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A New Jersey native and Stockton University graduate, Sam has always had a passion for chemistry but was unsure what career field she wanted to apply her degree. It wasn’t until she had a conversation with her dad that she realized her potential in the winemaking industry. She started working in the Hawk Haven tasting room in May of 2018, occasionally interning in the winery alongside Winemaker Todd and his team, and can now be found testing pH, tracking fermentation, and all manner of wine science-y things. Sam is a big fan of the Signature Series Tempranillo: “The wine is bursting with bright berry flavors and beautiful tannins on the palate. A sip of Tempranillo is a sip of happiness!” Chemistry is not her only passion; she loves to explore nature and even has an artistic side. Her advice to wine drinkers is never give up on a wine you don’t like. “Try it again in a few years because your palate changes over time. Remember when you were a kid and you hated that one specific food, then suddenly years later you find yourself craving it? Wine is like that!”

Lalo came to Hawk Haven in 2009 with orchard experience and has adapted to the world of viticulture amazingly. He loves working outside and can sometimes be found talking to the vines as he tends to them. Now the venerated Hawk Haven Vineyard Supervisor, Lalo lives with his family nearby

Lynsie began working at Hawk Haven in the summer of 2010 as a member of the tasting room staff. While she now spends most of her time with her husband and baby girl, she also helps out behind the scenes with marketing and social media. Lynsie lives in Cape May and enjoys reading, cooking, and going to the beach. Her favorite Hawk Haven wine is anything sparkling, especially the Brut Methode Champenois. “My advice to wine drinkers is don’t be afraid to splurge a little; treat yourself every once in a while!”

When we're little ones, we set off on a quest to discover our talent. Some of us are late-ripeners like Cabernet Sauvignon and don't find out what our superpower is until age 50. And that's the story of when Celine met Hawk Haven Vineyard and Winery. It was a charmed moment in her life when she wandered into the Old World tasting room on the Cape May peninsula back in 2013. The only thing she knew about wine was that she liked it. What she didn't know was that she had just met a rockstar winemaker and his wine goddess wife who would invite her to be their storyteller. From that very day, wine became her calling card. She went on to become certified as a wine specialist. And in the blink of an eye, a decade of glorious harvests had unfolded. You can always find her donning her trademark hat, sharing her passion for the nectar of the gods with countless wine lovers, many of whom have become friends. She jams to the soulful sound of troubadours week after week and never fails to thank the artists for the gift of their live music. And she loves to blows kisses to her colleagues whom she considers the dearest treasures on the planet. Above all, she's always been honored to play a part in bringing the Family Wuerker's illustrious story to life with every pour. Her advice to all you wine lovers? Go uncork your favorite vintage and LOVE THE WINE YOU'RE WITH

Vincent aka Vinny stopped by Hawk Haven one day to check it out after a recommendation from his wife and son. He decided to apply for a job because he always liked wine and was interested in learning more about it, and of course we liked him so much he was hired! Originally from North Jersey, Vinny now lives in Cape May County with his wife Gloria with whom he has two sons. He likes to tell people he is very shy and quiet, but if you’ve ever experienced a tasting with him you know he is very friendly, has a great sense of humor, and always has a good story to tell. He considers himself to be like an ambassador for Hawk Haven and the wine industry here as well as Cape May itself, the sites, the beaches, the restaurants and all the fun things we have to offer. Working at Hawk haven, “I meet people from all over and I try to find something in common with them, and usually do, that’s when we become ‘friends’ and we enjoy the wine and hopefully they will bring some home.” He strongly suggests that people try new wines, even if they think they might not like it; “get out of your comfort zone, then if you don’t like it, at least you tried it!”

From taking notes, to tasting notes, Maureen can do it all! A Court Reporter for 36 years, Maureen joined the Hawk Haven team in 2018 after moving to Cape May County with her husband (with whom she has four kids) and discovering her favorite wine, Flying Press Red. “It goes great with almost anything and I can drink every night because it is affordable.” She loves meeting and talking to the guests that come to the winery from all over because she always learns something new from them. Want to learn something about Maureen? Ask her about her shuffleboard team! Her advice to wine drinkers is this: “Take time to smell the wine and drink slowly so you can really savor the taste.”

Allow us to introduce Nanci, a mortgage lender, ballroom dancer, and now one of our newest Wine Tasting Guides! Married to Thom, a local realtor with a voice as smooth as a fine Cabernet, she joined the Hawk Haven team because she loves being around people who are having a great time. And who doesn’t have a great time when wine is involved? Her other hobbies include reading and skiing, but never at the same time. She looks forward to trying all the wines of Hawk Haven, but so far her favorites are the Sparkling Rosé, Proprietor’s Red Blend, and Dry Sauvignon Blanc. When guests ask her for wine tips, she always encourages trying to pair their favorite sips with gourmet cheeses; “It’s a great way to elevate the wine tasting experience!”

Karen has been summering in Cape May County since she was a little girl, and says even her children and grandchildren were born with sand between their toes. She and her husband, a summer romance that blossomed into a wedded bliss, now live in nearby Stone Harbor. Though she has been with us at Hawk Haven for a few years, she recently celebrated ten years in the New Jersey wine industry, and she was the first female wine rep in Upstate New York. Her favorite Hawk Haven wine is the Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc: “delicious, crisp, and pairs exquisitely with local shellfish.” She encourages fellow wine lovers to expand their palate by drinking and enjoying all kinds of wines.

A proud New Jersey native, Robin brings a unique blend of passion and experience to the world of wine. Before immersing herself in the vineyard life, she spent 20 years owning and operating a dance studio, and 17 years shaping young minds in the public school system. Her love for community and connection is evident in her unwavering loyalty to Bruce Springsteen, having never missed a concert since 1977. This same loyalty led her to Hawk Haven, drawn by the camaraderie of the team and the exceptional skills of the winemaker. Here, she found a second family and a new stage to share her love for wine. Robin's favorite pick from the vineyard is the Albariño. Bright, refreshing, and a perfect pair for seafood favorites like shrimp and scallops, it mirrors her own vibrant personality. “Be open to all wines - try everything! You never know what you will find.”

Meet Kristen, a globe-trotting wine enthusiast with a passion for storytelling and leadership. After earning her BA in Broadcast Journalism and a Masters in Leadership, Kristen embarked on a journey that took her from the event production stages of LA to the historic streets of London where she also explored the exotic landscapes of places like Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, and Austria. Eventually, her love for adventure led her back to her roots on the East Coast. A visit to Hawk Haven with her family sparked a new passion - the world of winemaking. Captivated by the staff, the ambiance, and of course, the wine, Kristen joined the Hawk Haven team in Autumn of 2023. She loves the bold flavor of the Signature Series Malbec and the way it elevates her wine drinking experience. “It’s the perfect wine to have on a cozy winter night.” She advises fellow wine drinkers to try new things and take the time to enjoy the experience of the wine. “Going through the process of sniffing the wine and identifying the flavors and aromas then tasting it brings the wine to life.”

Noelle started working at Hawk Haven in September 2019, diving right into the thick of harvest. Having completed professional courses from the Wine School of Philadelphia and working in the wine industry since 2015, she was quite the welcome addition to our crew. After spending a few seasons helping with the winemaking, she now bridges the gap between the winery and the marketing side as part of our managerial and administrative team. When she’s not here at Hawk Haven, she can usually be found hanging out with her husband in their backyard with their Indian runner ducks and African goose, Moira Rose. Noelle studied abroad in London and Barcelona, and although her main passion is wine, she also enjoys knitting, sewing, growing, and cooking. Her advice to wine drinkers is to never give up on a wine just because you didn’t like the first sip. “If at first you don’t like it, try try again!”

The tallest person at Hawk Haven besides Winemaker Todd, William D. Weatherby Sr. was a long-time customer and Wine Club member before he started working here in the summer of 2018. Prior to that (and still today) he fashioned wine stoppers out of reclaimed wood and acrylic, which you can purchase in the Hawk Haven gift shop. Bill lives in Wildwood with his wife; they have one son and two grandsons. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and woodworking, and his favorite Disney character is Goofy! On the weekends he works in the tasting room where he loves the welcoming atmosphere and awesome coworkers. During the week he is our resident Mr. Fix-It, doing everything from repairing broken door knobs to building furniture for our outdoor areas. His favorite Hawk Haven wine is the Cabernet Franc due to its beautiful maroon tone (actual words: “It’s pretty.”) and the notes of black cherry and oak. He highly recommends trying all sorts of wines, even visiting different wineries, because it helps to improve and expand your palate. “You can always learn something new and pick up new scents and flavors.”

Glenn can be found taking care of our flowers, trees and vines around the farm. He also takes care of all of the nests and baby critters that pop up in the Spring and finds them safe homes.

Benjamin is Lalo's right-hand man in the vineyard, tending to our ever-multiplying rows of vines.