Exploring vineyards during the summer months is a great way to get outside, see new places, and indulge your senses by tasting the wine made from there. It is always interesting to know the history of the wine you enjoy and see where it came from!

While some of these vineyards are a bit of a drive from the Upper Valley, you can make a weekend of it so you can immerse yourself fully in the experience. Here are 4 New England vineyards to visit this summer!

Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits -Cambridge, Vermont

Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits is located on an idyllic 800-acre farm that has been in the Boyden family for over 100 years. The Boyden Family farm rests on majestic fields where they also host weddings and events! This estate farms cattle, vegetables, and sugarbush, supporting sustainable agricultural goals with local Vermont farms. Recently the Boyden family has decided to change direction away from wine and focus on creamed liquors. At the same time, they continue to produce their signature Glog, which is a hot Norwegian mulled wine! Their vineyard will continue to stay in production as the treasured vines are being leased to a master sommelier by the name of David Keck. Along with other partners, Keck has leased winery space in Vergennes with Shacksbury Cider and focused their concept as Stella XIV Wines. Three different wines are now made and waiting in Vergennes for release this year.

Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits currently produces three types of creamed liquors. They have Maple Cream Liqueur crafted and blended with Vermont's maple syrup and their apple brandy. Their Apple Cream Liqueur is made with their barrel-aged ice cider and Vermont apple brandy. And lastly, they produce a delicious Maple Bourbon creamed liquor created with their signature bourbon barrel-aged maple syrup. They all taste delicious on ice, over ice cream, or as a mixed cocktail! If you happen to be there on a colder New England day, they have a charming 1875 carriage house you can warm up in and sip on their Glog, which is crafted with vintage red wine and spiced with cinnamon, cardamom, and cloves. Go for the experience and come away with some unique drinkable treasures and gifts! You can check out their websites  www.boydenvalley.com/ and  https://boydenbarn.com/about-our-farm/. 

Fulchino Vineyard  -Hollis, New Hampshire

Fulchino Vineyard is a must-see with its breathtaking gardens and a wine tasting room that makes you feel like you are in a vineyard in Italy! The owner, Al Fulchino, had been making his own wines for over 35 and they only became available to the public in 2010. This family-owned vineyard hosts monthly winery events and offers options for hosting weddings as well! It is a lovely place to explore the grounds and take in the gardens, the flowers and walk through the grapevines. Summertime is a perfect time to visit and take them up on one of their tasting options which can vary in price depending on the amount of food and wine you get. They have a selection of cheeses, meats, crackers, and chocolates to satisfy you as you sip on different wine varieties.

Grab a bottle of wine and sit on their patio or one of their cabanas while you look over the grounds. It will truly be a refreshing and relaxing experience. They are open year-round and have daily tastings but try to get a reservation before you go! Check out their website for more information and stay up to date on what they have to offer. fulchinovineyard.com/.

Gouveia Vineyards - Wallingford, Connecticut

When you visit Gouveia Vineyards, you will be absorbed in the 140 acres of green countryside. The Stone House winery has a spectacular panoramic view of over 32 acres of grapevines surrounded by trees and open fields. It is a perfect place to picnic with the family this summer! The owners' Joe and Lucy Gouveia, established the vineyard on a vacant farm, planted the vineyard by hand, and opened the winery. They are dedicated to building a community and a space for people to create beautiful memories together.

Although they are not offering wine tastings or cellar tours at this time due to safety precautions because of Covid-19, you can still purchase a bottle of wine recommended to you by the staff. They have numerous award-winning wines to pick from! Take your bottle outside to sip on the patio or with your blanket on the grasses and appreciate the lovely surrounding views. Gouveia Vineyards has gorgeous surrounding farm country for a scenic drive and is close to Wallingford, a charming town full of history and cute shops to explore! Check out their website for more information below. www.gouveiavineyards.com/index.html

LaBelle Winery - Amherst, Derry and Portsmouth, New Hampshire

LaBelle Winery is a modern and breathtaking establishment with a full spectrum of options to indulge your senses and a full day of activities. They have three different locations in Amherst, Derry, or Portsmouth, NH. The vineyard in Amherst contains six other grape varietals and produces up to 8,000 pounds each year. They focus on making wine that reflects the richness of both the old-world and more modern styles of wine.

All their locations are beautifully manicured. Not only can you explore their vineyard and taste their wines, but they also have a Bistro for you to enjoy lunch or dinner at! You can take a 20 to 30 minute guided tour that introduces you to the vineyards, the winemaking production cellar, and the architecture of the buildings. You can also do a self-guided tour if you prefer. LaBelle Winery also offers golf and mini-golf options for families at different locations! With so many options, you'll want to make reservations so you can fit everything in you want to do. Check out their website below to plan your day! abellewinery.com/about/