Come to the City of Cape May, one of “America’s Best Food Cities,” according to Condé Nast Traveler magazine, and experience the flavors of America’s First Seaside Resort during the 22nd Annual Cape May Food & Wine Celebration now through Sept. 23, sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC). This annual extravaganza celebrates Cape May’s gourmet restaurants, local wines and beers, and talented chefs with wonderful flavors to enjoy.
Spend the afternoon visiting Cape May County’s wineries and sampling the unique flavors of each during the Cape May Wine Trail on Friday, Sept. 21 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Savor the distinctive wines at three Cape May area vineyards with trolley travel to each and a lunch included at the Carriage House Café & Tearoom at the Physick Estate. A trolley transports you to Willow Creek Winery, Natali Vineyards and Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery. Learn about viniculture and ask questions as you sip and swirl at each tasting room. Admission of $85 includes lunch, wine tastings at each vineyard and a wine tasting glass. This is a limited event, so reserve early.
You’ll discover why Cape May is the third largest commercial fishing port on the East Coast on the Fisherman’s Wharf Tour at the Lobster House Restaurant at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 and Saturday, Sept. 22. Learn how seafood gets from the sea to your table! Admission is $10 for adults and $7 for children (ages 3-12).
Travel by trolley from the Washington Street Mall Trolley stop to Nauti Spirits Distillery and learn about the Victorians’ private indulgences during Victorian Vices at Nauti Spirits Wednesday, Sept. 19 at 3 p.m., an entertaining talk by Elan Zingman-Leith. After the talk, be dazzled by a classic cocktail demonstration. Admission is $18. Beverages available at additional cost.
Beer lovers unite! Dive right into an unforgettable five-course feast on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. that celebrates the magical concoctions of yeast, hops, barley, wheat and more during Chefs Dine-Around with Cape May Brewing Co. Five premier Cape May restaurants each serve a course carefully prepared to pair with a select beer from the award-winning Cape May Brewing Co. Discover depth of flavors in each selection with a brewery representative as your guide. A trolley shuttle transports you between courses. Reserve early; limited to 34 people. Admission is $125 (gratuity included).
Have you ever tried blending wines? Vintners create and bring to market new blends all the time. On Friday, Sept. 21 at 6 p.m., learn about this art of choosing wines to blend during Wine Blending & Pairing at Cape May Winery, a two-hour tasting and blending experience with light plates included, at Cape May Winery. Admission is $65.
Driven by materialism and status-seeking, the Victorians were passionate about conspicuous consumption. New technology made many new foods available to them. At Lunch & Learn at Lucky Bones “Consuming Passions” on Saturday, Sept. 22 at noon, MAC Curator Gail Capehart describes Victorian food and drink in a richly illustrated lecture and tells the story of the intricacy of the Victorian dining table – what was served, and how and why it was meant to be eaten. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Lunch buffet included. Admission is $20 and includes lecture and buffet.
It’s a bountiful buffet for chocolate lovers! If chocolate is your go-to problem solver, this is your event. Enjoy seven different courses of chocolate creations during the Chocolate Lovers Feast at The Blue Rose Inn, 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, with the chef who created them explaining how each was prepared. Reserve early; limited event. Admission is $40.
Design lovers – the Cape May Designer House Tour is for you! Step across the thresholds of several professionally designed, grand private homes in the Cape May area that are open to the public exclusively for this occasion on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be inspired by a variety of beautiful décor ideas. Visitors receive a booklet with descriptions of the houses and a map. Admission is $30.
Linger over a Sunday morning champagne brunch buffet at Aleathea’s Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May on Sunday, Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. Champagne Jazz Brunch at Aleathea’s features a delicious brunch, champagne and live jazz from The Great American Songbook, performed by The Herb Moore Duo, guitar and bass. Admission is $35. Call (609) 884-5555 to purchase tickets.
A Dinner & Full Moon Climb is the height of culinary and stargazing delight! A trolley will first transport you from the Physick Estate to The Red Store, where you will savor selections from the tasting menu of award-winning Chef Lucas Manteca. Then it’s onwards via trolley to climb 199 steps to the Cape May Lighthouse watch gallery, weather permitting, to view the full moon in all its glory. Sunday, Sept. 23 at 6:15 p.m. Admission is $85. Reserve early; limited event.
Purchase tickets in advance for these events at www.capemaymac.org, at the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, at the Hill House office or at the Carriage House Visitor’s Center at the Physick Estate. Some events are purchased directly from the venue. For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, call (609) 884-5404.