Edible Voices
Editor’s note: The COVID-19 crisis has hit us all; we have been heartbroken, uplifted, unmoored. To help document the moment, Edible Jersey is sharing a few stories from our community.
EDIBLE VOICES
A Cape May Wine Adventure or Covid-19 Be Damned
Wine expert and Rutgers professor Gary Pavlis hits the road in pursuit of his passion
Editor’s Note: The COVID-19 crisis has hit us all; we have been heartbroken, uplifted, unmoored. To help document the moment, Edible Jersey is sharing stories from our community.
I bought a new car in early March. I had to. The car I was driving was 20 years old and had over a quarter million miles on it. As it turns out, early March was not the best time to buy a new car. Cause what do you want to do with a new car? Drive it! As the COVID-19 crisis engulfed NJ over the ensuing weeks, there was nowhere to go. Businesses from one end of the state to the other shut down for the quarantine.
I’m a professor with Rutgers University and I work with farmers, mostly blueberry and grape farmers. The role has me on the road a lot. For thirty-five years, I have helped many New Jersey farmers establish wineries. It is my job and it is my passion. We all know that many businesses are hurting in this challenging time. Among them are the New Jersey wineries. Tasting rooms are closed. Wineries that are usually jammed with customers, especially on weekends, are largely deserted. It is a sorry site.
After a few weekends driving my new car around the block a couple of times, I knew I needed to expand my adventures. I also knew that wineries are all still able to sell wine. That tells me there is light at the end of the tunnel. Wine selections can be viewed on each wineries’ website. You then call ahead, tell the winery the wines you want to purchase (many also offer online ordering), pay in advance with a credit card and drive to the winery for “curbside pick-up“. The winery staff will be happy to put your wine treasures in your trunk.
I felt a ‘wine buying tour’ would be a great way for me to support the industry.
I felt a ‘wine buying tour’ would be a great way for me to support the industry. It also gave me something to do with my girlfriend who was getting tired of watching old movies. I never get tired of watching old movies, but I digress. So, in April, we jumped into my new car (see picture) and drove down to Cape May County, planning to hit every winery in the county in one afternoon. After all, you can’t go into the winery, you can’t do a tasting, and you can’t take a tour. So how long could it take to have wine bottles put into my trunk?
We first drove to Hawk Haven Winery in Rio Grande. This winery makes some killer wines. I love their Syrah. The owner, Todd Wuerker, delivered the wine personally to my car. He is extremely knowledgable and, through my open window, I asked him a multitude of questions about how all of this was affecting him. Todd always has a smile to share with everyone and never lets on that things are tough. I bought six bottles, said my goodbyes and headed for Jessie Creek Winery. They make a yummy Chambourcin. Again, the owner, Art Reale personally placed my four bottles in the trunk. A nicer guy you will never meet. Then we were off to Natali Vineyards. This winery has a unique location very near the Delaware Bay and, as a result, can grow grape varieties that you won’t see many other places. I love their Tempranillo, crafted from the Spanish grape of Rioja fame. I ordered four bottles and Al Natali came out with them. He told me I was his first customer of the day! Al and I have known each other for many years. As he put the wine in my car and we said our goodbyes, did I see a tear in his eye? I’m not sure, but I was really glad I stopped by.
Cape May Winery was next on my list. This winery is very special to me. I had done the research back in the 1980’s that showed Cape May was one of the best places in the East for growing grapes. I convinced then owner of the property, Bill Hayes, into planting some grapes. They grew, they ripened perfectly, and the rest is history. His place became the first winery in Cape May County. Bill sold the winery to Toby Craig years ago and now it’s one of the most beautiful wineries I have ever visited. And I have visited a lot of wineries! Everything they make is excellent but their Barrel Reserve Chardonnay is out of this world. I picked up a couple of bottles to pair with scallops for dinner that night.
Time was growing short so, unfortunately, Willow Creek and Turdo wineries would have to wait for another day. We had quite a haul in my trunk and on the way home we really felt we had done something very positive in support of this wine industry. Not to mention, we had some great wine drinking ahead of us.
Next week, we’re planning to visit all the wineries in the Hammonton area: Tomasello, Bellview, Plagido, DiMatteo, Almathea, and Sharrott. It’s a monumental task, but I think I am up to the challenge.
DESTINATION WINE COUNTRY
Many New Jersey wineries are open for outdoor tastings this summer by appointment and offer safe and socially distanced patio seating. Enjoy an afternoon exploring NJ’s beautiful wine country and discovering outstanding wines. Most wineries also continue to offer curbside pick-up as well as direct shipping.
Cape May County Wine Tour: Plan your Cape May wine excursion now with the list below. For a listing of wineries statewide, visit Edible Jersey’s Winery Guide or plan your own wine trail weekend with the help of the Garden State Wine Growers Association’s Regional Wine Trails.
CAPE MAY WINERY & VINEYARD
711 Townbank Rd., Cape May
609.884.1169
capemaywinery.com
G&W WINERY
1034 Rt. 47 South, Rio Grande
gandwwinery.com
HAWK HAVEN VINEYARD & WINERY
600 S. Railroad Ave., Rio Grande
609.846.7347
hawkhavenvineyard.com
JESSIE CREEK WINERY
1 Rte. 47 N., Cape May Court House
jessiecreekwinery.com
NATALI VINEYARDS
221 N. Delsea Dr., Cape May Court House
natalivineyards.com
TURDO VINEYARDS & WINERY
3911 Bayshore Rd., N. Cape May
turdovineyards.com
WILLOW CREEK WINERY
168 Stevens St., West Cape May
willowcreekwinerycapemay.com
Communities Near You
Related Stories & Recipes