Pack A Picnic: 5 Small Mass. Wineries Worth Visiting

With summer's arrival, it's time to cast off the winter blues, map your route and find your way to some of Massachusetts smallest wine producers. Visiting some of the state's wineries and vineyards is the perfect way to pass a hot day. Pack a picnic and if you map your routes correctly, you may be able to make a few stops. Just don't forget to put a cooler in the car to collect and preserve your treasures until you get home. Check each winery's website for tastings.

Here are five small, Massachusetts wineries and vineyards to check out this summer:

Travessia Urban Winery, New Bedford

Located in New Bedford since 2008, this micro-winery creates wines using only Massachusetts grapes. What they lack in land to grow their own grapes, they make up for in well-made wines. While you may find Travessia wines in some retailers, a vast majority is sold right from their headquarters in New Bedford. Stopping in Travessia will give you a chance to taste some unique wines and also an education in wine making and what it takes to bring a bottle of wine to market.

Running Brook Vineyards, Dartmouth

North-Dartmouth based Running Brook Vineyards produces its wines using only grapes grown on the premises in Dartmouth or in their Westport vineyard. No reservations are needed to taste the wines and tour the working winery. In fact, the owners encourage visitors to make a day of it and pack a picnic or stop at one of the area restaurants.The vineyard also hosts summer music nights throughout the summer. What better way to enjoy a summer night?

Amherst Farm Winery, Amherst

Close to the University of Massachusetts, this winery pays homage to its location with the "University Blend" blush wine. Other offerings include fruit and mulled wines. With a tasting room set in an old dairy barn, visitors are invited to bring a picnic and enjoy a day on the grounds. Don't leave without trying their dessert wines, like the chocolate-raspberry "Diva."

Black Birch Vineyard, Southampton

This is one to watch - Black Birch just completed planting a new 3-acre vineyard. The family-run winery produces a variety of locally grown wines. Try the Vidal Blanc while you're there with its hints of honey and lavender. Picnicking is welcome and summer concerts are planned. You can also find them at the Taste of Massachusetts Wine Festival in Northampton on Sunday, June 8.

Willow Spring Vineyards, Haverhill

Located in Haverhill, this young vineyard is very small, producing just a few wines. The wine is even harvested, bottled and labeled all by hand! A beautiful rehabilitated barn and deck provide the perfect place for tastings. Also available for events and functions, Willow Springs hosts a variety of community events.

 

Katie Curley-Katzman loves learning, collecting and writing about wine. She holds a certificate in wine tasting and education from the Institut d'Oenologie in Aix-en-Provence, France and is a graduate of Salem State University with a degree in English and French. Her wine writing has appeared in the Quarterly Review of Wines Magazine. Have a wine question or suggestion? Tweet her @KatieKWBZ