Grab a nice glass of red and cozy up at one of these awesome local wineries, or head to one of these awesome festivals kicking off in a SJ town near you this fall.

Grab your passport

If you’ve been looking explore SJ wineries, The Garden State Wine Growers Association has a win-win program for wine lovers – and it gives them gifts through the “Passport Program.” Grab a paper passport at a participating winery (or go digital with their app) and have it stamped at each local winery you visit. When the book is full, it can be mailed back to the association for a prize, like two tickets to a wine festival. But those who fill their passports are also eligible to win a grand prize, like a trip to sip wine somewhere exotic (one couple even won a trip through Portuguese wine country!).

Thursday Night Dinners at Valenzano Winery

Join Valenzano Family Winery every Thursday for dinner and a refreshing glass of wine. With dishes like a whipped ricotta board, stuffed gnocchi with crab, and blackened grouper, it’s a night to satisfy every appetite.

Cape May Wine and Music Fest

The two-day wine and music fest at Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery Oct. 6 & 7 will feature local music, wine tastings, a craft beer garden, street food vendors and more.

Fire Pit Fridays

Each Friday, you can enjoy a glass of wine and nibble on tapas while listening to live music from 6 to 9 pm at West Cape May’s Willow Creek Farm & Winery. When you’re finished, grab a seat outside by the fire pit and enjoy the vineyard sky.

Stafford Township Fall Wine Festival

Sample dozens of local wines along the lake in Manahawkin while enjoying live music and unique vendors on Oct. 13 & 14. Don’t forget to bring your chairs and blankets to sit on.

Grape Adventure
The eighth-annual Grape Adventure Wine and Food Festival from Nov. 4 to 5 at Six Flags Great Adventure is a unique way to enjoy some local wines while having fun at this classic South Jersey theme park.