“Starting tonight, we will only serve New Jersey wines in this house.”
Current New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy spoke those momentous words in 2018, when she and Governor Phil Murphy hosted the 2018 Governor’s Cup Award Ceremony at Drumthwacket, the New Jersey Governor’s Mansion.
The couple had invited the winning wineries to receive their awards and pour their wines at the mansion. It was quite the honor. Despite the name of the competition, no New Jersey governor had done that before. Since then, when the Murphys have dined in an official capacity at Drumthwacket and served wine, that wine has only been from bottles produced in New Jersey. Eventually, New Jersey-produced beer and some spirits got the same well-deserved treatment.
At their final evening with the New Jersey wine industry on the grounds of Drumthwacket this past November 24, when wineries poured once again for the Murphy administration and state dignitaries—including NJ Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn and state Senator James Beach (who is a staunch champion of New Jersey wine)—that support was heralded.
“I want to tell you that the two people sitting behind me have done more for the Garden State wine growers than anyone in this world,” said Senator Beach. The two sitting behind him were, of course, Governor Phil Murphy and Tammy Murphy.
His words followed his presentation of a plaque, “honoring Governor Phil Murphy and First Lady Tammy Murphy for their steadfast and meaningful contributions to the New Jersey Wine Community” on behalf of the Garden State Wine Growers Association.
The First Lady followed Senator Beach, noting what a pleasure it has been to work with the New Jersey wineries during her tenure.
“You’ve made entertaining very easy,” she said, explaining that people discover how great New Jersey wine is when they experience it at Drumthwacket.
“It’s been a thrill to partner with all of you, and with that, I wish you all the wind at your back,” she said, her brief remarks before introducing her husband, who had high praise for New Jersey wine.
“All of our guests, including not just guests who have come from New Jersey but have come from all around the country and all around the world can never ever tell the difference and invariably they’re all incredibly taken positively by the quality, the taste, the richness of the wines,” the Governor said, referring to the difference between wine from New Jersey and wines from other established global wine regions.
He gave “deep thanks” to Devon Perry, Executive Director of GSWGA, and Dustin Tarpine, Chair of GSWGA, along with the wineries in attendance. He also gave a shout-out to Amalthea Cellars’ Lou Caracciolo, whom the governor credited with introducing him to the quality of New Jersey wine before he was governor.
Governor Murphy also noted that the following night, he and the First Lady would be having dinner with Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill and her husband, and give them a taste of New Jersey wine.
After their remarks, Governor Murphy and Tammy Murphy did a walk-around tasting before calling it a night.
The following evening, many of those in attendance at Drumthwacket were also in attendance to honor New Jersey wine at a celebration hosted by the Camden County Board of Commissioners and Garden State Wine Growers Association at the Camden County Boathouse on Cooper River. A more casual event, Senator Beach and Secretary of Agriculture Wengryn here joined by Louis Capelli, Commissioner Director of Camden County and Michael Snyder, Director of Operations at Visit South Jersey.
All made brief remarks about the importance of the wine industry in Camden County and its surrounding regions, while also sipping on wine and taking the time to talk with winemakers and guests at the event.
“We’re honored that the entire NJ wine community was invited to celebrate New Jersey Wine Month with dignitaries at Drumthwacket and the Camden County Boathouse. We continue to share our excitement for all that’s ahead for the Garden State and the people who truly keep the Garden in the Garden State,” says Devon Perry. “As November’s New Jersey Wine Month comes to an end, we are also grateful for those dignitaries on both the state and local levels who are embracing New Jersey wine, supporting it with legislation, and spreading the word about the quality—and, as Governor Murphy noted—the great value of our fine wines.”
