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By Marissa Muoio - February 13, 2025
For years, New Jersey’s wine industry has fought for recognition, often overshadowed by the heavyweights of California and France. But now, thanks to a bold move by The Lobby Club in Trenton, New Jersey, wines are taking center stage—proving that local bottles belong in the same conversation as world-renowned vintages. The Atlantic Wine Project (AWP), founded by Patrick Harney, has partnered with The Lobby Club, an exclusive, membership-based, white-tablecloth establishment in Trenton’s capital district, to showcase wines that capture New Jersey’s distinct character. Under the leadership of General Manager Michael Haelig, the club made a decisive shift, replacing its entire wine inventory with selections from Jardin and Bellview Winery. |
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Click to hear Patrick on Trenton Waves!
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The idea? “It only made sense that NJ wines should be enjoyed while breaking bread over the business of our state,” Haelig explained.
A Bold Bet On Local Terroir This move isn’t just a novelty—it’s a statement. For years, New Jersey wines have struggled for respect, often bypassed by distributors who prioritize the more familiar labels from Napa or Bordeaux. But as Harney and his team know, the state’s coastal terroir and distinct soil produce wines that can hold their own. Expression of Place On a recent episode of the Trenton Waves podcast, with hosts Frank and Christina Sasso, Harney discussed this exact point over a tasting of Jardin White paired with oysters from the Barnegat Oyster Coop and a Jardin Red served alongside The Lobby Club’s signature short ribs. “The Sassos were blown away by the genuine expression of place in these wines,” Harney shared. |
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The Jardin White is a racy blend based on Cayuga, a variety that thrives in NJ’s sandy soils, and the Jardin Red is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Chambourcin, and Blaufrankisch, all of whom find their happy place here in New Jersey.
The Barnegat Oyster Collective, one of the State’s premier destinations for locally farmed seafood, chose the Jardin line and Bellview wines as the perfect complement to New Jersey’s homegrown oysters. The conversation touched on more than just taste. Harney dove into the history of wine mapping—comparing New Jersey’s evolving industry to the meticulous work of Burgundian monks, who centuries ago mapped out vineyards based on the subtle differences in soil and climate. “They took impeccable notes on flowering, fruit set, and ripening,” Harney explained, “and over time, they figured out which plots made the best wines. We’re doing the same thing in New Jersey.” |
Click to hear Patrick on Trenton Waves!
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A Shift In Perception
Despite growing acclaim, New Jersey wines still face an uphill battle. Harney notes visits to a number of Farm to Table restaurants in North Jersey with “Not one Jersey wine on the list,” he noted. “Everything was California and France. Why is farm-to-table dining so popular, but local wine isn’t?” The stigma, Harney suggests, comes down to marketing and distribution. For years, big distributors have controlled what gets placed on restaurant wine lists, prioritizing mass-market brands over small, independent wineries. “At the end of the day, I want to be the guy bringing the best wine to the table—whatever it is, at an affordable price point,” Harney said. “Some of it is empirical. Some of it is just… you know it when you taste it.”
Jersey Wines at the Table Where It Matters
With The Lobby Club embracing homegrown vintages, the perception of New Jersey wines is shifting. And the momentum is building with industry insiders—from statehouse officials to wine enthusiasts—experiencing these bottles firsthand. “This is terroir in the making,” Harney said. “It’s the interaction of people, soil, and climate, saying: ‘This is us.’” As AWP and The Lobby Club continue to push boundaries, one thing is clear—New Jersey wines aren’t just worthy of a seat at the table. They’re here to stay.
For more information on The Atlantic Wine Project or The Lobby Club, contact:
Patrick Harney – [email protected]
Despite growing acclaim, New Jersey wines still face an uphill battle. Harney notes visits to a number of Farm to Table restaurants in North Jersey with “Not one Jersey wine on the list,” he noted. “Everything was California and France. Why is farm-to-table dining so popular, but local wine isn’t?” The stigma, Harney suggests, comes down to marketing and distribution. For years, big distributors have controlled what gets placed on restaurant wine lists, prioritizing mass-market brands over small, independent wineries. “At the end of the day, I want to be the guy bringing the best wine to the table—whatever it is, at an affordable price point,” Harney said. “Some of it is empirical. Some of it is just… you know it when you taste it.”
Jersey Wines at the Table Where It Matters
With The Lobby Club embracing homegrown vintages, the perception of New Jersey wines is shifting. And the momentum is building with industry insiders—from statehouse officials to wine enthusiasts—experiencing these bottles firsthand. “This is terroir in the making,” Harney said. “It’s the interaction of people, soil, and climate, saying: ‘This is us.’” As AWP and The Lobby Club continue to push boundaries, one thing is clear—New Jersey wines aren’t just worthy of a seat at the table. They’re here to stay.
For more information on The Atlantic Wine Project or The Lobby Club, contact:
Patrick Harney – [email protected]
