Fifty years ago, the famous “Judgement of Paris” proved American wines were just as good as French and Italian counterparts, leading to boom in west coast winemaking. In 2012, the Judgement of Princeton provided a similar impetus for New Jersey wines, and the positive reviews keep coming in.

Wine Enthusiast recently named New Jersey as one of seven “up-and-coming” wine regions, and one of just two in the United States, with the other being Texas Hill Country. Decanter Magazine recently ran a feature on the growth of New Jersey wines.

Central Jersey’s Unionville Vineyards (pictured above) participated in the 2012 Judgement of Princeton and was joined by Old York Cellars for a reunion in 2023. Other notable Central Jersey winemakers include Hopewell Valley Vineyards, that recently won the Governor’s Award for its NV Estate Chocolate Porto Rosso, while one of the region’s newest wineries, Federal Twist Vineyard, founded by an award winning horticulturist.

Unionville General Manager John Cifelli compares the soil and climate in Central Jersey to that of the Rhone Valley and France. That may be the reason why wine critic Stuart Pigott once said of Unionville’s Syrah: “the best American Syrah I ever had! A pepper kaleidoscope and so elegant, so fresh.” Already in 2025, Unionville has received awards from the Cork Report for its 2023 vintage Sauvignon Blanc Reserve and its 2022 Hunterdon Mistral Rose.

Old York Cellars was recently named New Jersey Winery of the Year from the New York International Wine Competition. They offer a full schedule of festivals, comedy nights, food and wine pairings, and special edition wines including a collection with Run-DMC’s Darryl McDaniels.

Owned by a Greek and Italian couple, Hopewell Valley Vineyards’ owner-winemaker is an accomplished jazz pianist, and they offer live music every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, either indoors or in the garden, depending on the weather.

Family-owned Federal Twist Vineyards has just opened its tasting and barrel rooms on the banks of the D&R Canal and Delaware River in beautiful Hunterdon County.  The new venue will be available for special events as well as everyday visitation.

And Terhune Orchards, the incredibly popular agritourism destination for apple- and pumpkin-picking also has a winery and a wine garden in the middle of an ancient orchard.

Besides wineries, you can also find in Central Jersey a wide variety of craft beverage makers including brewers and distillers, who, like the winemakers, offer great experiences including music and great atmosphere. You can also find family-friendly farms with local cheeses to pair with wine, as well as open-air farmers markets and on-farm markets. The Garden State is for real!

While in Central Jersey wine country, we highly recommend you visit our great downtowns, including Princeton, which boasts about a dozen farm-to-table restaurants, ice cream shops, and bakeries, as well as its world-famous university and arts scene. Downtown Flemington offers farm-to-table restaurants, and a local brewery and distillery, and a remarkable number of historic register homes and buildings, including the newly restored Historic Hunterdon County Courthouse, home of the Lindbergh Trial of the Century.

Visit for a long weekend or longer, while taking advantage of the increasing number of charming places to stay overnight, such as the National Hotel in Frenchtown, Lawrence’s Glencairn Inn, or Princeton’s Chauncey Hotel.

Central Jersey only recently became an official tourism region of the Garden State, with an emphasis on agritourism, heritage tourism, and ecotourism. Central Jersey’s wine and beverage makers are among the great reasons to explore Central Jersey!

This article is supported in part by a grant from New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism.

 

To access the interactive agritourism map click HERE.

Central Jersey’s farmers have stepped up during the pandemic of 2020, nourishing us with fresh, local produce, while providing wholesome outdoor activities such as “pick-your-own” berries, apples, and peaches.  The privilege of living in the Garden State is no longer something to be taken for granted!

Farmers and wine growers have always been skilled at adapting to changing conditions—weather, market forces, technology.  That adaptability has been indispensable this year. Indeed, conditions are changing so fast we recommend you check each farm and winery’s website in case hours, activities, or open times have changed.

Central Jersey farms are nestled in some of the most beautiful landscapes our nation has. Check out our interactive map to find farms and wineries—as well as restaurants, parks, beverage makers, historic sites, quaint villages, and many other special places—that can round out your days in Central Jersey.  In reverse alphabetical order, here are Discover Central New Jersey’s farm and winery picks for the 2020 harvest season:

VON THUN FARMS: The Von Thuns have been farming here for more than a century. Located in South Brunswick and Washington, they are still offering many of your favorite activities – apple picking, pumpkin picking, interactive corn maze, hayrides, pedal karts – but in a socially distanced manner.

Their on-farm market offers fresh-picked homegrown fruits and vegetables, homegrown grass-fed beef and eggs, local honey, jams, jellies and dressings, apple cider, homemade apple cider donuts, fresh baked pies and more.

UNIONVILLE VINEYARDS: The Unionville Vineyards has adapted to the pandemic by erecting a big, beautiful tent and providing open-air wine tastings Thursday through Sunday by appointment. In addition to wine, visitors can enjoy a variety of gourmet cheeses, crostini, and salumi. Unionville manages and sources grapes from five vineyard sites across Central Jersey. 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.

TERHUNE ORCHARDS & WINERY: Terhune Orchards has long been among the most popular farm destinations in Central Jersey. With the arrival of September, Terhune is offering lots of U-pick opportunities for apples, peaches, blackberries, pumpkins, and sunflowers.  Check their website to know what’s in season. Apple picking is open all season without advance ticketing at 13 Van Kirk Road.

Advance online ticketing to manage crowd size is required on the “home farm” on Cold Soil Road, Saturdays and Sundays, starting September 12.  Enjoy farm fresh open-air, family fun all season long, 10am-5pm with live music from noon to 4pm. Wine tastings for adults.  Children will have fun in hay bale maze, hippity hop corral, and duckie races. Take a family stroll on our farm trail or through the trail of sunflowers.  Don’t miss fall treats of apple cider and donuts. Stop at the fall food tent for picnic bags with fresh farm treats.

SUYDAM FARMS: This historic farm is managed by the 12^th generation of Suydams to be farmers in Somerset, NJ, just off Route 27.  The big greenhouse store is open weekends, offering farm-raised meat, Jersey Fresh produce, and nursery plants. Visitors can walk around the barns and see live animals including cows, goats, pigs, and chickens.  In October, Suydam Farms will be offering a self-guided tour of the farm, including stories of its great history.

SNYDERS FARM: Located in Somerset, Snyders’ popular fall festivals will run on October weekends, with hayrides, corn maze, pumpkin-picking, and food items.  Their popular open-air roadside stand has closed for the season.  Check their website for outdoor movie nights in September.

OLD YORK CELLARS: Old York Cellars is open daily with lots of covered outdoor seating and breathtaking views of the Sourland Mountains. Reservations are recommended to guarantee a space.  Boasting some of the oldest vines in New Jersey, Old York Cellars is located on the historic road between New York and Philadelphia. In addition to the winery, Old York has a second location in the Quaker Bridge Mall with a full restaurant and offers take-out of Chef Jose’s signature traditional Spanish menu, including tapas and paella.

NORZ-HILL FARM: Hillsborough’s Norz-Hill Farm in 2020 will again offer its famous fall festival weekends beginning September 12 with hayrides to visit the farm animals, expanding September 19 to include the corn maze and pumpkin patch.  All farm visitors required to wear face masks and hand sanitizer will be provided.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights in October will once again bring the SCARE FARM (weather permitting).

Located on the western side of Hillsborough, Norz-Hill has dramatically expanded their retail operation since the pandemic began with a huge open-air tent and personal shoppers helping shoppers find Jersey Fresh and farm grown meat and produce with minimum handling.

HOPEWELL VALLEY VINEYARDS: The Vineyard has expanded its outdoor seating for wine by the bottle every day of the week.  Live music, pizza, and other light fare are available Thursday through Sunday. Tables in courtyard, deck, and large covered tent are first come, first served. You may bring your own chairs and blankets to sit anywhere around the vineyard that is open to the public.

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.

HILLSBORO COUNTRY FARM MARKET: Celebrating 150 years in business, the Hillsboro Country Farm Market has opened up its barn doors for ventilation, and reconfigured the store for COVID safety. The store offers a wide variety of Jersey Fresh fruits and vegetables, cut flowers, fresh baked and preserved goods. Special at-risk/senior shopping from 10-11 AM weekdays followed by regular shopping until 5pm. Closed Mondays.

HIDDEN SPRING LAVENDER FARM: This on-farm market is in the Skillman section of Montgomery, offers culinary lavender, tea, and honey, plus a wide range of lavender lotions, creams, perfumes, and plush toys. The store has expanded hours to every Saturday and Sunday, 10-4pm. 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 cute alpacas while you’re on the farm.

GRIGGSTOWN FARM:  Griggstown Farm is best known for their own poultry and prepared foods, including Griggstown’s famous chicken and turkey pot pies.  Almost any visit to the store involves a drive along the Millstone Valley National Scenic Byway and a chance to visit the D&R Canal State Park.

DOGWOOD FARMS: Relocated this year from Hillsborough to Basking Ridge, Dogwood Farms is operated organically at English Farm, which dates back to the Revolutionary War when French and American troops camped in the English Farm fields on route to the final victory at Yorktown, VA. Their store is located in a beautiful historic barn. They offer vegetables, dairy products, meat and poultry, sauces, salsa, Bloody Mary mix, and much more! Sightseers are welcomed to visit the Testo pizza truck from 10 AM to 4 PM on weekends, and farm animals. Pumpkin Picking will also be available for families in October!

CHERRY GROVE FARM: This Lawrenceville organic farm is best known for cheeses, grass-fed beef, and whey-fed pork. They have a wide variety of locally made food products in a store open 7 days per week, 10-5pm. They also welcome you to visit their dairy herd, milking parlor and creamery, where you can watch the cheese makers in action. Learn about locally-sourced and artisan-made products, from honey to mustard, chutney to cheeseboards! They have a picnic area, flower gardens, and animals wandering about doing what they do best.

BRICK FARM MARKET, TAVERN, & RED BARN MILK CO: The family behind the Brick Farm Market, Brick Farm Tavern, and the Red Barn Milk Company are leaders in the local food movement.  Locally grown and processed meat, poultry, vegetables, ice cream, and more can be purchased at the market in quaint Hopewell Borough, or at the nearby tavern that has dramatically expanded outdoor seating while popularizing the menu. In a hurry? Try their high-quality Red Barn farm-to-table hamburger and ice cream joint on Route 31 in Ringoes.

BOBOLINK DAIRY & BAKEHOUSE: Located in Milford near the Delaware River, make your visit to Bobolink a day in the countryside.  They are 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. Check their website to see if they are offering a farm tour the day you visit.

We’d love to hear about your farm visit this harvest season.  Drop us a line and tell us what you discovered in Central Jersey.

Need a few moments of respite from the global health crisis? Consider ordering locally made wine and cheese delivered to your home from the wineries and dairies of Central New Jersey. Support local producers while enjoying Garden State goodness.

“New Jersey is producing some of the best wine’s in the east,” wrote the Wine Enthusiast a couple of years ago.  “New Jersey’s top estates are producing some of the best bottles in the east, on par with anything found in New York or Virginia.”

New Jersey is the Garden State for a reason—its farms and beverage makers have supplied the nation during wartime, the depression, and now pandemic. Visit DiscoverCentralNJ.com for the full story of our region’s bounty, and how farms are responding to local needs during the crisis.

UNIONVILLE VINEYARDS – The Unionville Vineyards team manages and sources grapes from five vineyard sites across Central Jersey. 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. Unionville offers a wide variety of wines for overnight shipment to New York via UPS. For free shipping on 6 or more bottles use the code “SHIPNOW” at checkout. There is also a 15 percent discount on a case when you use the code “CLUB15” at checkout, and all profits on Dry Riesling sales through May will be donated to front line healthcare workers treating Covid cases.

OLD YORK CELLARS – Boasting some of the oldest vines in New Jersey, Old York Cellars is located on the historic road between New York and Philadelphia. That fact won’t help UPS get Old York wine to you any faster, but it’s nice to know.  Boasting a large selection of award-winning wines with something for everyone, the winery is open 12-7 pm daily for wine take-out & delivery. In addition to the winery, Old York Cellars also has a second location in the Quaker Bridge Mall. This location has a full restaurant and offers take-out of Chef Jose’s signature traditional Spanish menu, including tapas and paella. Guest can order food & wine for take-out or delivery. Shop online for a wide variety of wines, gift boxes, and other merchandise.

TERHUNE ORCHARD VINEYARD & WINERY – Well known 200-acre fruit and vegetable farm with its popular on farm market open daily 9-5 all year and even now -with all the safety processions front and center.  Terhune Orchards is now serving customers from the region with on farm “porch pickup” service and local delivery of pre-ordered everything—from apples to pies and of course wine. With 14 varieties Terhune Orchards award winning wines are a local favorite.  Order online at terhuneorchards.com or by phone 609-924-2310.

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.

CHERRY GROVE FARM is a diversified, sustainable dairy farm and creamery situated on 480 acres of woodland, wetland and pasture in Lawrenceville making award-winning farmstead cheeses from grass-fed raw cows’ milk. Cheeses are made in small batches and aged on the farm, with attention paid to the craft of artisanal cheesemaking. Visit the online store for cheese and related products shipped to you.

BOBOLINK DAIRY & BAKEHOUSE near the Delaware River in Milford uses ancient, sustainable methods to raise dairy cows and make artisanal cheeses. Many New Yorkers have gotten to know Bobolink due to their presence at the Union Square Greenmarket. Because of the health crisis they have expanded their online store offering to ship you gift baskets with cheeses, breads, and cured meats.

Self-care is an important part of combatting the COVID-19 crisis. Wholesome, local food and wine may be just the break you need—and Central Jersey’s farmers and vintners are here to help.

This holiday season express your values by giving gifts grown in the earth beneath your feet, on the farms of Central Jersey. Support local farmers, promote sustainability, and encourage healthy lifestyles by shopping small and local.  You can also plan your holiday lunch or dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant to support local agriculture, or buy from a local beverage maker.

Many local farms are open throughout the holidays, selling everything from Christmas trees and wreathes, to gift boxes and baskets, meat and poultry, and other holiday season essentials.  Enjoy the experience of visiting our farms, wineries, and cideries yourself or take advantage of the convenience of online orders and shipping.

On Farm & Online

Numerous farms and wineries welcome you to their on-premise stores, while also offering the option to order online for direct shipping to your or your loved one. They include:

• Bobolink Dairy & Bakehouse, an organic farm in Milford, NJ can ship its award-winning cheeses, gift baskets, and even bacon, sausage, and charcuterie, usually frozen and packed in dry ice, to any destination nationwide!
• Cherry Grove Farm, operating sustainably in Lawrence, NJ offers gift boxes of local organic cheeses and gift baskets of artisan foods available for online purchase and shipment.
• Hidden Spring Lavender Farm in Skillman, NJ is open weekends offers online shopping anytime with a wide variety of holiday gift options made with lavender, including plush animals, lotions, soaps, candles, and fragrances, plus products made from the wool of its adorable alpacas.
• Hopewell Valley Vineyards, and award-winning winery in Pennington, NJ has an online store with the ability to ship wines in New Jersey and to a limited number of other states. Hopewell Valley brings Old World wine making methods to New Jersey.
• Old York Cellars is ready for the holidays, with a winery in Ringoes, NJ plus retail locations in two central Jersey malls, as well as its online store. They now offer an answer to the young French Beaujolais with a 2019 “Beau Jersey Nouveau.”
• Terhune Orchards and Winery near Princeton, NJ offers an enormous variety of gift baskets and boxes, plus gift wine shipments to many locations. Their “Taste of Jersey” baskets include farm fresh apples, Terhune made fruit bread, cookies, shortbread cookies, New Jersey pasta, honey, organic popcorn, and locally made chocolates.
• Unionville Vineyards in Ringoes, NJ offer a beautiful tasting room on site, as well as mail order They have been named one of America’s top wineries by Food & Wine Magazine, and New Jersey’s top artisan beverage maker in 2018 by Edible Jersey.

Discover Central Jersey

The beauty and bounty of Central Jersey is finally getting the attention it deserves. Visit DiscoverCentralNJ.com to see all the farms, restaurants, arts, and historic places that make our corner of the world special.  And share these stories with friends and family, by giving the gifts of Central Jersey this holiday season.