Newport Vineyard - Rhode Island

Today we are playing catch up on the blog.  I have so many new and exciting things to blog about but first, let's catch up on some wanderings around one of my favorite states in the perfect summer months of July. 

Theres something about a New England vineyard, especially when it's in an amazing New England town like Newport.  Newport is famous for it's many restaurants, shops and bars that line the main streets by the water.  But the Newport area is also home to a few great vineyards and breweries.  

Stonington Vineyards- CT Wine Trail

On the Connecticut/Rhode Island border, where the Towns of Stonington and North Stonington merge and shift from coastal community to farms and casinos, three vineyards offer a variety of Connecticut grown wines on beautiful estates.  There is Jonathan Edwards in North Stonington, Stonington Vineyards right on the Stonington/North Stonington line, and Saltwater Farm Vineyard at the edge of the borough, closest to the water.  Stonington Vineyards was my second stop on the Stonington Wine Trail and I was pleasantly surprised by this vineyard nestled in by farms and field in beautiful Stonington.  Pour yourself a glass of wine (it is Friday after all) and read all about Stonington Vineyards.

. . . First Impressions . . .

One of the oldest vineyards in the state.  SV is a vineyard first, and venue second with opening hours that make sense, a nice change from most vineyards whose priority seems to be weddings.  This vineyard is dog-friendly (outdoors) and you can bring your own food.  There is a beautiful patio and lawn for the nicer days, as well as a gorgeous tasting room renovated in 2014.  The tasting was the cheapest I have been to yet, at $10 including a glass to take home.  The wine was good, but nothing "blew me away".  The prices were affordable and I brought home their award winning Seaport White for just $12.  

Saltwater Farm Vineyard - Stonington, Connecticut

Oh how I love the town of Stonington.  

Located just 35 minutes north of where I grew up in Old Lyme, this town has such a different vibe.  This little coastal town is open ocean opposed to the sound, and there is so much to do.  The people are so friendly and approachable, without the pretentious vibe that many coastal Connecticut towns have.  Almost everyone sails, and the Dog Watch is the place to be.  I am within walking distance to restaurants, bars, a beach, shops, a vineyard and a brewery.  But this is not a love letter to Stonington (although I am sure that will come in time).  Instead, this is a post dedicated to one of the gems of Stonington, Saltwater Farms Vineyard.  

Beautiful spot located right outside the borough in Stonington.  Easy access off the highway, plenty of parking, and friendly staff.  Dog friendly and you are encouraged to bring food to enjoy on the vineyard.  Rich in history as an old airplane hanger and you can walk down the old runway between the vines.  A great variety of wines from chardonay to cabernets and we really enjoyed the rose. 

Greenvale Vineyards - Portsmouth, Rhode Island

After spending some time at Colt State Park, the day of no plans continued and with great success.  We accidentally came upon the Newport Polo Grounds, an exciting idea for equestrian enthusiasts like myself.  After driving through the polo grounds with promises to return and watch.  Next stop on our "unplanned whatever goes road trip" ended up being a vineyard.  We had heard there were a few vineyards in the area and as I looked at the map, I saw that Greenvale Vineyard was only a few miles away.  

Vineyards and good wine was one thing I was really missing in Utah.  I had visited local Hive Winery, but it was just a spot where they made the wine in a commercial shopping center, no picnic, no grapes no vines.  New England is home to a slew of vineyards, several located just a few miles from my home in Stonington.  Back in New England on a sunny Fourth of July weekend, an afternoon sipping wine and walking in the vines sounded like as good as a Sunday can get.