Share some holiday cheer, or shall we say, cheers, with a gift from one of North Jersey’s very own. These eight local wineries will help you celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with stocking stuffers, presents for that special person, and, as you might have guessed, some truly “seasonal” wines.
Brook Hollow Winery offers fun wine stocking stuffers and stylish décor for everyone on your list, including your office Secret Santa, most under $20. The staff at Four Sister’s Winery is there to help you with a glass of late-harvest apple wine and personalized wine labels with a special message and holiday art. For the savvy shopper, check out the holiday deals offered at Ventimiglia Vineyards: 5% off any two bottles, 10% off any six bottles, and 15% off a case throughout December. Bountiful baskets filled with Terhune Orchards-grown goodies make the perfect gift for someone who has it all. Special apple ornaments are included with a purchase of two or more bottles.
Head over to Villa Milagro Vineyards for a south of the border celebration with limited edition Feliz Navidad wine and homemade buῆuelos to enjoy inside a newly renovated tasting room. At Old York Cellars, stop in, sip, and see Santa on December 20-21 from 12-5 p.m. Take home a photo, custom label, and a bottle for someone on your “nice” list. Unionville Vineyards celebrates the holidays with Port – the perfect toast to the season; enjoy four special releases, comprising current and past vintages, available for a limited time. At Beneduce Vineyards, Santa’s coming to town in his very own fire engine on Sunday, December 21 at 5pm; come for pictures and an exclusive tasting of their recently released MANGIONE, a limited production Super Tuscan blend.
More information can be found at VintageNorthJersey.com
New Jersey’s Skylands Region is known for its captivating landscapes, tranquility, natural beauty and active farmland. Sprinkled with nearly a dozen vineyards, the area is also making its mark as a delightful destination for a diversity of wineries. So no matter in which direction you travel, you’re sure to discover something to please your palate.
Dubbed the Vintage North Jersey Wine Trail, the 88 miles from the extreme northern, rugged terrain of Sussex, to the rolling hills of Hunterdon and Mercer Counties, which boast world-class grapevines, there is plenty of flavor to savor. And, as you meander along the trails, your appreciation for the Garden State will surely grow.
Where else can you go and be serenaded by the fall breeze while taking in natural landscapes and picturesque mountains dotted by farms, and yes wineries? To taste it is to love it!
As an added bonus, those who visit all of the participating wineries will qualify for a chance to win an outdoor adventure, overnight stay, area attraction tickets and more. Drawings are held each December 31st.
Here’s what you’ll experience as you sip, relax and let the stresses of the day melt away:
These vineyards specialize in an artful variety of hybrid grapes, such as Frontenac, Seyval and Marquette, along with select vinifera grapes and native American Grapes such as Concord.
These wineries are located in an area federally-designated as perfect for growing wine grapes – Warren Hills American Viticulture Area. Here, well-drained limestone soils are perfect for growing both French-American hybrids, such as Leon Millot and French vinifera, such as Cabernet Sauvignon.
Traveling southward into Hunterdon County, the foothills of the Piedmont meet the northernmost reaches of the coastal plain, affording a rich diversity of soil profiles and microclimates, providing for fertile grounds where many varieties of grape thrive.
Be sure to set aside time this fall for a leisurely drive through the North Jersey Wine Trail countryside. Sip a glass of vino and enjoy the view. No exits, no noise. Just tranquil countryside and delicious wines. It's all about the experience! Come enjoy!
Check our farm destinations map for winery locations.
The North Jersey Wine Trail is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism For more information on each winery, please visit Vintage North Jersey.
