Stafford Farm‘s serene historic estate in Voorhees is sure to be bustling with activity when Saddlehill winery opens on its site in the spring of 2023. Husband and wife Bill and Amy Green plan to turn 1407 White Horse Rd. into a 9,600 sq. ft. production facility and 7,000 sq. ft. tasting room that offers views of the farm and its 5-acre vineyard, which will be scaled to a total of 30-acres over the next two years. Saddlehill will also house a horse and alpaca breeding operation and flower farm, in addition to hosting charitable events.
“I’ve been collecting fine wines for over 25 years, so it’s been a passion of mine. I wasn’t looking to open a winery in NJ, but when this property became available, I really saw an opportunity given the location and quality of the soil,” Bill Green told What Now Philadelphia.
The Greens purchased the 247-year-old 69.8-acre site, which George Washington gave to his personal guard Lt. John Stafford in 1773, in March. Green, an author, entrepreneur, and owner of Crestar Partners private equity company lives in Boca Raton, Florida but grew up 2.5 miles away from the Jersey farm and was familiar with the property.
“I also rode horses as a kid and owned a horse 37 years ago, so creating a horse-themed winery in the area I grew up and where I can give back and continue our philanthropy really checked a few boxes for me,” Green said.
Green estimates that the renovation of the 1950s brick house on-site and build-out of the new alpaca and horse barn, winery, tasting room, and infrastructure will cost millions. While the winery won’t fully welcome visitors until Spring 2023, Saddlehill hopes to be selling farm-raised products by the spring of 2022.
Saddlehill will grow 10 different varieties of grapes which guests will enjoy in the tasting room over small plates and tapas bites. Saddlehill will be open to guests seven days a week. Bottles of red and white Saddlehill wine will also be sold through a wine club and in local stores. They intend to produce around 10,000 cases a year.
“Last summer, we planted an acre of sunflowers which was beautiful on the corner of White Horse & Evesham Rd. It was the first time in 15 years the community had something to see. The former owner had large trees planted on that corner that blocked the view. I felt it was important to open the vistas to the community,” Green said.
About 250,000 tulip bulbs were planted in November with the intention of offering bouquets for Mother’s Day week. Green also hopes to wholesale flowers to local florists and retailers and offer bouquet delivery via DoorDash. Green has already hosted groups, like the Boys & Girls Club on-site and hopes to have them as returning visitors along with other groups like those from Sprouting Connections, which Green is a board member of. The group brings special needs young adults to the farm for educational purposes along with a volunteer or therapist. Events like alpaca yoga will also be used to raise money for charity. Green also intends to host holiday and seasonal-themed events at Saddlehill,
“Amy and I are just thrilled to have been afforded the opportunity to take on such an amazing project,” Green said. “We believe it’s going to be a very special place.”
