It’s official: New Jersey Wine Month is here! For the first time ever, wine lovers have an entire month to to celebrate the growers and vintners making the Garden State one of the most exciting destinations for wine lovers in the country.
Traditionally, New Jersey celebrated wine for one week during the third week of November, but thanks to the rising tide of critical acclaim from the likes of Decanter and Wine Enthusiast, and the increased interest in drinking local, the week was expanded into a month-long fete.
“I am excited to join the Garden State Wine Growers Association in expanding New Jersey Wine Week to a month-long celebration of NJ wine this November,” said Ed Wengryn, NJ Secretary of Agriculture. ”As the fall harvest season begins to wrap up it is a perfect time for people to get out and see our vineyards and explore our wineries, trying the best of what our winegrowers produce. As the holiday season approaches it offers people the chance to add a taste of New Jersey to their Thanksgiving and holiday meals and gift giving.”
There are countless ways to celebrate New Jersey Wine Month, but if you’re looking for inspiration, we have ideas:
Get out and visit as many of New Jersey’s 60+ wineries as you can. Wineries across the state will be throwing special parties and celebrations during November. Get the scoop on the latest events at our events calendar here.
Try as many new-to-you grape varieties from New Jersey wineries. We all love the Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay wines produced here, but if you’ve never tried a Jersey-born-and-bred Blaufrankisch or Vignoles wine, now’s the perfect time!
Throw a Garden State wine party at home, and invite friends to bring their favorite bottle of New Jersey made wine for an epic tasting or wine swap!
Follow @newjerseywine on Instagram, and post pictures of yourself and your friends in New Jersey vineyards or enjoying New Jersey wines at home or in restaurants. Tag the photos #cheersNJwine and #njwinemonth2024 and we will repost them in our IG Stories!
Go check out our partner New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality for ideas on where you can dine near you and grab a glass of Garden State-made vino to pair with your meal.
Snag a limited-edition GWSGA Passport in honor of New Jersey Wine Month. The booklet can be found inside Edible Jersey’s Fall 2024 Beverage issue. The Passport provides a guide to all of the wineries you can visit in the Garden State. Once you arrive at one, make sure you get your booklet stamped. The Passport Program is also available via digital app. Just go to the iTunes App Store, or via Google Play. Complete an entire trail, and you earn a badge. Visit all of the wineries and you’ll be automatically entered into the grand prize drawing for a VIP Experience for two, which will include overnight stays at luxury hotels, wining and dining experiences and more! If you use the booklet to record your adventures, you can mail it in to be entered. Find out more details here.
If you want to explore all of New Jersey’s wine country, but time is of the essence, mark your calendar for November 9. We’re hosting the first annual New Jersey Wine Expo, a day-long celebration of New Jersey wine. There will be more than 30 wineries pouring their wines for you, the opportunity to purchase your favorites, celebrity chef demos, light local bites, and informative wine talks.
Thirsty for more? Don’t worry, we have a lot more fun planned for you. Our New Jersey Holiday Wine Trail weekend kicks off November 29 and extends through December 1; we have a New Jersey Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend planned February 14-16, 2025; finally, the popular New Jersey Mother’s Day Wine Trail Weekend will return May 9-11, 2025. Get the full scoop here.
Don’t miss any of the incredible events our wineries have planned for the upcoming holiday season. Sign up for our In the Vines newsletter, and you’ll always know about the live music, incredible pairing dinners, family festivals and crafting sessions your local wineries are planning.
