Cape May Winery is located in a very popular seaside resort, visited by presidents and blessed with a multitude of highly rated restaurants (many BYOB’s). The entire city is designated a National Historic Landmark (due to the beauty of their Victorian Era architecture. More important to wine lovers, Cape May is home to some great wineries and will soon have their own designated AVA (American Viticultural Area – recognized as a wine grape-growing region, having its own distinct geography, soils, and weather conditions). Toby Craig (owner) and Darren Hesington (winemaker) deserve kudos for what they have created here.
Cape May Winery is the oldest winery in Cape May. They have a large, luxurious indoor tasting room, a beautiful patio downstairs and deck upstairs with umbrellas and wonderful views of their vineyards in warm weather. In cooler weather you can taste indoors and snuggle up in a comfy leather chair near a crackling fireplace or outside near their fire pit while sipping your wine.
Cape May Winery has won numerous awards for their wines at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the New Jersey State Wine Competitions. They have two separate labels (the Cape May Label and the Isaac Smith Label). Isaac Smith was a coffin-maker who owned some of the land that is now a part of the Cape May Winery Vineyards. Wines produced with the Isaac Smith Label were made with grapes from the vineyards planted on the property formerly owned by Isaac Smith.
Their dry white wines include their Cape May Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (their signature white wine) and their Cape May White Reserve. If you prefer dry reds your choices include their Cape May Red (a Cab/Merlot Blend), Cape May Noir (Pinot Noir), Cape May Zinfandel, Cape May Merlot, Cape May Franc (Cab Franc), Cape May Cabernet Sauvignon or Isaac Smith Red Reserve (a blend of Cab, Cab Franc, Merlot and Syrah).
They also produce several off-dry whites such as the Cape May Chardonnay Reserve, Cape May Chardonnay, Isaac Smith Albarino, Cape May Pinot Grigio, Cape May White (100% Vidal Blanc) and Cape May Riesling. Their sweet wine offerings include Lighthouse White, Lighthouse Blush (White Zinfandel), Isaac Smith Apple, Isaac Smith White Port (Dessert Wine) and Isaac Smith Red Port (generally made in winter and occasionally one other time during the year). When available, try their Isaac Smith Red Port. It’s sinfully delicious with dark chocolate!
While I was disappointed on my most recent visit because their Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Cape May White Reserve and Pinot Noir were not available for tasting, I was able to revisit their Zinfandel (sold out the last two visits). Worth the wait. The Cab Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cab Franc were also as good as I remembered and reminded me that it’s not just the beautiful surroundings that bring me back – again and again.
Obviously there are many choices for your tasting. For $8 you can choose five from their current menu and keep the souvenir tasting glass. They also have cheese plates and a couple of other snacks available. Better yet, for those so inclined, they permit bringing a picnic lunch. In the summer they also offer Grill Nights beginning in June. Check their calendar. You will need reservations for these events. On a recent visit, they brought in fresh raw oysters to purchase with your wine selection. Good wine, a beautiful facility, fresh oysters and did I mention there was also live acoustic music on the Saturday I visited? All of this and a short drive to the beach, great restaurants, etc.! What are you waiting for? They are open Sunday through Thursday from 12-5 PM and Friday and Saturday from 12-6 PM.
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Cheers!
