Taste of New Jersey’s Wineries and Vineyards

When dreaming of spending a crisp, fall day sipping reds and whites amidst a sprawling vineyard, many people picture themselves in locales such as Napa Valley, Calif., Burgundy, France, or even a village in Tuscany, Italy.

The wonderfully diverse state of New Jersey, however, boasts its fair share of vineyards and wineries, many offering tours and tastings a little closer to home.

For those who prefer having their itinerary mapped out them, New Jersey Wine Tours LLC, based in Washington Township, specializes in just that. Customers thirsty for knowledge about the wine growing process — as well as those looking to stroll through the greenery and sip a glass or two — can book either a classic tour, a tour with dinner or a romantic tour for two.

Classic wine tours run for about five hours and visit two to three wineries in either Atlantic County, Gloucester/Salem counties, Cape May County or central New Jersey. Luxury vehicles, including sedans, limousines and stretch SUVs, service the group, depending on the size of the party.

If a pre-planned itinerary isn’t your cup of tea (or wine, in this case), New Jersey Wine Trails has a wealth of information on the best places to visit for wine tours, tastings and special events in the Garden State, from top to bottom.

Plan your own day and visit one or multiple New Jersey vineyards and wineries, or attend a special event, like the Garden State Wine Growers Association’s Barrel Trail Weekend, which showcased the state’s best vino July 19 and 20.

For more information about special wine events and vineyard/winery locations in New Jersey, visit www.newjerseywines.com.