Time For A Tasting Tour: Wineries, Breweries and Eateries That Make for a Great Day or Night
We may have to bid a farewell to the summer season, but autumn is a great time to take advantage of the refreshing crisp air and plan a tasting tour for your next date, celebration, or girls’ night out. Explore the vineyards or hop around to different breweries and restaurants. “Sip” back, relax and “wine” down on your next tasting tour through Cape May County that should include any or all of these locations. Cheers!
Allie Stein of Lazy Bass Bayside Bar & Grill with a draft of Beach Bum, a blend of Kona and Mango Cart.
The Lazy Bass Bayside Bar & Grill
5 Old North Wildwood Blvd, North Wildwood
609-827-5299 | lazybass.com
Home to one of the best spots to catch a fall sunset, the Lazy Bass Bayside Bar & Grill invites you to kick back and relax with good times and good vibes by the bay. Located off the causeway between Stone Harbor and North Wildwood, the Lazy Bass opened as Middle Township’s first and only bar and restaurant on the water. The venue offers a laid-back atmosphere, casual fare, cold drinks and live music overlooking the bay. Rotating food trucks are on-site nightly. Come by boat or personal watercraft and take advantage of the eight slips available. As you sip on cocktails and get a bite to eat, you can sit at a picnic table or the bar, or find a seat on the beach and enjoy the fire pits.
Whether you fancy an ice-cold beer, glass of wine, specialty cocktail or check out a skinny bass cocktail, you’ll be able to unwind with an extensive drink menu. Cool down with a signature Beach Bum draft, a blend of Kona Big Wave and Mango Cart ales. This refreshing beer offers a tropical taste that will have you feelin’ like you’re on island time! The Lazy Bass will be open throughout the fall and is also ready to host your next event.
Randi Friel of The Watering Hull with the Jalapeno Margarita and the Pork Carnitas Tacos.
The Watering Hull
261 96th Street, #202, Stone Harbor
609-830-3106 | thewateringhull.com
While the fall season brings all things pumpkin spice, The Watering Hull has a different way to add a little spice to your drink. The restaurant’s staple cocktail, the Jalapeno Margarita, adds a little kick to your classic margarita that is bursting with flavor. Featuring Espolon Blanco Tequila, Triple Sec, house sour mix, and a splash of orange juice and jalapenos, this drink pairs flawlessly with the Pork Carnitas tacos. The tacos include house-smoked pork, grilled corn, pickled jalapenos, and shredded cheeses. All the flavors mix for quite a food and drink combo.
Since opening in 2015, The Watering Hull has become a must-dine in Stone Harbor. Inspired by the ocean, the restaurant has a laid-back atmosphere, a full bar and a Caribbean-inspired menu with small plates, steamers, tacos, poke, sandwiches, burgers, and entrées. The bar offers signature margaritas, crushes, specialty drinks, local beers and more. Both on- and off-site catering options are also available.
Rose Goldman of Rum Row with a signature Rum Runner and the Jerk Chicken Sandwich.
Rum Row
261 96th Street, Stone Harbor
609-830-3212 | rumrowstoneharbor.com
With a growing demand in its restaurant upstairs, The Watering Hull owners jumped on the opportunity when the space downstairs became available and quickly got to work on a new venture. Located in the Walk at Harbor Square and brand-new to the dining scene, Rum Row opened in July. The full-service bar offers 30 beers on tap, craft cocktails, seltzers, local craft drinks, and seasonal specialties. Check out the signature Rum Runner: A retreat to the Caribbean in a glass, it offers a mix of light and dark rum and tropical juices.
Customers can order everything from small plates to full entrees from The Watering Hull menu as well. Caribbean-inspired menu selections pair nicely with tropical drinks from the coastal-inspired bar such as the Jerk Chicken sandwich, featuring a mango salsa, sliced oranges and mixed greens. The perfect spot for date night or catching up with your friends this fall.
Cyndy Deangelis of Avalon Golf Club with the Jefferson Horse Feathers.
Avalon Links at Avalon Golf Club
1510 Route 9, Cape May Court House
609-465-4653 | avalongolfclub.net
With a space that can accommodate up to 400 people with four dining areas, dinner and drinks at Avalon Links Restaurant is a must-do on your tour. Overlooking the 18th hole of the Avalon Golf Club, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily, and breakfast on the weekends. One of the restaurant’s signature drinks to try is the Jefferson Horse Feathers featuring Jefferson Reserve bourbon, ginger beer, bitters and fresh lemon. It is perfectly paired with the filet mignon from the menu that is served with mashed potatoes, sauteed baby spinach and finished with compound herb butter. The combination makes for a hearty tasting on your tour.
Additional drink selections include a variety of wines and spirits, local brews and cocktails that are packed full of flavor. The menu offers something for everyone such as its Crab Hushpuppies to start, entrees such as the Creole Chicken, Crab Cakes or Athena Pasta and a variety of burgers and sandwiches. Online reservations can be made through Open Table. In business since 1971, Avalon Golf Club is also a great spot for private parties, weddings, banquets and more.
Dr. Bruce Morrison, owner of Jessie Creek Winery, with a glass of its best-selling white wine, Albarino.
Jessie Creek Winery
1 Route 47 North, Cape May Court House
609-536-2023 | jessiecreekwinery.com
A hidden gem located off Route 47, Jessie Creek Winery offers a total experience for all. After touring Napa, Calif., Dr. Bruce Morrison was inspired to open the winery in March 2012. Since its opening, Jessie Creek Winery has welcomed groups from all over the country to tour its beautiful vineyards, tasting rooms and sit outside by the firepits. Visitors also have the opportunity to book a stay at The Inn at Jessie Creek, a beautifully renovated historic inn built in 1846 that overlooks the vineyards. Five private rooms are available.
With several silver and bronze medals from the Garden State Wine Growers Association and Beverage Tasting Institute, Jessie Creek Winery offers award-winning white and red varietals. The impressive list includes Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and hybrid grape Chambourcin, grown on the grounds of the estate. One of its biggest sellers is the Albarino, a dry white offering hints of grapefruit and vanilla on the palate. Fruit wines are also available.
David Urquahart, the Natali Vineyards general manager, with a bottle of the Goshen White Blend, a dry white blend of Albarino & Viognier.
Natali Vineyards
221 North Delsea Drive (Route 47), Cape May Court House
609-465-0075 | natalivineyards.com
Located just minutes inland on Route 47 in Goshen, Natali Vineyards’ high quality standards are met by performing all the pruning, canopy management and harvesting by hand. Owners believe that the wine is made in the vineyard, so the harvest of high-quality grapes is of the utmost importance. Under new ownership, the vineyard is expanding its planting of high-quality grapes to its new farmland in Pittsgrove, allowing the company to bottle even more award-winning wines.
Additional expansions were made to include more outdoor seating and a new Gazebo was added to the field for future lawn concerts. Stop in the winery to enjoy a flight, glass or bottle of any of the Natali estate-grown reds or whites in the tasting room or outside on the patio. Some fruit wines are also available seasonally. Groups of six or more need to make reservations and will be seated outside.
David Richartz of the Concord Cafe with its Kentucky Mash.
Concord Café
7800 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-368-5505 | concordcafe.net
Spending the day with the family? Looking for a fun place to catch the game? Concord Café offers casual family dining, daily specials and a full-service bar. With the likes of burgers and pizza to pasta, crab cakes and more, the restaurant’s menu has all your favorites at affordable prices. Daily specials include any burger, french fries and soda for $11 before 4pm, and two large pizzas for $25 anytime, for takeout only.
Find a seat at the bar to catch the game and sip on a variety of options from the full-service menu. Whether you prefer an ice-cold beer or a specialty cocktail, bartender David Richartz will craft you something to sip on. A popular favorite is the Kentucky Mash featuring Woodford Reserve bourbon, ginger liqueur, muddled fresh mint, and orange. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy Avalon’s neighborhood bar and family restaurant. The Concord Café is open daily in September, and Thursday to Sunday in October and November. The last day of the season is Nov. 27.
Kelliann Mianulli-Link, ICONA Avalon’s food and beverage manager, with Avalon Brew Pub’s Cooler by a Mile Session IPA.
Avalon Brew Pub
125 79th Street, Avalon
609-967-2116 | avalonbrewpub.com
When you’re in the mood for a burger and a beer, ICONA Avalon’s Brew Pub is the place to stop on your tasting tour. Voted No. 1 of 42 restaurants in Avalon on TripAdvisor and the recipient of a 2021 TripAdvisor Traveler’s Choice Award, Avalon Brew Pub opened in August 2017 as the East Coast’s only beachfront microbrewery. The gastropub is open year-round and offers in-house brewing of five beers including the “Cooler by a Mile” Session IPA. The featured India Pale Ale brew is a crisper, lighter beer with a strong citrus aftertaste and floral aroma. Other in-house brews rotating on draft include the We Don’t Play IPA, Chill Pils, Healing Sun, and Belgium Beach Bum.
Pair your drinks with different menu selections as you drink and dine at the Brew Pub. Start with an order of Brew Pub mussels or its signature Bavarian pretzel, check out the artisan pizza selections and handhelds, or indulge in entrée options such as fish and chips, shrimp and grits, or the steak frites. As cozy season approaches, be sure to check out the seasonal drink options as well.
Server Lindsey Alshefski of Bobby Dee’s Rock’n Chair with the Blueberry Lemonade and Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos.
Bobby Dee’s Rock’n Chair
2409 Dune Drive, Avalon
609-967-3300 | rocknchair.net
It’s all happening at The Chair, right in the heart of Avalon! Serving lunch and dinner daily, and brunch on the weekends, Bobby Dee’s Rock ‘n Chair Restaurant is a hub for nightly entertainment and Friday night Quizzo. Come for a meal and drinks and stay for the entertainment all season long. With the likes of fresh cut meats and seafood selections to burgers, pizza and beyond, the extensive food menu offers options for all.
Featured on the cocktail menu is the Blueberry Lemonade, a blend of Three Olives blueberry vodka, lemonade and flavors of muddle blueberry and mint. Grab a seat at the bar or bring the entire family to enjoy a night out. Paired with the Blueberry Lemonade is the signature Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, a best-seller from the menu. This classic shore meal features fried shrimp tossed in a bang bang sauce with fresh arugula and mango salsa for a burst of flavor your tastebuds will thank you for. The restaurant also caters to private parties and banquets if you’re looking to celebrate in Avalon this fall.
Tom Powers and Danielle White of Slacktide Brewing Co. with two of its flagship brews, Angry Osprey and Bell Buoy.
Slack Tide Brewing Co.
1072 Route 83, Unit 3, Cape May Court House
609-478-2343 | slacktidebrewingco.com
Slacktide Brewing Co. continues to grow since local brothers Jason and Tadhg Campbell opened the brewery in 2015. The brewery offers six flagship beers including Angry Osprey, Bell Buoy, Monkey Face, Schoolie, The Ridge, and Tipsy Dipsy. There are also nearly 50 rotating seasonal beers throughout the year that can be found canned or on tap at the brewery including IPAs, dark beers, reds, Belgians, sours, Germans, strong ales and barrel-aged brews. Make plans to stop by the tasting room and see what’s on tap this fall.
Next summer, the ever-growing brewery will move to its new home around the corner on Route 9. The company broke ground on its new facility earlier this year with plans to be fully moved into the new space by summer 2023. Slacktide’s new home will offer more than 9,000 square feet of production and tasting room space and plenty of parking. Stay tuned to social media for the project updates and stop by the tasting room this fall to sip on some seasonal favorites.
