Whether you’re brainstorming romantic date ideas, a girls night out or just want to discover some of the fun things to do in New Jersey, going wine tasting is a surefire way to explore the state in a whole new way.
NORTH
Northern New Jersey is the land of breathtaking mountains, serene lakes, forested trails and – you guessed it – peaceful vineyards, with their tidy rows of vines stretching over the gently rolling hillsides. Brook Hollow Winery in Columbia is an idea spot to enjoy the countryside and a glass or flight of wine. Pack a picnic and stop into the tasting room for a full tasting of white, red, fruit and specialty wines. On the weekends, enjoy live music for a fun night out. At Four Sisters Winery at Matarazzo Farms in Belvidere, you’ll find an extensive lineup of wines, from sweet specialty wines to dry red wines to semi-sweet fruit wines and more. Then down in Pittstown, located among the patchwork of pastures, you’ll find Mount Salem Vineyards, where tastings are offered by the Splash (five wines), Flight (three wines) or glass.
CENTRAL
Located along the banks of the Delaware River, Villa Milagro Vineyards uses sustainable practices to grow their white and red wines. Stop by on the weekend for a tasting. Also located in Finesville, Alba Vineyard & Winery has a commitment to minimal-impact, renewable viticulture, offering an array of red, white and dessert wines. Tastings are available daily, and tours are available by appointment. In Hightstown, just along the border of Assunpink Wildlife Management Area, Working Dog Winery is surrounded by vine-filled pastures and dense woods. Bring a small picnic to enjoy with their estate grown wines. Down in Toms River, visit the tasting room of Domenico Winery to try a variety of luxurious California wines made from grapes grown in Napa Valley.
SOUTH
Nestled in the farming area of Hammonton, DiMatteo Vineyards offers a lineup of award-wining wines. Try some of the unique fruit wines, such as the light bodied strawberry wine or the easy drinking blueberry wine, made from 100 percent New Jersey blueberries. Of course, a trip to Southern New Jersey would not be complete without visiting some Cape May wineries, so head on down to Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, located on a 100-acre farm, where you can take a vineyard and winery tour. Or, take the daily tour at the Cape May Winery & Vineyard, where you can taste wine right out of the barrel while exploring the facility or enjoy a bottle of wine while taking in views of the lushly landscaped grounds. And all the way at the tip of Cape May, Willow Creek Winery & Farm offers wine and sangria tastings, as well as light tapas for noshing.
