The concept of traveling for wine experiences and beer tourism is a growing trend. The are enough Cape May wineries and breweries to fill an entire vacation. If you are looking for items to add to your “Cape May things to do” list, check out our favorite wineries and breweries near Cape May, NJ.
- Willow Creek Winery & Farm boasts a 50+ acre estate that lets guests escape to a Cape May vineyard that feels like it is in France or Southern California. The large tasting room seats 300 people and is open year-round. Willow Creek grows thirteen varietals on their farm. Guests can sample flights, order glasses of wine, or purchase bottles to enjoy. Willow Creek also makes red and white sangria with their wine. Bring your appetite when you visit. This is one of the wineries in Cape May with a large menu of starters, salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie. Willow Creek has live music most Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
- Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery has been going strong ever since it was established in 2008. The husband and wife owned vineyard harvests, presses, ferments, ages, blends, and bottles everything on site. They are proud members of the Winemakers Co-op of New Jersey. Hawk Haven is one of the wineries in Cape May, NJ that offers sparkling wine. Visitors will find a couple bubbly wines available in tasting flights or by the glass. You can also find wine conveniently packaged in cans. Artisanal snacks can be purchased at the Prey Gourmet Market onsite. The winery also hosts food trucks on Saturdays and Sundays.
- Cape May Winery and Vineyard is the oldest in the area. Their first wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon, was released in 1996. Cape May Winery offers indoor and outdoor seating in an intimate setting. They welcome groups of six or less to sit and relax at first come first serve seating. Want to learn more about wine? Book an educational wine tasting. The 30–40-minute seated tasting takes place in the production barn and is guided by a knowledgeable wine associate. The kitchen has a daily tapas menu with items perfect for sharing. Be sure to go on a Sunday in the summer for brunch.
- Jessie Creek Winery offers unique tasting opportunities. Guests can upgrade curated flights to pair the tasting with macarons or chocolate. The onsite gourmet market also features cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, jams, chips, and more. Jessie Creek holds two distinctions on the list of Cape May, NJ, vineyards: 1) they were listed as one of the 15 best wineries in New Jersey according to travelandleisure.com, and 2) they were one of only two wineries in the state featured in Hidden Gems of America: Wineries and Vineyards 2022.
- The Cape May Wine Trail is a project of the Garden State Wine Growers Association (GSWGA). New Jersey has over 40 wineries. Cape May has the longest growing season of any of the wine areas in the state. Download the GSWGA mobile app and passport program to track your progress as you visit all seven wineries in Cape May.
- Cape May Brewing Co. is one of the largest breweries in the region. Not only are they one of the largest breweries in Cape May, they also feature one of the largest and most accessible tasting rooms in the state. The dog-friendly outdoor beer garden is open year-round. Cape May Brewing has a self-guided and interactive tour available for visitors. A visit is well worth it as the tasting room menu often features limited time releases giving tasters the opportunity to share their thoughts on future projects. Check out the events page for live music and food truck schedules.
- Whale Tale Brewing Company has an ocean-themed taproom. You can feel good about visiting Whale Tale because a portion of the proceeds goes towards initiatives that preserve the marine environment and support the local community, especially nonprofits and law enforcement/first responders. Choose a designated driver before you go, or arrange to use a rideshare, the Champagne Island flight boasts 12 different beers. Upcoming events include live music and an open mic night. Many breweries in Cape May, NJ, follow specific outside food rules in order to support their food truck vendors. Visitors to Whale Tale are encouraged to bring their own food to enjoy at the brewery.
- Cold Spring Brewery is the first non-profit brewery in the state. Also, of all the Cape May County breweries, this is the closet one to Cape May City. The brewery is technically outside of the boundaries of Historic Cold Spring Village yet it still helps to support the museum. Cold Spring always has its four house brews on tap along with limited editions. If someone in your group does not like beer, or you are traveling with kids, they have specially brewed sodas. Get $2 off pints during happy hour on Saturdays or Sundays if you present a same day visitor ticket stub to Historic Cold Spring Village.
- Behr Brewing started because of a home brew kit given as a Christmas gift in 2010. The love of brewing grew into a tap room that typically features around ten different beers. If you look at a Cape May breweries map, you will see that Behr is located along the bike path at exit 2.6. Behr has pet-friendly outdoor seating and plenty of parking for visitors. From July until September, they host live music every Tuesday and Thursday.
- Slack Tide Brewing Company has a beer list that pays homage to the sea and water activities. Beer names have included Estuary, Intracoastal, No Wake, and Stinger Hook. All Cape May breweries encourage sitting back and taking a break. Slack Tide took that idea even more seriously by naming the brewery about the moment of calm as the tide changes. The brewery opened in 2015 and continues to grow while keeping its taproom rustic and cozy. They have won numerous craft beer awards that they feature on their “Hull of Fame” webpage.
Be sure to check out our Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries section on our Cape May FAQS page for more recommendations.
