Located sixty miles south of Boston, Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery offers visitors a taste of the wine life, which is to say the good life. Known for their excellent sparkling wines made in the traditional style, this full-scale vineyard and winery also offer up tasty reds, whites, rosés, and even aperitif and dessert options. With an indoor tasting room and wine bar outside, it’s real easy to let your cares slip away over a glass (or two) of expertly-crafted juice while basking in the warm sun and gorgeous views.
Westport Rivers is more than just a pretty glass, however. This family-friendly organization invites guests to stay awhile when they visit, and offers different ways to pass the time. Year-round public tours on Saturdays run about 30 minutes at 1pm and 3pm, and are totally free. Monthly yoga classes are followed by more in-depth tastings. Tasting events offer even more ways to enjoy your visit (including the occasional wine & cheese class conducted by yours truly).
For those that yearn for a beer, they have you covered. Experience a winemaker making beer, and doing it really well.
Just a few minutes down the road is their Buzzard’s Bay Brewing, where the on-site natural spring and expertise of winemaker Bill Russell yield an array of delectable brews.
By far their most popular event is the Sunset Music Series. Starting June 16th, sixteen concerts take place through September. Don’t expect Monsters of Rock, however. That would clash with the personality and rhythm of the winery. As vineyard representative Corey Nuffer puts it, “No hair bands. Just local favorites who play on our small stage in front of our rock walls.” Starting at 6pm, these concerts go until sunset a couple hours later. With Cuttyhunk Shellfish Company shucking oysters and running a raw bar,Mad Good Cookie Company serving up sweets and other food truck options throughout the season, there are plenty of ways to indulge.
For Ms. Nuffer the best part of the concerts is the vibe. “There’s a real Norman Rockwell feel to it,” she said. “Parents bring their kids and let them run around while they enjoy themselves for two hours of enchanting South Coast goodness.” Tickets are $10 per carload (not per person) in advance, and $15 the week of the concert. Corey warns not to put off buying tickets, though. “The concert might be sold out if you wait until the week of the show anyway, so don’t mess around.”
My favorite time to visit? A random Wednesday afternoon. Or Tuesday morning. Or grab a beer at the brewery on Thursday evening. The winery is closed on Sundays, and the brewery is closed both Sunday and Monday. No matter, though. Visiting at a bit of a quieter time has its rewards, as Ms. Nuffer points out.
“Things aren’t as busy during these times, so the staff can dote on you a bit more,” she said. “Do a tasting, grab a glass, walk around for a bit, and then settle in and enjoy the breeze, the ocean in the air, the view. It's just about an hour’s drive, but it feels like a world away.”
417 Hixbridge Rd., Westport, 508-636-3423, westportrivers.com
