INTRODUCTION
I have been visiting wineries in New England since I was in college, which I completed sometime just after the Civil War. Or was it as far back as the Punic Wars? Not sure. Suffice to say, it's been a long time in the making. I remember driving the back country roads of Connecticut and Rhode Island in my parents old beaten up Baby Blue 1975 Buick Skylark convertible with the tattered white rag top.Since then I have driven countless co-pilots throughout the hills and dales of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, among other places. I have never been let down, in that, I have always enjoyed the fun of tasting and exploring. Seeing what kinds of wines people were making, what grapes, styles, ideas, etc.
The farm wineries have come a long way since the concept was introduced back in the late 1970s, and which inspired an entire subset of the winery industry. What started out as small handfuls of gentlemen farmers and enthusiasts has grown into a multi-billion dollar industry across these states, as well as New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Suddenly, there are literally thousands of small wineries among the original 13 colonies.
The list below is not complete by far. Such a project which I attempted back in 2001, EAST COAST WINERIES: From Maine to Virginia (Rutgers Univ. Press), was a fool's errand even back then. The numbers have skyrocketed every year.
I have had some simple rules. 1. I write only about wines I like. If you're looking for brutal put downs of other folks labors, you won;t find them here. Move on. 2. I tend to write about only wineries that either grow their own fruit, or use fruit from local vineyards. I rarely, rarely write about wineries that use fruit from other states (especially California). 3. I usually go to these places completely unannounced, in order to see what the man on the street experience is. I can't or don't always do this, but it tends to be my usual MO at least for the first time experience. 4. I only write about wines and wineries I have actually experienced. 5. I tend to write more about serious dry wines that I think might be competitive with our western, European, or other international winemaking brethren. I tend not to review sweet reds (other than the occasional ports) or what I politely refer to as "picnic wines." I am not putting those wines down, but rather, I am looking for serious winemakers who are attempting to make quality wine for discerning wine drinkers. Occasionally I stumble, but rarely.
Oh, and by the way...there are typos and misspellings sometimes. I have a day job, a winery, write books, and two sons (and in the past three dogs)..... If it bugs you, sorry. Happy to make correx when pointed out. But try to stay with the content, and help me out.
I have included a few pieces about fun breweries or distilleries where possible in each state. Always fun side trips.
That said, this collection of pieces is a living document. It will be updated periodically, so that it remains flexible and current. Always looking to add new experiences. Need to make more trips through all these states. The fun never ends. Enjoy.
Bob Bartett of Bartlett's Maine Estate Winery, Is One of the World's Greatest Fruit Winemakers
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2007/05/bob-bartett-of-bartletts-maine-estate.html
The author with Bob Bartlett
Bartlett Estate Wild Blueberry Wine Oak Dry
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/04/bartlett-estate-wild-blueberry-wine-oak.html
Delicious! Bluet Wild Blueberry Sparkling (ME)
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/delicious-bluet-wild-blueberry.html
Wiggly Bridge Small Barrel Bourbon - A Little Taste of Kentucky, from Maine! (ME)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/04/wiggly-bridge-small-barrel-bourbon.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/gunpowder-rye-whiskey-me.html
VERMONT
Wines of Vermont by Todd Trzaskos is Fantastic!http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/11/wines-of-vermont-by-todd-trzaskos-is.html
Deirdre Heekin: The Siren of New England Wine
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/04/deirdre-heekin-siren-of-new-england-wine.html
A Night to Remember - La Garagista Vinu Jancu Vermont La Crescent 2017 (VT)
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-night-to-remember-la-garagista-vinu.html
Shelburne Makes a Quality Statement
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/11/shelburne-vineyard-makes-quality.html
Tremendous: Ethan Joseph's Iapetus Tectonic 2017 (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/04/tremendous-ethan-josephs-iapetus.html
Maquam Winery Turning Heads on Lake Champlain (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/05/maquam-winery-turning-heads-on-lake.html
Lincoln Peak Marquette 2013 - The Best Marquette in North America! (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/04/lincoln-peak-marquette-2013-best.html
Chris Granstrom from Lincoln Peak
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2012/07/lincoln-peak-vineyars-winery-vt-chris.html
Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits - Raising the Bar on Craft Beverages in Vermont! (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/11/boyden-valley-winery-spirits-raising.html
Snow Farm Winery Estate Leon Millot 2007
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2009/11/snow-farm-winery-07-estate-leon-millot.html
Honora 2010 St. Croix (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2012/06/honora-2010-st-croix-vt.html
Putney Mountain Winery
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2008/06/putney-mountain-winery.html
Citizen Cider The American: Vermont Cider at It's Best (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/01/citizen-cider-american-vermont-cider-at.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/11/stowe-cider-wow-vt.html
Heady Topper - Dropping Bright - Dropping the Penny on Yours Truly (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2013/06/heady-topper-dropping-bright-dropping.html
Long Trail Imperial Stout 2011 (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2013/02/long-trail-imperial-stout-2011-vt.html
Caledonia Barr Hill Gin - Fantastic! (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/02/caledonia-barr-hill-gin-fantastic-vt.html
Mad River Bourbon - Mad Delicious! (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/07/mad-river-bourbon-mad-delicious-vt.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/smugglers-notch-distillery-is-top-notch.html
Vermont Ice Maple Creme (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/vermont-ice-maple-creme-vt.html
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Hermit Woods Winery- They Are Having Too Much Fun...and So Will You! (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/05/hermit-woods-winery-they-are-having-too.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/07/no-ordinary-joe-mikes-appolo-vineyards.html
Lovely: Sweet Baby Vineyard Bubbly Cayuga White (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/lovely-sweet-baby-vineyard-bubbly.html
Flag Hill Apple Cranberry (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/06/flag-hill-apple-cranberry-nh.html
Marquette Continues to Shine in the Northeast: Poocham Hill Winery Marquette 2015 (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/01/marquette-continues-to-shine-in.html
Zorvino Vineyards - A Lovely Visit (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/07/zorvino-vineyards-lovely-visit-nh.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2012/07/visit-to-farnum-hill-ciders-nh-watching.html
CLASSIC! 10 Year Old Bottle of Farnum Hill Semi-Dry Cider NV (VT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/04/classic-10-year-old-bottle-of-farnum.html
Throwback Brewery - A Fun Visit! (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/07/throwback-brewery-fun-visit-nh.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/11/beat-single-malt-whiskey-from-new.html
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/new-englands-best-kept-secret-is-out.html
Clark & Chesterfield Bourbon and Single Malt Whiskey Impress! (NH)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/11/clark-chesterfield-bourbon-and-single.html
MASSACHUSETTS
Westport Rivers Brut Cuvee RJR 2006 (MA)http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/01/westport-rivers-brut-cuvee-rjr-2006-ma.html
Fantastic! Black Birch Vineyards Steps Up the Game in Massachusetts! (MA)
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/fantastic-black-birch-vineyards-steps.html
Glendale Ridge Cabernet Franc Vintner’s Reserve 2017
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/
Coastal Vineyards Estate Marquette 2014 Impressive (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/05/coastal-vineyards-estate-marquette-2014.html
Padanaram Wine Co. Gewurztraminer 2014 Good Stuff!! (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/03/padanaram-wine-co-gewurztraminer-2014.html
A Lovely Surprise on the Way Home: Willow Spring Vineyards (MA)
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/a-lovely-surprise-on-way-home-willow.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/03/aaronap-cellars-impressive-introduction.html
Nashoba Valley Winery and Distillery Staking a Claim in Eastern Massachusetts
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2011/02/nashoba-valley-winery-and-distillery.html
Apfel Ice Wine from Stil River Winery, in Harvard, Massachusetts
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2011/02/apfel-ice-wine-from-stil-river-winery.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2013/02/west-county-cider-redfield-in.html
Far From the Tree Ciders (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/far-from-tree-ciders-ma.html
Furnace Brook Winery at Hilltop Orchards wins Best Wine in Massachusetts
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/07/furnace-brook-winery-at-hilltop.html
Making Marvelous Saison in The Mystic Valley of Massachusetts (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2013/06/making-marvelous-saison-in-mystic.html
Berkshire Brewing Steel Rail Extra Pale Ale
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/03/berkshire-brewing-steel-rail-extra-pale.html
Wandering Star Brewery Zingari (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2012/04/wandering-star-brewery-zingari-ma.html
Cisco Brewing Indie Pale Ale
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/09/cisco-brewing-indie-pale-ale.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2013/01/berkshire-bourbon-whiskey-ma.html
Nashoba Stimulus Single Malt Whiskey - Amazing Single Malt From Massachusetts! (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/02/nashoba-stimulus-single-malt-whiskey.html
Deacon Giles Distillery - Something Wickedly Good This Way Comes (MA)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2016/04/deacon-giles-distillery-something.html
Fantastic: Greenvale Select Chardonnay 2017 (RI)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/greenvale-select-chardonnay-2017-ri.html
Greenvale Chardonnay
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2006/07/greenvale-chardonnay.html
Greenvale Cabernet Franc 2012 - Damn That's Good! (RI)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/03/greenvale-cabernet-franc-2012-damn.html
Sakonnet Sirius (RI)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/01/sakonnet-sirius-ri.html
Narragansett Lager - Classic New England Summer (RI)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/06/narragansett-lager-classic-new-england.html
Uprising American Single Malt Whiskey From Sons of Liberty Distilling (RI)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/02/uprising-american-single-malt-whiskey.html
Connecticut is The New North Fork
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/04/connecticut-is-new-north-fork.html
Sharpe Hill Dry Riesling 2016 and Cabernet Franc 2013: Fantastic! (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/03/sharpe-hill-dry-riesling-2016-and.html
Howard Bursen Continues to Amaze at Sharpe Hill (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2012/05/howard-bursen-continues-to-amaze-at.html
Howard Bursen, winemaker at Sharpe Hille Vineyards
Sharpe Hill Dry Riesling 2016 and Cabernet Franc 2013: Fantastic! (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/03/sharpe-hill-dry-riesling-2016-and.html
Sharpe Hill Vineyards - Classics From Connecticut (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/01/sharpe-hill-vineyards-classics-from.html
Jonathan Edwards Cabernet Franc 2015 - Excellent! (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/03/jonathan-edwards-cabernet-franc-2015.html
Jonathan Edwards - Excellence Continues (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/jonathan-edwards-excellence-continues-ct.html
Jonathan Edwards Gewurztraminer 2013 (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/03/jonathn-edwards-gewurztraminer-2013-ct.html
Saltwater Farm Vineyard Continues to Excel (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/saltwater-farm-vineyard-continues-to.html
Merrily G. Connery of Saltwater Farms
Saltwater Farm Vineyards an Important New Find in Connecticut
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/07/saltwater-farm-vineyards-great-new-find.html
Stonington Vineyards...Wow! (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/01/stonington-vineyardswow-ct.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/01/classic-cab-franc-hopkins-cabernet.html
Hopkins Vineyard Off-Dry Cider (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/02/hopkins-vineyard-off-dry-cider-ct.html
Hopkins Estate Seyval Blanc 2009 (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/01/hopkins-estate-seyval-blanc-2009-ct.html
Paradise Hills Landot Noir Making Me a Believer (CT)
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2019/01/paradise-hills-landot-noir-making-me.html
Paradise Hills Vineyard President's Reserve in Wallingford (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2010/03/paradise-hills-presidents-reserve-in.html
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/dazzled-jones-family-farms-winery-is.html
Jerram Winery in New Hartford (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2011/07/jerram-winery-in-new-hartford-ct.html
Rhubarb Wine from White Silo Farm & WInery - A Nice Change of Pace
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2009/08/rhubarb-wine-from-white-silo-farm.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2017/05/chamard-estate-reserve-chardonnay-2007.html
Chamard Merlot 2006 (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2011/12/chamard-merlot-2006.html
Sunset Meadows Vineyard in Goshen (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2011/06/sunset-meadows-vineyard-in-goshen-ct.html
Miranda Winery in Goshen (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2011/06/miranda-winery-in-goshen-ct.html
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2020/04/impressed-land-of-nod-bianca-2010.html
A Visit to The Land of Nod Winery (CT)
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2012/06/visit-to-land-of-nod-winery-ct.html
MORE TO COME.....CHECK BACK!
revised 4/19/2020