Frost Bite: North Jersey Vineyards Face “100% Loss” After Spring Freeze Devastates 2026 Crop
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
The rolling hills of North Jersey’s wine country are facing a heartbreaking setback this week. A sudden, deep freeze on the night of April 20th has left local vintners reeling, as plummeting temperatures decimated newly sprouted buds across the region’s most prestigious vineyards.
From the Warren Hills AVA down to the Cape May Peninsula, “Mother Nature applied an even hand,” leaving many growers with a fraction of their expected 2026 harvest.
“I Lost 100% of My Buds”: The Scale of the Damage
The damage was swift and severe. In Columbia (Warren County), the mercury hit a brutal 24 degrees around 6:00 AM—a temperature far too low for tender spring growth to survive.
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Brook Hollow Winery: Owner Paul Ritter reported a staggering 100% loss of his primary buds. Beyond the dead leaves, the winery is dealing with split canes, a structural injury caused when the sap inside the vine freezes and expands.
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Villa Milagro Vineyard: Located in Finesville, owner Steve Gambino saw temperatures drop to 28 degrees. While slightly warmer than the northern tip of the county, it was still cold enough to wipe out over 80% of his crop.
A Statewide Agricultural Crisis
This wasn’t just a local frost; it was a statewide event. Audrey Cross, owner of Villa Milagro and a board member of the Garden State Wine Growers Association, confirmed that the devastation stretched from the rolling hills of the north to the flatlands and coastal regions of South Jersey.
“Vineyards in the entire state suffered,” says Cross. “From the tip of Cape May to those of us in the northern counties, no one was spared.”
What Happens Next? The Search for Secondary Buds
As the frost clears, vineyard owners are entering a waiting game. Grapevines have a natural “Plan B” called secondary buds. While these will eventually push through to replace the dead primaries, they are significantly less fruitful.
The result? A much smaller yield for the 2026 vintage. While the quality may still be high, the sheer volume of New Jersey wine produced this year will be a fraction of its usual output.
How You Can Support New Jersey Wine
There is a silver lining for wine lovers. Because 2025 was a bumper crop year, local tasting rooms are currently stocked with exceptional vintages.
“Our stockpile of prior vintages and the 2025 crop will carry us through,” notes Cross. The best way to help these small businesses recover is simple: buy and drink local. Visiting a tasting room in the Warren Hills AVA or the Outer Coastal Plain this spring provides the vital cash flow these farmers need to repair the damage and prepare for next year.
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