I’ve been drinking wine my whole life. Since I was five or six. My Italian grandfather would bring over his big bottle of Carlo Rossi, clutching it like a bowling ball. We’d mix it with canned peaches and call it dessert.
Or later, as teenagers, my friends put yeast into bottles of grape juice with balloons stretched over the top while it fermented in some dark closet—anything to catch a buzz.
When I was older, a Portuguese family introduced me to traditional winemaking. All we made was vinegar swill. Still, I was hooked. I wanted to learn more. I wanted to make wine.
And so, like anything else, the only way to learn is to do more of the thing. I started visiting vineyards all around Rhode Island and began drinking heavily. All for knowledge, of course.
I tried all sorts of stuff. Reds, whites, fortified, blueberry, honey, you name it. Some amazing, some not so much. And now, every summer, I fill my days with trips to vineyards. I’m what you could call a lifelong learner.
So this year, let’s make it a Bukowski Summer. Drink wine regularly. Embrace the absurdity of life. Vineyards are the perfect places for just this.
If you’re looking for some good Rhode Island vineyards to check out this summer, here are a few.
Newport Vineyards — Newport
Newport is the classic Rhode Island vineyard experience. Big property, beautiful grounds, lots of events. This is probably the vineyard most people picture when they think of Rhode Island wine country. Last time I went, they had live music, axe-throwing, and a pie-eating contest all going on at once. And their wine really is excellent. I especially love their Great White, Great White Rosé, and their port. I love port in general. Sweet and strong. This is definitely one of the essential places to visit, though also one of the most famous. If you want some lesser-known places, keep reading.
Mulberry Vineyards — Chepachet
Mulberry is so close to my home in Burrillville that it almost feels unfair. It’s convenient, relaxed, and consistently good. Their Black Muscat blush is amazing, and they also have a great selection of ciders for people who want something besides wine. I especially like their Honeycrisp cider, which they make using apples from Barden Orchard in Scituate. It’s light, refreshing, and delicious.
Nickel Creek Vineyard — Foster
Nickel Creek is one of the best spots around. Whenever I mention the fact that I make wine, this is the first place people ask me if I have tried. Luckily, I can say yes, because it really is a gem. Some standout wines to me are Nickel Creek’s Foster White and their Raspberry Bliss.
Leyden Farm Vineyard & Winery — West Greenwich
Leyden is a beautiful property. Walking around it almost feels like you’re touring an orchard in the fall. It is such a peaceful place to spend an afternoon, and they have some very fun wines too. I especially enjoyed their berry wines: wildberry, strawberry, and blueberry. P.S. They sell Christmas trees too, making it on both the summer and the winter to-do lists.
Gooseneck Vineyards — North Kingstown
Gooseneck, right off the highway, always reminds me of going to the beach. It’s the perfect stop after a beach day for a refreshing glass of wine. Their lighter wines, like white and rosé, are especially good.
DiFazio Farm & Vineyard — Scituate
DiFazio is a great spot, and close to home for me. They have two types of wine, “Pistol,” a red, and “Carolyn,” a white, which are both named after the owner’s parents. They also offer produce from August to October, as well as all sorts of fall decorations. And, like most of these vineyards, they offer charcuterie boards and snacks to eat while drinking. DiFazio has a really fun atmosphere and can be a great place to visit, not just in the summer, but all year round.
Verde Vineyards — Johnston
Another great spot, with long rows of grapevines where you can try a few grapes right off the vine. That’s one of the best parts of visiting vineyards, and if you do it at enough places, you start noticing the subtle differences in flavor and gaining a better understanding of the winemaking process itself. It’s one of those things you don’t really think about until you experience it firsthand. Family owned and operated, Verde is often one of those opportunities to sample with the vintner, in person.
Diamond Hill Vineyards — Cumberland
Diamond Hill is another gem with impressive wines. It is also one of the oldest vineyards in New England, as it is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year!
Shepherd’s Run — South Kingstown
Still, there are a few vineyards I haven’t gotten to myself yet, but fully plan on adding to my own summer wine-drinking list this year. Shepherd’s Run is one of them. After doing some research, this place is stunning. Honestly, it looks less like a vineyard and more like the setting of a murder mystery. Huge estate with elegant grounds. Shepherd’s Run is also a resort, where you can rent a room and even get spa treatments. This is an essential Rhode Island vineyard experience.
Sakonnet Vineyard — Little Compton
I haven’t been to Little Compton since I was a kid, but I really want to check out Sakonnet Vineyard. The property, like so many of these vineyards, is gorgeous. It spans nearly 170 acres and has been around since 1975, which gives it (barely) the title of New England’s oldest vineyard. This is definitely high on my to-do list for this summer.
Greenvale Vineyards — Portsmouth
If you notice a pattern, most of the vineyards I still need to visit are farther south from where I live. But Greenvale looks beautiful, and I’ve heard great things about the wine. The estate is gorgeous, too, with views of the water. Again, I’ll be checking this place out, and I suggest you do too.
Greenvale has free events coming up most Saturdays (and some Sundays) in June, including live music, makers markets, and more.
Rhode Island really has an impressive number of vineyards packed into such a small state, and honestly, this might be one of the best summer activities around. Good wine, beautiful scenery, live music, and walking around outside.
So make this a Bukowski Summer. Go wander some vineyards. Buy a bottle. Start a collection of wine glasses. Drink a port. Have fun.