”The Garden State” may not be the first image that comes to mind for New Jersey, but that’s the state’s official identity, and for good reason. In addition to sharing the Hudson River with New York City, having some great seaside boardwalks, and boasting some great universities, NJ also has a high quality agricultural base including some excellent vineyards and wineries. The moderate and variable geography provide a hospitable environment for a wide range of varieties and wine styles made primarily from vinifera and French-American grapes.
The Garden State Wine Growers Association spearheads the industry’s programs to create awareness, respect, and sales of the regional wines from the state’s four AVAs (Outer Coastal Plain, Cape May Peninsula, Warren Hills, and Central Delaware Valley). In addition to geographically based wine trails, there are others built around special themes like Mothers Day, Holiday, and Wine & Chocolate. A program involving Italian sommeliers has also created a direct connection for New Jersey wines in that country.
Several wineries also reflect the “Garden State” theme, with local fruits, vegetables, and even seafood accompanying the wines. The unique seashell logo of Cape May Winery & Vineyard reflects the region’s status as home to the highest yielding scallop fisheries on the East Coast, and their Daily Tapas menu includes lobster sliders and crab cake sliders (so hard to choose!). Old York Cellars also has a robust food component created by Chef Jose Diaz. Sharrott Winery includes an open-flame oven as part of “The Wine Bar”. Bellview Winery features food and events as part of its charm. Hopewell Valley Vineyards combines “Old World Roots with New World Branches” under the ownership of husband and wife Sergio and Violetta Neri who hail from Italy and Greece, respectively. Their website also features a quote from Homer: “Bacchus opens the gate of the heart.”
Great Grapes: Chambourcin
With origins in France’s Rhone region, this French-American varietal is relatively cold-hardy but requires a long growing season. Popular in the mid-Atlantic region, Chambourcin can produce a robust red wine with spicy aromas and fruity flavors, and is also suitable for Dry Rose and in various blends.
