(HADDONFIELD, NJ) -- Garden State Wine Growers Association, a coalition of 60+ New Jersey wineries and vineyards supporting the Garden State's wine industry through information, resources, and advocacy, will host a weekend filled with Valentine's Day-themed events from February 13-15, 2026. The New Jersey Wine & Chocolate Trail Weekend will offer wine tastings, artisanal chocolates, live music, and more.
"In anticipation of Valentine's Day, New Jersey's wineries are getting ready with wine, chocolate, and romantic experiences," shared Devon Perry, Executive Director of the Garden State Wine Growers Association. "Our website, NewJerseyWines, offers the perfect tool to plan your journey and capture your memorable experiences. Follow us across social media and sign up for our weekly newsletter, In the Vines, to get a taste for what Garden State wineries have planned for you, your loved ones, and friends this Valentine's Day season."
With over 60 wineries and vineyards in four distinct American Viticultural Areas, there’s a New Jersey winery within less than an hour’s drive for residents of the Garden State. The four American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) are the Warren Hills AVA, the Cape May Peninsula AVA, the Central Delaware Valley AVA, and the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. Vineyards across New Jersey grow more than 80 grape varieties, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Albarino, and Chardonnay. New Jersey’s wineries also produce a wide array of fruit wines, and New Jersey is one of the top producers of wine in the country.
"Chocolate and wine—a love story as rich and timeless as the first sip and the last bite. Salem Oak Vineyards is offering four chocolate-dipped strawberries, each perfectly curated with four of our award-winning wines for a truly indulgent tasting experience. Join us for a mouthwatering experience—your taste buds will thank you!" said Julia-Marie Cassiday, owner of Salem Oak Vineyards.
"What better way to share the love of wine & chocolate than to provide a limited production release of our Cocoa Current Wine. This will surely sweeten the day! Chocolate & Wine pairings throughout the day to heighten the experience. Love is in the air ... It's always in the air with Team Cream Ridge," said Cream Ridge Winery owner Jerry Amabile.
Explore a Sampling of NJ Wineries Planning Something Special for the Wine and Chocolate Trail
The basics of each winery's Wine and Chocolate Trail Weekend pairings and events are here.
Stokelan Winery: Enjoy a 6-wine pairing flight with 6 chocolates from the local chocolatiers at Reily’s Candy in Medford.
Terhune Orchards: Enjoy a special pairing of Terhune wines paired with chocolate from Pierre’s Chocolates of New Hope, PA.
Saddlehill Winery: A knowledgeable wine ambassador will guide you through a curated wine & chocolate pairing experience of Saddlehill’s wines and four gourmet chocolates from Mecha in Haddonfield.
Rebel Sheep Wine Co.: Indulge in free chocolate with every wine flight over the weekend.
Old York Cellars: Choose a guided pairing of sparkling wines with handcrafted chocolates, available as a standalone guided tasting or as an add-on to your Valentine’s visit.
Bellview Winery: Enjoy special chocolate flights, cheese and chocolate boards, special wine cocktails, red wine hot chocolate, live music, a food truck, and more.
Cape May Winery: Winemaker Jackson leads pairings of four red wines paired with locally crafted chocolate.
William Heritage Winery: Choose from a dry wine pairing or a sweet wine pairing with chocolates chosen for each from Mecha Chocolates at both Heritage’s Mullica Hill location and its tasting room in Haddonfield.
Valenzano Winery: Enjoy a curated flight of decadent desserts, each thoughtfully paired with a complementary wine to enhance every flavor.
You didn’t expect New Jersey’s wineries to stop at just wine and chocolate pairings, did you? Many of the state's wineries are hosting additional experiences—workshops, dinners, and brunches on Valentine’s weekend and the week leading up to it. Why not hit up more than one winery during this season of love!
The Garden State Wine Growers Association is a non-profit organization of New Jersey-based wineries, vineyards and allied businesses. It serves as a centralized information repository, resource and clearing house for industry members, and offers a unified voice advocating for issues important to the entire range of New Jersey winery and vineyard operations. Central to this mission are efforts toward branding, marketing, public relations, education, and legislation and regulation for the furtherance of the vineyard and wine industries in the Garden State.
