Wine Trails
The Grand Vintage North Jersey Wine Trail
The world was shocked in 1976 when a California wine toppled France in an international blind-tasting competition. Unrivaled for centuries, wines from the New World were challenging its position. Closely regulated, French wines are grown in “appellations” – areas and regions of the country which have ideal soil and weather conditions to produce premium wines. Today the US recognizes 188 officially designated “appellations” spread across 25 states.
New Jersey’s first appellation, called an AVA or American Viticultural Area, is located in Warren County, New Jersey. Named “Warren Hills AVA” it covers 226 square miles and includes within its borders Four Sisters Winery and Brook Hollow Winery near Belvidere and Villa Milagro Vineyards in Finesville. Other wineries of Northern New Jersey include Ventimiglia Vineyards and Unionville Vineyards, Old York Cellars and Beneduce Vineyards in Hunterdon County. Terhune Orchards Vineyards and Winery and Hopewell Valley Vineyards in Mercer County are also members of Vintage North Jersey. Dust off your picnic basket, wipe off your wine glasses and head out to taste the good life on the Vintage North Jersey Wine Trail.