New Jersey wine
Encyclopedia
Wine
production in the U.S. state
of New Jersey
dates back to the region's colonial era when, in the mid-18th century, wines were made by local vintners on a small scale. The state's first commercial operation, Renault Winery
, was opened in 1864 in southern Atlantic County
and remains one of the oldest continuously-operated wineries in the United States. Owing to state laws limiting the number of wineries allowed to open, New Jersey wine production remained small until 1981, when laws were relaxed and newer vineyards were created. Today, approximately thirty-three wineries exist in eleven of the state's twenty-one counties. Most are family operated and are predominantly located in the state's hilly northwestern region as well its sandy flat southern plain. Together they make an estimated 1000000 gallons (3,785,412 l) of wine per year.
Wine
Wine is an alcoholic beverage, made of fermented fruit juice, usually from grapes. The natural chemical balance of grapes lets them ferment without the addition of sugars, acids, enzymes, or other nutrients. Grape wine is produced by fermenting crushed grapes using various types of yeast. Yeast...
production in the U.S. state
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
dates back to the region's colonial era when, in the mid-18th century, wines were made by local vintners on a small scale. The state's first commercial operation, Renault Winery
Renault Winery
Renault Winery, in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, is the oldest continuous commercial winemaker in New Jersey. It was founded in 1864.-History:During Prohibition they stayed in business by producing sacramental wines and "Renault Wine Tonic", a 22 percent alcohol potion sold in pharmacies...
, was opened in 1864 in southern Atlantic County
Atlantic County, New Jersey
-National protected areas:* Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge * Great Egg Harbor Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:...
and remains one of the oldest continuously-operated wineries in the United States. Owing to state laws limiting the number of wineries allowed to open, New Jersey wine production remained small until 1981, when laws were relaxed and newer vineyards were created. Today, approximately thirty-three wineries exist in eleven of the state's twenty-one counties. Most are family operated and are predominantly located in the state's hilly northwestern region as well its sandy flat southern plain. Together they make an estimated 1000000 gallons (3,785,412 l) of wine per year.