The East Coast wine scene is heating up as vineyards in New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Virginia are producing some of the finest bottles that are piquing wine enthusiast's interest. The Garden State, in particular, is starting to gain attention as a wine region as there are more than 50 licensed wineries here, as well as dozens of wine-focused bars and restaurants in the area. Although New Jersey isn't commonly associated with winemaking, local wine professionals are confident that oenophiles will start to take their products more seriously and will view them as a worthy contender in the competitive wine industry.
Winemaker Mike Beneduce says that he, along with other local wine experts, have realized that the only way to convince wine enthusiasts about NJ wines “is to get people to come out to the winery and see and taste for themselves.” If you're up for a wine adventure or are curious about East Coast wines, here are some of the most underrated wineries and wine bars to visit in New Jersey.
Wineries and Vineyards
If you're planning to have a relaxing weekend in New Jersey, consider spending an afternoon exploring a winery in the state. Before you go, do some research to know if the particular winery that you want to go to offers wine tastings and meals along with a vineyard tour, or if they also offer other outdoor activities so you can prepare to participate. When visiting a winery, it's recommended to wear comfortable shoes and clothing, and have a designated driver so you can freely sample vino without worrying about the drive home.
Some of the most underrated wineries that you should check out include Autumn Lake Winery in Williamstown, which sits just a few feet away from a gorgeous lake. Fans of sweet and semi-sweet wines will love their Per Diem Rose which has apple and passionfruit notes, or their Traminette 2022, a refreshing wine with hints of lychee, rose, and pink grapefruit. They also have regular weekend events so you can listen to live music or join a watercolor class while you sip on some Chardonnay.
Another winery that's worth visiting is Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes. Apart from offering vineyard tours and tastings, they also offer prepared sandwiches and cheeseboards which you can enjoy on their picnic grounds on the weekends. As for their wines, try their Revolutionary Red, a versatile wine which pairs well with meat dishes. They also have a fantastic Pinot Noir Reserve, which has hints of raspberry, boysenberry, and a touch of bay leaf, perfect for drinking on cool nights.
Wine Bars and Boutiques
Most of the wine bars and boutiques in New Jersey feature lots of local and imported wines which you can pair with delicious appetizers and bar eats. Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas in Clifton is one such establishment, and you can order everything from Rose to full-bodied reds to pair with their cheeseboard, baked ricotta with crostini, or their Margherita pizza.
Meanwhile, those who want to dine, drink, and shop for wine in one place should head to Bar Boutique in Ramsey. Customers enjoy choosing wine from their impresive wine list, but they also come for the specialty cocktails such as their French Margarita, which is made with cognac, Cointreau, passionfruit juice, lime juice, agave, and black lava salt. Bar Boutique also serves brunch on the weekends, so be sure to try their Wild Smoked Alaskan Sockeye Salmon or their Warm Virginia Ham and Gruyere Croissant.
New Jersey's wine scene is gaining a lot of buzz in the industry, and it's definitely worth checking out if you're down to discover innovative and gluggable wines. Visit these underrated NJ wineries and wine bars sometime this year, and you’ll know why the Garden State deserves to be a premier wine region in the East Coast.
