6 Things You Didn't Know You Could Do at a Winery

Rhode Island's wineries are flush with tours, tastings and food events. But here are some things you might not expect.
Jen McCaffery

May is when Rhode Island’s vineyards kick into high gear for the summer. The state’s wineries are well-known for tours, tastings and for food events. They also draw crowds with music, such as Jazz Saturdays at Greenvale Vineyard in Portsmouth, which started May 2 and the expanded Summer Concert Series at Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyards in Little Compton, which begins June 4.

But there’s more. Here are six things you may not have known you could do at one of Rhode Island’s wineries:

  1. Enjoy some stuffies on the porch, then sleep over. Located about a half mile from the water in Westerly, Langworthy Farm and Winery also has a bed and breakfast, and you can see the ocean from some of the rooms. Not up for a staycation? Join them for stuffies (May 9, 10), oysters (June 27, 28) or chowder (Sept. 5, 6) on their decks as part of one of three separate summer events. Langworthy Farm and Winery, 308 Shore Rd., Westerly, 401-322-7791, langworthyfarm.com.
  2. Break a sweat, then stock up on local veggies. Pulse Newport is hosting a free bootcamp workout overlooking the vineyard at Newport Vineyards on May 16 from 7:30-8:30 a.m. After that, you can load up on local goodies at the Aquidneck Growers Farmers Market, which is held at the winery all year. Newport Vineyards, 909 E. Main Rd., Middletown, 401-848-5161, newportvineyards.com.
  3. Order from a food truck. Leyden Farm and Winery is kicking off Food Truck Fridays this summer. Expect some of your favorites over the course of the summer — Rocket Truck, Mijos Tacos, Shuck a Truck — and staff from the winery will be there to help you pair your burger, taco or seafood with the right wine. June 19, July 24, August 21, September 18, October 23 from 5:30-9 p.m. Leyden Farm and Winery, 160 Plain Meeting House Rd., West Greenwich, 401-392-1133, leydenfarm.com.
  4. Find out which wine is best for your personality. In addition to regular tours, tastings, Jazz Saturdays and other events, Greenvale Vineyards offers a quiz on its website to determine which wine is right for your personality. Greenvale Vineyards, 582 Wapping Rd., Portsmouth, 401-847-3777, greenvale.com.
  5. Personalize the label of your wine bottle. Once you’ve determined what wine is right for your personality, you may just want to go ahead and make it your own. You can at Diamond Hill Vineyards, with a minimum order of twenty-four bottles. Diamond Hill Vineyards, 3145 Diamond Hill Rd., Cumberland, 401-333-2751, diamondhillvineyards.com.
  6. Relax with some tai chi before your wine tasting. On May 31, Master Ken Saucier of the American Martial Arts Center will lead people through sixty minutes of tai chi at Nickel Creek Vineyard. Then you can taste six wines and take home a souvenir glass for $20. RSVP to thefolks@nickelcreekvineyard.com to make reservations. Nickel Creek Vineyard, 12 King Rd., Foster, 401-369-3694, nickelcreekvineyard.com.