Your Fall Guide to Visiting Farms & Vineyards

Head to farm country for a season of harvest fun.

Alba Vineyard in Warren County. Photo by Matt Rainey

Alba Vineyard

269 Riegelsville Warren Glen, Milford; 908-995-7800

Alba’s 93-acre estate, located in the rolling hills of Warren County, is primarily focused on producing pinot noir, Dijon clone chardonnay and riesling. The vineyard, founded in 1982, also has plantings of gewurztraminer, cabernet Franc, pinot gris and more. Try the wine by the glass, bottle or wine flight, along with menu items including wood-fired pizza, salads and charcuterie at the winery’s outdoor Arbor (weather permitting), open through November 8. Walk-in seating is available for groups up to four people; reservations required for larger parties. The Arbor offers live music on weekends. Arbor hours: Monday-Thursday, noon-4 pm; Friday, noon-9 pm; Saturday, 11 am-6 pm; Sunday, 11 am-5 pm.—Shea Swenson

Alstede Farms

1 Alstede Farms Lane, Chester; 908-258-6245

Family run and founded in 1982, Alstede’s 600 acres produce fruits, vegetables and flowers. Visitors can purchase all at the farm or pick themselves. Fall at the farm features daily pick-your-own apples and pumpkins, as well as an 8-acre corn maze. Kids can enjoy pony rides, wagon-train rides and farm-animal visits. For adults, wine tastings by Tomasello Winery are available in the outdoor courtyard by reservation. On-site eats include a doughnut and ice cream stand, as well as the Hen House food truck. Buy advance tickets to the attractions on the farm’s website to guarantee admission.—Shea Swenson

Battleview Orchards

91 Wemrock Road, Freehold; 732-462-0756

Battleview Orchards Country Market and Bakery offers you-pick apples and pumpkins; dates can be viewed online. Hayrides are typically offered each weekend; check the website to confirm 2020 availability. The country market features fresh baked goods and fruit gift baskets. Country market hours: Wednesday-Monday, 9 am-6 pm.—Royal Thomas II

Duffield’s Farm

280 Chapel Heights Road, Sewell; 856-589-7090

Family owned and operated, Duffield’s Farm offers fresh produce and baked goods in its market store. Fall events include apple and pumpkin picking, plus Saturday hayrides around the farm. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 am-6 pm.—Royal Thomas II

Giamarese Farm & Orchards

155 Fresh Ponds Road, East Brunswick; 732-821-9494

The Giamarese Family’s 35-acre farm has been in operation since 1941. The farm offers hayrides and a corn maze. Pick-your-own experiences include pumpkins, mums and corn stalks. Visitors must arrive at least one hour prior to closing for pick-your-own. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-6 pm; Sunday, 10 am-3 pm.—Royal Thomas II

Hacklebarney Farm & Cider Mill

104 State Park Road, Chester; 908-879-6593

In addition to a shop and bakery housed in Hacklebarney’s 1850s farmhouse, this farm offers you-pick pumpkins, a twisty corn maze and cider-pressing demonstrations on weekends throughout the fall season. Order some freshly pressed cider to wash down apple-cider doughnuts, crumbles, pies and even hot dogs offered at the hot-dog stand (weekends only). Hacklebarney is dog friendly; guests are encouraged to bring their leashed four-legged friends to enjoy a day at the farm. Hours: Thursday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm.—Shea Swenson

Hill Creek Farms

1631 State Highway 45, Mullica Hill; 856-223-0028

This family-friendly South Jersey farm offers kids’ activities, including barrel-train rides and gem mining. Hill Creek also offers you-pick pumpkins and apples, featuring 20 apple varieties. On Saturdays and Sundays, reservations are required to limit crowds; for reservations, e-mail [email protected] or visit hillcreekfarms.com. Open Friday, 8:30 am-5:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8 am-5:30 pm.—Royal Thomas II

Johnson’s Corner

133 Church Road, Medford; 609-654-8643

Johnson’s Corner Farm offers fall field trips for apple and pumpkin picking. Live music is available on fall festival weekends. Family-friendly activities include gem mining, a corn maze and a food tent. In the Discovery Barnyard, kids can ride go-karts, see farm animals and more. The farm market is open daily, 8 am-7 pm; check website for event schedule.—Royal Thomas II

Lentini Farms in Sussex County. Photo by Laura Baer

Lentini Farms

251 High Street, Newton; 973-579-2424

Open through the end of October, Lentini Farm’s main attraction is a themed corn maze. This year’s theme is Jersey Strong. Tall stalks of corn will be carved into the shape of the state, each county outlined. The farm offers haunted hayrides (Fridays and Saturdays, 7-10 pm), in addition to you-pick pumpkins, daytime hayrides, a hay maze and food concessions. Visit Lentini’s Facebook page for updates on occasional live-music offerings. Hours: Friday, 5-10 pm; Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; and Sunday 10 am-6 pm.—Shea Swenson

Melick’s Town Farm

170 Oldwick Road, Oldwick; 908-439-2318

Melick’s Town farm has four locations, each with its own unique activities. Visit the farm market in Oldwick or Bridgewater (351 Route 28) for farm-fresh produce. Head for the cider mill and Orchards in Oldwick (19 King Street) to pick your own apples and pumpkins. Finally, stop by Califon Orchards (472 Route 513, Califon) for fall activities, including a kids’ grass maze. Horse-drawn wagon rides are available most weekends and holidays at Califon Orchards, and visitors can also interact with farm animals (pigs, chickens and goats). Hours vary by location; visit melickstownfarm.com. Reservations are required for pick-your-own produce experiences.—Royal Thomas II

Norz Hill Farm & Market

120 S Branch Road, Hillsborough; 908-371-2697

The Norz Hill Farm is running its annual fall festival through November 7. Take a ride to the pumpkin patch and pick your own pumpkin, or challenge your wits at the annual corn maze. For the brave, the Scare Farm offers three haunted attractions, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October 31 at 6:30 pm. More details available at scarefarm.com. Check the farm’s website for latest store hours.—Royal Thomas II

Ort Farms

25 Bartley Road, Long Valley; 908-876-3351

This 400-acre Morris County farm offers hayrides to a pick-your-own pumpkin patch, a giant corn maze, hay pyramid and farm animal area throughout the week during the fall. Weekend events included train rides, monster truck rides and pony rides, as well as an apple cannon. This season, the farm will be using a reservation system for weekend activities. The onsite farm store sells seasonal favorites like apple cider and freshly baked pies, plus local produce and dairy items. Farm store hours: Monday-Saturday, 8 am-7 pm; Sunday, 8 am-6 pm.—Shea Swenson

Pochuck Valley Farms

962 County Road 517, Glenwood; 973-764-4732

Visitors at this 108-year-old farm can pick their own apples and pears seasonally or shop from the ample offerings at the year-round Deli Farm Market and Bakery. Fresh produce at the market includes apples, zucchini, squash and potatoes. At the bakery, customers can choose among homemade pies, doughnuts and specialty items. Market hours: Monday-Friday 6 am-6 pm; Saturday, 6 am-5 pm; Sunday 6 am-3 pm.—Shea Swenson

Riamede Farm

122 Oakdale Road, Chester; 908-879-7762

This old-fashioned orchard has been offering pick-your-own produce to the public since 1974. Half of Riamede’s 68 acres are dedicated to nurturing apple trees planted half a century ago. Visitors can roam the orchard and pick from 40 varieties of apples, depending on what is ripe. The farm store offers apple cider donuts along with assorted jarred and canned products. This season, a pass is required for entry. To guarantee access, Riamede encourages visitors to reserve their passes in advance at the website. Hours: Daily, 9 am-4:30 pm.—Shea Swenson

Sun High Orchards

19 Canfield Avenue, Randolph; 973-584-4734

The first fruit tree was planted at Sun High Orchard’s 25 acres back in 1945. This season, Sun High offers you-pick apples and pumpkins, plus a range of fresh produce at the farm market. Hayrides are available on the weekends, and visitors can meet Sun High’s animals, including goats, a mini donkey and an alpaca named Jersey Gold. Call to book farm tours in advance. Open daily, 10 am-5 pm.—Shea Swenson

Terhune Orchards

330 Cold Soil Road, Princeton; 609-924-2310

A popular you-pick destination, the 200-acre Terhune operation raises a variety of fruit and vegetables. The farm store offers seasonal favorites like apple cider donuts (available year round). Schedule a visit to pick-your-own pumpkins, or select from seasonal produce at the farm store. Fall activities include a corn maze, adventure barn and pumpkin and apple picking. Farm store hours: Monday-Friday, 9 am-6 pm; Saurday and Sunday, 9 am-5 pm. Wine-tasting room: Friday-Sunday, noon-5 pm.—Royal Thomas II

Read more Jersey Living articles.

By submitting comments you grant permission for all or part of those comments to appear in the print edition of New Jersey Monthly.

Required
Required not shown
Required not shown