Getaways This Weekend in NJ: Cape May Food & Wine Festival
This weekend, September 16, 17, 2006, Cape May, NJ will hold it’s 10th Annual Cape May Food & Wine Festival. The festival has been honored as “a Top 100 Event in North America.”
It all starts Saturday, Sept. 16, with a visit to the award-winning Cape May Winery & Vineyard, home of blue ribbon-quality veriferas, including chardonnay, reisling, merlot and cabernets. This introduction to the winemaker’s art, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., includes a tour of the vineyard and a barrel tasting accompanied by delectable cheese and fruit. Limited to 40 people per tour. $20 per person.
Also on Saturday, visitors can enjoy the Old-Fashioned Cape May Picnic & Revival, starting at 6 p.m. Enjoy a casual seashore picnic supper at the Carriage House Tearoom & Café, on the grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. Adding zest to the proceedings will be the Eternal Sword Temperance Union, with music and boisterous barroom comedy. (Those who do not observe the temperance pledge are welcome to BYOB.) Limited event; reserve early. $45 per person, adults only.
Next up is The Gourmet Marketplace, Sunday, Sept. 17 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cape May Winery. Samplings and product information will be provided by some of Cape May’s finest restaurants, and master chefs will vie for supremacy in a test of speed and skill. A highlight of the afternoon will be the People’s Choice Chowder Contest, in which guests will vote for best in bisque. Sorry, children cannot be accommodated at this event. Adult admission to this limited event is included in the Discount Package, or available individually at $25.
The festival, that continues on into next week, through Thursday, September, 21, is a full week of taste-tempting special events. From Sunday to Thursday, Sept. 17-21, it’s the Chefs’ Dine-Arounds, lavish, five-course dinners with each course served at one of Cape May’s premier restaurants. Wine will be served at every stop, with a representative on hand from the sponsoring winery to explain the pairings. A trolley shuttle to each restaurant will be provided. $100 per person, gratuity included. Reserve early; limited to just 34 people per night.
On Tuesday, Sept. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m., Aleathea’s Restaurant is the place for a five-course Beer Tasting dinner, hosted by “America’s Beer Authority,” Gary Montessoro, who will discuss the pairings of each course. Limited to 50 people; $65 per person, gratuity included.
Gourmet Lunches are on the menu Sunday to Thursday, Sept. 17-21 at 12:30 p.m. These delectable midday meals are offered at a different restaurant each day. Lunches cost $20 per person and are limited to 40 guests per restaurant.
Discount Packages are also available for the Food & Wine Festival. For $150, you will receive admission to The Gourmet Marketplace, your choice of gourmet luncheons, three days of select classes, tastings and seminars (held Monday through Wednesday), and a special commemorative gift.
The 10th Annual Cape May Food & Wine Festival is sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic
Center for the Arts (MAC), a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Cape May’s heritage. MAC also fosters the performing arts.
MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.
For information about accommodations and shopping, call the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May at 609-884-5508.
Also see BestofNJ.com’s recommendations on Cape May’s Best Bets.
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