- When did Rhode Island's modern wine industry begin?
- Though Rhode Island's history of winemaking dates back to the 17th century, its modern wine industry began with the opening of Little Compton's acclaimed Sakkonet Vineyards in 1975.
- Why is Rhode Island a great location for winemaking?
- Today, the state's moderate climate and prime growing conditions have made it a New England wine lover's paradise, home to many fantastic estate vineyards and small-batch producers.
- What can visitors find along the Rhode Island Wine Trail?
- A dozen picturesque wineries are showcased along the Rhode Island Wine Trail, producing high-quality classic European and American hybrid varietals alongside unique fruit-forward wines that highlight the produce bounty of the Atlantic Coast region.
- Where can visitors find rare and small-batch wines in Rhode Island?
- Boutique wine shops also offer opportunities to pick up rare and small-batch wines, perfect for picnics or sharing with a romantic dinner.
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1. Sakonnet Vineyard
Sakonnet Vineyard operates New England's oldest vineyards, located on 150 acres in Little Compton. The vineyard, which was originally founded in 1975, is operated today by winemaker Elaine Phipps and focuses on high-quality barrel-aged wines produced from French, American, Russian, and Hungarian grape varietals. The winery's public tasting room is open daily during the afternoon hours, offering tastings of its excellent red, white, rosé, and dessert wines, including award-winning varietals. Behind-the-scenes restoration tours of the winery's gorgeous Belcourt of Newport estate are also offered, showcasing the 44,000-square-foot mansion's gorgeous architecture and the history of its famed owner Oliver Hazard Perry Belmont.
162 W Main Rd. Little Compton, RI 02837, Phone: 401-635-8486
2. Diamond Hill Vineyards
Diamond Hill Vineyards were originally established in 1976 and are operated today by second-generation family members of its original owners, including winemaker Allan Bernston. The 30-acre Cumberland winery and vineyard facility is open to the public Thursdays through Saturdays throughout the afternoon hours for tastings of its high-quality wines. Wine styles range from traditional Pinot Noirs to delicious fruit-forward peach, blueberry, cherry, and cranberry apple wines, with sulfite levels kept low for peak drinkability.. All tastings are held within the winery's beautiful 19th-century vineyard house. During the winter months, a cozy lounge creates an intimate tasting atmosphere. During the summer months, guests can relax with glasses of wine on the winery's spacious outdoor veranda or bring picnic lunches to enjoy on its spacious front lawn.
3145 Diamond Hill Rd, Cumberland, RI 02864, Phone: 401-333-2751
3. Greenvale Vineyards
Greenvale Vineyards is a beautiful small-batch winery in Portsmouth, set on 24 acres of historic farmland along the banks of the Sakonnet River. The Aquidneck Island winery produces approximately 3,500 cases of wine each year from estate grapes harvested by hand and processed using traditional basket press methods. Winery tastings are offered seven days a week during the afternoon hours, with tours available on the weekends or by special appointment for groups on weekday afternoons. Guests can taste up to eight different wines in complimentary take-home logo glasses, including high-quality classic varietals such as Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Albarino, and Pinot Gris. Live jazz music events are held each Saturday between May and November, with local food trucks hosted on site during event times.
582 Wapping Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871, Phone: 401-847-3777
4. Langworthy Farm Winery
Langworthy Farm Winery is operated on the historic Westerly 1875 farm property of the same name, originally developed as the homestead of former Rhode Island Governor Samuel Ward. The winery, which is operated by Gail and Joe Sharry, planted its first grape vines in 2002 and opened its public tasting room facility in 2005. Today, the winery produces more than a dozen small-batch fine red and white wines each year, including excellent Cabernet and White Merlots, Reserve Chardonnays, Vidal and Pinot Blancs, and Petit Verdots. The winery is open on weekends during the off-season in winter and daily during the summer months, offering daily tastings of delicious wines in personalized logo glasses. Winery tours are offered Saturdays and Sundays with advance reservations.
308 Shore Road, Rte. 1A, Westerly, RI 02891, Phone: 401-322-7791
5. Leyden Farm Vineyard and Winery
Leyden Farm Vineyard and Winery is a charming winery in West Greenwich, owned and operated by the Leyden family since 2010. The winery focuses on fruit-forward wines using estate-grown and locally-sourced New England fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and apples. Classic wine varietals are also offered, including Chardonnays, Zinfandels, Rieslings, Merlots, and Sangioveses. Wine tastings are offered Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the afternoon hours, letting guests sample five wines of their choice while learning about the harvesting and production processes behind each glass. Following tastings, guests can purchase wines by the glass or by the bottle for enjoying on the winery's heated outdoor patio or within its tasting room seating.
160 Plain Meeting House Rd, West Greenwich, RI 02817, Phone: 401-392-1133
6. Mulberry Vineyards
Mulberry Vineyards is a quaint winery in Chepachet, owned and operated by David Wright since 2011. The winery has cultivated eight acres of vineyards for the production of high-quality classic wine varietals, including Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon varietals that highlight the unique terroir and growing conditions of the Rhode Island region. Reserve wines are also sold periodically. Guests can taste wines at the company's tasting room, which is open to the public each Saturday and Sunday afternoon. A wide variety of public special events are held at the winery throughout the year, including live music performances, art exhibitions, and horseback riding lessons.
95 Pound Road, Chepachet, RI 02814, Phone: 401-217-9288
7. Newport Vineyards
Newport Vineyards were originally planted in 1977 in Middletown, set atop a hillside overlooking the gorgeous Rhode Island Sound. Today, the family-operated winery is overseen by Paul and John Nunes, cultivating 60 acres of vineyards throughout Aquidneck Island. High-quality estate grapes showcase the unique terroir of the Narragansett Bay region, handcrafted in small-batch wines such as traditional Rochambeau, Landot Noir, Gewürztraminer, Moscato, and Pinot Gris varietals. Tours and tastings are offered daily in the winery's lovely tasting room and marketplace throughout the morning and afternoon hours. Half-hour behind-the-scenes tours are also available daily, showcasing the winery's vineyards and winemaking processes. On Wednesday nights, the winery's Brix Restaurant and Taproom showcase live music performances complemented by wine and beer flights.
909 E Main Rd, Middletown, RI 02842, Phone: 401-848-5161
8. Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet
Newport Wine Cellar and Gourmet is a boutique wine shop in Newport, originally opened to the public in 2008. The wine shop serves as a place for passionate food and wine connoisseurs to gather and enjoy wine culture and the great meals that emerge from perfect food and wine pairings. A carefully-curated selection of unique and hard-to-find wines are sold throughout the year, with an emphasis on small-batch, experimental, and ultra-premium wines. Craft beers and spirits are also available, along with a selection of gourmet foods sold at the shops' Le Petit Gourmet food market. A full kitchen serves up artisanal entrees at lunch, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. Regular public special events include wine tastings and winery industry seminars.
5 Merton Rd, Newport, RI 02840, Phone: 401-619-3966
9. Nickle Creek Vineyard
Nickle Creek Vineyard was opened in 2012 by Steve and Sheri O'Connor, named as an amalgamation of the couple's two sons' names, Nicholas and Kyle. The charming Foster winery focuses on small-batch handcrafted wines that rotate seasonally depending on the climate and availability of estate and locally-sourced grapes. 1,500 cases of premium wines are cultivated annually, including high-quality varietals such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. A variety of delectable fruit-forward wines are also crafted using locally-sourced fruits such as blueberries, peaches, cranberries, and strawberries. At the company's seasonal tasting room, guests can stroll through vineyards, enjoy picnic lunches, and participate in wine tastings on a first-come, first-served basis.
12 King Rd, Foster, RI 02825, Phone: 401-369-3694
10. Tapped Apple Winery and Cidery
Tapped Apple Winery and Cidery is a charming boutique winery in downtown Westerly, crafting unique fruit-forward wines since 2016 produced with the finest grapes and apples sourced throughout New England. Sweet and dry wines are showcased at the winery, including selections such as the company's Watch Hill White blend, beer-style Hoposite Attraction, elderberry-infused Respect the Elder, and semi-sweet Pomme D'Amour blush wine. Guests can stop by the winery during public business hours and sample wines or purchase bottles to go for enjoying at home or on picnics. Special events are held at the winery throughout the year, including an annual Glasses and Shuffleboard event series held weekly during the spring months.
37 High Street, Westerly, RI 02891, Phone: 401-637-4-WINE
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