The Coastal Wine Trail

by Vera Thornton

The Coastal Wine Trail of New England is a group of five vineyards located close together in southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Touring the trail makes an ideal three day getaway for wine lovers who don’t feel like flying to Napa. Due to the long cool growing season along the shore, you’ll find some world-class wines here – predominantly white and sparkling. Pair that with the beautiful vistas of sweeping marshes and rocky shores, and you have the makings of an excellent road trip. If you pick up the Coastal Wine Trail "Passport” distributed at each vineyard, you’ll receive descriptions and detailed directions to the other locations on the trail, assuring that you don’t travel around in circles (you will be tasting lots of wine, after all!). You can get your passport stamped at each stop and be entered in a great contest, which runs through December 31st, whose grand prize is a weekend stay at the stunning Chanler at Cliff Walk in Newport, RI.
Starting from the north, here are the five vineyards on the trail.





Running Brook Vineyards
Where: 335 Old Fall River Road; North Dartmouth, MA
When: Open daily from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tours are free.
Tasting: Fee
The newest of the wineries on the trail, Running Brook was started in 1998 by two gentlemen from the Azores, one of whom has been working in vineyards since age 13.
For more information please call (508) 985-1998

Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery
Where: 417 Hix Bridge Road, Westport, MA
When: May 1st - December 31st: Open 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday; 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. Sunday & Monday.
After January 1st: Open weekends only; Saturday 11:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. & Sunday 1:00 -5:00 p.m.
Tours: Saturday & Sunday at 1:00 & 3:00 p.m., free.
Tasting Fee: $7
Westport Rivers is family owned and is the largest New England vineyard. Yankee Magazine named Westport Rivers as one of the best touring destinations in New England, and it is only 20 minutes from Running Brook.
For more information please call (800) 993-9695.

Sakonnet Vineyards
Where: 162 West Main Road, Little Compton, RI
When: Summer & Fall: Open daily 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Tours at 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. through Columbus Day
Winter: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Tours at 12:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m. through Memorial Day
Sakonnet Vineyard was founded in 1975 and is a larger scale operation, producing 50,000 cases annually. A visit includes a film, a tour and of course a tasting session. An on-site café serves sandwiches, salads, cheeses, and desserts. Sakonnet is only 25 minutes from Westport. I suggest that you continue on to Portsmouth, half an hour away, and stay at the charming Shamrock Farm Inn.
For more information please call (401) 635-8486


Greenvale Vineyards
Where: 582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI
When: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tasting Fee: $8
Jazz Tastings: Saturdays 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. - $15.00
Greenvale may be a bit hard to find (watch for the signs and follow them!) but do persevere, it’s worth it. It’s a farm that’s been in the same family since 1863, and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places – the tasting room is a restored stable. The family is committed to preservation, conservation, and fine wine. There is jazz every Saturday from Memorial Day through October and a year long schedule of concerts and open houses.
For more information please call (401) 847-3777.


Newport Vineyards
Where: 909 East Main Road, Middletown, RI
When: Open daily Monday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. & Sunday 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Tours: Daily at 1:00 p.m. & 3:00 p.m.
Tasting: Fee
Newport Vineyards is the last stop on the Coastal Wine Trail and is recognized as a landmark attraction in Newport County – a known crowd-pleaser. It produces award-winning wines on preserved farmland, and offers the opportunity to put your picture on custom wine-labels.
For more information please call (401) 848 – 5161.


Photo Credits:
Photo #4: Courtesy of Sakonnet Vineyards
Photo #2,#5 & #6: Courtesy of Greenvale Vineyards
Photo #1 & 3: Courtesy of Running Brook Vineyard