History of New Jersey Wine in 1900

History of New Jersey Wine in 1900

New Jersey is one of the oldest wineries in America that is still in operation today. It wasn’t until the 1850s and 1860s that proper wine was grown in Vineland and Egg Harbor City, New Jersey.

By 1859, the agricultural society became organized and conducted tests on 40 different grape varieties to see which would survive the climate.

The Germans were the first to come and try their hand at viticulture, transforming the city from being almost non-existent to a city of German winemakers. Renault, the only one to produce champagne from grapes, came from Mareuil-sur-Ay, France, to Egg Harbor City and bought land in 1864.

Previous winemakers would use apples to create champagne because it was easier to achieve that sparkle. In 1900, wine production in the area peaked and eleven different wineries made 220,000 gallons of wine.^[1] Native red wines made New Jersey a special place in American wine growing.

Prohibition

Renault soon became a huge success, becoming the largest distributor of sparkling wine. He then sold his winery to the D’Agostino family who kept it alive and running throughout the period of Prohibition.

The government allowed the family to keep producing wine for sacramental and medicinal purposes. Renault Wine Tonic, a pharmaceutical product, was introduced. It had an alcohol content of 22% and was sold in drug stores.

The family skirted the government and put a secret label on their bottles that read, “do not chill the tonic, as it would turn into wine, which is illegal.” ^[2] The Prohibition was lifted in 1933 and is celebrated every December 5, known as Repeal Day.

Also read:

• Winemaking in the United States During Prohibition
• The Fall of the American Wine Industry and Rise of Illegal Winemaking

This Day in Wine History

1810 – Essex County, Newark, produced 300,000 gallons of applejack.

1840 – Newark became the center of trading sparkling cider.

1834 – There was a reduction in wineries due to a temperance movement, but 388 distilleries remained in New Jersey.

May 10 – November 10, 1876 – Hincke, a vintner, exhibited his wines at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition.

May 1 – November 10, 1878 – Hincke showcased his wine at the Paris Exposition, winning medals for Lohlink and Franklin wines.^[3]

1870 – There were approximately 800 acres of vineyard surrounding Egg Harbor City.

December 5, 1933 – Prohibition was finally lifted and is celebrated as Repeal Day.

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References

1. Martin, Shayla. 2018. How Prohibition Shaped American Wine Country. Dec 5. Accessed Feb 25, 2022. https://www.winemag.com/2018/12/05/prohibition-american-wine-country/.
2. n.d. Our Story. Accessed Feb 25, 2022. https://www.renaultwinery.com/our-story/.
3. Press, UC. n.d. A History of Wine in America. Accessed Feb 24, 2022. https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft967nb63q&chunk.id=d0e9742&toc.id=d0e9742&brand=ucpress.