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Try Wines From Across The Garden State At NJ Wine Expo

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  Published in Food and Wine on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 14:47 GMT by Patch
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New Jersey’s Wine Scene Gets a Garden‑State Boost at the Holmdel Expo

In a sunny August weekend that saw the streets of Holmdel, New Jersey, bustle with wine lovers and curious locals alike, the town hosted its first “Try Wines Across Garden State” expo. Organized by the Holmdel‑Hazlet community association in partnership with the New Jersey Wine Trail, the event aimed to showcase the region’s burgeoning vintners while offering residents and tourists a taste‑testing adventure that stretched from the rolling hills of the Highlands to the coastal vineyards along the Jersey Shore.

The Big Picture

The expo ran from Friday, August 9th to Sunday, August 11th at the historic Holmdel Public Library’s event pavilion, a venue chosen for its central location and easy parking. With a simple tagline—“Savor the State”—the organizers promised more than just a wine‑and‑cheese night. According to the event’s press release, the goal was to educate attendees about New Jersey’s diverse wine‑producing terroirs, celebrate the craftsmanship behind each bottle, and encourage a new wave of wine tourism across the Garden State.

The 2024 New Jersey Wine Trail, which has already grown to include more than 120 wineries in 15 counties, is actively pushing for a statewide “Wine Trail Day.” The Holmdel expo was the first of several regional showcases scheduled for the summer, with subsequent events slated for Montville, Morristown, and Ocean City.

The Main Attraction: Tasting Stations

A total of 28 wineries and three local breweries set up tasting stations along a 1.2‑mile walking path through the library’s grounds and the adjacent Holmdel Park. Each station offered a selection of four or five wines—mostly varietals cultivated from the state's own vineyards. Red‑wine enthusiasts could sample a Merlot from the picturesque Vine Ridge Vineyards in Clinton, a robust Cabernet Sauvignon from the Hillside Winery in Toms River, and a unique Zinfandel from the newly opened Coastal Breeze Cellars in Seaside Heights.

White‑wine lovers were equally treated, with a crisp Riesling from the Sussex Valley Winery, a buttery Chardonnay from the Pine Hill Estate, and a sparkling Prosecco-style white from the Montclair Vineyard. Visitors could also dip into New Jersey’s specialty craft cider, offered by the local brewery “Sierra Cider Co.”—a nod to the state’s tradition of apple and pear fermentation.

According to the expo’s organizers, the tasting stations were staffed by knowledgeable oenologists and winemakers who explained everything from the soil composition of each vineyard to the specific grape‑grape varietals that thrive in the region’s climate. “We wanted people to leave the expo with a deeper appreciation for the science behind their favorite bottle,” said event director Rachel McKenna. “And of course, we’ve got to keep the good wine flowing!”

Beyond the Bottles: Educational Sessions

In addition to wine tastings, the expo featured a series of free, on‑site seminars. A 10‑minute introductory talk on “The History of Winemaking in New Jersey” was delivered by Dr. Laura Chen, a professor of enology at Rutgers University. The session explored how the state’s early 20th‑century wineries were impacted by Prohibition and how they rebounded in the 1970s. Dr. Chen concluded with a discussion of current industry trends and how climate change is reshaping grape cultivation.

A parallel workshop on “Pairing Food and Wine” was offered by chef Marco Rossi of the Holmdel Bistro. Rossi highlighted how local ingredients—think Jersey blue cheese, farm‑grown tomatoes, and artisanal charcuterie—can be matched with New Jersey wines. Attendees were treated to a live demonstration, sampling each pairing with a brief explanation of the flavors’ interplay.

Live Music and Community Spirit

The expo’s vibe was further elevated by a line‑up of live music. Local folk band “The Orchard Collective” played an afternoon set, while the “Holmdel Jazz Ensemble” entertained guests on the evening side of the expo. The music provided a welcoming soundtrack that helped break up the long hours of tasting.

A portion of the event’s proceeds was earmarked for the Holmdel Community Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local youth programs. McKenna said, “We’re thrilled to see how the event has brought the community together and how it can help support future generations of Holmdel residents.”

A Look Forward

The success of the Holmdel expo has spurred excitement for the next stop on the Garden State’s wine trail. The organizers announced that the upcoming “Try Wines Across Garden State” event in Montville will feature even more wineries, including the famed “Haddonfield Vineyard” and the boutique “Ridgeview Cellars.” In a recent interview with Patch, the Holmdel event planner mentioned the potential for a “virtual tasting” component in the future, which would allow people who can’t travel to sample a curated selection of New Jersey wines from the comfort of their own homes.

The event’s digital presence was robust as well. A dedicated website (trywinesgardenstate.com) allowed visitors to purchase pre‑event tasting kits, view detailed profiles of each participating winery, and sign up for the wine‑trail newsletter. The website also highlighted the “Wine Trail Challenge” – a scavenger hunt that encourages guests to visit all the tasting stations and collect digital stamps for a chance to win a free year’s supply of New Jersey wine.

Why It Matters

While New Jersey has long been known for its blue‑cheese, seafood, and baseball, the state’s wine industry has quietly been growing. The “Try Wines Across Garden State” expo highlights a cultural shift, showcasing local terroir and encouraging a sense of pride in New Jersey’s agricultural products. By creating a tangible, immersive experience that pairs education, community, and enjoyment, the expo has positioned Holmdel—and the state at large—as a destination for wine tourism.

As the final corks are popped and the last glass of glassy wine is drained, it’s clear that the Holmdel expo wasn’t just a tasting event; it was a celebration of New Jersey’s evolving identity, one sip at a time. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or a casual wine‑drinker, the “Try Wines Across Garden State” expo offers a taste of home that is both unique and deliciously local.