Westfall Winery

Westfall Winery was a farm-based winery in Montague Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. The property had a long agricultural history: it was formerly associated with the Underground Railroad and operated as a dairy farm before being developed as a vineyard. The vineyard was first planted in 2000, and the winery opened to the public in 2003. The business operated on a relatively small agricultural footprint, with approximately six acres of grapes under cultivation. It produced around 9,000 cases of wine annually, with much of its production based on imported grapes. Its portfolio included conventional grape wines as well as fruit wines made from apples, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and peaches. This combination positioned Westfall as a regional farm-winery attraction rather than solely as a vineyard producing wine from estate-grown fruit. Westfall also offered farm-related experiences and services. While operating as a winery, the property provided equestrian services, including horse boarding, and emphasized Morgan horses. The winery’s name referred to the Westfall family, which owned the farm from 1774 until 1940, linking the commercial brand to the site’s historical agricultural identity. In 2006, the owners established Island Winery in Hilton Head, South Carolina, creating a separate winery venture associated with the Westfall ownership group. Westfall Winery itself was sold in December 2017. Following the sale, the property ceased operating as a winery and became an animal sanctuary. It is therefore best understood as a defunct regional winery brand with a former New Jersey visitor-farm operation, rather than an active national wine company.

Westfall Winery operated from a historic agricultural property in Montague Township, Sussex County, New Jersey. The farm had previously been a stop associated with the Underground Railroad and later functioned as a dairy farm. Its connection to the Westfall family extended from 1774 to 1940, and that family name was retained when the property became a winery. The vineyard phase began in 2000, when grapes were first planted on the farm. Westfall opened to the public in 2003, entering New Jersey’s farm-winery and agritourism market. The operation cultivated approximately six acres of grapes and produced about 9,000 cases annually. Because much of the wine was made from imported grapes, the business combined local production and regional hospitality with a broader supply base rather than relying exclusively on fruit grown on the property. Westfall’s product range included grape wines and fruit wines made from apples, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and peaches. The fruit-wine selection gave the winery a wider and more accessible offering than a vineyard focused only on traditional grape varietals. Its farm setting was also part of the customer experience. In addition to winery activities, the property offered equestrian services, including horse boarding, and specialized in Morgan horses. The ownership group expanded its winery interests in 2006 by founding Island Winery in Hilton Head, South Carolina. This was a separate venture from the New Jersey property but demonstrated that the owners’ activities extended beyond Westfall’s original farm location. Westfall Winery’s operating period ended after the property was sold in December 2017. The site subsequently became an animal sanctuary, ending the winery’s role as a public wine producer and visitor destination. No reliable source material supplied a precise founding year, named founder, current owner, or detailed executive history. The available record supports classifying Westfall Winery as a defunct New Jersey farm winery whose legacy includes grape and fruit wines, agricultural tourism, equestrian services, and the historic reuse of its farm property.

• 2017

  Winery property is sold

  [1]Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The property was sold in December, after which it became an animal sanctuary and Westfall ceased operating as a winery.

• 2006

  Island Winery is founded

  [1]Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The owners of Westfall Winery founded Island Winery in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

• 2003

  Winery opens to the public

  [1]Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Westfall Winery began public operations in Montague Township, New Jersey.

• 2000

  Vineyard planting begins

  [1]Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The first vineyard plantings were established on the former farm property.

• 1940

  Westfall family ownership ends

  [1]Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The Westfall family’s ownership of the farm ended after more than a century and a half.

• 1774

  Westfall family ownership begins

  [1]Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The farm later associated with Westfall Winery came under ownership of the Westfall family, whose name was ultimately used by the winery.

A regional New Jersey farm winery combining wine production, agricultural heritage, visitor activities, and equestrian services.

• Wine · 2003

  Grape wines

  Westfall’s core range consisted of grape wines produced at its New Jersey farm-winery operation. The vineyard covered approximately six acres, while the business also used imported grapes for much of its production. The wines formed the traditional winery component of an operation that also emphasized fruit wines, farm tourism, and equestrian activities.

• Fruit wine

  Fruit wines

  Westfall produced fruit wines from apples, blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, and peaches. These products broadened the winery’s offering beyond grape-based wine and reflected its role as a regional farm attraction. The fruit-wine portfolio was part of the brand’s identity during its period of public operation in New Jersey.

• 2017

  Sale and conversion of the propertyOther

  Background

  After operating as a winery and agricultural visitor property, Westfall’s farm was sold in December 2017.

  Action taken

  The property changed use and became an animal sanctuary.

  Aftermath

  Westfall Winery ended its winery operations and became a defunct brand.

  Source

• 2006

  Expansion through Island WineryStrategy

  Background

  The owners’ winery activities were no longer limited to the New Jersey farm operation.

  Action taken

  They founded Island Winery in Hilton Head, South Carolina, creating a separate winery venture.

  Aftermath

  The move expanded the owners’ winery presence to another U.S. market, although the available source does not provide operational or financial details.

  Source

1. 1Westfall Wineryen.wikipedia.org