Growing up spending summers in New Jersey, Mary McAuley has fond memories of beachy days and clambake nights. Now, she’s taking her love of the Jersey shore and infusing that vibe into California-grown wines. Her business, Ripe Life Wines, aims to create the perfect accompaniment to any summer dish.
“I throw a lot of clambakes at the Jersey shore and I am obsessed with the local seafood,” Mary says. “I wanted to craft the perfect wine to go with it, hence my first wine being called ‘The Clambake Chardonnay.’”
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Sparkling Wines, Rosé, & More
After the debut Clambake Chardonnay, Ripe Life Wines produced the Clambake Rosé and the Moules Blanc de Blancs Sparkling Wine. The rosé is dry and light, made from underripe Pinot Noir grapes. Meanwhile, the Moules is bright and light, with a creamy body and tiny bubbles. Rounding out the collection is The Fisherman’s Red, a Pinot Noir so light-bodied it even pairs with fish.
Folks looking to taste the Ripe Life Wines collection won’t find it at any neighborhood liquor store. Instead, the wine brand is exclusively available at two local BYOB restaurants. The first is Spring Lake Seafood in Spring Lake, and the other is Dock and Claw in Beach Haven. Diners can purchase the wines either to accompany their meal or to take home. The wines are also available for purchase directly from the Ripe Life Wines website. Mary also offers bespoke tastings, and can be contacted via email.
Mary’s unique partnership with these restaurants is far more hands-on than most wineries. In fact, she often stops by to bartend or offer tastings to interested customers. (She is a full-time Jersey Shore resident.) “A lot of wineries who partner up with BYOBs just drop off product,” she says. “I am constantly in touch with my partners and present at the locations for staff and guest education.”
The Ripe Life Wines Difference
Mary is on a mission to show her customers how the correct food and wine pairing can elevate any meal. She believes it all starts with a wine made from the best ingredients and the best, sustainable practices.
As for the future, plans are in the works to partner with three more restaurants. Mary is also considering the possibility of a standalone location.
Ripe Life Wines products are available for purchase online or at select BYOB restaurants along the Jersey Shore. Look for them online to learn more.
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All Photos: © Mary McAuley
