The 2025 NJ Wine Expo Was Filled With Wine, Education, and Enthusiasm

The second annual NJ Wine Expo, held on November 15 at Bell Works in Holmdel, is now in the rear-view mirror, but the energy of the day is still on everyone’s mind. 

This was the first Expo for Audubon resident Beth Fair and her husband, Patrick. Their 11 am early admission tickets each came with a 6-bottle wine tote, and when they left the Expo, both of their totes were filled with wine. 

“We are already planning to do early access next year, and we’ve invited friends to come with us,” says Fair, who now has bottles of New Jersey Riesling, Blaufrankisch, and more in her cellar. 

She’s not the only one. More than 1,300 attendees sniffed, swirled, and sipped the 130+ wines poured by New Jersey wineries at the Expo, and many of them left with bottles purchased to drink that evening, age in their cellars, share over the holidays, or give as holiday gifts because they loved the wines. It was apparent that everyone was enjoying the day. 

“Honestly, what impressed me most was the energy—so many people excited about Jersey wines and connecting with local makers. It really felt like a big celebration of what we’re all doing here,” says Ottavio Angelico of Angelico Winery.  

Devon Perry, Executive Director of the Garden State Wine Growers Association, felt the excitement, too.

“The NJ Wine Expo shows the rest of the world what we’ve long known: our state is producing extraordinary wines, and people are eager to experience them. This year’s attendance reflects a growing excitement around New Jersey’s winemaking community, and we’re proud to showcase the talent, dedication, and innovation of our growers and producers, especially during New Jersey Wine Month, which is celebrated annually each November,” she says. 

Year Two Built on the First Year’s Momentum

Although this year’s Expo was the first for Fair, plenty of wine lovers returned after last year’s event. 

Hank Zona, wine event planner and writer who emceed the Expo for the second year in a row, says he was surprised by how many repeat attendees approached him to tell them they were back for a second year. 

“I think last year, there was a surprise element,” he says. Attendees were surprised by the extent of the quality, and the wineries were surprised at the enthusiasm of the attendees. Not surprised that their wines were seen as good, but by the positive reception overall. This year, I think there was more expectation that it would be a good event, and the expectations were met.” 

Zona took the time to walk around and taste, too, and though he’s well-versed in New Jersey wine, discovered some welcome surprises when he put on his consumer cap.

“The Marechal Foch Nouveau from Working Dog caught my attention in both nerdiness and taste,” he says, referring to a Beaujolais Nouveau-inspired wine that the Hightstown winery produced this year from its estate grapes. “Also, two grapes that are personal favorites of mine showed both really well and showed real promise overall for the future—Auburn Road Petit Verdot, which I think has great potential as single varietal in the state, and the White Horse Syrah, because the state is capable of making the more pleasing dialed back style of Syrah I am seeing more and more.”

Zona wasn’t the only one struck by the enthusiasm of the second-time attendees.

“What impressed us most about the second annual NJ Wine Expo was repeat customers that returned from last year to try the new vintages and experience the expo for a second year,” says Dana Ronyack-Davis, winemaker at Rebel Sheep Wine Co. 

Sampling Wine Turned Into Learning

The opportunity to sample the new vintages is one very good reason to attend the Expo each year. Because the growing season can vary from year to year, the characteristics of a wine can change a bit each year, something that NJ’s Secretary of Agriculture Ed Wengryn appreciates. He attended the Expo last year and returned for this year’s event.

“One of the things I found myself excited about when I became Secretary of Agriculture was the dry year 2024 was for the harvest,” says Secretary Wengryn. He understood those were favorable conditions for winemaking. 

“You can see clearly the quality of the wines based upon that year’s harvest, and it’s exciting for consumers of wine and people who value wine,” he says, noting that after tasting the wines released from 2024, he’s able to tell the difference between them and wines made from previous vintages. And he’s optimistic for the 2025 vintage. 

“I think we’re going to have another year of exceptional wines coming out,” says Secretary Wengryn. 

When wineries from New Jersey’s Northern, Central, and Southern regions convene, there’s an opportunity to compare wines made from the same grape grown under various conditions. 

For Fair, that meant comparing Rieslings made in various regions and walking away with several bottles from Alba Vineyards that had the characteristics she enjoyed most, while acknowledging that most of the Rieslings she tasted were good. She got an education about regional differences, even if that wasn’t her purpose in attending the Expo. 

Speaking to so many winery representatives was educational, too. 

“I like learning why they do what they do, what they consider their speciality,” says Fair.

David Gardner, Winemaker at Bellview Winery, took note that many people were open not just to sampling wine, but learning about it, too. 

“I was impressed by how many people came to the NJ Wine Expo to taste and talk about New Jersey wine,” he says. “So many patrons were interested in what made each winery unique, and even though there were a lot of consumers, the event was not frantic, giving us a chance to educate them on what makes New Jersey wine special.”

Of course, sampling and education weren’t the only things happening. There was a lot of fun, too.

“I think consumers were having a great time,” says Zona. “There was a real buzz in the air as you walked around the room. Returning attendees were even going so far as to say they thought the wines were even better.”

From all reports, there’s plenty of evidence to declare that those who attended the 2025 NJ Wine Expo found more than good wine. “People came ready for a fun event, and it sounded like they had it,” says Zona.

Plans are already in the works for the 2026 NJ Wine Expo. Stay tuned for a date announcement.