Camden County Commissioners celebrated local agriculture and the area’s burgeoning wine industry last month with the fourth harvest of Chambourcin grapes at Saddlehill Winery in Voorhees. This year’s yield totaled nearly 7,000 pounds from the county vineyard, which spans a little over an acre.
“Camden County and the South Jersey region are steadily making a name for themselves in the international wine industry,” said Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli Jr. “We have seen exponential growth in agri-tourism, creating numerous jobs while boosting our local economy. It makes it even more exciting to know that our local wineries, such as Saddlehill, are using locally produced grapes to create delicious, quality wines.”
Saddlehill Winery opened last year and is located on the grounds of Stafford Farms, a protected area at the intersection of Evesham and White Horse roads. The winery sits on a 70-acre plot that features a state-of-the-art, 7,000-square-foot tasting room, a restaurant, a small-scale equine breeding operation and seasonal fruit harvests like strawberries and pumpkins. It also hosts tours.
“Now, with five wineries in the county and the growing industry drawing in more patrons, visitors and tourists, we are giving our entire local economy a boost through world-class winemaking,” Cappelli added.
Bill Green – the principal and owner of Saddlehill – expressed his enthusiasm for being part of New Jersey’s evolving wine scene.
“At Saddlehill, we’re blending history and innovation on land granted by George Washington himself,” he noted. “Our wines offer a unique taste of the Garden State’s heritage and potential. It’s exciting to see more people discovering the quality and diversity of New Jersey.”
The vineyard initiative was launched in 2019, when the commissioners sought to bolster the wine-making sector in the county. The vision was realized by re-purposing former fallow land. The Washington state company VineTech was contracted by the county to plant and maintain the vineyard. It is exclusively comprised of Chambourcin grapes, a popular hybrid variety known for dark coloring and a herbaceous aroma.
Devon Perry, executive director of the New Jersey Wine Growers Association, emphasized the importance of the county celebration.
“This year’s bountiful harvest is the perfect opportunity to announce the creation of New Jersey Wine Month, which will be celebrated annually throughout November by all Garden State wineries and vineyards,” he explained.
“We invite everyone to discover what New Jersey wineries have to offer.”
For more information, visit the New Jersey Wine Growers Association website at NewJerseyWines.com.
