In Mullica Hill, Wine Has Become Their Family Heritage
Since 1853, six generations of the Heritage family have been farming the same land in Mullica Hill, NJ, tending primarily to fruit tree orchards on the 150 acres of property that lie just off of Mullica Hill Road (U.S. Route 322) and butts up against Richwood Road (County Route 609), in practically the dead center of Gloucester County. Agriculture has long been a staple of the region with various family farms and corresponding farm markets dotting the roadways throughout the area.
But in 1999, the Heritages, led by Bill and Penni Heritage, began to convert their farm from annual harvests of apples and peaches, seeking a new avenue to utilize their land — and a winery was born.
It has exploded from an idea with a certain level of risk into a booming success in the area as a family-friendly place to hang out. In fact, William Heritage Winery (WHW) has twice been chosen as New Jersey’s Winery of the Year, earning the distinction in both 2011 and 2014 from the Garden State Wine Growers Association. And their wine has been a hit with both consumers and critics.
An Idea Takes Root
“Our roots run deep in this area, so Mullica Hill and Gloucester County are very important to us,” said W. Richard Heritage, the winery’s director of sales & marketing/general manager and oldest son of Bill and Penni Heritage. Younger sons Bryan (production manager) and Erik (vineyard manager) round out the Heritage family’s management team.
“The business of farming is everything to us. Not only is it a part of our identity, we carry the torch of over 170 years of family farming on the property we live and work on today,” Richard continued.
He explained that the winery began as one of several attempts to save the struggling family farm. “In the early 90’s, our farm was struggling financially. Apple and peach prices kept falling while costs rose. We knew we’d need a new niche to survive.”
Their parents learned that wine grapes grown in New Jersey were in demand, so they planted a few acres with the intent to sell the grapes. “I was about 12 when I helped plant our first Chardonnay vineyard,” Richard said. “Eventually, we decided to apply for a wine license and make our own wine.”
By 2002, the first vintage was released and sold at the family’s farmstand. By 2009, the winery had become their primary focus. Today, it runs seven days a week, drawing visitors from all over the region for its inviting events and relaxing, family-friendly atmosphere.
Events and Experiences
Popular offerings include Thursday’s Vino & Vibes — a weekly summer evening event featuring wine, food trucks, and live music. The annual William Heritage 5K over Labor Day weekend is a highlight, offering a certified course through the vineyard. Runners (21+) receive a complimentary glass of wine at the finish line, and there’s also a fun walk and kids’ race.
During the fall, Harvest Weekends feature live music, food trucks, and scenic views of autumn foliage. The winery hosts holiday gatherings, Black Friday deals, and February’s wine and chocolate pairings. They also host private events year-round.
Location, Location, Location
WHW is conveniently located along a key route from Pennsylvania to the Jersey Shore, which brings in high traffic. But location alone isn’t enough — the wine has to be great.
“We made a tough decision not to build the tasting room at the winemaking facility,” Richard said. “Instead, we set it up at our farm market on Route 322, a higher-traffic area. It meant less visibility of our wine barrels and vineyards, but in the end, it worked out for us.”
In November 2024, WHW won three awards at the NJ Wine Competition, including the Governor’s Cup for Best in Show with its 2023 Ice Cider.
Consistency and Creativity
“We’ve always had a diverse product offering,” Richard said. “Trends in the alcohol industry shift, and we’re always trying to meet new demands while maintaining high quality.”
This summer, WHW introduced its first canned wine-based cocktails: Jersey Spiked Blueberry Lemonade and Jersey Spiked Peach Berry Tea. These 12-ounce cans are light and refreshing — perfect for summer parties — and are available at their Mullica Hill and Haddonfield tasting rooms as well as select local liquor stores.
“Consistency is hugely important to us. It takes massive investment in quality grapes, and our sixth-generation farming background gives us a strong foundation. We also hire winemakers with top-tier experience who bring incredible skills to our vineyard.”
WHW’s sweeter wines are widely distributed across NJ liquor stores. “High-quality red and white wines will never go out of style. Our core wines — Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon — just keep getting better. With each season, we refine our craft.”
They’ve earned 90-point ratings from Wine Enthusiast, The Wine Advocate, James Suckling, Decanter, and Wine & Spirits.
“To be honest, I didn’t think we’d ever get ratings like that. We’re humbled. And we’ll keep innovating and surprising our fans with new things.”
To learn more about William Heritage Winery, visit www.heritagewinenj.com.
