As you celebrate the 250^th birthday of the United States this year, be sure to raise a glass of Central Jersey wine or beer.

Famously, General Washington and the Continental Army crossed the Delaware River into Central Jersey during ten crucial days in 1776 that saved the revolution at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton, victories that shocked the world.

Reenactors regularly appear at East Jersey Old Town Village.

In a smaller way, Central Jersey also shocked Europe in the 1760s when Lord Stirling of Somerset County and Edward Antill of Middlesex County accepted and won a challenge from Great Britain’s Royal Society of Arts to produce wine of similar quality to Europe’s. It was the first time American wine proved its worth around the world, echoed two centuries later in the 1776 Judgement of Paris and in the 2012 Judgement of Princeton.

It turns out, Central Jersey winemaking has an illustrious history, even though the modern industry had to wait until 1981 when the state legislature repealed Prohibition Era laws against winemaking.

Following his winemaking success, Lord Stirling would go on to become one of Washington’s most trusted Generals in the American Revolution, while Antill’s home, Ross Hall, became the spot where Washington and his generals decided to put on the first July 4 fireworks in American history, just after victory at Monmouth, in 1778.  They called it a Feu de Joie (“Fire of Joy”).

Federal Twist Vineyard opened an impressive new tasting room last year.

The sites of those early vineyards have become county parks: Lord Stirling Park in Basking Ridge, and the East Jersey Old Town Village in Piscataway. No grapes are being cultivated in either place, unfortunately, but many other Central Jersey beverage makers are busy honoring Central Jersey’s Revolutionary past.

Unionville Vineyards has released its new Washington Collection including Revolutionary Red, Victory White, and Battlefield Blush. Unionville farms Chardonnay and Pinot Noir at its Pheasant Hill Vineyard in Hopewell; the estate where Washington held a War Council meeting before the Battle of Monmouth, and in Princeton, a town with more Revolutionary history than perhaps any other place. Unionville is planning several patriotic events this summer, including its annual reading of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.

Two vineyards, Hopewell Valley and Federal Twist, are close to the Delaware River that was famously crossed on a stormy Christmas night in 1776. They make excellent stops if you are visiting the Washington Crossing State Park in Hopewell that will open a spectacular new visitor center around the 4^th of July, assuming construction proceeds as expected.  Federal Twist even has plans to welcome General Washington to their vineyard on June 27, and both vineyards offer live music every weekend.

River Horse honors the Delaware River crossing.

Working Dog Winery is located near the route taken to Monmouth, where the American and British fought hard to achieve a stalemate or an American victory, depending on whom you believe. They offer a Cabernet-Franc blend that is similar to the “Claret” wines popular during the Revolutionary Era.

The winery at Terhune Orchards is also part of the action, having recently increased its preserved farmland to 250 acres and offering an exhibit about the farm’s 50^th anniversary in a 250-year-old barn.

Old York Cellars in Ringoes offers live music, comedy, and gorgeous views of the Sourland Mountain range, where John Hart, a local signer of the Declaration of Independence, was forced to hide. Hart died young because of repeated exposure to cold and moisture. If you prefer a downtown venue for Old York wines, you’ll find it at Mr. Pop’s in Flemington, the first retailer selling local wine by the glass under legislation passed this year.

Needle Creek Brewing operates in a centuries old barn.

New Jersey brewers are also energized by the 250^th anniversary of the nation. Needle Creek Brewing in Pennington also boasts a connection to the revolutionary John Hart through his descendant of the same name who owns the farm where the brewery is located, in a 250-year-old barn. They are planning to welcome General Washington to the brewery on May 31 along

with other patriotic programming.

Flounder Brewing in Hillsborough is offering a Victory Town Ale in collaboration with the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route Association to commemorate the trail taken through Central Jersey to Yorktown, Virginia, where the revolutionary was won. They are also offering an ample schedule of historic reenactments and lectures—including a visit from Washington on horseback on May 17—at their 250-year-old Dutch barn.

Riverhorse Brewing in Ewing also has a colonial Tavern Ale to celebrate the 250^th anniversary with an emphasis on the Delaware River Crossing.

Flounder Brewing is putting on history programs for the 250th.

The 250^th anniversary of the nation is a big moment for New Jersey, where more Revolutionary battles were fought than in any other state, and where Washington spent the most time.  It’s Garden State nickname goes back before 1781 when it was described by visiting French allies as the “Garden of America” and a “land of milk and honey.”

That’s why your visits to revolutionary sites ought to include a visit to Central Jersey’s farms, orchards, wineries, and breweries that have been satisfying and delighting the hungers and thirsts of locals and visitors alike for centuries.

For more information about everything to see and do in Central Jersey, visit discovercentralnj.com.  This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

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Yes, New Jersey has a Canal Region!

New Jersey’s historic Delaware & Raritan Canal is 70 miles long and follows V-shaped route that for a century carried goods and produce between Pennsylvania and New York City. Largely forgotten outside the Central Jersey region, the D&R Canal once rivaled the Erie Canal as an economic force.

Click here to access an interactive map.

Today, the D&R Canal offers walking, biking, and paddling in a state park popular with locals, but just now being rediscovered by visitors. Throughout the area you’ll also find an abundance of wineries, distilleries, breweries, and farms that help make worthwhile the easy 60- to 90-minute trip from New York or Philadelphia. Because of its convenient location, no agricultural region in America is accessible to more people than Central Jersey.

Central Jersey’s location midway between two of the nation’s biggest cities has been a key asset of the since before American independence. An officer fighting in the American Revolution in 1781 described the area as the “Garden of America,” a reputation that eventually inspired New Jersey’s “Garden State” nickname.

Central Jersey Craft Beer Scene

Several of the Central Jersey’s breweries and distilleries are located near the D&R Canal’s towpath, providing an opportunity to walk or bicycle before being refreshed with a locally made beverage.  Steve Ashton, New Jersey’s only Master Beer Judge and owner of Ashton Brewing says many of his customers take advantage of the canal entrance in nearby South Bound Brook.

Bring your friends to Ashton’s Brewery.

In 2022, the fast growing reputation of Central Jersey craft beer attracted a Canal Region visit from beer connoisseur Jimmy Carbone, who recorded a Beer Sessions podcast from Carriage Farm, home to Flounder Brewing and Bellemara Distillery.  They talked about the Somerset County Sip & See Trail that also features a cidery, another brewery, and a Brew Pub in trendy Downtown Somerville.

Jimmy Carbone of Beer Sessions visiting the canal.

Jimmy Carbone of Beer Sessions visiting the canal. Beer Sessions visited the Canal Region in 2022.

Additional breweries worth a visit include Descendant’s Brewing and restaurant in the quaint Delaware River town of Milford, where they’ve been brewing beer since Prohibition Days, and at Old Hights Brewing in Hightstown, where a group of friends have created a community gathering place.

Central Jersey’s Wine & Spirits

The reputation of New Jersey for winemaking has been rising since the 2012 “Judgement of Princeton,” when several New Jersey wines were judged comparable to fine French wines. One Central Jersey wine, from Unionville Vineyards, came in second among ten white wines. Unionville and neighboring Old York Cellars are in Ringoes, on the northern side of the Sourland Mountain, where visitors are treated to stunning sunsets. Check Old York’s website for frequently scheduled special events including comedy and music. Also check out the performance schedule at award-winning Hopewell Valley Vineyards.

Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes.

The Sourland Mountain conservation area is the largest forest in Central Jersey and the pure water of its aquifer may the most important ingredient in the gin, vodka, and whiskeys produced by Sourland Mountain Spirits, located on a farm in Hopewell, on the southern side of the Sourlands. While you are there, be sure to visit the nearby Brick Farm Market and Tavern, for lunch or dinner.

Central Jersey Farms

Families will especially enjoy Central Jersey’s farms, where you can visit farm animals such as goats, alpacas, cows, pigs, sheep, and more. You’ll also find on-farm stores to pack up your trunk with Jersey Fresh produce, baked goods, sauces, and jams.  You’ll find it all at Terhune Orchards, including farm-made wines.  The pick-your-own berry season begins with strawberries in late May! Norz-Hill Farm in Hillsborough is offering an Easter Egg hunt April 1, 2, and 8, and is a leader in harvest season fun.

Community spirit in historic Flemington.

Your visit to Central Jersey should also include a visit to one of its historic downtowns for shopping and a meal. Princeton is one of the best known towns in Central Jersey, home to the famous university, a vibrant shopping district, and the epicenter of the region’s dynamic farm-to-table restaurant scene.

Another historic downtown worth visiting is Flemington, made famous by the Lindbergh baby “trail of the century.” Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington has become a popular community hub, with high-quality brews and a variety of special events.

Stay Overnight!

There’s so much to do in Central Jersey’s Canal Region, that you really should stay overnight. Overnight accommodations are widely available, whether you are on a budget or looking for a bit of luxury. In the Princeton area, consider the Chauncey Hotel & Conference Center or the Inn at Glencairn if you are looking for a cozy historic inn.

Your craft beverage excursion to Central Jersey is bound to be the first of many visits. Discover all the Central Jersey has to offer soon!

For more information about everything to see and do in Central Jersey, visit discovercentralnj.com.  This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

One of the few silver linings of the 2020 pandemic year was a new appreciation for the quality and accessibility of Central Jersey’s locally grown food and locally made beer, wine, ciders, and more.  As we happily turn the page to 2021, consider this New Year’s resolution:

I will commit to regularly patronizing local farms, wineries, breweries, and distillers, from now on!

The pay-off will be better and healthier food and drink for your family, made with fewer chemicals. In addition, you’ll be helping to support local, family businesses that have struggled to get through an economic and health crisis of historic proportions.

Not sure where to buy local food and drink during these winter months? We’ve got you covered!  Many of them offer online ordering and delivery, while others provide enjoyable excursions to bucolic farm and winery settings. Read on to learn about some of our favorites, in reverse alphabetical order. Click on the links to learn more!

UNIONVILLE VINEYARDS: Pictured above, Unionville manages and sources grapes from five vineyard sites across Central Jersey, including at their picturesque headquarters in Ringoes. Named one of the top 500 wineries in the United State by FOOD&WINE Magazine, they recently receive a 90-point rating from the Cork Report for their Cabernet Franc. The tasting room is open Thursday to Monday by appointment, so call first.

Reuwai, Pam and Tannwen Mount, owners of Terhune Orchards.

TERHUNE ORCHARDS is Central Jersey’s “agritourism” leader and has lots of fresh produce year-round. Open daily, the store offers their own apples, lettuce, cider, herbs, Terhune wine, and baked goods, plus a full line of fruits, vegetables, eggs, and milk from other farms. Amid the pandemic, they accept online and phone orders with on-farm pick-up or delivery within 10 miles.

OLD YORK CELLARS: Old York Cellars offers a wide range of wines, including some beautiful wood gift boxes. A particularly handsome (and delicious) choice is the charitable Preservation Wine series with watercolor paintings by James Fiorentino celebrating preserved lands in Central Jersey, including the Sourlands, Goat Hill, and St. Michaels Farm Preserve. One-third of the purchase price goes to D&R Greenway Land Trust to help preserve and protect natural areas.

NORZ-HILL FARM is on the western side of Hillsborough Township has dramatically expanded its retail operation since the pandemic. During the winter months, visit the Egg Shed to purchase eggs on the honor system any time of day, or stop by Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM to purchase farm-raised beef and pork. Norz-Hill’s beef and pork animals are raised humanely, without artificial growth hormones and all-natural feed, hay, and okra.

HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS – Owned by a couple hailing from Italy and Greece, Hopewell Valley Vineyards offers a distinctly European style of winemaking, complete with Sangiovese, Barbera, Vidal Blanc, and Spumante Secco wines.  In light of the health crisis, the winery has increased its focus on wine available for online purchase and pick up or delivery. Locals can also take advantage of gourmet take-out, including brick oven pizza, salads, and desserts.

Hidden Spring Lavender is a Century-old farm with a gift shop and alpacas.

HIDDEN SPRING LAVENDER – This on-farm market is in the Skillman section of Montgomery, offering culinary lavender, tea, and honey, plus a wide range of lavender lotions, creams, perfumes, and plush toys. During the winter months they are open just Saturdays, 10-4 PM. No more than five people are allowed in the store at one time, masks required, and they offer a curb-side pickup if you pre-order online.  Visit the alpacas while on the farm.

GRIGGSTOWN FARM MARKET has a Princeton postal address but is in Franklin Township. They are best known for their own poultry and prepared foods, including Griggstown’s famous chicken and turkey pot pies.  In addition to farm-made fruit pies, pot pies, chicken sausages, chicken salad, stuffed ravioli, and breads, they also carry produce and dairy from nearby farms. They are open 7 days per week all year.

The Knox family of Dogwood Farms at their new Basking Ridge location.

DOGWOOD FARMS: At their new location in Liberty Corner, Dogwood Farms’s antique barn is open for shopping Saturdays and Sundays 10 AM – 4 PM throughout the winter months. They offer organic meats, poultry, cheeses, vegetables, and more. Their online store offers delicious gift boxes for delivery or pick-up, such Pasta Night Box, Brunch in a Box, and Hot Sauce Box featuring Bloody Mary mix, pasta sauces, and salsas made with Dogwood’s organically grown tomatoes, onions, and peppers.

CHERRY GROVE FARM is best known for cheeses, grass-fed beef, and whey-fed pork along Route 206 in Lawrence. They have a wide variety of locally made food products in a store open in winter 6 days per week (closed Tuesdays). Inquire about free delivery.

Brick Farm Market in Hopewell.

BRICK FARM MARKET is a leader in the local food movement and has a popular farm market featuring pastured meats and eggs from their own Double Brook Farm in Hopewell, and a large selection of produce, sundries, cheese, juices, milk, butter and cream from area farms and purveyors. They also have an in-house bakery making daily breads and sweets. The store is currently open for shopping, and they offering online grocery shopping for pick-up or delivery, and online café orders.

Nina and Jonathan White, owners of Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse.

BOBOLINK DAIRY & BAKEHOUSE in Milford near the Delaware River is renowned for a unique, Central Jersey approach to cheesemaking, grass-fed beef and whey-fed pork. They bake distinctive breads with regional grains and the farm store carries house-made charcuterie; eggs from their own cage-free, soy-free chickens; fresh 100% grass-fed milk, cream, and butter. Since the health crisis, they encourage advance phone and orders online for delivery to your car. They also have a program of free delivery on orders of $50 or more, with 2 days’ notice and within 20 minutes. Open daily except Tuesday.

Explore the DISCOVER CENTRAL NEW JERSEY MAP for even more FARMS, BEVERAGE MAKERS, and ideas for HIKING, BIKING, and much more. Some are closed during the winter, so call ahead to be sure.

Throughout most of American history, the farms of New Jersey played a crucial role. In the 1700s, New Jersey’s farms fed George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War; in the 1800s, New Jersey served as the breadbasket to the rising New York metropolis; in the 1900s New Jersey played a key role in feeding wartime America.

Today, farmers of the Garden State are called again to serve us during a time of crisis. Let’s do our part and love them back!

Click on the map to Discover Central Jersey.