Saddlehill Winery Best of Class Red Blend win proves New Jersey wines can rival Napa at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.
For decades, East Coast wine lovers have learned to lower their voices when praising local bottles.
Not anymore.
With its headline-making win at the 2026 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, Saddlehill Winery Best of Class Red Blend has shifted the conversation from polite surprise to full-throated respect. In a field crowded with Napa and Sonoma heavyweights, a New Jersey estate winery did the unthinkable and walked away with one of the most coveted honors in American wine.
This is not a feel-good participation ribbon.
It is a serious, blind-tasted validation from the largest wine competition in North America. For collectors in New York, chefs in Philadelphia, and sommeliers who secretly root for the underdog, Saddlehill’s moment feels personal. It is proof that great wine can come from unexpected places and still taste downright fun-loving in the glass.
Saddlehill Winery Best of Class Red Blend breaks coastal bias
At the heart of this story is the 2023 Renegade, the wine that earned Saddlehill its Best of Class title in the red blend category. Judged against more than 5,500 entries, the Renegade did something no other East Coast wine managed to do this year. It won outright.
The competition, officially known as the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, is often described as the Super Bowl of wine. Over 35 professional judges evaluate wines blind, meaning reputation, region, and marketing budgets do not matter. Only what is in the glass counts.
That makes Saddlehill’s victory even sweeter.
Flavor forward, confident, and balanced, the Renegade delivers a profile that feels both polished and generous. There is depth, structure, and a sense of play that keeps it from taking itself too seriously. In other words, a red blend you actually want to pour for friends instead of hiding for a special occasion.
A milestone moment for New Jersey wine
“This recognition is a monumental win for the New Jersey wine community,”
Bill Green
Owner of Saddlehill
“To represent the East Coast as the sole Best of Class Red Blend winner in a competition of this scale proves that New Jersey is performing at an elite national level. This success is a direct result of the vision and technical skill of our Winemaker, Peter Szerdahelyi”.
Green’s words matter because this win is bigger than one bottle. New Jersey has long been underestimated, even by people who live there. This result forces a reset. It tells sommeliers in Manhattan and collectors in San Francisco that overlooking Garden State wines is no longer an option.
Under the guidance of winemaker Peter Szerdahelyi, Saddlehill blends traditional technique with modern precision. The results show discipline without rigidity and craftsmanship without stiffness. The wines feel alive, expressive, and yes, fun-loving in a way that invites another sip.
A medal lineup that tells a deeper story
The Best of Class award may be the headline, but Saddlehill’s full medal haul adds weight to the achievement:
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Best of Class: 2023 Renegade Red Blend
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Gold: 2023 Proprietor’s Blend Red Blend
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Silver: 2023 Merlot
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Bronze: 2023 Reserve Chardonnay
This range signals consistency, not a fluke. From red blends to Chardonnay, Saddlehill is dialing in style and flavor across the portfolio. That matters to buyers and collectors who look for reliability as much as excitement. It also means you can build an entire dinner around these wines without worrying about mismatches or weak links. Flavor driven and quietly confident, they do the heavy lifting while you enjoy the evening.
From Voorhees to San Francisco’s biggest stage
Saddlehill’s 2023 Renegade will be poured at the public tasting at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco on March 7, 2026. That puts a New Jersey wine in the hands of some of the most curious and demanding tasters in the country. Expect raised eyebrows, followed by smiles.
For those closer to home, the winery invites guests to visit its tasting room in Voorhees, New Jersey. For everyone else, the wines are available online and ship to 42 states. More details can be found at saddlehill.com and via [Insert Internal Link].
For readers interested in how major wine competitions operate, the Chronicle offers insight into its judging process at sfchronicle.com, a trusted authority in wine journalism.
Mini FAQ
Q: What makes the Saddlehill Winery Best of Class Red Blend special?
A: The 2023 Renegade won Best of Class at the largest wine competition in North America, standing out in blind tastings against thousands of entries.
Q: Is Saddlehill the only East Coast winery to win this award?
A: Yes. Saddlehill was the only East Coast winery to earn Best of Class for a red blend at the 2026 competition.
Q: Where can I buy Saddlehill’s award-winning wines?
A: The wines are available at the Voorhees tasting room and online, with shipping to 42 states.
Saddlehill Winery Proves American wine culture is expanding
Saddlehill Winery Best of Class Red Blend is more than a trophy win. It is a signal that American wine culture is expanding, maturing, and getting more interesting. For collectors who value discovery, for chefs who want a story behind the bottle, and for drinkers who simply want something delicious and fun-loving to pour, Saddlehill is worth your attention. Open a bottle, taste with an open mind, and let New Jersey surprise you.
