This year we have added a vinery visit to our Fall New England Weekend List. Fall harvest is a wonderful time to visit one of the Southern New England wineries on Coastal Wine Trail.
On a recent Saturday in October, we drove to a historical Greenvale Vineyards, along the Sakonnet River near Newport, Rhode Island.
We have timed our visit with Jazz Saturday Tasting (May through December 12, 1-4pm).
Tasting includes 7 Greenvale Vineyards’ wines, and is offered all year long ($12-$15, check this link for the hours;).
My favorite was light and fruity Skipping Stone White and Vit enjoyed a brighter Greenvale Chardonnay.
It was a very busy Saturday at the vineyards, and general manager Nancy Parker Wilson herself was helping out at the bar. The farm has been in Nancy’s family since 1863.
A couple of tasting bars were also set up outside for al fresco tasting (you can order by the glass, if you already have your favorite).
Public tours of the vineyards are offered at 2pm on Saturdays and you can also arrange for a private tour by emailing ahead.
There is no food offered for sale at Greenvale Vineyards (outside of special events), so tasters are encouraged to bring cheese plates and picnics. We went to get ours at a nearby Sweet Berry Farm. (Great selection of salads and sandwiches in the farm store). This being a New England fall, I could not pass this most unusual pumpkin display:
Should you visit with kids?
There is no reason to exclude your (“reasonably”) well-behaved kids from a family outing at the vineyards. Bring a picnic, spread your blanket and enjoy a beautiful fall afternoon at the vineyards.
Harvest Festival is coming up on Saturday, November 12 this year (updated for 2016!). There will be tractor rides, face painting and the live music. More details here.
Warm-up for the Holidays afternoon is on Saturday, December 12.
The staff has chosen their own holiday favorites: The 2012 Vidal Blanc and the newly released 2012 Pinot Gris.
PIN THIS FOR LATER
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I can’t believe I didn’t even know that there are vineyards in Rhode Island.
Looks beautiful, it has been so many years since I saw the leaves change. Like the comment above, I had no idea Rhode Island had vineyards. Thank you for the beautiful photos.
Trying to plan a girls weekend next fall with my mom and sisters to Newport. Love reading all about things to do there! Thx.
We’re traveling S.E. Asia right now and loving it but reading this makes me miss the fall season in New England so much! We loved our drive from NYC to RI to enjoy watching the change of season. Greenvale Vineyards looks just like a place we’d love to visit when we road-trip the U.S.
I’m not a wine drinker but love exploring vineyards anyway. So pretty. These photos remind me of the Yarra Valley which is on our own doorstep.
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