Guide To South Jersey Wineries
Our neighboring state across the Delaware River has several wineries that are less than a tank of gas away from Philadelphia. Whether you are on your way to the southern New Jersey shore or just looking for a fun day trip, why not visit a South Jersey winery? Not only do many have tasting rooms where you can sample award winning wine, tour the winemaking facilities, listen to live music and purchase wine, but some wineries also allow you to picnic on their grounds (outside alcohol is not allowed).
Additionally, the Garden State Wine Growers Association offers a passport program. Pick up your free passport at the winery, and when your passport has been stamped at every NJ winery, you can send the booklet to the Garden State Wine Growers Association to receive a complimentary gift and be entered into a drawing for a grand prize--2010's prize was a trip to Italy! – Dennis Edward, KYW Newsradio
For more information on Pennsylvania wineries, click here.
Wagonhouse Winery
1401 Route 45 (corner of Marl Road)
Swedesboro, NJ 08085
(609)780-8019
Wagonhouse Winery is a family-owned winery and vineyard located in South Harrison Township in New Jersey. The winery produces red, white and semi-sweet wines. You can sample their wines in their new tasting room, which opened in May 2011.
Tasting Room Hours: Friday – Sunday, Noon - 5:00 p.m. (and by appointment)
Heritage Vineyards & Winery
480 Mullica Hill Rd.
Mullica Hill, NJ 08062
(856) 589-4474
Heritage Vineyard is located on Rt. 322 in Mullica Hill, New Jersey. This winery produces red, white, semi sweet, sweet and sparkling wines made from their twenty-two acre vineyard. In 2010, Heritage Vineyard & Winery won multiple awards for their 2007 vintage of Cabernet Franc and Chambourcin. There is a tasting room which offers complimentary tastings daily. You can join them on Thursdays from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. for a 'Happy Hour' that includes wine tasting live music and available specialty foods. Tours of the winery and vineyard are available on Saturdays.
Tasting Room Hours: every day, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., complimentary wine tasting available
Tours: Every Saturday at 1pm & 3pm, $10 per person (includes wine tasting)
Tours last approximately one hour
Amalthea Cellars
209 Vineyard Road
Atco, NJ 08004
(856) 768-8585
www.amaltheacellars.com
Grape vines were first planted at Almathea Cellars in 1976. Thirty-five years later, those same vines are still producing fruit. The winery produces white and red wine varietals. Their "Europa" blends use South Jersey grapes to produce wine using the same centuries old method used in Bordeaux, France. Located in Atco, Almathea Cellars is close to NJ routes 30 and 73.
Tasting Room Hours: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays; 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Sharrott Winery
370 South Egg Harbor Road
Blue Anchor, NJ 08037
(609) 567-WINE (9463)
www.sharrottwinery.com
If you are coming from Philadelphia and are headed to the shore, Sharrott Winery is conveniently located near exit 33 (Winslow/Blue Anchor) of the southbound Atlantic City Expressway. The family-owned winery offers a party vibe with their summer concert series and friendly tasting room staff. The winery also holds year-round events like "Ladies Night" and wine classes taught by their sommelier, who can be found in the tasting room some weekends answering questions and pouring drinks. Sharrott Winery has won many awards the past few years for several different wines. Their popular Crimson Sky won a silver award at 2011's Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, the Unoaked Chardonnay won silver in 2010 and their Cabernet Franc won a gold medal at the San Francisco Chronicle 2010 Wine Competition. A complete list of their wines and awards can be found on their website.
Tasting Room Hours: Monday – Thursday, noon – 5 p.m.; Friday, noon – 8 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Tomasello Winery
225 White Horse Pike
Hammonton, New Jersey 08037
(800) MMM-WINE (800-666-9463)
www.tomasellowinery.com
Three generations of the Tomasello family has been producing wine at their Hammonton, New Jersey winery. The New Jersey Wine Competition named them the "2010 Winery of the Year." Tomasello produces red, white, rosé, ice, sparkling, specialty and fruit wines (including both sparkling and non-sparkling blueberry wine). On select Friday nights in the summer, Tomasello Winery has a "Bistro Night," when guests can enjoy their wine with a bistro-inspired meal and listen to live music. For opera fans, Tomasello presents a matinee "Opera Gala" in February, May, October and December. Enjoy wine, food and operatic arias. Tomasello Winery is located on the White Horse Pike (Rt. 30). If you are travelling on the southbound Atlantic City Expressway, get off at exit 28 (Hammonton).
Tasting Room Hours: Monday - Wednesday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Thursday - Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
DiMatteo Vineyards
951 Eight Street
Hammonton, NJ 08037
(609) 704-1414 / (609) 567-3909
www.dimatteowinery.com
The DiMatteo Vineyard is one of the newer wineries in the area. In 2002, Frank V. DiMatteo III and his father added winemaking to their Hammonton farming operation. DiMatteo Vineyard produces several white and red wines. In 2005, their Chambourcin won a silver medal. The winery is easily accessible from exit 28 (Hammonton) of the Atlantic City Expressway.
Tasting Room Hours: Saturday & Sunday, Noon to 5pm (or call for an appointment)
Renault Winery
72 N. Bremen Ave.
Egg Harbor City, NJ 08215
(609) 965-2111
www.renaultwinery.com
One of the oldest wineries in the nation is Renault Winery. The 150-year-old winery produces over twenty wines. They also offer an extensive tour that includes a history of the winery, a tour of the facility and a sampling of several of their wines. Renault also has an on-site glass museum and a resort facility that includes the Tuscany Hotel, Joseph's Restaurant and a championship golf course. Located in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey's Renault Winery is near Rt. 30 and can also be reached from exit 17 of the southbound Atlantic City Expressway.
Winery Tours
Sunday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Gift Shop
Sunday – Thursday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Renault Gourmet Restaurant
Friday, 5 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, 5 – 9 p.m.
Sunday, 4:30 – 7 p.m. (10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for brunch)
Joseph's Restaurant
Breakfast
9 – 11 a.m. Monday - Friday
8 – 11 a.m. Saturday - Sunday
Lunch
11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Late Lunch
3 – 5 p.m.
Dinner
5 – 8 p.m. Monday – Friday
5 – 9 p.m. Saturday
4 – 8 p.m. Sunday
Golf
The golf course is open all year long, weather permitting. Call the golf shop for tee time availability. Ext. 800.
Natali Vineyards
221 North Delsea Drive (North Route 47)
Cape May Courthouse, NJ 08210
(609) 465-0075
www.natalivineyards.com
Located twenty minutes from the shore, Natali Vineyards is located in Cape May Courthouse. Alfred Natali, winemaker and founder of Natali Vineyards, has planted 14 different varieties of French, Italian and Spanish grapes. His winery boasts twenty different labels, including fruit wines. From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. every Wednesday through August 29th, you can enjoy Natali wine and live music during the "Wine It Down Wednesday" event.
Tasting Room Hours: ALL YEAR ROUND from 10 a.m. to 5 pm.
Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Day
Cape May Winery and Vineyard
711 Townbank Road
Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-1169
www.capemaywinery.com
At the Cape May Winery and Vineyard, you can sample wine in one of three tasting rooms, take a tour of the winery or sit on the new patio and enjoy a glass. The winery produces 20 different varieties of wine. Cape May Winery and Vineyard also offers a 90 minute tour that allows visitors to see the winery and vineyard, learn the wine making process and even taste wine out of the barrel. Fruit & cheese is provided, and you can keep your wine glass as a souvenir.
Tasting Room Hours: Friday & Saturday, 12 – 7 p.m.
Open Daily - 12 noon to 5 p.m.
Live music Friday and Saturday afternoon all summer long
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
Tours:January to May: Saturdays at 3 p.m.
June to September: Daily at 3 p.m.
October to December - Saturdays at 3 p.m.
$20 per person for adults
$10 for ages 16-20
FREE for ages 15 and under
Turdo Vineyards
3911 Bayshore Road
North Cape May, NJ 08204
(609) 884-5591
www.turdovineyards.com
Located in North Cape May, this family owned vineyard produces all of their wines from estate grown grapes. Many of the wines they produce are Italian varietals like Moscato, Barbera and Sangiovese. According to Turdo's website Turdo Vineyards is the only vineyard/winery in New Jersey to run 100% on solar energy.
Tasting Room Hours: Daily, Noon-5 p.m. through Labor Day
***Please remember to drink responsibly and use a designated driver***
