The Cape May peninsula has a unique climate. For thetenderEuropean wine grapes (Vitis vinifera), the Mid-Atlanticregion ishostile: too cold, too humid, and too rainy. But lowerCape May'sclimate is moderated by two large bodies of water, theAtlanticOcean and the Delaware Bay. The configuration and climateparallelsa famous French wine-growing region, the Bordeaux, whichliesbetween the Atlantic and the lower Gironde River. Like the theareaknown as the Medoc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and SauvignonBlancdo very well in this climate.
The Atlantic and Delaware Bay support the grape vines in anumberof ways. First, the winters are not so cold. Temperaturesrarely dipbelow zero farenheit, the killing zone for Vitisvinifera. Second,we have an extended growing season, usually 200frost free days,which allows many varieties to ripen into lateOctober. Third, wehave water-borne breezes that dry out thecanopy, reducing fungaldisease. Finally the loamy sand soil drainsquickly, so vine rootsare not standing in "wet feet" after thefrequent and often severethunderstorms.