What do you get when you add great wines, talented musicians, several tasty food truck choices and a beautiful venue? A chance to try some of the state’s best wines, all within the vast fields of green; meet up with friends and make new friends. This weekend, these all added up to this year’s Cape May Wine & Music Festival at Hawk Haven Winery. According to Todd Wuerker, owner and winemaker at Hawk Haven Vineyards, about 2,000 wine lovers were expected to descend upon his beloved vineyards (just on Saturday, when I was there). Thankfully, despite the threatening clouds shown above, there was no rain. The skies may have kept the sun away, but not the friendly and enthusiastic crowd.
There were nine wineries and six breweries represented, as well as several food trucks (the shrimp wrapped in bacon, barbecued on skewers were amazing), and some crafters, as well. It is amazing how much planning goes into a huge festival like this one. From parking and keeping the entry lines moving to offering music at both ends of the huge field lined on both sides by tents of wineries and food trucks. Right down to making sure there are a sufficient number of Port-O-Potties (no lines)!
The participating wineries included Auburn Road, Cape May, Bellview, Natali, White Horse, Jessie Creek, Cedar Rose, William Heritage and the host, Hawk Haven.
We focused a lot of attention early on at the Cedar Rose tent, as they are the new kids on the block. I was impressed with the variety of wines they now produce, as well as the quality of all of those tasted:Chardonnay (unoaked); Traminette; both Roses (one made with Cab Franc and the other with Chambourcin); Cab Franc; Blaufrankisch, Chambourcin, Samara (red blend with Chambourcin, Blaufrankisch and Cab Franc); and Thundergust (their most full-bodied red blend). These offerings are the real deal and should propel them in their countdown to their Grand Opening. The Blaufrankisch was very good. I brought home a bottle to go with some grilled meats for dinner. Its rich smokey quality paired perfectly.
It’s impossible (or at least imprudent) to try all of the wine offerings at a festival like this one (with 84 varieties listed in the brochure).
Other wines tasted included:
- Hawk Haven’s Proprietor’s Blend (a reasonably priced delicious red blend)
- Hawk Haven’s Quill (a wonderful Bordeaux-style red blend)
- Auburn Road’s The White Bottle (a reasonably priced and very well-made Chardonnay, named playfully after the Beatles classic White Album).
- Jessie Creek’s Chardonnay (a lightly oaked version)
- Jessie Creek’s Merlot – a light to medium-bodied, oaked version
- Natali’s Chardonnay (at $12, a very inexpensive Chardonnay that may not be complex, but is eminently drinkable; good enough to take home a bottle).
- Natali’s Erotic Aronia – Hard to say no when your wife says she wants to try anything with this name (even if it is for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of this unique wine). It’s made with Aronia berries, not grapes.
- Bellview’s Chambourcin (a terrific version of this NJ hybrid; Chambourcin is sometimes called New Jersey’s signature grape).
The breweries represented and pouring included Bucket Brigade Brewery, Cape May Brewing Company, Jersey Cider Works, Mudhen Brewing Company and Slack Tide Brewing Company. I couldn’t resist trying a Pale Ale from Slack Tide (the only area brewer I have not been able to try). It was a nice, rich and tasty brew (a little darker in color than some Pale Ales, but an excellent version).
The music on Saturday was provided by Chris G’s & The Ramble, Big Village Little City and Gal Holiday & The Honky Tonk Revue. Overall, a great mix of genres from Honky Tonk to Country and Blues to Rock. The music provided the right up-beat tone for the day, without interfering with the ability to converse or leaving your ears ringing on the way home. My only disappointment: Jeffrey Gaines played on Sunday, not Saturday. But then, I did get to see him earlier this year at one of Hawk Haven’s Rootstock Concerts.
The food was provided by Empanada Mama’s, Hit the Road Jack, Jenni Mac’s Winey Snacks (highly recommended), Jersey Bill’s BBQ, Mermaid Mutineer and Taco Shop. Jenni Mac’s shrimp skewers were amazing!
All-in-all, the Cape May Wine & Music Festival was a tremendous success. Kudos to Todd Wuerker and everyone at Hawk Haven who worked so hard and to all of the above wineries, breweries, musicians and vendors.
Cheers!
Coming Attractions
- The Winemakers Co-Op Portfolio Tasting at Unionville Vineyards is on Sunday, October 14 from 2-6 PM (1-6 PM for VIP tickets). Tickets are still available. This is a highlight every year with tastings from a few of the state’s premier wineries, live music, a discussion of the Winemakers Open Source Chardonnay (a cooperative venture among the members). Hawk Haven fans, this year Hawk Haven joined Unionville Vineyards, Beneduce Vineyards, Working Dog Winery and William Heritage Winery, making this venue an even bigger event! I will post about this event ASAP afterwards.
- Monroeville Vineyard & Winery
- Cedarvale Winery
- My interview with Seferino Cotzojay, Winemaker at White Horse Winery
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