New Jersey's largest wine region: maritime climate and sandy soils from the Pine Barrens to Cape May. Updated for 2026.
The Outer Coastal Plain is New Jersey's largest and most important wine region, a sprawling, roughly 2.25-million-acre AVA (approved in 2007) that covers the southern third of the state from the Pine Barrens down to Cape May. Its warm, maritime climate, tempered by the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay, and its sandy, well-drained soils give it a genuinely distinctive growing environment, closer in feel to parts of the maritime European coast than to the rest of the Northeast. This is where New Jersey wine runs deepest: Tomasello in Hammonton dates to 1933, and today the AVA is home to the state's quality leader, William Heritage, acclaimed for sparkling and Chardonnay, along with Bordeaux-focused pioneers and a cluster of scenic Cape May estates. It is an easy region to tour from Philadelphia or the Jersey Shore.
Below are the Outer Coastal Plain wineries we recommend most, from the state's quality leader to historic pioneers and scenic Cape May estates. Current as of October 2026.
The AVA's quality leader
A family estate in Mullica Hill, William Heritage is the Outer Coastal Plain's standout, known for traditional-method sparkling wines, well-regarded Chardonnay, and Bordeaux varieties. A founding Winemakers Co-op member and one of New Jersey's finest producers.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Mullica Hill.
Our tip: Taste the traditional-method sparkling and Chardonnay; the AVA's quality leader.
New Jersey's oldest (1933)
Founded in Hammonton in 1933, Tomasello is New Jersey's oldest continuously operated winery and the historic heart of the Outer Coastal Plain, a large producer with a very broad range from dry vinifera to popular fruit wines and sparkling.
Good to know: Tastings; winery. Hammonton.
Our tip: Taste where Jersey wine history runs deepest; the state's oldest winery.
Bordeaux-focused Atco pioneer
A pioneering Atco estate where founder Louis Caracciolo planted vines in 1976, Amalthea grows around fifteen varieties and focuses on Bordeaux-style blends (its Europa), Cabernet Franc, and even Rkatsiteli, a serious, long-running Outer Coastal Plain producer.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Atco.
Our tip: Taste the Europa Bordeaux blend and Cabernet Franc; a serious OCP pioneer.
A lively, award-winning estate
An award-winning South Jersey estate, Sharrott pairs a well-made range with live music and a scratch kitchen, a hospitable, crowd-friendly stop that has become one of the Outer Coastal Plain's most popular destinations.
Good to know: Tastings, music, and food; estate. South Jersey.
Our tip: Pair a tasting with live music and the scratch kitchen; lively and popular.
Wine, pizza, and gelato
A welcoming Pilesgrove estate in Salem County, Auburn Road pairs award-winning wines with wood-fired pizza and gelato in a relaxed, village-like setting, a hospitable, food-friendly Outer Coastal Plain stop.
Good to know: Tastings and food; estate. Pilesgrove / Salem County.
Our tip: Pair a tasting with the pizza and gelato; relaxed and food-friendly.
Cape May sparkling ambition
Established in 2008 on Wuerker family land near Rio Grande, Hawk Haven anchors the Cape May corner of the Outer Coastal Plain, a family-run estate with growing ambitions in sparkling wine and a welcoming, quality-minded tasting room.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Rio Grande / Cape May County.
Our tip: Taste the estate range and sparkling near Cape May; family-run and ambitious.
A scenic Cape May estate
A scenic 40-acre farm winery in West Cape May that opened to the public in 2012, Willow Creek pairs estate wines with one of the Shore's prettiest settings, a relaxed, popular stop near the beach towns at the state's southern tip.
Good to know: Tastings and tours; estate. West Cape May.
Our tip: Taste the estate wines in a scenic Cape May setting; relaxed and pretty.
An established Cape May producer
A longtime estate on Town Bank Road near Cape May, Cape May Winery pours an estate range in the maritime, sandy-soiled southern corner of the Outer Coastal Plain, a well-established stop for a day combining wine with the Cape May beaches.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Cape May.
Our tip: Taste the estate range near the Cape May beaches; established and convenient.
The Outer Coastal Plain spreads across a big area, so it helps to pick a pocket. The Hammonton and Atco area in the north-central Pine Barrens holds historic names (Tomasello, Amalthea), while Mullica Hill and the Salem County side to the west have William Heritage and Auburn Road, both easy from Philadelphia. The Cape May cluster at the southern tip (Hawk Haven, Willow Creek, Cape May Winery) pairs naturally with a Shore trip. Plan three or four stops in one pocket, mix a serious tasting with a food-and-music estate, and visit spring through fall; summer brings Shore crowds, so the wineries make a good midday break from the beach.
Do not try to span the whole AVA in a day; it is large, so pick the Hammonton pocket, the Mullica Hill side, or the Cape May cluster. Do not assume it is all casual party wine, the region's best estates (William Heritage, Amalthea) make serious, nationally noticed wine. And do not overlook the sparkling, the Outer Coastal Plain is leading New Jersey's rise in traditional-method bubbles.
What is the Outer Coastal Plain known for?
Being New Jersey's largest and most important wine region. Approved as an AVA in 2007 and covering about 2.25 million acres across southern New Jersey, its warm maritime climate (moderated by the Atlantic and Delaware Bay) and sandy soils suit a wide range of grapes. It is home to the state's quality leader, William Heritage (known for sparkling and Chardonnay), the historic Tomasello, and a scenic cluster of Cape May estates.
Which Outer Coastal Plain wineries should I visit?
Standouts include the quality-leading William Heritage (Mullica Hill), the historic Tomasello (Hammonton, since 1933), the pioneering, Bordeaux-focused Amalthea Cellars (Atco), the lively Sharrott, the food-friendly Auburn Road (Pilesgrove), and the Cape May cluster of Hawk Haven, Willow Creek, and Cape May Winery.
Where is the Outer Coastal Plain AVA?
It covers the southern third of New Jersey, from the Pine Barrens down to Cape May, including Hammonton, Atco, Mullica Hill, Salem County, and the Cape May peninsula. It is an easy region to tour from Philadelphia (for the western and Pine Barrens pockets) or from the Jersey Shore (for the Cape May cluster).
What grapes grow in the Outer Coastal Plain?
A wide range, thanks to the warm maritime climate and sandy soils. The region produces serious Chardonnay and traditional-method sparkling (William Heritage), Bordeaux varieties like Cabernet Franc and Merlot (Amalthea's Europa blend), and many other vinifera, alongside popular fruit wines at larger producers like Tomasello. The maritime influence gives the AVA a distinctive, coastal-leaning character.
Is the Outer Coastal Plain good for a trip from Philadelphia or the Shore?
Yes. The western and Pine Barrens pockets (Mullica Hill, Hammonton, Salem County) are an easy day from Philadelphia, while the Cape May cluster (Hawk Haven, Willow Creek, Cape May Winery) pairs naturally with a Jersey Shore visit. Pick one pocket, plan three or four stops, and the wineries make a relaxed break from the beach in summer.
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