By Nancy Boyle
TGV contributor
Arriving at Greenvale Vineyards, we turned into a small country road off the main route. This small jog 
east toward the Sakonnet River was enough to ease the tension of the road. A beautiful blooming hydrangea, the size of a tree, greeted us looming over a sign to the tasting room and a friendly ‘Open’ flag.
The scene opened up to views of vineyards, the river in the distance, and a beautiful victorian-looking building as we pulled in and parked. A happy group had set up their picnic right outside the tasting room and made a great picture. We learned later that the tasting room had quite a heritage as it was “built in 1863 by John H. Sturgis, a young architect in Boston at the time who later designed and built such buildings as the Church of the Advent in Boston, the original Museum of Fine Arts at Copley Square, and the Webster Ames House on the corner of Dartmouth and Commonwealth Avenue, in Boston.” See more on Greenvale’s website.
A group was forming outside the tasting room and we realized that a tour was on offer led by Nancy Parker Wilson, a tall blonde who despite her rough working clothes gives an impression of class and elegance. She is the 5th generation of her family to work the land here. Her mother, Nancy Parker, publishes an excellent quarterly newsletter called New England Wine Gazette, with news of New England Vineyards.
Ms Wilson led us down a path, across the road and into the vineyards that sloped down to the Sakonnet River. She spoke about the condition of the grapes, and the careful testing and checking that is done to time the harvest. She was solicitous of our questions, and very patient – it was clear that she had a great passion for the vineyard and her family history.
Moving on through the vineyard I was shocked to see a large brown shaggy creature that looked like something out of Star Wars. It was my first encounter with a Texas longhorn – a pair in fact.
Back in the tasting room it was time to get to the wine. Inside the room opened up to a large, warm space, with lots of wood, sun pouring in, and a relaxed dog on the floor. My blood pressure was definitely dropping in a good way. The wines we tasted were very good. I started off with Skipping Stone White which was light and refreshing, just as its description claims (and I liked the price at $13.99) “…a blend of 90% Cayuga and 10% Vidal Blanc. Very light in color, the wine is aromatic with a bright, crisp, floral nose — delicious and refreshing on the palate. Slightly off dry with a nice balance of sweetness and acidity. This wine is great by itself, with cheese, a simple meal and is also sensational with spicy foods. ”
Among the other excellent wines we tried were:
- Greenvale Vidal Blanc – This grape is a wonderful French American hybrid that produces an extremely aromatic and pleasantly flavored wine. It is a delicious bright wine, especially good with ham, salads, cheeses, and spicy foods. Medium dry. Fermented in stainless steel. (864 cases produced).
- Greenvale Chardonnay -A well-balanced wine, our 2006 Chardonnay is a dry, light wine with beautiful, fruity aromas. The wine has delicate fruit flavors characteristic of a cool climate Chardonnay grape and a pleasing oaky finish. The ’05 is delicious by itself or with mild or light foods. It is a blend of barrel fermented Chardonnay and stainless steel fermented Chardonnay. (Approximately 234 cases produced).
- Rosecliff Pinot Gris – The Pinot Gris grape has proven to grow beautifully on Aquidneck Island. This blend of two vintages has lovely aromas, delicate fruit flavors, is soft on the palate and has a very pleasant finish. Excellent with lighter meals, such as grilled seafood or summer salads. (Approximately 500 cases produced).
- Elms Meritage – Rhyming with “heritage”, this 2004 vintage is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, two traditional varietals of Bordeaux. The wine is a medium bodied, dry red — wonderful aromas of berry, smoke and subtle spice with a delicious, lingering finish. It is great by itself, as well as, with flavorful foods or dark chocolate. The Meritage blend is 57% Cabernet Franc and 43% Merlot. Barrel aged. (Approximately 146 cases produced).
After tasting we poked around a bit – noticing a large home further down the drive, and sited with a magnificent view of the river. This is truly as unique place. We’ll be back, and next time will bring a picnic and set up with a view of that lovely river.
