While at Eastern Winery Exposition 2020 a miracle occurred. At a WineAmerica event hosted by Michael Kaiser I finally met the family that owns Greenvale Vineyards. I have been writing about then since 2004/2005 and I finally met them. LOL You can't make it up.
Since the publishing of my book back in 2004, where I raved about them, I have thought of them, easily, as one of the best wineries in all of New England. A winery that could match with any state and put up superior wines. They are that good!
I met Nancy Parker Wilson and her son Bill Wilson of Greenvale Vineyards. Bill is the young winemaker at the family owned vineyard. Nancy and her husband Bill started the winery back in 1992.
According to the website:
Nancy Parker Wilson President, started Greenvale Vineyards in 1992 with her parents Cortlandt and Nancy Parker and husband, Bill. By 1992, Greenvale had 14 acres of grapes and it was evident that in order for the Vineyard to be viable they had to make wine and sell wine. A graduate of St. George’s School in Middletown, RI and Wesleyan University in CT, Nancy is an avid preservationist and spent eight years as a landmarks commissioner for the South End, Boston. Prior to taking on the role of General Manager at Greenvale, Nancy and Bill have five children and three grand children.
Nancy could not have been more lovely. She was chatty and fun, and we talked quite a bit. Greenvale has always had a solid winemaking and vineyard team. Its one of the reasons that they have maintained quality for so many years,
Richard Carmichael Consulting Winemaker, joined Greenvale in 1997 as Winemaker. Prior to Greenvale, Richard had been assistant winemaker at Williamsburg Winery in VA. Richard graduated from California State University at Fresno with a Bachelor of Science degree in Enology and worked at a number of wineries In CA. He and his wife moved back to the East to be nearer their family. Richard chose to work at Greenvale because of the ability to work in the vineyards, too. Greenvale’s wines have won many awards thanks to Richard’s great skill.
Hever Ortega, Vineyard Manager, joined Greenvale Vineyards in 1992 as an assistant in the vineyards. He was promoted to Vineyard Manager in 1994. Hever moved from Guatamala and was hired by Cortlandt Parker to assist in the then new venture. Hever became a United States citizen in 2002. He is responsible for the Vineyards 27,000 vines. Hever lives with his wife and two sons in Warwick, RI
William I. Wilson (Bill) is the Operations Manager at Greenvale Vineyards. His role is to focus on winery and vineyard activities on a day to day basis. Before joining full time, Bill spent the previous summers, harvests, and bottling seasons working at Greenvale, all while pursuing his degree in sustainability and anthropology at Northeastern University. It was during this period that Bill became enthralled with the winemaking process. After recieving his undergraduate degree, Bill began interning intensively under Richard in the vineyards and the cellar, while taking additional coursework in chemistry, molecular biology, and plant sciences from University of Rhode Island as well as Community College of Rhode Island.
I had a great, if quick conversation with Bill about winemaking. His goal was to make quality, nuanced wines with a sense of place.
The Greenvale Select Chardonnay 2017 was an excellent specimen. The wine is mainly comprised of the winery's Old Vine chardonnay vines planted back in 1982. The wine was aged for 9 1/2 months in French oak barrels. They made 275 cases. Pear and green apple share company with tropical fruits, melons, and honeysuckle. Hints of citrus also waft about. The oak was present with hints of vanilla, and toast and spice. The wine was exceptional. I don't usually go in for oaky chardonnay, and this was not that. The bright acidity and mineral came through and kept the wine honest and refreshing, as well as lovely and seductive. Complex and balanced, this was a beautiful wine. It was what great Chardonnay from the northeast should taste like.
Greenvale continues to be a standard bearer of the northeast winemaking. Fantastic wine from Greenvale.
Previous Greenvale pieces:
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2018/03/greenvale-cabernet-franc-2012-damn.html
https://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/02/greenvale-vineyards-new-england-gem.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2006/07/greenvale-chardonnay.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2015/01/greenvale-vidal-blanc-2011-exceptional.html
http://eastcoastwineries.blogspot.com/2014/02/greenvale-vineyards-new-england-gem.html