Looking for a day away from sunshine and sandy beaches? Or perhaps a night out with friends or a significant other? Maybe you’re looking for something to do on a gray day at the shore? We’ve got the perfect answer: experience Cape May County’s local hops, grapes and spirits! The Jersey Cape’s local breweries, wineries and distilleries each have their own unique flare, making for a one-of-a-kind experience at each. Tour the facilities and talk to the experts to learn how beer, wine and spirits are made. Send your palate on a journey with tastings, and bring your favorite flavor home in a growler or bottle!
In 2014, Carol and Nick Kafkalas opened Lazy Eye Distillery, the first distillery in Wildwood and Cape May County. Distilling is a true passion for Carol and Nick because they both come from a long line of distillers who brought back secret recipes from Greece through Ellis Island that have been passed down from generation to generation. After years of self-teaching and distilling, and at the request of their friends who raved about their homemade their spirits, the two decided to open their own distillery to share their spirits with the rest of the world. Today, the Lazy Eye Distillery serves as a tribute to their ancestors and is dedicated to their dads. Their two sons, Anthony and Nicholas, are also involved in the family business, where Nicholas is the master distiller and runs the Wildwood location, and Anthony helps with accounting and in the tasting rooms when his schedule permits. The family does not reveal why the distillery is called “Lazy Eye,” but they each have a personal connection to the name and are always open for guesses!
The distillery’s flagship product is their vodka, but they started with a “greek spirit” called Raki (Tsipouro) that pays tribute to their parents and grandparents and the values that they instilled upon them. The distillery and craft spirits have won many awards, including 2016 & 2017 Distillery of the Year by the New York International Spirits Competition, Best in Class at the International Seattle Spirits Awards, and 14 additional gold medals from spirits competitions from coast to coast. All spirits are gluten-free and made in smaller stills to maintain the spot-on taste and superior quality. The distillery also serves the Lazy Eye Special (a citrus vodka cocktail), Raki Tsipouro Finished With Anise (Greek Spirit), Barrel-Aged Vodka, and Barrell Aged Raki (Tsipouro). Guests become family at Lazy Eye distillery, so stop in to see the Kafkalas family and try the incredible spirits for yourself!
Lazy Eye Distillery is open Monday through Saturday from 1-8 p.m. through Saturday, August 31. Be sure to stop in to try the first class, award-winning spirits. The distillery also hosts bachelorette parties and special events, and you can also purchase wedding favors to share your new favorite spirits with your guests! There is a second Lazy Eye Distillery in Buena Vista in Atlantic County. For more information, visit www.lazyeyedistillery.com or call (856) 839-4326.
Lazy Eye Distillery
135 E. Spicer Ave., Wildwood
www.lazyeyedistillery.com