Revisiting Cape May Winery and Vineyard, I was struck by their latest innovation-the Tap Room. One of the newest trends at restaurants and wineries is the addition of wine taps. Much like beer taps, you make your choice, your server pulls the tap, and the result is instant liquid enjoyment. Cape May Winery has married this concept to their more traditional tastings at their beautiful, upscale winery. The new Tap Room was formerly their fermentation room. The latest addition is a beautiful new space with a unique way to enjoy some of their wines.
Cape May has been a popular seaside resort since the early 1800s, visited by presidents and blessed with a multitude of highly rated restaurants (many which are BYOBs). The entire city is designated the Cape May Historic District, A National Historic Landmark, due to the great number of Victorian buildings, many operating as bed and breakfasts. Cape May is also in the hub of a fast-growing and well-respected cluster of wineries.
The Cape May Winery & Vineyard was the first of these to open their doors and quickly became a hit, a tribute to the quality of their wines and to the beautiful, spacious and upscale tasting rooms/areas. In addition to the new Tap Room there is another large tasting room downstairs and another upstairs, a large patio and a deck outside with umbrellas and wonderful views of their vineyards to enjoy in warm weather. In colder weather you can do your tasting indoors and cuddle up in a comfy leather chair near a crackling fireplace while sipping your wine.
The winery has won numerous awards at the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition and the New Jersey State Wine Competitions. Most recently, at the 2017 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Cape May Winery and Vineyards won a Gold Medal for their 2015 Isaac Smith Albarino, Silver Medals for their 2015 Cape May Chardonnay and NV Isaac Smith, and Bronze Medals for their 2016 Cape May Sauvignon Blanc and Cape May NV.
Cape May Winery and Vineyard has 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.
Their white wines include their Cape May Barrel Fermented Chardonnay (their signature white wine); Cape May Chardonnay, Cape May Pinot Grigio; Isaac Smith White; Cape May Rose; Cape May Riesling (off-dry); Lighthouse White (sweet); Lighthouse Blush (sweet); and Isaac Smith Apple (sweet). If you prefer reds, your choices include their Cape May Pinot Noir; Isaac Smith Red; Isaac Smith Merlot; Cape May Cabernet Sauvignon; Isaac Smith Red Reserve (a blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Syrah); CM3 (red blend). They also make a wonderful Port-style wine (Isaac Smith Red Port). In the past, they have also offered a white Port-style wine, as well.
The Tap Room offers two wines unavailable by the bottle: Albarino and Vintner’s Blend. Fortunately, they are available by the glass, liter carafe, or take-home growlers. In this magnificent tasting room, they also offer a few of their other wines via taps.
My personal favorites this time around were the Albarino, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and Vintner’s Blend.
Tasting room hours are 12 p.m.–6 p.m. daily. Obviously, there are many choices for your tasting. For $8 you can choose five from their current menu. 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 offer Wednesday Grill Nights beginning in June. Check their calendar. You will need reservations for these events.
The latest estimation for publication of my book, New Jersey Uncorked, is November, 2017 (makes a great Christmas present for the wine lover in your family or family of friends)! More information to follow. Stay tuned!
Tried a New Jersey wine lately? Visited a NJ winery recently? Share your experience here. Like what you read and see here? Consider subscribing and getting the latest NJ pour in your inbox instead of googling it!
Cheers!
