Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery

Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery is a New Jersey winery located in the Rio Grande section of Lower Township in Cape May County. Its operations developed from a family dairy and produce farm that had been operating since 1940. The property entered winegrowing in 1997, when its first vines, Cabernet Sauvignon, were planted. The winery later opened to the public in 2009, with its first commercial vintage dating from 2007. The winery’s early lineup included American Kestrel White, an unoaked Chardonnay; Red Table Wine; Merlot; and Cabernet Sauvignon. The brand has since developed a broader portfolio based on grapes suited to New Jersey’s coastal growing conditions. The vineyard is situated within the Outer Coastal Plain American Viticultural Area and has approximately 16 acres under grape cultivation. Reported production is about 5,000 cases of wine annually. Hawk Haven emphasizes on-site production. Its grapes are harvested, pressed, fermented, aged, blended, and bottled at the winery rather than being sent elsewhere for the principal stages of winemaking. The estate grows or works with a diverse selection of varieties, including Albariño, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, and Pinot Noir. This range supports both white and red wines, from fresh unoaked styles to fuller-bodied varietal and blended offerings. The winery also has an experimental and educational role in regional viticulture. It serves as a winegrowing test site for Rutgers University research into whether Lagrein and Teroldego, red vinifera varieties associated with Italy’s Trentino–South Tyrol region, can be successfully cultivated in New Jersey. The reference material identifies Hawk Haven as the only New Jersey winery using both varieties at the time described. The name Hawk Haven reflects the large number of hawks that migrate across the farm each year. In the New Jersey wine sector, the winery participates in industry organizations including the Garden State Wine Growers Association and the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association. Its wines have received recognition in competitions, including a Governor’s Cup and a gold medal for Cabernet Franc at the 2016 New Jersey Wine Competition. The available material does not identify a separate parent company, public listing, founder, or individual executive leadership. Hawk Haven is best characterized as a regional, estate-oriented New Jersey wine producer whose identity combines family-farm continuity, local grape growing, on-site cellar work, and experimentation with less-common varieties.

Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery grew out of a family dairy and produce farm in Cape May County, New Jersey, whose agricultural history dates to 1940. The property began its transition toward winegrowing in 1997, when Cabernet Sauvignon vines were planted. This first planting established the basis for an estate vineyard in a region later identified with the Outer Coastal Plain AVA. The winery’s first vintage was produced in 2007, and the facility opened to the public in 2009. Its initial wines included an unoaked Chardonnay sold as American Kestrel White, Red Table Wine, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. These wines introduced the property’s production identity while maintaining a connection to the underlying farm. Over time, Hawk Haven expanded its vineyard program to approximately 16 acres and developed a portfolio spanning numerous grape varieties. Reported plantings or production varieties include Albariño, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, and Pinot Noir. The winery’s stated production model keeps the principal winemaking process on site: grapes are harvested, pressed, fermented, aged, blended, and bottled at the property. Annual output is reported at approximately 5,000 cases. The winery’s name refers to the hawks that migrate through the farm. Beyond conventional commercial production, Hawk Haven has served as a Rutgers University test site for research into the suitability of Lagrein and Teroldego in New Jersey. Both are red vinifera varieties associated with Italy’s Trentino–South Tyrol region, and their use gives the winery a distinctive experimental role within the state’s wine industry. Hawk Haven participates in the Garden State Wine Growers Association and the Outer Coastal Plain Vineyard Association. Its wines have received multiple awards, with Cabernet Franc receiving particularly notable recognition at the 2016 New Jersey Wine Competition, including the Governor’s Cup and a gold medal. The available reference material does not provide the names of founders, owners, chief executives, or other individual managers, nor does it establish a corporate parent or public-company affiliation.

• 2016

  Cabernet Franc receives major competition recognition

  [1]Hawk Haven Vineyard & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The winery’s Cabernet Franc receives the Governor’s Cup and a gold medal at the New Jersey Wine Competition.

• 2009

  Winery opens to the public

  [1]Hawk Haven Vineyard & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Hawk Haven begins public winery operations in Rio Grande, New Jersey.

• 2007

  First wine vintage

  [1]Hawk Haven Vineyard & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The winery produces its first vintage, including American Kestrel White, Red Table Wine, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

• 1997

  First vineyard planting

  [1]Hawk Haven Vineyard & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  Cabernet Sauvignon is planted as the first grape variety in the property’s move toward viticulture.

• 1940

  Family agricultural operations begin

  [1]Hawk Haven Vineyard & Wineryen.wikipedia.org

  The property’s agricultural history begins as a family dairy and produce farm.

A local, estate-oriented New Jersey winery focused on on-site production, Outer Coastal Plain terroir, broad varietal diversity, and regional viticultural experimentation.

• White wine · 2007

  American Kestrel White

  An early Hawk Haven release and one of the wines in the winery’s first vintage. It is described as an unoaked Chardonnay, emphasizing the fruit character of the grape without barrel-aging influence.

• Red wine

  Cabernet Franc

  A red varietal wine made from Cabernet Franc grown or processed within Hawk Haven’s New Jersey wine program. The wine is among the winery’s most prominently recognized offerings, having received the Governor’s Cup and a gold medal at the 2016 New Jersey Wine Competition.

• Wine portfolio

  Estate and varietal wines

  Hawk Haven produces a broad range of wines from varieties including Albariño, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Tempranillo, Viognier, and Pinot Noir. The grapes are processed through harvesting, pressing, fermentation, aging, blending, and bottling at the winery.

• Experimental red wine

  Lagrein and Teroldego wines

  Experimental wines made from Lagrein and Teroldego, red vinifera varieties traditionally associated with Italy’s Trentino–South Tyrol region. Hawk Haven serves as a Rutgers University test site for evaluating whether these grapes can be grown successfully in New Jersey.

• 2007

  Launch of the first commercial vintageProduct launch

  Background

  After the property’s first vineyard planting in 1997, Hawk Haven developed its initial commercial wine range.

  Action taken

  The winery released American Kestrel White, Red Table Wine, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon as part of its first vintage.

  Aftermath

  The first vintage preceded the winery’s public opening in 2009 and established its initial portfolio.

  Source

1. 1Hawk Haven Vineyard & Wineryen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery websitehawkhavenvin.wordpress.com