N.J. wines gaining national respect

WOODLAND TWP., N.J. - August 12, 2010

"We've had a lot of California wines and there are Jersey wines that stack up just as well," said Bob Graver of Woodland Township. "Just as good a California wines."

"Came here today trying some new wines from South Jersey and I'm just blown away at them," added Chris Graver.

New Jersey is the 5th largest producer of wine in the country. The Garden State is home to 35 wineries, 25 of which are located in South Jersey.

At the family-owned Valenzano Winery in Shamong, they'll produce about 350,000 bottles of wine this year in almost 2 dozen varieties, including a port called Jersey Devil.

"We make everything from your traditional dry reds, cabs, merlots, vito blanc's our house white," said Tony Valenzano of Valenzano Winery. "We also do some specialty wines."

The fruit wines, such as blueberry, cranberry and apple cider are made from produce grown at local farms.

"We try to find what's indigenous to the area and make wines that people enjoy," Valenzano added.

All of the wines are processed, barreled and bottled at a new facility on Route 206 where like many wineries around the state--you can sample what's available.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.