Check out Saddlehill Cellars: wine, food & one very special horse. A horse is a horse, of course… but at Saddlehill, there’s also wine, food, and views that make it a must-visit. Located in Voorhees, NJ, this stunning winery sits on the historic Stafford family farm, dating back to the Revolutionary War. Amy & Bill Green have turned it into the perfect blend of vineyard, pasture, restaurant, and charm. Saddlehill: More Than Just a Winery You’ve heard the phrase, “a horse is a horse, of course”? Well, at Saddlehill, a horse is a horse — but with wine and food involved. That horse is Marley, and seeing Marley and friends grazing in the pasture while sipping on a crisp white made me feel like I was on a country ranch. Honestly, Saddlehill is the kind of place you didn’t know you were missing — and now, I can’t stop telling people to go. But beyond the charming horses and relaxing vineyard views, this place has serious roots. Thanks to Amy and Bill Green, it’s now a stunning blend of preserved New Jersey history and modern enjoyment. They’ve taken great care to honor the farm’s heritage while building a space that’s warm, welcoming, and worth the trip. A Tasting to Remember (Even If You’re Not a Wine Enthusiast) We signed up for a guided tasting, and our tasting guide, Lisa, was fantastic — super knowledgeable, friendly, and open to questions. You get to pick six wines from the menu, perfect for someone like me who likes to dabble in new varietals. I started with a red, tried a rosé, moved to a white, and even ended with a mead (which I didn’t expect to like, but did). I won’t tell you which ones were my favorites, because the fun part is discovering your own. But I will say: I now understand why people get excited about wine tastings. It’s not about being fancy — it’s about finding what you like, while enjoying good company and even better views. The Restaurant: Come Hungry Let’s talk about the restaurant, because wow. Whether you’re ordering small plates to share or going full-on entree mode, the food is next-level. We sat inside the ranch-style dining room, but the outdoor patio was tempting — shaded, peaceful, and overlooking the vineyard and the animals. Everything we tried was fresh, beautifully made, and honestly just delicious. This isn’t one of those places that leans on the “winery vibe” and forgets about the food. Saddlehill delivers on both fronts. And Then There’s Marley… One of the absolute highlights of the day? Meeting Marley up close. Marley is more than just a horse — Marley is the heart and soul of Saddlehill. Friendly, calm, and adored by everyone who works there, Marley adds a whole extra layer of charm to the experience. And yes, we took a few selfies. Final Thoughts: Even If You Don’t Know Wine, Go If you’re like me and don’t speak fluent “wine,” don’t worry. Saddlehill Cellars isn’t about being an expert — it’s about enjoying yourself. Between the beautiful setting, the thoughtful wines, the incredible food, and the four-legged hosts in the pasture, this place has something for everyone. So whether you’re a wine snob, a wine newbie, or just someone looking for a great day trip, Saddlehill is a must-visit.

How New Jersey Weather Affects the Wine (From Someone Who’s Just Figuring It Out) Okay, so I’m not a wine expert—not even close. But after visiting a few local wineries and asking a bunch of questions, I learned that the weather in New Jersey plays a big part in how the wine turns out. I never thought about that before, but it makes sense once you hear it. Warm Days + Cool Nights = Happy Grapes New Jersey summers get pretty warm, which helps grapes grow and ripen. But what’s important (and something I didn’t know) is that the cool nights help the grapes hold on to their acidity. That gives wine a nice, balanced taste—so it’s not just sweet or sour, but kind of fresh and flavorful. The Ocean Helps, Too A lot of New Jersey’s wine country is pretty close to the ocean, especially down south in the Outer Coastal Plains AVA. That helps keep the temperatures more steady—so it doesn’t get too hot during the day or too cold at night. This kind of “stable” weather is great for growing grapes without stressing the plants out too much. The Tricky Part: Rain and Humidity Here’s where it gets a little harder. New Jersey is more humid than places like California, which means vineyards have to be careful. Too much rain, especially late in the season, can mess with the grapes and make them more prone to rot or mold. But the winemakers here seem to know how to handle it—with special pruning and good timing during harvest. So What? Turns out the climate does shape the wine. And now, when I drink a glass of Jersey wine, I can kind of appreciate that there’s a whole lot of weather and timing behind every bottle—even if I still can’t pronounce half the grape names. Here’s a few places to try if you’re up for a tasting or two. Brook Hollow Winery Beneduce Vineyards Willow Creek Winery Hawk Haven Vineyard Cedar Rose Vineyard Auburn Road Vineyards Angelico Winery

New Jersey Makes Good Wine—And This Grape Is a Big Deal So you know how California and France are, like, the big names for wine? Well, New Jersey is making some pretty legit wine, too. I had no idea, but I just learned that Cabernet Franc (yeah, I had to Google how to pronounce it) is one of the top grapes grown here, and apparently, it’s kind of a big deal. Why This Grape Works So Well Here So, Cabernet Franc is kind of like the “cooler older sibling” of Cabernet Sauvignon—less heavy, a little smoother, and good for New Jersey’s climate. The weather here has warm summers but also nice cool autumns, which helps the grapes ripen just right without getting too sweet or too tart. Plus, this grape is pretty tough—it can handle the cold and doesn’t get sick as easily as some other grapes. What Does It Even Taste Like? If you’re like me and mostly just pick wine based on the label design, here’s what you should know about Cabernet Franc: • It’s got a nice mix of red fruit flavors—like raspberries, cherries, and maybe even cranberries. • It sometimes has this kind of herby, almost peppery vibe—like when you smell fresh-cut grass or a little bit of spice. • There’s also this earthy thing going on—some people say it reminds them of black tea or cedar wood. It’s not too heavy but not too light, so it’s super easy to drink. And it goes well with a ton of different foods—steak, pasta, cheese, whatever. Where Can You Try It? If you ever want to check it out, some wineries in New Jersey are good at making Cabernet Franc. A few that people rave about are: • Bellview Winery (Landisville, NJ) – They make a bold, fruity version. • Unionville Vineyards (Ringoes, NJ) – Their wine is smooth and a little spicy. • Working Dog Winery (Robbinsville, NJ) – Their Cabernet Franc is well-balanced and easy to drink. Most of these places let you do tastings, so you can try a few different wines without committing to a whole bottle (which is great if you have no idea what you like). Here’s a Cabernet Franc from Brook Hollow Winery that I love. The Bottom Line New Jersey might not be the first place you think of for wine, but apparently, it’s killing it with Cabernet Franc. If you’re looking for something new to try, especially a red that isn’t too intense, this could be a solid pick. Worst case? You get to feel fancy talking about “terroir” and “notes of raspberry” at your next dinner party. Have you ever had Cabernet Franc? If so, what did you think? It’s one of my personal favorites.

Alright, I’ll admit it—when I used to think about wine, I just assumed all the good stuff came from California. Napa Valley, Sonoma, all those fancy wine regions, right? But then I started learning about New Jersey wines, and it turns out they’re pretty legit.