Meet the Women Changing the New Jersey Wine Industry

The state seal of New Jersey, created in 1777, depicts Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture, holding a cornucopia overflowing with fruit grown in the state at that time. Most prominent are grapes. Today, more and more real women in the Garden State are raising grapes to prominence once more through wine growing, making, educating, and selling.

The state’s wine industry is booming—at last count there were more than 60 wineries and vineyards, many with tasting rooms, with more set to open in the next year—and the creative ferment has been highly welcoming to new talent. Women entering the industry are finding mentors, following in the footsteps of trailblazers, and discovering new programs to help them get started. They’re changing things rapidly themselves, too, as they join organizations and launch their own businesses. Here are just some of the leaders.