive regional character.
The recognition reinforces the state’s commitment to excellence in viticulture, innovative winemaking techniques, and sustainable agricultural practices.
New Legislative Support Expands Opportunities for Wineries
Further accelerating industry growth, Governor Mikie Sherrill recently signed Bill A5258 into law, allowing New Jersey wineries to sell wine by the glass for on-premises consumption at their licensed salesrooms. This legislative change represents a major advancement for winery operations, visitor experiences, and agro-tourism development.
The new law is expected to significantly increase winery revenue while encouraging longer visitor stays, expanded tasting experiences, and enhanced hospitality offerings. It also aligns New Jersey with leading wine regions that have successfully integrated tourism with agricultural production.
Key impacts of the legislation include:
• Expanded tasting room experiences
• Increased tourism engagement
• Greater flexibility for winery hospitality programs
• Enhanced visitor experiences and events
• Economic growth across agricultural communities
The policy reflects New Jersey’s commitment to supporting local agriculture while strengthening the state’s position as a premier destination for wine tourism.
A Historic Harvest Signals Exceptional Wine Quality
Winemakers across the state report that the 2024–2025 growing seasons produced some of the highest-quality fruit in New Jersey’s history. Favorable dry weather conditions created ideal ripening environments, resulting in exceptional grape quality and flavor concentration.
White wines from the historic harvest are now reaching shelves, offering fresh expressions of the season’s success. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated red wines from the same vintage are beginning to mature and are expected to make their official debut throughout 2026.
The exceptional harvest reinforces the strength of New Jersey’s climate, soil diversity, and vineyard management practices. It also provides winemakers with opportunities to expand premium offerings and showcase regional terroir.
Industry experts anticipate that the 2026 release cycle could become one of the most celebrated in the state’s history.
Spring Event Season Showcases New Jersey Wine Culture
New Jersey’s wine industry is also preparing for a robust spring event calendar designed to attract visitors, celebrate local producers, and highlight regional wine excellence. The Garden State Wine Growers Association has organized a series of major events that bring together winemakers, culinary experts, and wine enthusiasts.
Red Wine Rising, scheduled for February 23–24 in Princeton, will present an educational forum focused on high-quality East Coast red wine production. The event includes a curated tasting featuring regional red wines and discussions on winemaking innovation.
Wine & Chocolate Month continues to extend Valentine’s season across participating wineries, including Sharrott Winery in Hammonton, where guests can enjoy curated chocolate pairings and specialty brunch experiences through February.
Uncork Spring returns March 21 at the Carteret Performing Arts Center, offering one of the state’s largest wine experiences featuring dozens of New Jersey producers.
The NJ Wine & Food Festival, scheduled May 1–3 at Crystal Springs Resort, will bring together world-renowned culinary talent and local wineries. This year’s festival will feature legendary chef Marco Pierre White as guest of honor, further elevating the event’s national profile.
These events highlight the state’s growing reputation as a destination for wine education, culinary tourism, and cultural experiences.
Winery Experiences Driving Regional Tourism
New Jersey’s wineries continue to expand their offerings beyond traditional tastings, creating immersive visitor experiences that blend wine, food, music, and wellness.
Old York Cellars in Ringoes is hosting a weekly bubbly brunch featuring Spanish-inspired cuisine, while Tomasello Winery in Hammonton offers its popular “Sips & Sounds” series combining live music with wine and tapas.
Auburn Road Winery in Pilesgrove presents its “Live from the Vineyard” music series showcasing original performances, and Valenzano Winery in Shamong has introduced “Yoga in the Barrel Room,” merging wellness programming with wine tasting experiences.
These offerings demonstrate how wineries are evolving into lifestyle destinations that support tourism, community engagement, and cultural programming.
Terhune Orchards: Agriculture, Education, and Winemaking Innovation
Among the state’s most distinctive winery experiences is the winery at Terhune Orchards in Princeton, a family-owned farm that combines agriculture, education, and winemaking.
The winery produces award-winning red, white, and fruit wines crafted from its own crops, including Chambourcin, Vidal Blanc, and unique fruit blends such as Harvest Blues, an apple-blueberry wine. Terhune Orchards is also the only winery in New Jersey known to produce wine from Orange Muscat grapes.
Visitors can explore the winery’s tasting room located in a historic 150-year-old barn, open weekends for guided tastings.
Beyond wine production, Terhune Orchards offers educational programs that connect agriculture with environmental awareness. Its “Composting at Terhune Orchards” program, part of the farm’s Read and Explore winter education series, introduces children to sustainability through hands-on learning.
Scheduled for April 7 and April 11, 2026, the program teaches young participants about soil health, recycling organic materials, and environmental stewardship while allowing each child to create a compost container to take home.
This integration of education, agriculture, and community engagement reflects the broader mission of New Jersey’s wine industry to promote sustainability and environmental awareness.
The Rise of New Jersey as a Premier Wine Destination
New Jersey’s wine industry has experienced steady growth over the past decade, driven by improved vineyard practices, supportive legislation, and increasing consumer interest in locally produced wine.
The state’s diverse geography supports a wide range of grape varieties, while ongoing investment in agricultural research continues to enhance production quality.
Wine tourism has also become a major economic driver, attracting visitors seeking authentic regional experiences and locally crafted products.
With more than 60 wineries now operating statewide, New Jersey continues to expand its presence within the national wine landscape.
A Transformational Moment for the Garden State’s Wine Future
The combination of national recognition, legislative support, historic harvest quality, and expanding tourism experiences marks a transformative period for New Jersey’s wine industry.
The 2026 season represents not only a celebration of recent achievements but a foundation for continued growth, innovation, and global recognition.
As New Jersey’s wineries continue to evolve, the state is emerging as a leader in East Coast wine production, offering visitors exceptional experiences rooted in agriculture, craftsmanship, and community.
From award-winning red blends and immersive tasting experiences to educational farm programs and world-class festivals, New Jersey’s wine industry is shaping a vibrant future that blends tradition with innovation.
The Garden State’s vineyards are no longer simply regional attractions — they are becoming national destinations, redefining American wine culture and reinforcing New Jersey’s reputation as a center of agricultural excellence, culinary innovation, and cultural discovery.
