South Jersey Wineries & The Jersey Shore
If you have driven on the off highway roads in New Jersey over the past several years, you may have noticed a new industry popping up in several locations across the “Garden State”: Wineries??? What use to be fields of fruits and vegetables are now turning into vineyards of grapes.
New Jersey is home to more than fifty wineries, and with a new law that took effect May 1, 2012, it will allow for much more business in this industry and create more wineries across the State. The law will allow the local industry to grow by loosening the restrictions on how wineries can sell their product. Vintners will now be able to ship directly to consumers and open as many as fifteen retail outlets throughout the state.
The bigger effect is that it cleared the way for the state to start issuing new winery licenses that have been in limbo since 2010, when a federal court struck down New Jersey’s regulations as unconstitutional. At least three new wineries have been licensed in South Jersey since the beginning of the years and many more are planned.
South Jersey has a lot going on for this possible influx of wineries because there are many open areas and unused farmland in the lower region of New Jersey versus the highly populated, denser Central and North Jersey. The number of wineries in a specific area is important for tourism because it gives reason to go to several vineyards in a row, as tourists would at certain other popular wine making regions in the USA. It is being speculated that South Jersey could become a wine touring region similar to Napa Valley and the Finger Lakes of Upper State N.Y.
The executive director of South Jersey Tourism Corporation, (SJTC), Jake Buganski, is launching a website on May 7, 2012 that will market the South Jersey Region’s wineries and vineyards as “an unexpected treasure between Philadelphia and the Jersey Shore!” This site is going to be part of a larger effort to create an identity for South Jersey as a destination. You will have the Jersey Shore, with emphasis on Cape May County and all it has to offer, Atlantic City, Golfing, and now Wineries and Wine Touring.
The focus will be on the entire Outer Coastal Plain, a region of sandy soil that is recognized as an official American Viticultural Area by the Federal Government. Buganski said he has consulted with wine economists and industry experts and said their feedback was that New Jersey has all the elements to match the best winery destinations in the nation! “They are saying that this is the model, this is how it works, and this is how a winery boom develops”
To be a winery destination, of course the wine has to be good. This will bring tourists back time and time again. And local growers and wine experts believe that won’t be a problem. Climate and the soil are very important in the Wine business, and N.J. seems to have both at their advantage.
Grape varieties that do well in South Jersey include Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Chambourcin, Concord, and Pinot Grigio. Some grow better than others in different locations in N.J. with Cape May County’s soil clearly different than the soil in Northern N.J.
I’ve recently visited the wine country in Up State New York and I was amazed at the tourism that was brought in by the wineries. I am not a wine connoisseur, nor do I drink wine except on rare occasions, but touring the wineries was a lot of fun. A group of friends, my wife, and I spent a half a day visiting three different wineries on one of the Finger Lakes. We tasted, talked, laughed and spent some serious money on favorites my wife liked. We all had a great lunch at a vineyard and thoroughly enjoyed the day. We and about 300 other wine tasting tourists were spread out along the route that had dozens if not hundreds of local vineyards.
Busloads of tourists would be dropped off at a winery and told they had one hour to taste, wander, and enjoy the ambiance of the vineyard. Then they would pack back into the bus, and head on out to the next destination.
What I see with these large tours offered is the trickledown effect of the wineries. Most wine tourists will come for a long weekend or maybe a week. They will then spend money on accommodations, food, and other fun in the area. If these wineries take off as they possibly could, South Jersey could become the Napa of the East.
Wineries in South Jersey will not only benefit the Wine Industry, it will bring a different prospect of tourists who may not normally come to this area. Once they get here for the wine, our guests in Cape May County will see all that is offered and everyone in the tourist industry will benefit. One of my favorite sayings is: Life is Good. I may now add: WINE IS GOOD!!!
HVAC Repair & Installation Services in Sea Isle City
If you own a property in Sea Isle and you are handy, there are many repairs and maintenance projects that “Do it yourself” persons can handle, but you should always leave your heating and air conditioning problems to the professionals. Money you save trying to fix these units yourself will come back to haunt you when your units break down at key times.
The Importance of Having a Good AC and Heating Repair Professional
Air Conditioning and Heating Units located in Sea Isle City properties have some problems that other areas do not: The Salt Air. Most A/C units are located outside and the corrosion limits the life time of the units sometimes by one half. The best way to avoid having to purchase a new unit every few years is to have a professional service both Air Conditioning Units and Heaters at least once a year. Filters need to be changed to allow for the most efficiency and the units themselves need to be cleaned. Freon also needs to be checked for Air Conditioning Units.
Professional Air Conditioning and Heating contractors know the products best. They can make recommendations on what needs to be done to allow for the most efficient units and least amount of money spent on having a cool home in the summer and a warm one in the winter. These professionals are constantly updating their information and taking seminars that will allow them to advise their customers of the most modern equipment and new changes to the industry. Rely on a HVAC contractor to keep you informed and also keep you up and running all year long.
Emergency Services From Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Contractors
It’s the middle of the summer and the temperature is 95 degrees in Sea Isle City. There is little to no breeze off the ocean and your Air Conditioner broke down. It is also one of the busiest summer weekends and everyone seems to be having the same problems. What can you do to get a great HVAC Contractor at a reasonable price and how do you minimize your cost of repair?
If you have an established relationship with your Heating and Air Conditioner Contractor, you are a step ahead of everyone. Contractors like to establish relationships with their customers and will be loyal to those they have done business with before. If you have your Air Conditioner serviced from your contractor that will put you at the top of the list when it comes to repair. Many HVAC contractors will not charge an added emergency fee if they have worked with you in the past and know you are a loyal customer. So get to know a specific contractor for your Sea Isle City property.
In the winter, the last thing you want if your property is not used year round is to have a heating problem. Heaters that stop working in the cold winter months can cause major damage to properties. The best suggestion is to have your heater serviced in the fall. This gives time for your contractor to work on the heater and make sure it is running in the best possible condition to get you through the long winter months.
If you have no established HVAC contractor, expect to pay an emergency call added expense to any of the normal repair jobs your contractor does. This is the norm for almost all contractors in the Sea Isle City area. So to avoid the added cost and possibly the damage caused by frozen pipes or lost summer rental due to heat, establish a relationship with a contractor and you will save a lot in the long run when you do need heating repair services.
What To Look For In An HVAC Contractor
When you are looking for a Heating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) contractor in Sea Isle City, there are several things to look for. You want to make sure they are qualified and offer their services at a reasonable price. Before you have them work within your property, you want the feeling of confidence that the product and services offered fit your needs.
A professional, qualified HVAC contractor in Sea Isle City will be able to offer all services and supply a N.J. State License and insurance. They will be knowledgeable of all aspects of Heating and Air Conditioning, and be able to give you options on what you may need. They should be able to give you a written quote for product and labor and this quote should stand unless something changes along the way from quoting to finishing the job.
To feel comfortable with your choice, as a customer, you should be able to get references from the Heating and Air Conditioning contractor. Sea Isle City is a very small community and it they should have recent references on satisfactory jobs.
Picking the right Heating and Air Conditioning contractor in Sea Isle City can be a pleasurable experience. Question your potential contractor and make sure you feel comfortable with his experience and expertise. By doing so, you will establish a long term relationship and be very pleased with your choice.
What To Expect: Expenses & More
Once you have established your choice for a Heating and A/C Contractor in Sea Isle City, you want to know in advance what expenses you will incur while having them supply the services and labor. As we all know, HVAC contractors are not cheap and as many say, you get what you pay for.
Labor for a HVAC varies, but you must remember that as professionals, A/C and heating experts have a lot of overhead to cover between equipment, parts, insurance, and labor. When most professionals come to Sea Isle City, there is a charge for arriving and entering the property. This assures them a minimal amount of money for their time and effort. Once they diagnose the problem, they will notify the owner of costs and at least give an estimate for the job.
Owners in Sea Isle City who rent their properties need a dependable and reliable HVAC man. To minimize the problems owners should have service to their Air Conditioning units and Heating units in the Spring and the Fall. The Spring would be for the A/C units, the fall for the Heating units.
Money spent on preventative maintenance saves a lot of time and money in the long run. Your units will last longer, they will be more efficient, and the chances of problems during the prime summer months when the units work the hardest will be much less and the cost for repairs will be minimal.
Seasonal Demand for HVAC Contractors In Sea Isle City, NJ
With Sea Isle City N.J. being a resort town along the Jersey Shore, the demand for services to home owners and investors is very high. Heating and Air Conditioning contractors are in huge demand where there are only a few local companies and an extremely high demand during the summer months.
HVAC contractors located in Sea Isle City work with the local builders for new construction and remodeling and keep as busy as they want in all seasons. During the off season they are working on installs and summer and winter service contracts, and during the summer months the weekends are hard to keep up with. For this reason, there are many options off the Island to help keep up with the demand.
Off Island Contractors who are located in Cape May County, Cumberland County, Atlantic County, and Gloucester County, will come to Sea Isle City prepared to service the customers and establish a great relationship for future business. On any given Saturday or Sunday in the peak season, air conditioners will not be working properly, and renters demand service and service quick. This is where the demand rises and the number of well qualified Heating and Air Conditioning contractors are now in demand.
The Demand in Sea Isle City is there. Choosing the best in all categories is not as hard as it seems. The Jersey Shore Guide only recommends qualified Heating and Air Conditioning contractors through spot checks on all recommendations.
Sea Isle City Plumbing Repair & Installation Services
Everyone who owns a property in Sea Isle City needs a plumber at some point in time. Whether you are looking for a remodeling of a new bathroom, service call, emergency plumbing problem, or opening or closing of your property, finding the right plumber is key. The question is how to find one that is reliable, reasonable, and does quality work.
What to look for in a plumber in Sea Isle City?
Many think that going local in Sea Isle City for your plumber is your best situation. The problem that has risen in Sea Isle City over the past several years is that there are not enough local plumbers in Sea Isle to take care of everyone in town. Local plumbers are good, but sometimes hard to come by. So to look outside Sea Isle City, and even Cape May County, you can often get a reliable plumber who works in this area and can meet all of your needs.
A must for plumbers to do a plumbing job in Sea Isle is that they are licensed and insured. Make sure you check for these criteria before you allow any plumber to do a job for you. There are many reliable plumbers that you can use in Sea Isle City, Cape May County, and in South Jersey. Asking questions will allow you to make the best choice possible.
Local Versus Off-Shore Plumbers in Sea Isle City
There are approximately three to six Plumbers in Sea Isle City at any given time. With all the homes on the Island, there really are not enough to go around. This creates a shortage on the Island so many home owners use Plumbers that are located off the Island, but willing to travel into Sea Isle.
Using a local plumber has the advantage of being close to the property and having that local feel and comfort zone. They are within a short distance of your property and only a call away.
All plumbers, both local and off shore have great qualities, and the decision to choose one over the other should not matter either way. It is great to have a local plumber in Sea Isle City, but sometimes they are so busy, especially during the summer months, that you can’t get the service needed on weekends when most problems occur. Most times you are put on a list where your problem is addressed according to severity and when you called. A Saturday emergency call can sometimes take to Monday to be addressed.
The plumbers that work in Sea Isle but are not local will usually have trucks in the area during times of most need. Plumbers know there is a demand on weekends and will be prepared with trucks to handle situations. Plumbers who come to Sea Isle City from off the Island are usually prepared to work long hours to assure customer satisfaction and to make up for not being local.
When choosing your plumber, question them on what happens during the most crucial time on Saturdays and Sundays during the summer. This will help you choose the best plumber that meets your needs.
Plumbing Repair Services in Sea Isle City
Plumbers who work in Sea Isle City offer many services. Whether you are in need of a new or remodeled Bathroom or Kitchen, repairs of leaks or running water, installation or replacement of washers or hot water heaters, or service of turning your water on or off for the season, a good plumber can help with your needs.
House owners in Sea Isle City, whether living full time, using as a second home, or using as a vacation rental, have need for a plumber’s service several times throughout the years. A good relationship with your plumber is crucial so they are available when you need them.
Remodeling your Bathroom or Kitchen can be a timely and expensive venture. But statistics show that you will get the most money back on an upgraded Bathroom or Kitchen compared to other upgrades in your home. A good plumber in Sea Isle will be able to make wise suggestions that will allow for you to work within your expectations and your budget.
If you have an emergency plumbing situation, you will require a plumber who can address your problem fast and effectively. Damage from plumbing problems can be extremely costly and you want to address the problem as fast as possible. Good plumbers in Sea Isle City can make recommendations to avoid problems.
Unless you live in Sea Isle full time, you will want a plumber to help with turning your water on and off seasonally. Many owners attempt to do this themselves, but unless you know exactly what you are doing, you may find come winter or spring, that you could have major leaks that can cause thousands of dollars of damage. Let the professional plumber take care of this for you. It gives you a guarantee and peace of mind.
Sea Isle City plumbers offer many services that help make your life as an owner easier to deal with. Use them well and you will save in the long run.
Emergency Plumbing Services
It’s the summer. You have your home rented out. And the people renting your home call to say that there is a major leak. What do you do? Your best option is to have a reliable, local plumber who you can rely on and who has a reputation for fast service and responsiveness to emergencies. You’ll also want to prepare in advance and have a step by step process in place to have the water shut off until your plumber can provide emergency services.
Every property owner in Sea Isle City has had an emergency plumbing situation one time or another. Whether it is an overflowing toilet or drain, burst pipes, leak from dishwasher, or one of many other situations. Plumbers must be ready for situations like this in Sea Isle City where time is of the essence and customers need their help immediately.
Nothing is worse that a clogged toilet. Most people will first attempt to unclog it themselves, but once they realize it is beyond their control, an emergency call goes out to the plumber. Plumbers will come to Sea Isle prepared to deal with toilet clogs and other clogs by either running a tool called a snake down the drain or toilet, or by pouring liquid chemicals, or both. Tough clogs should be handled by professional plumbers so you don’t damage the pipes and you find out what caused the clog for the future to avoid it from happening again.
A burst pipe is something plumbers deal with all the time. This is when it pays to know where the shut off valve is so you can turn the water off to avoid extensive damage until the plumber arrives in Sea Isle City to help. Burst pipes occur every winter in Sea Isle when the pipes are not drained and the temperature goes well below freezing for a long period of time. Homes can be destroyed once the pipes thaw and water runs throughout the house.
Hoses that run to washers are another emergency problem that plumbers are called out for. Owners do not realize that these hoses only last about ten years and should be changed. The same thing happens with hot water heaters. They have a life span of about ten to twelve years and should be replaced before the damage occurs.
A good plumber in Sea Isle City can help their customers by making recommendations to replace or repair before the emergency happens. This saves the owner both time and money.
Costs & Expenses for Plumbers in Sea Isle City
When you need a plumber in Sea Isle, you’ll need to expect a major expenses. Plumbers are professionals who are skilled in a trade. The services they offer take both time and money. Plumbers are constantly upgrading their skills, tools, and knowledge, and for this constant upgrading, a plumber must be paid accordingly.
Most plumbers in Sea Isle will have a set price for a service call. Once you contact them and they walk in the door, be prepared to pay anywhere from seventy five dollars on up for the Plumber to travel to your home and walk through the door to help you. Once you get past the initial service charge, plumbers will have an hourly rate plus cost of materials used.
Your plumber may have to come back after checking a job. There are so many parts out there on all appliances that no plumber has them all. Fortunately with the large plumbing supply stores and the Internet, Plumbers can get parts in short periods of time.
A plumber should be able to give you an itemized quote before doing a job. This gives the customer a rough idea of what you will pay for a plumbers service in Sea Isle City. If they can’t give you an estimate, you may want to get a second opinion. But remember, you will be billed for the service call.
Airfest: Cape May County Annual Event-Labor Day Weekend
Cape May County New Jersey has it’s beaches and sun and fun resorts, but it also offers Historic World War II Bombers that allows visitors to experience “living history”. Labor Day Weekend is that time and place for this South Jersey Airfest, which takes place at the Naval Air Station Wildwood Avaiation Museum at the Cape May Airport.
This museum boasts a collection of 26 aircraft spanning the period from early in WWII, with the Boeing Stearman, to the jet powered F-14 Tomcat used in Iraq.
On Labor Day Weekend famous WWII aircraft visits Cape May County and Historic Hanger #1 for four days. The tour features the P-51 Mustang, B-17 Flying Fortress and B-24 Liberator. The public will be given a once in a lifetime opportunity to enjoy and even take flight in these historic treasures. The main goal of the AirFest is to educate visitors about national history and to honor our veterans.
If you are visiting any where in The Southern New Jersey area during Labor Day Weekend, you should consider coming to the AirFest located at 500 Forrestal Road, Cape May Airport, NJ 08242. For more information, please contact 609-886-8787 or www.usnasw.org.
Cape May Culinary Delight: Tisha’s!!! Here for Awhile. New Address
One of my wife’s and I favorite places to explore is Cape May and its culinary cuisine. With so many places that offer fine dining and have such great reputations, this Cape May County, Jersey shore resort located at the southern tip of New Jersey, or exit 0 on the Parkway, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.
We recently were walking down the Washington Street Mall and came across a new eating establishment, Tisha’s. It was lunch time so we checked out the menu and were pleased to see a different variety of offerings with a little twist to some. While looking at the menu, I learned that Tisha’s was originally started in Wildwood New Jersey, just north up the coast by the current owners mother. In 1995, Paul and his wife Jennifer opened Tisha’s fine dining at the Solarium building on the beach. They recently relocated to the center of the Washington Street Mall, and we are glad they did.
The lunch menu offered small plates of Calamari with roated peppers, hot peppers capers and honey mustard, Mussels and Clams, and Broccoli Rabe. There are also soups and salads that caught the taste buds and all salads could add grilled chicken or shrimp. The entreees consisted of sandwiches and burgers and the choices were mouth watering.
My wife choose the Big Gun Panini, which had grilled chicken with roasted peppers, fresh spinach, gorgonzola cheese and drizzled balsamic glaze. Since that sounded good to me also, we decided to share that and for my choice I had an Italian Burger, which came with roasted peppers, spinach, goat cheese, and drizzled balsamic reduction. We ordered the specialty salad, which had baby greens, candied pecans, goat cheese, craisins, and a rasberry balsamic vinaigrette. With these three choices, we decided to share them all.
The salad came out first and it was plentiful for two of us to share and the ingredients were substantial. Everything was extremely fresh and the greens had a variety which brought out the flavors of everything. We both thouroughly enjoyed this first course. When our sandwiches arrived, we both took a bite and moaned with the exciting taste. The burger with the goat cheese, roasted peppers, and balsamic glaze could have been the best burger I have ever had. I would never had thought the combination of the toppings could go so well with a burger, but it was fantastic. The pannini was great also, but after tasting the burger, I really did not want to share. But I did. We both had a wonderful lunch, and we were able to sit outside and enjoy the walkers and shoppers. The weather was perfect and it became a perfect day.
Tisha’s also serves dinners and the price for lunch with iced teas came to $37.00 and worth every penny. You can find Tisha’s at 322 Washington Street in Cape May. If and when you are in Cape May, Tisha’s should be a must eat!!!
609-884-9119/www.tishasfinedining.com
