10 Best Vineyards in New Jersey

Among hardcore wine lovers, nothing quite says awesome like going to a vineyard. A trip to a vineyard gives you spectacular views of grapevines, beautiful pathways to walk, education about how your favorite wines are made, and at times, even a nice little bottle to bring home with you.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to travel all the way to Napa Valley or Sonoma to get a world-class vineyard experience. New Jersey makes some pretty amazing wines, and has vineyards that will give you the same awesome experience, too!

As someone who adores their pinot noir, merlots, and cabernet francs, I can attest to the value of going to a vineyard as a day trip. It's just a lot of fun.

If you want to take your trip though the most boozy gardens in the Garden State, you'll love my inside scoop on what I consider the best vineyards in New Jersey.

Spanning a total of 52 acres, Alba Vineyard is considered to be one of the best vineyards in New Jersey in terms of both grape quality and events. If you love to walk through lush vineyards, learn about the modern winemaking process, and try a wide range of different wines, Alba is a great place to go.

Alba also has a really awesome knack for events. Their Wine and Chocolate weekends are not to be missed—nor are their beautiful farm tables. Above all, if you're a gourmet, you need to try their food and wine pairings via these private Farm Tables events. Your tastebuds will thank you.

The possibility stands, too, that if you want to host an event there, then absolutely check them out. Going here is an experience that's unlike anything else.

William Heritage Winery, also known as just Heritage Winery, is regularly cited as one of the best vineyards in New Jersey's wine scene due to the wines they make. Most of this vineyard's bottles receive awards, accolades, and ratings well above average from sommeliers.

Recently, several of their wines were awarded points upwards of 85 by famous wine critics. You can experience their wines in one of the most beautiful tasting rooms in New Jersey—or just grab a bottle to bring home with you.

With a cute name like Working Dog Winery, you might think of a place that smacks of blue collar charm. Don't be fooled by the name, though. Working Dog Winey is just as upscale as anything in Napa Valley and boasts seriously breathtaking sights.

This beautiful vineyards offers wonderful wine tastings, live music events, and educational tours. Did we mention that it's also one of the most scenic things you'll see off I-95? Because it's definitely one of the most scenic things you'll see off I-95.

Another major wine heavy-hitter hailing from Jersey is Auburn Road. You might already recognize the name, considering that they've had bottles that won the Wine World Championships several years in a row.

Like most of the other best vineyards in New Jersey, Auburn offers up wonderful wine tasting experiences and tours. However, they don't just stop at the "tours and tastes."

Auburn Road Vineyard has its own in-house restaurant featuring rustic views, incredible wine and food pairings for beginners, and some of the best wood-fired pizza you'll ever taste. It's called Enoteca Wine Bar, and when it's open, it's a must-see for any foodie.

Tomasello Winery is not only one of the best vineyards in New Jersey; it's also one of the oldest. Ever since 1933, this family-style vineyard has been making incredibly nuanced bottles of the good stuff.

This gorgeous vineyard features a European-style tasting room, beautiful paths to wander, and a full event space for couples looking to celebrate their big day. The scenes make for a perfectly romantic place to pop the question, or just have a nice day out together.

With a name like Renault, you'd probably expect this vineyard to be found on the outskirts of Alsace-Lorraine. You'd be wrong, though. This farm is actually located in Egg Harbor City, and is considered to be one of the best vineyards in New Jersey to visit.

Renault's vintage vibe is thanks to its 100-plus-year history, and so are their wines. It's worth pointing out that this isn't just a winery either, it's a resort and golf course. So, if you're looking to spend a couple of days in a nice little Tuscan hotel, this is a great place to go.

Along with amazing wine, food, and golf tours, Renault has a spa that would make the best wine yoga retreats seem like a stressful environment. Treat yourself, already.

Old York Cellars is one of those wineries that has exhibited proof that Jersey can make a seriously good bottle of vino, and their vineyard tours are partly to blame. They are known for their pride in New Jersey thanks to their "What Exit?" wine collection.

Though they may be a bit tongue-in-cheek at times, there's no doubting their winemaking skills. The vineyeard itself is dedicated to educating people about wine, enjoying 13 different trails, and giving people an amazing event space.

Live music, art gallery events, and weddings are typically held here because the views are so breathtaking.

Many of the best vineyards in New Jersey boast decades-long histories, complete with a certain air of legacy to them. Sharrott Winery is a little different. This winery has only been around since 2005, and was formerly an apple orchard.

Despite its novelty, wines from this vineyard have already collected their fair share of awards. Sharrott Winery is also one of the few New Jersey vineyards to avoid using any form of chemical fertilizer.

Live music events, trivia nights, and an amazing wine bar await.

You don't need to have an Ivy League education to see why Terhune Orchards & Winery is a favorite of locals. This massive orchard and vineyard features a little bit of something for everyone—even non-drinkers or those just learning to enjoy wine.

The farmyard has wonderful treats and a "pick your own" orchard during the summer months. They also host farm festivals, summer camps, and guided tours for families that want to teach their kids about agriculture.

The vineyards, though, offer amazing wine tastings and trail tours. What really sets them apart, though, is their selection. It features blueberry, peach, and apple wines!

If you have kids, then Hawk Haven is one of the best vineyards in New Jersey to visit. Their open door policy for families means that parents don't have to pay for a sitter in order to enjoy wine tours and tastings.

The vineyard itself is great in terms of wine selection, wildlife sightings (hawks especially!), and events. This vineyard also is the host of Rootstock, a mid-summer vineyard concert series.

Good booze, good concerts, and great views? What's not to love?