SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Some of the Garden State’s best wines of the year stem from the South Jersey area, representing an exciting time for a burgeoning industry.
In fact, New Jersey is one of the top producers of wine across the U.S., creating almost 2 million gallons of wine among more than 50 licensed wineries in 2016.
“We’re all working toward the same goal, and that’s just to put New Jersey on the map — the wine map,” said Megan Cosentino, general manager of Autumn Lake Winery in Williamstown.
Its 2019 petit verdot won the Governor’s Cup for best red in the state this year.
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“My dad is over the moon, of course, because he made the wine,” she said.
Best white went to the 2020 unoaked chardonnay, made by William Heritage Winery in Mullica Hill. Co-owner Penni Heritage said the rising tide of wine in South Jersey raises the glasses for all the local growers.
“We had to evolve,” she said. “We had to figure out what was right, and then they come back and they’re like, ‘Wow! You guys have come a long way.’ ”
Heritage said they are taking advantage of the Garden State’s unique climate and soil combination, which some experts say bears a few environmental similarities to Bordeaux.
She said they learned so much since they started growing grapes 20 years ago, hoping to give a new reputation to New Jersey wines.
“Just try the New Jersey wines,” she suggested. “You are going to be so surprised at what we’re doing here.”