New Jersey
Although New Jersey’s winemaking tradition goes back over 200 years, it has yet to become a major wine-producing state, in part because New Jersey law restricted winery development until 1981. Renault Winery, started in 1864 and still around today, survived prohibition by selling sacramental and medicinal wines—their curative tonic (at 22% alcohol) was sold throughout the United States. Today, area wineries use hybrids like Chambourcin, Chancellor, Leon Millot, Maréchal Foch, Seyval Blanc, and Vidal Blanc. Vitis vinifera grapes grown here include Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Viognier. New Jersey has two viticultural areas—the Central Delaware Valley AVA (which it shares with Pennsylvania) and the 144,640-acre Warren Hills AVA, established in 1988 in Warren County.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.