Our Story

Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery is owned and operated by husband and wife Todd & Kenna Wuerker. The farmland has been in the Wuerker family since the 1940s when Todd’s grandfather emigrated from Germany to start a family in Cape May County. Though the landscape has changed through the years, from cattle to vegetables to vinifera, there is a dedication to quality and a passion for excellence that has been as constant as the namesake hawks that soar overhead.

What happens when two people feel a deep connection to a place...

It has been quite a journey!  It started in 1997 when Todd planted the first few acres of vines across the street from what is now Hawk Haven’s Tasting Room.  The story continued 7 years later when Todd and Kenna met at the Farmhouse that still sits at the entrance of Hawk Haven.  Kenna arrived thinking she was there to set up business services for his company and was unaware that this was a “set up” orchestrated by the banker who referred her.  A few confusing phone calls and another meeting later, Kenna finally caught on that he wasn’t looking for payroll services.
 
Fast forward to 2007, the couple signed documents to form the first (of many) LLCs together and started making wine under the Hawk Haven label.  Somewhat of an afterthought to the start of their business partnership, and at the urging of both sets of parents, they started their “other” partnership at Congress Hall in Cape May on a cloudy Sunday in March surrounded by a rowdy crowd of friends and family. 
 
They made a quick trip to California to do a little research and opened the Tasting Room doors on Memorial Day weekend of 2009.  The couple worked everyday in the Tasting Room, splitting the hours to also work on winemaking, the vineyard, marketing and accounting.  It was exhausting, but that summer they built the foundation of Hawk Haven and met a handful of customers who are still friends today.  
 
Over the years, Hawk Haven has grown.  Our vineyard is now over 20 acres, with almost as many grape varietals planted.  Our production is now up to 5,000 cases.  The family grew as well, adding two Wuerkers to the clan, Elin Irene in 2012 and Semma Loren, a very short time later in 2013.  
 
We were one of the first wineries in the state to host live music and weekly events.  Back in the day, Sangria Sunday was a customer favorite and more recently, Rootstock became a thing to look forward to all week. We pulled off some pretty epic annual events too.  Remember Cape May Wine & Music Fest and Hawktoberfest?  And who can forget the Donovan Frankenreiter shows!
 
The wines have evolved.  Right out of the gate, our first vintage of Merlot (2007) won the New Jersey Double Gold for Best Red.  If Kenna hasn’t already mentioned it to you, Hawk Haven was awarded 93 points by Wine Enthusiast for both 2022 Q and 2022 OA Cabernet Franc.  A feat no other NJ winery has accomplished.  
 
Todd and Kenna have matured, like a fine wine, along with Hawk Haven.  It’s time to slow the pace and take inventory of the things that matter to them most.  Family, quality of life, community, and this beautiful place.  They are very aware of the connection their customers have to the farm and the traditions they have grown accustomed to, so they promise to continue the essence and spirit of the original Hawk Haven.  Although we are leaving some traditions behind, the Vineyard will continue as a place to gather and unwind. 
 

the wine

In the Fall of 2018, Hawk Haven joined The Winemaker’s Co-Op of New Jersey, the first winery to be invited since its inception. The organization was created by a group of likeminded growers and winemakers to promote the fine wine movement in the Garden State. The goal is to highlight and encourage premium New Jersey wine production with exclusive events, press outreach, industry investment and education. We wholeheartedly support the slogan, No Farmers, No Wine. 

Todd has had his heart set on being a main player in sparkling wine production for quite some time. Sparkling wines are a true labor of love, from the time-intensive practices of Méthode Champenoise, to the risks of Méthode Ancestrale, these are truly celebratory wines. In 2019 we released our first round of Pét-Nats, shortly followed by our 2017 Brut, Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Noir sparkling wines. Todd and his team are working on a number of exciting new projects in the winery, always striving to push themselves and think outside of the box. 

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