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Cape May Winery & Vineyard facts for kids

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Cape May Winery & Vineyard
Cape May Winery logo.png
Location 711 Town Bank Road, North Cape May, NJ, USA
Coordinates 38.973142 N, 74.923559 W
Appellation Outer Coastal Plain AVA
Other labels Isaac Smith
First vines planted 1992
Opened to the public 1995
Key people Bill & Joan Hayes (founders)
Arthur "Toby" Craig (owner)
Darren Hesington (winemaker)
Acres cultivated 25
Cases/yr 11,000 (2013)
Other attractions Picnicking permitted, pet-friendly
Distribution On-site, wine festivals, NJ restaurants, home shipment
Tasting Daily tastings, tours on Saturday
(daily in summer)
Website http://www.capemaywinery.com

Cape May Winery & Vineyard is a fun place in North Cape May, New Jersey, where they make wine. It's located in Cape May County.

They started planting grapevines in 1992. The winery first opened its doors to visitors in 1995. Cape May Winery is one of the biggest wineries in New Jersey. They have 25 acres of grapevines and make about 11,000 cases of wine every year. The winery is named after the beautiful Cape May area where it's located.

What Kinds of Grapes Grow Here?

Cape May Winery is part of a special grape-growing area called the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. An AVA is like a special zone known for growing certain types of grapes.

They grow many different kinds of grapes, including:

  • Albariño
  • Cabernet Franc
  • Cabernet Sauvignon
  • Cayuga White
  • Chambourcin
  • Chardonnay
  • Colombard
  • Merlot
  • Pinot gris
  • Pinot noir
  • Riesling
  • Sauvignon blanc
  • Syrah
  • Vidal blanc
  • Viognier
  • Zinfandel

Besides grape wines, Cape May Winery also makes wine from apples! They even have a special brand called "Isaac Smith." This name comes from a coffin maker who lived nearby in the 1820s.

Cape May Winery Outdoor Tasting
Cape May Winery has a deck with an outdoor tasting bar.

How the Winery Operates

Cape May Winery has a special license from the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control. This license lets them make as much wine as they want. It also allows them to have up to 15 other places to sell their wine. They can even ship up to 12 cases of wine each year to customers in New Jersey or other states.

The winery is also a member of two important groups:

  • The Garden State Wine Growers Association
  • The Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association

These groups help wineries in New Jersey work together and promote their wines.