“I’ve been living in New Jersey most of my life, but if it weren’t for the passport, I wouldn’t have realized how pretty New Jersey was.”
That quote, from an unidentified New Jersey wine lover in a 2018 Edible Jersey article, is a sentiment that many people who complete the New Jersey Wine Passport Program have. They set out to discover New Jersey wine but along the way, they discover New Jersey itself.
What is the Garden State Wine Growers Association Passport Program?
“New Jersey’s Wine Passport Program is a special initiative from the GSWGA, New Jersey wineries, and our partners which provides a custom New Jersey VIP Travel Experience,” says Devon Perry, executive director of the Garden State Wine Growers Association. “Each year we draw a random winner from completed passports and send the winner and a guest to fine restaurants and hotels and, of course, New Jersey wineries.”
The program began in the mid-2000s with a paper passport booklet. The passport was completed when its owner visited every winery in the book and had them stamp the book. When it was complete, the passport was turned into the GSWGA and one winner would be drawn from all passports turned in that year.
Several years ago, the passport entered the digital age, with winery visitors checking in via the GSWGA App. But some people missed the tactile passport and the satisfaction of interacting with winery employees to get it stamped. Now, thanks to a partnership with Edible Jersey, those who travel the state, visit wineries, and take in NJ’s beauty can choose their own wine adventure via paper passport or digital App.
“Edible Jerseyhas covered the New Jersey wine industry since our very first issue and written about the passport program,” says Nancy Painter, publisher and founder of the publication that covers local food and beverages—and those who produce them. “But it wasn’t until last year that we in effect became the print publisher of the 2025/2026 passport.”
She worked with the GSWGA to gather information, instructions, and the wineries to include in the re-issued paper passport. The passport was distributed in the fall 2024 issue of Edible Jerseyas an easy-to-rip-out booklet that went to over 35,000 people.
“It’s a great way to reach local winery lovers and people who haven’t discovered local wine yet,” says Painter. Edible Jersey printed extra passports, and they are now available in many winery tasting rooms while supplies last.
In the past few years, Edible Jersey has also helped organize parts of the trip, a trip that changes every year.
Words from Passport Winners
COVID put a halt on drawing a winner and sending them on a VIP New Jersey travel experience, but in 2022 we randomly chose the passport of Jackie and Chris, a wife and husband who spent years completing their passport. They were rewarded with a trip that took them on a hot air balloon ride, many wineries that rolled out the red carpet for them, cozy hotels, and more.
“We started stamping our books in late 2014 and finished those in under four years submitting them for 2019. We continued to work on eight more starting in June 2019. Covid slowed it down a bit, but we completed four more by Jan. 2022,” says the wine-loving couple.
By the time their passport was drawn in 2022 (for a trip they took in 2023), many winery tasting room employees recognized Jackie and Chris when they visited.
“The question we always get asked is ‘Which is your favorite winery?’ Of course, our response is “The one that is pouring my wine!” they say. They’ve been to most of the wineries in the state at least 12 times—sometimes planning visits around events or special tastings, sometimes just by choosing randomly.
“Each winery offers its own style, charm, and diversity,” say Jackie and Chris.”But the best part is that we have met some new friends and stay very close with them.” They started forming those relationships long before they won the trip, speaking with owners and staff.
“It was interesting to hear about their stories of how they got to be where they are. To learn about their passion for wine and to get to know the staff,” they say. “After Covid, we were amazed how each winery adjusted, struggled, and flourished.”
Jackie and Chris aren’t done visiting wineries yet.
“We have been kind of doing a victory lap thanking the owners and their staff for all they do,” they explain. Jackie made them t-shirts that read “Unofficial Wine Ambassador ” on the front and Jackie’s reads “2022 Passport Winner” on the back. The back of Chris’ shirt reads “arm candy.” Because of the shirts, many people come up to Jackie to ask about the passport program and she’s happy to talk about it.
The deadline for submitting completed passports is May 20th annually so if you’re working on your passport, either the digital or the booklet version, get on it! The GSWGA will choose the 2025 passport winner on November 15.
To finish your passport, visit every participating winery in the Garden State. Before you turn it in for your chance to win a VIP experience, don’t forget to “check in” or get it stamped at each winery.
