Edible Jersey's Drink Local Guide
A LONG ROAD; A NEW BEGINNING
January 17, 2020, will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of Prohibition. Described by President Herbert Hoover as “a great social and economic experiment,...
PROMOTION
HAWK HAVEN VINEYARDS
TASTING ROOM OPENED 2009
(FIRST VINES PLANTED 1997)
600 S. RAILROAD AVE.
RIO GRANDE
609.846.7347
hawkhavenvineyard.com
SIZE: 100-acre farm; 16 acres under vine
Hawk Haven Vineyard is nestled in lower Cape May County between the tempering waters of the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. Sandy soils and cool ocean breezes create the perfect growing conditions for crafting fine wines. In fact, the county was recently designated its own AVA, Cape May Peninsula.
The story of Hawk Haven's land goes back three generations, when the Wuerker family cultivated a dairy farm. In 1997 Todd Wuerker and his brother planted some Cabernet Sauvignon vines, and in 2009 he and his wife Kenna opened the tasting room doors. Today there are 16 acres of Land under vine, with about as many varietals, including Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
Wuerker’s 2012 Signature Series Cabernet Franc won the Governor’s Cup and a gold medal from the 2016 NJ Wine Competition, and the 2008 Quill was awarded a gold medal from World Wine Championship. Guests won’t find any wine snobs at Hawk Haven. The friendly staff is available daily, year-round, for wine beginners all the way up to aficionados.
“I love the idea of being able to craft something so incredible and complex out of something as simple as a grape that we grow right here." —Todd Wuerker, Winemaker
plan a visit:
Tasting room open daily year-round (except Thanksgiving and Christmas). Vineyard and winery tours offered at 1pm Saturdays and Sundays, Sept. 8 - Oct. 28 and Saturdays, Nov. 3 - Dec. 29, 2018.
staff picks:
2017 SIGNATURE SERIES GEWURZTRAMINER
|A] crazy cool nose of rose petal and lychee fruit. And before you know it, there’s an explosion of fruit, spice, and bright acidity having a party on your palate!" —Celine Hampson, Wine Tasting Guide
2016 SIGNATURE SERIES CABERNET FRANC
‘Vintage after vintage I love exploring the layers of complexity that are waiting inside a bottle of Cabernet Franc. Easily one of New Jersey’s, and Hawk Haven’s, best grapes"—Lou Harvey, Assistant Winemaker
2017 RIESLING
"I always found Riesling to be extremely sweet and not my favorite but, now that I’ve had this Hawk Haven Riesling I just can’t get enough! This semi-sweet version pairs well with mostly any meal"—Ashley Conrad, Administrative & Marketing Assistan
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