Harvest Season in the Garden State
The Last Grapes Harvested in New Jersey: A Look at Late-Season Reds. In New Jersey, it’s not just about pumpkin patches and apple cider — it’s also when vineyards across the state come alive with the excitement of grape harvest season. From Cape May to Hunterdon County, winemakers spend weeks gathering fruit that will soon become next year’s bottles of local wine.
But not all grapes ripen at the same pace. Some are ready by the end of summer, while others hang on until late October, soaking up the last of the fall sunshine. These late-ripening red grapes are often the final picks of the season, and they produce some of New Jersey’s most expressive wines.
When Does Harvest Happen in New Jersey?
Harvest in New Jersey usually begins in late August with early-ripening white grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio. These varieties ripen quickly and are often picked before cooler nights set in.
By contrast, the state’s red wine grapes — which need more warmth and sunshine to develop flavor — are often left on the vine for several extra weeks. By late October, many New Jersey wineries are typically bringing in the last of their fruit, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Blaufränkisch.
Late-Season Red Grapes in New Jersey
🍷 Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the latest-ripening grapes grown in New Jersey. It thrives in the longer, warmer growing season of the Cape May Peninsula, where cool ocean breezes and sandy soils help the fruit mature slowly and evenly.
The result is a bold, structured red wine with rich flavors of blackcurrant, cedar, and spice.
🍷 Merlot
Merlot is another late-season favorite. It can hang on the vine until October, benefiting from extra sunshine and ripening time. In New Jersey, Merlot often produces smooth, medium-bodied wines with soft tannins and notes of plum, cherry, and cocoa.
🍷 Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc is known for its bright fruit flavors and herbal aromas, and in some New Jersey vineyards, it can be harvested as late as late October. Winemakers prize it for its balance and versatility — it performs well both on its own and in Bordeaux-style blends.
🍷 Petit Verdot
Petit Verdot is a deep-colored, full-bodied grape that ripens even later than many of the others. It’s often used in blends to add structure and intensity, though several New Jersey wineries now bottle it on its own. Because it matures so late, it’s one of the final red grapes harvested each year.
🍷 Blaufränkisch
Blaufränkisch (sometimes called Lemberger) is another red variety that is often harvested in the fall months. It’s gaining popularity in New Jersey, especially at vineyards that embrace cooler-climate reds. The wines are vibrant and food-friendly — perfect for autumn meals.
What Affects When Grapes Are Harvested?
While the calendar gives a general guide, the exact timing of harvest depends on several key factors:
🍇 Grape Variety
Each grape ripens on its own schedule. White grapes like Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio mature earlier, while reds such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot need more time to reach full ripeness.
🌤️ Growing Conditions
The microclimate of each vineyard — including temperature, rainfall, sunlight, and soil — plays a huge role in determining when grapes are ready. Vineyards in southern New Jersey, especially near Cape May, often enjoy longer, warmer seasons that allow late varieties to ripen beautifully.
🌿 Winemaker’s Decision
Sometimes the choice to pick later is intentional. Letting grapes hang longer can lead to richer flavors and higher sugar levels, but it also comes with risks — rain, frost, or wildlife can damage the fruit.
Visit These Featured New Jersey Wineries
If you’re exploring New Jersey wine country and interested in seeing late-harvest grapes in action, check out these standout vineyards:
Located in Landisville, southern New Jersey, Bellview Winery is a family-owned estate growing more than 30 varieties of grapes, including some of the late-ripening reds. Their estate location in the Outer Coastal Plain AVA gives them the kind of growing season that suits late-ripening varieties like Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Brook Hollow Winery & Event Facility
This family farm winery in Warren County overlooks the Delaware Water Gap and cultivates grapes in a cooler northern-New Jersey climate, which can influence harvest timing. It’s a great place to experience how microclimate affects late-ripening reds in a different part of the state.
Located in Hunterdon County along the Delaware River, Federal Twist Vineyard is a boutique family-run operation selecting grape varieties suited for New Jersey’s fall conditions. A nice stop to explore how smaller vineyards handle late-season picks and craft red wines.
Why Late Harvest Matters
Waiting for the perfect moment to harvest is part science and part art. Those final weeks of hang time can make the difference between good and great wine. Late-harvest reds tend to be:
Richer in flavor and color, more balanced in acidity and tannin, better suited for aging
That’s why the last grapes off the vine are often the most exciting ones to watch — and taste.
Final Thoughts
The last grapes harvested each year in New Jersey mark the grand finale of the growing season — a celebration of patience, timing, and craftsmanship.
From the bold Cabernet Sauvignon of Cape May to the spicy Blaufränkisch of northern vineyards, these late-ripening reds capture the true character of New Jersey’s diverse wine regions.
So the next time you pour a glass of local red, take a moment to appreciate those final grapes of October — the ones that stayed on the vine just a little longer to bring you something truly special.
Which late New Jersey harvested varietals do you enjoy? Leave a comment below and please like and share.
