| The fact that Rhode Island is home to several | | | | cases annually with many wines receiving awards in |
| wineries and vineyards producing fine wines is | | | | domestic and international competitions. One such |
| testament to the secret of successful grape | | | | award among several is the "2009 Edible Communities |
| cultivation called "terroir" based on climate, soil, | | | | Local Hero Beverage Artisan Award." The Hospitality |
| geography, and topography. The Big Four have | | | | Center is open every day through all seasons for |
| impact on the grape growing environment which | | | | tours as well as for hosting events and functions. |
| translates directly to bottled wine. | | | | Greenvale Vineyard (582 Wapping Rd. Portsmouth): |
| Climate-regions found in the middle of the 30th and | | | | listed on the State and National Registers of Historic |
| 50th degree latitude are best for growing grapes. | | | | Places, Greenvale is a farm that has been run by the |
| Little Rhody's latitude of 41° N with influential | | | | same family since 1863. They produce about 3500 |
| coastal breezes gives it the ripe altitude. | | | | cases of wine annually from 24 acres of grapes. |
| Soil-grapes prefer deep, well-drained, sandy, or | | | | Open for tours and tastings, there's jazz every |
| gravelly loam soils. Any gardeners from the area will | | | | Saturday from Memorial Day through October with a |
| attest to tools bent out of shape from encountering | | | | year long schedule of concerts and open houses. |
| rocks along the rites of passage. | | | | Newport Vineyards & Winery (909 E. Main Rd -Rte. |
| Geography/Topography-- since grapes can grow on | | | | 138): 60 vineyard acres were originally planted in 1977 |
| sloping land, The Ocean State has rolling hills in the | | | | on a hill overlooking RI Sound with the goal of |
| north and west with lowlands in the south and east | | | | producing fine wines while preserving agricultural land |
| which benefit by warmer ocean breezes. Let the | | | | from rapid development. Recipient of several awards, |
| virtual vineyard tour for wine tasting begin by blazing | | | | one is "Riesling Best of Show" out of 458 entries in |
| a trail on the mainland beginning in Cumberland to our | | | | 2008. One may shop in the store for vino and other |
| north, then veering along the scenic coastal route | | | | unique gifts, schedule a group tour, or attend one of |
| wine-ing south and east. | | | | their publicized events. |
| Diamond Hill Vineyards (3145 Diamond Hill Rd., | | | | Langworthy Farm Winery (308 Shore Rd., Rte. 1A, |
| Cumberland): a tasting room and gift shop on the | | | | Westerly): the farm was built in 1875 on the historical |
| premises, Diamond Hill has been growing grapes since | | | | homesite of Governor Samuel Ward. One can relax |
| 1976. Products include-- Estate Pinot Noir, Estate Pinot | | | | on one of the porches surrounding their Bed |
| Noir Rose, River Valley White, Blackstone Blush, | | | | &Breakfast while sipping a glass of their vinery finery. |
| Cranberry Apple, Spiced Apple, Blackberry and | | | | Having planted Vinifera grape vines in the spring of |
| Blueberry. | | | | 2002, the first stainless steel barrel of Chardonnay |
| Shelalara Vineyards & Winery (Coventry): a small | | | | was produced that same year. Since then, several |
| winery, Shelalara hosts events at their locale. Their | | | | have fermented with intriguing names influenced by |
| product line consists of California wines, | | | | the locale-Rhody Riesling, Westerly White, Napatree |
| glacier(dessert wines), and fruit essence wines low in | | | | Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery is open to the public. |
| sulfites. | | | | Location, location, location has afforded the smallest |
| Sakonnet Vineyards (162 West Main Rd.,Little | | | | state an impressive yield of fine wines rivaling those |
| Compton): founded in 1975, fifty acres produce | | | | from the north of France. The grapevine trail offers |
| viniferous varieties including Chardonnay, | | | | natives and out-of-town tasters many flavorful |
| Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc as | | | | opportunities to sample what grapes have wrought |
| well as Vidal Blanc-- one of the French-American | | | | when favorable "terroir" prevails. |
| hybrids. Wine production has climbed to over 30,000 | | | | |