The Governor’s Cup award winners and Best in Class awards for the Garden State Wine Growers Association’s NJ Wine Competition were announced Oct 1, 2021 by Governor Murphy. For the fourth consecutive year the wines in the competition were judged by the esteemed Beverage Testing Institute (BTI) in Illinois headed by Jerald O’Kennard. NJ Wines were submitted for judging from April through the end of August. There were were over 150 wines entered in the competition from 18 different wineries.
Award Winners
Governor’s Cup, Best New Jersey Vinifera Red 2021, Best of Show Overall
94 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate, Petit Verdot, Outer Coastal Plain. $40 Gold Medal
Governor’s Cup, Best New Jersey Vinifera White 2021, Governor’s Cup Best of Show White Vinifera
92 • William Heritage (NJ) 2020 Unoaked, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $26 Gold Medal
Governor’s Cup, Dessert Wine, Best New Jersey Fortified Wine 2021, Governor’s Cup Best of Show Dessert Wine 2021
90 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) 2018 Wicked, Outer Coastal Plain. $28/500 ml Gold Medal
Best in Class Winners
Scale: 96-100: Superlative, 90-95: Exceptional, 85-89: Highly Recommended, 80-84: Recommended, Below 80: Not Recommended
Best New Jersey Hybrid Red 2021 – 93 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) NV Tango Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Gold Medal
Best New Jersey Hybrid White 2021 – 90 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 Solé, Vidal Blanc, Outer Coastal Plain. $17 Gold Medal
Best Rose – 91 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Reserve Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $29 Gold Medal
Best New Jersey Sparkling Wine 2021 – 92 • William Heritage (NJ) 2018 Blanc de Noirs, Outer Coastal Plain. $46 Gold Medal
Best New Jersey Sweet Wine 2021 – 87 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Autumn Harvest Dessert Wine, New Jersey. $22/375 ml Silver Medal
Best New Jersey Fruit Wine 2021 – 88 • Tomasello (NJ) NV Red Raspberry Wine, New Jersey 6% rs. $14/500 ml Silver Medal
Red Wines: (56 wines)
Best New Jersey Vinifera Red 2021, Governor’s Cup Best of Show Red Vinifera – 94 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate, Petit Verdot, Outer Coastal Plain. $40 Gold Medal
94 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2018 Reserve, Cabernet Franc, Outer Coastal Plain. $42 Gold Medal & Cellar Selection
94 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) 2017 Legends Edition Europa III, New Jersey. $32 Gold Medal
93 • Auburn Road (NJ) NV Peaceful Warrior Third Chakra Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $18 Gold Medal
Best New Jersey Hybrid Red 2021 – 93 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) NV Tango Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Gold Medal
93 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) 2019 Trio Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $39 Gold Medal
93 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) 2019 Reserve, Cabernet Franc, Outer Coastal Plain. $34 Gold Medal
93 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) 2018 Legends Edition Europa VI, New Jersey. $32 Gold Medal
92 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2019 Coeur D’Est, Outer Coastal Plain. Gold Medal
92 • Palmaris (NJ) 2016 Estate, Petit Verdot, Outer Coastal Plain. $30 Gold Medal
92 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2018 Estate Grown, Blaufrankisch, Hunterdon County. $38 Gold Medal
92 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2019 Q Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cape May Peninsula. $39 Gold Medal
91 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, Outer Coastal Plain. $26 Gold Medal
91 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2019 Signature Series, Cabernet Franc, Cape May Peninsula. $46 Gold Medal
91 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) 2017 Reserve, Merlot, New Jersey. $26 Gold Medal
90 • Bellview Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate Coeur D’Est, Outer Coastal Plain. Gold Medal
90 • Palmaris (NJ) 2017 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Outer Coastal Plain. $30 Gold Medal
90 • Palmaris (NJ) 2019 Reserve, Pinot Noir, Outer Coastal Plain. $25 Gold Medal
90 • William Heritage (NJ) 2019 Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain. $30 Gold Medal
90 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate, Chambourcin, New Jersey. $24 Gold Medal
90 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2019 Signature Series, Syrah, Cape May Peninsula. $46 Gold Medal
89 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Estate, Cabernet Franc, Outer Coastal Plain. $24 Silver Medal
89 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) 2017 Estate Reserve, Chambourcin, Outer Coastal Plain. $20 Silver Medal
89 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) 2019 Coeur D’Est, Outer Coastal Plain. $34.99 Silver Medal
89 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) 2019 Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain. $29 Silver Medal
89 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2018 Estate Grown, Pinot Noir, Hunterdon County. $40 Silver Medal
89 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2019 Oa, Cabernet Franc, Outer Coastal Plain. $46 Silver Medal
89 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2019 Signature Series – V Row Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cape May Peninsula. $46 Silver Medal
89 • Cape May (NJ) 2020 Pinot Noir, Cape May Peninsula. $27 Silver Medal
88 • Salem Oak Vineyards (NJ) NV Christopher Andrew, Chambourcin, New Jersey. $20 Silver Medal
88 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2018 Estate, Chambourcin, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Silver Medal
88 • Palmaris (NJ) 2015 Reserve, Cabernet Sauvignon, Outer Coastal Plain. $45 Silver Medal
88 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2017 Estate, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain. $28 Silver Medal
88 • William Heritage (NJ) 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Outer Coastal Plain. $30 Silver Medal & Cellar Selection
88 • Bellview Winery (NJ) 2017 Estate, Blaufrankisch, Outer Coastal Plain. $28 Silver Medal
88 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) NV Carmé Red Blend, New Jersey. $26 Silver Medal
87 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Estate, Blaufrankisch, Outer Coastal Plain. $24 Silver Medal
87 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2017 Giulia, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain. $25 Silver Medal
87 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2018 Estate Grown, Cabernet Franc, Hunterdon County. $34 Silver Medal
87 • Bellview Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate Grown, Cabernet Franc, Outer Coastal Plain. $25 Silver Medal
87 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2017 Estate, Merlot, New Jersey. $28 Silver Medal
87 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2017 Retriever Estate, Cabernet Franc, New Jersey. $39 Silver Medal
86 • Ashenfelter Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Single Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Outer Coastal Plain. $35 Silver Medal
86 • Salem Oak Vineyards (NJ) NV Analise, Concord, New Jersey. $18 Silver Medal
86 • Palmaris (NJ) 2018 Reserve, Merlot, Outer Coastal Plain. $14 Silver Medal
86 • Tomasello (NJ) 2019 Estate, Sangiovese, Outer Coastal Plain. $23 Silver Medal
86 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Hilltopper Red, Chambourcin, New Jersey. $24 Silver Medal
85 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Thundergust Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $30 Silver Medal
85 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) NV Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $16 Silver Medal
85 • Salem Oak Vineyards (NJ) NV Brandon Jae, Cabernet Franc, New Jersey. $21 Silver Medal
85 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Shotgun Estate Grown Red Blend, Other, Hunterdon County. $20 Silver Medal
85 • William Heritage (NJ) 2019 Five Gen Red Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $35 Silver Medal
84 • Palmaris (NJ) 2020 Estate, Blaufrankisch, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Bronze Medal
84 • Tomasello (NJ) 2019 Estate, Syrah, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Bronze Medal
84 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) 2017 Clone II, Cabernet Sauvignon, New Jersey. $27 Bronze Medal
84 • Terhune Orchards (NJ) 2019 Barn Red Blend, New Jersey. $19 Bronze Medal
White (50 wines)
Best New Jersey Vinifera White 2021, Governor’s Cup Best of Show White Vinifera – 92 • William Heritage (NJ) 2020 Unoaked, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $26 Gold Medal
92 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Estate Grown, Riesling, Hunterdon County. $26 Gold Medal
91 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 Pinot Grigio, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Gold Medal
91 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Albarino, Outer Coastal Plain. $26 Gold Medal
Best New Jersey Hybrid White 2021
90 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 Solé, Vidal Blanc, Outer Coastal Plain. $17 Gold Medal
90 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Albarino, Outer Coastal Plain. $17 Gold Medal
90 • William Heritage (NJ) 2020 Semillon, Outer Coastal Plain. $28 Gold Medal
90 • Cape May (NJ) 2020 Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, Cape May Peninsula. $28 Gold Medal
89 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate, Traminette, Outer Coastal Plain 6% rs. $20 Silver Medal
89 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Riesling, New Jersey. $24 Silver Medal
89 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Derby White, New Jersey. $28 Silver Medal
89 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Silver Medal
88 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Traminette, Outer Coastal Plain. $17 Silver Medal
88 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Dry, Riesling, Hunterdon County. $30 Silver Medal
88 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Chardonnay, New Jersey. $32 Silver Medal
88 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Signature Series – Two Wire Reserve, Chardonnay, Cape May Peninsula. $35 Silver Medal
88 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $29 Silver Medal
87 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) NV Vignoles, Outer Coastal Plain. $17 Silver Medal
87 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Estate Grown, Gewurztraminer, Hunterdon County. $28 Silver Medal
87 • Bellview Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Grown, Traminette, Outer Coastal Plain. $15 Silver Medal
87 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Signature Series Dry, Pinot Grigio, Cape May Peninsula. $26 Silver Medal
87 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate Barrel Fermented, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $29 Silver Medal
86 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) 2019 Silica White Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $24 Silver Medal
86 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Riesling, New Jersey. $24 Silver Medal
86 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Vidal Blanc, Outer Coastal Plain. $25 Silver Medal
86 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Painted White, Outer Coastal Plain. $22 Silver Medal
85 • Salem Oak Vineyards (NJ) NV Sweet Caroline, Niagara, New Jersey. $18 Silver Medal
85 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2019 Estate Painted White Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $22 Silver Medal
85 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Intermezzo, Gewurztraminer, Hunterdon County. $40 Silver Medal
85 • William Heritage (NJ) 2020 Viognier, Outer Coastal Plain. $24 Silver Medal
85 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Viognier, New Jersey. $29 Silver Medal
85 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Pinot Gris, New Jersey. $24 Silver Medal
85 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Signature Series, Albariño, Cape May Peninsula. $29 Silver Medal
85 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Signature Series Dry, Riesling, Cape May Peninsula. $26 Silver Medal
85 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Chardonnay, New Jersey. $24 Silver Medal
85 • Terhune Orchards (NJ) 2020 Chardonnay, New Jersey. $16 Silver Medal
84 • Salem Oak Vineyards (NJ) NV Jessica Rose, Vidal Blanc, New Jersey. $18 Bronze Medal
84 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 blancNU, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $18 Bronze Medal
84 • Palmaris (NJ) 2019 Reserve, Chardonnay, Outer Coastal Plain. $23 Bronze Medal
84 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Tuxedo (estate Grown), White Pinot Noir, Hunterdon County. $40 Bronze Medal
84 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Traminette, New Jersey. $24 Bronze Medal
84 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Sauvignon Blanc, New Jersey. $24 Bronze Medal
84 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) 2017 Sur Lie, Chardonnay, New Jersey. $24 Bronze Medal
83 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2020 Halcyon White Blend, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Bronze Medal
83 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate, Traminette, New Jersey. $19 Bronze Medal
83 • Jessie Creek (NJ) 2019 Sunny Day, Chardonnay, Cape May Peninsula. $20 Bronze Medal
81 • Salem Oak Vineyards (NJ) NV Juliamarie, Cayuga, New Jersey. $18 Bronze Medal
81 • Cape May (NJ) 2020 Concrete Fermented White Wine Blend, Chardonnay, Cape May Peninsula. $35 Bronze Medal
80 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Signature Series, Gewurztraminer, Cape May Peninsula. $29 Bronze Medal
Rose (19 wines)
91 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Reserve Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $29 Gold Medal – Best in class winner
91 • William Heritage (NJ) 2020 Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $24 Gold Medal
90 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $20 Gold Medal
88 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Signature Series Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cape May Peninsula. $29 Silver Medal
88 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) NV Leda Rosé Table Wine, Outer Coastal Plain. $22 Silver Medal
87 • Autumn Lake Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Sangiovese Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $21 Silver Medal
87 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Dry Rosé, Hunterdon County. $24 Silver Medal
87 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Semi-Sweet Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $19 Silver Medal
86 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 Dry Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $21 Silver Medal
86 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) NV Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $18 Silver Medal
86 • Bellview Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Grown Dry Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $15 Silver Medal
86 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) NV Callisto Gris Rosé, New Jersey. $18 Silver Medal
85 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 Rosalita Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain 3.25% rs. $16 Silver Medal
85 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Pink Flamingo, New Jersey. $24 Silver Medal
84 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2020 Estate Reserve Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $29 Bronze Medal
84 • Tomasello (NJ) NV Shore House Rosé, New Jersey 3% rs. $14 Bronze Medal
84 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Deco, Chambourcin, New Jersey. $24 Bronze Medal
82 • White Horse Winery (NJ) 2019 Painted Rosé, Outer Coastal Plain. $20 Bronze Medal
82 • Working Dog Winery (NJ) 2020 Equinox Estate Rosé, New Jersey. $21 Bronze Meda
Sparkling (7 wines)
Best New Jersey Sparkling Wine 2021 – 92 • William Heritage (NJ) 2018 Blanc de Noirs, Outer Coastal Plain. $46 Gold Medal
88 • William Heritage (NJ) 2018 Blanc de Blancs, Outer Coastal Plain. $40 Silver Medal
87 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Rose Pet Nat, Blaufrankisch, Hunterdon County. $40 Silver Medal
87 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Rosé Pét-Nat, Pinot Noir, Cape May Peninsula. $35 Silver Medal
86 • Hawk Haven (NJ) 2020 Rosé Pét-Nat, Malbec, Cape May Peninsula. $35 Silver Medal
85 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Chambrusco, Chambourcin, Hunterdon County. $30 Silver Medal
84 • Beneduce Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Gewurz Pet Nat, Hunterdon County. $40 Bronze Medal
Fortified: (6 wines)
Best New Jersey Fortified Wine 2021, Governor’s Cup Best of Show Dessert Wine 2021
90 • Sharrott Winery (NJ) 2018 Wicked, Outer Coastal Plain. $28/500 ml Gold Medal
89 • Jessie Creek (NJ) 2019 Ruby Redhead Dessert Wine, New Jersey. $25/500 ml Silver Medal
88 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2018 Vintage Ruby, Outer Coastal Plain 8% rs. $25/500 ml Silver Medal
86 • Isaac Smith (NJ) NV Red Port, Cape May Peninsula. $29/500 ml Silver Medal
85 • Amalthea Cellars (NJ) NV Solera Madeira-Style Wine, New Jersey. $39/375ml Silver Medal
83 • Isaac Smith (NJ) 2020 White Port, Cape May Peninsula. $21/375 ml Bronze Medal
Fruit (3 wines)
Best New Jersey Fruit Wine 2021 – 88 • Tomasello (NJ) NV Red Raspberry Wine, New Jersey 6% rs. $14/500 ml Silver Medal
81 • Auburn Road (NJ) 2020 Hill Creek Apple Wine, Outer Coastal Plain 4.5% rs. $15 Bronze Medal
80 • Isaac Smith (NJ) 2020 Apple Wine, New Jersey. $15 Bronze Medal
Sweet (4 wines)
Best New Jersey Sweet Wine 2021 – 87 • Fox Hollow Vineyards (NJ) 2020 Autumn Harvest Dessert Wine, New Jersey. $22/375 ml Silver Medal
87 • Jessie Creek (NJ) 2020 Ice Queen, New Jersey. $25/375 ml Silver Medal
85 • Cedar Rose Vineyards (NJ) NV Sandpiper, Outer Coastal Plain 7% rs. $14 Silver Medal
85 • Tomasello (NJ) 2019 Ice Wine, Vidal Blanc, Atlantic County 11.1% rs. $28/375 ml Silver Medal
FlavoredWine (2 wines)
88 • Terhune Orchards (NJ) NV Just Peachy, New Jersey. $17 Silver Medal
83 • Jessie Creek (NJ) 2019 Raspberry Blush, New Jersey. $18 Bronze Medal