Willow Creek Winery facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Willow Creek Winery
Location	160-168 Stevens Street, West Cape May, NJ, USA
Coordinates	38.942778 N, 74.946927 W
Wine region	Cape May Peninsula
Appellation	Outer Coastal Plain AVA
Other labels	Wilde Cock
First vines planted	2005
Opened to the public	2012
Key people	Barbara Bray Wilde (owner)
Acres cultivated	40
Cases/yr	6,000 (2013)
Varietal	Pinot Noir, Malvasia Bianca, Chamborcin, Seyval Blanc, Merlot, Pinot Gris
Other products	Eggs, flowers, fruits, honey, poultry, vegetables, wormwood
Other attractions	Vineyard View Cottages available for farm stays
Distribution	On-site, home shipment
Tasting	Daily tours and tastings
Website	http://willowcreekwinery.com/

Willow Creek Winery is a special farm in West Cape May, New Jersey. It's known for growing grapes and making different kinds of drinks from them. Before it became a winery, it was a farm that grew many other things.

The first grapevines were planted in 2005. The winery then opened its doors to visitors in 2012. Willow Creek Winery has about 40 acres of land where grapes are grown. They make around 6,000 cases of drinks each year. The winery recently bought more land, adding another 68 acres for growing grapes.

The name "Willow Creek" comes from a big willow tree near the owner's house. It's also named after Pond Creek, a small stream that flows along the farm.

What Willow Creek Grows

Willow Creek Winery is in a special farming area called the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. They grow many types of grapes to make their drinks. Some of these grapes include Albariño, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chambourcin, Malbec, Malvasia bianca, Merlot, Muscat blanc, Pinot noir, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon blanc, Seyval blanc, and Syrah.

Besides grapes, the farm also produces many other things. You can find eggs, flowers, fruits, honey, poultry (like chickens), vegetables, and wormwood there.

Special Drinks and Farm Products

Willow Creek also makes drinks from local New Jersey apples and pumpkins. They have a special brand for some of their drinks called "Wilde Cock." This name is a fun mix of the owner's last name, Wilde, and the roosters that live on the farm.

One unique thing about Willow Creek is that they are the only winery in New Jersey that uses Malvasia bianca grapes. These are white grapes that originally came from the northwest coast of Italy. The winery is also interested in making a special drink called absinthe in the future.

Visiting Willow Creek Winery

Visitors can enjoy special tastings of the drinks made right on the farm. They also offer blended drinks that you can only find at Willow Creek's Tasting Room. The winery is open all year round.

Recently, they added a full grill menu. You can enjoy tasty dishes like bacon-wrapped scallops, slow-smoked pork, and different cheese boards.

Willow Creek is also a popular place for events and parties. It has won awards as a great spot for weddings and other celebrations. They can host small parties for 10 people or large weddings with over 300 guests.

This large wooden building is the tasting facility at Willow Creek Winery. It was built by a company from Pennsylvania.

Farm Connections

The owner of Willow Creek Winery also started The Southern Mansion in 1996. This is a large bed and breakfast with 24 rooms in the nearby town of Cape May. Many of the fresh foods grown at Willow Creek farm are served at The Southern Mansion.