Cape May Winery & Vineyard
This is one of my favorite wineries to visit. It doesn’t hurt that it is located in historic Cape May, one of my favorite places in the state and beyond. Whether you sit inside or out, there are no bad options. The indoor spaces are all elegantly and tastefully decorated. The outdoor seating offers all of the beauty of nature, with a splash of colorful umbrellas and a fountain that serves as a centerpiece for the beautiful flowers that surround it. They have a diverse menu of wines, with something for everyone. Their tapas menu has often been a last minute lunch, with a bottle of wine to go with our food choices.
Grill Night
One of the events we look forward to every year is the Cape May Winery Grill Nights. It’s been a busy summer, but we managed to get to the last one of the year last Wednesday. What makes this such a special night? The food, the wine, the music, and the setting make this a don’t miss event for us.
The Food
The menu for this night:
Appetizer
Charcuterie (assorted cheeses, stuffed peppers, olives, marinated artichokes, cured meats, roasted red peppers, and sliced baguette).
Entree
Coffee and Cola Grilled Skirt Steak and Southwest Seasoned Grilled Shrimp; with red bliss potato salad and grilled marinated zucchini.
Dessert
Cheesecake topped with seasonal fruit and whipped cream.
We thoroughly enjoyed each course of this meal!
The Wine
I bought a bottle of the Cape May 2022 Chardonnay and a bottle of their Cape May 2020 Red Reserve (shown below). We actually sampled a bit of each, while we awaited being seated on the patio.
Cape May 2022 Chardonnay-Their unoaked Chard is very food friendly, with apple and pear notes and lively acidity.
Cape May 2020 Red Reserve-A delicious , full-bodied red blend of Cab, Petite Sirah, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Syrah. It is great with grilled meats and the skirt steak was the perfect pairing.
The Music
We were entertained by Jay Bethel, who provides live acoustic music at each of the Grill Nights. He played a soothing acoustic guitar, ranging in style from Blues to Pop, Van Morrison to Elton John and Neil Young. He has some great guitar chops (especially on the blues), and a soft, but pleasing voice as accompaniment. We have seen him several times before, including at one or two previous Grill Night evenings. Despite being close to the music, my wife and I were able to enjoy the music, but also converse with each other comfortably.
The Ambiance
The natural beauty of a large, well-maintained vineyard, augmented by a large patio, with tables and colored umbrellas scattered around a fountain and flowers that seem to be forever in bloom…Then add the food, wine, and music and you have a recipe for the kind of setting that I want to enjoy with loved ones and friends!
Thank you to the cheerful and thoughtful staff who helped to make this a terrific night. A special thanks to the female staff (unfortunately I cannot remember her name) who somehow recognized us from last year when it was around our anniversary. She brought us a glass of their Isaac Smith Red Port for our Anniversary (earlier this month). The Port-style wine is shown in the photo at the top of this post.
Cheers!
Coming Attractions
- Auburn Road Vineyards September 2024
- Beneduce Vineyards September 2024
- The Finger Lakes 2024
- A Few New NJ Wines of the Week
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