The grape escape

Tasting the local fruits of labor

By TYLER BALLIET

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You don't need to fly to California, France or even Argentina to tour a winery. We actually have a handful right here in Boston's backyard. Located less than a tank of gas from downtown are a number of vineyards producing everything from Chardonnay to Cabernet Franc to Champagne ... er, bubbly. In addition to being local, many of the wines are quite tasty.

Call in a favor and convince a friend to play designated driver and hit the Coastal Wine Trail. We suggest shooting for no more than three wineries in a day with tours and tastings, as each visit can run at least an hour. Drive around with an open mind—you probably will encounter some wines you can't pronounce on first try, but the learning experience should give you a whole new respect for East Coast wineries.

GREENVALE VINEYARDS

Pumping out mostly whites, these guys grow the typical East Coast grapes such as Cayuga, Vidal Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris.

Tasting Room: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm. $8 for six wines.

Miles from Boston: 70

[582 Wapping Rd., Portsmouth, R.I. 401.847.3777. greenvale.com]

NEWPORT VINEYARDS

This family-run winery has been growing grapes since the '70s, and they now make almost every kind of wine imaginable. Try wines such as the Reserve Merlot, Blaufrankish, the Tranquility blend or the Sparkling. Show up on Saturday morning to hit up the farmers market on the vineyard property.

Tasting Room: Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12pm-5pm. Tours at 1pm and 3pm. $7 for five wines.

Miles from Boston: 70

[909 E. Main Rd. (Rt. 138), Middletown, R.I. 401.848.5161. newportvineyards.com]

RUNNING BROOK VINEYARD + WINERY

Owned and run by two Portuguese transplants, Running Brook produces a wide array of wines from Pinot Noir to Petit Verdot to Vidal Blanc. Get the full experience by trying their sparkling and dessert wines.

Tasting Room: 1pm-5pm daily. $5 for six wines; $7 for 10 wines.

Miles from Boston: 60

[335 Old Fall River Rd., North Dartmouth. 508.985.1998. runningbrookwine.com]

SAKONNET VINEYARDS

Sakonnet produces a full spectrum of wines typically found in New England, along with Port, Sparkling and Sweet Harvest dessert wine. Regular events at the vineyard include a traveling Shakespeare troupe and live music events.

Tasting Room: 10am-6pm daily. Tours at 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. $7 for six wines.

Miles from Boston: 65

[162 West Main Rd., Little Compton, R.I. 800.919.4637. sakonnetwine.com]

WESTPORT RIVERS VINEYARD + WINERY

These guys make KILLER sparkling wine. We've mentioned their wines in previous columns, but we highly suggest taking the one-hour drive and checking it out for yourself. The Blanc de Blancs bubbly is our favorite, but we also recommend trying some of their still wines.

Tasting Room: Tue-Sat 11am-5pm, Sun-Mon 1pm-5pm. $7 for six wines.

Miles from Boston: 65

[417 Hixbridge Rd., Westport. 800.993.9695. westportrivers.com]