Wine for the road

by Mary Hurley

"There's still some reluctance to try local wines," says Ellen Brigham, wine buyer for Austin Liquors of Worcester. "But I think that's changing." Like other liquor stores in the region, Austin Liquors offers a local wine section featuring a variety of New England wines. Nashoba Valley and Mellea wines are included. "I think people certainly know about Nashoba; they've been around for awhile. Mellea is a newer wine, people are still learning about them," Brigham says

Of the numerous New England wineries, area wine buyers and aficionados point to two in particular that are producing high-quality wines: Westport Rivers in Westport, Massachusetts and Sakonnet in Little Compton, Rhode Island. It is not a coincidence that both are located on New England's southeast coast, which boasts the right terroir for making white wines like chardonnay. Westport has received national acclaim for its chardonnay and sparkling wines, even from the Quarterly Review of Wines: "Lots going on here. . . . Very well made," the magazine said of Westport chardonnay. "Sakonnet is doing a tremendous job," says Bill Giannopoulos, owner of Friendly Discount Liquors in Whitinsville. "We can see it here in the store. Sales are growing."

Here's a list of some area wineries (Hours and days of operations are subject to change, especially during the slow winter months, so it is always advisable to call first before planning a visit):

Worcester County

As You Like It Winery and Bakery, Main Street, Fitchburg, (978) 345-6407. Tues. through Sat. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mellea Farm Vineyards, Old Southbridge Road, off Route 131, West Dudley, 943-5166. Wed. through Sun. noon to 5 p.m.

Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquador Hill Road, Bolton, (978) 779-5521. Daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tours on weekends. Upcoming event: First Annual Oktoberfest featuring its new beer, a pig roast, a German band, winery tours, and apple picking on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 12 to 5 p.m.

The following wineries are all located on the New England coast:

Massachusetts

Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery, 417 Hixbridge Road, Route 88 South, Westport, 636-3423. Daily through Dec. 31, 12 to 5 p.m. Tours on weekends. Open weekends only January to March 31. Upcoming event: "The Four Seasons: Autumn," includes vineyard and winery tours, a walk through the Russell Art Gallery, and a wine and food pairing based on current releases and seasonal flavors on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. Cost is $35 per person; reservations are required.

Connecticut

Chamard Vineyards, 115 Cow Hill Road, Clinton, (860) 664-0299. Wed. through Sat. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Stonington Vineyards Inc., Taugwonk Road., Stonington, near Mystic Seaport (203) 535-3549. Daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Rhode Island

Sakonnet Vineyards, 162 West Main Road, Little Compton, (401) 635-4356. Daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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