Vermont is a relative newcomer to the world of wine-making; its first vineyards and wineries were established in the mid-1990s, but since then, world-class wineries have been popping up all over the state.
Artesano LLC
Specializing in high-quality meads, Artesano LLC prides itself on bringing a modern twist to the ancient beverage of honey wine. The company strongly believes that we should know where our food and beverages come from, and all their meads are made in small batches with locally sourced fruits and honeys. In addition to its meads, the company also produces tonic water, vinegars, and ice creams. The company can be found selling their products at local fairs and markets throughout the year, but visitors are also welcome to visit the meadery's store in Groton to sample the mead and tour the facility.
Artesano LLC, 1334 Scott Hwy, Groton, VT 05046, Phone: 802-584-9000
Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits
Situated on the beautiful Boyden family farm, Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits was one of the first licensed wineries in the state. The farm has its own vineyards, and the winery also makes fruit wines and ciders using locally-grown fruits and cream liquors proudly made with Vermont dairy.
The winery is open year-round, and visitors are welcome to stop by, learn about the history of the farm, and enjoy a wine tasting in the restored 1875 barn that houses the wine-making facilities. Cheese plates, chocolate tasting platters, and other snacks can be purchased to accompany the wine and enjoyed on the stunning outdoor patio.
Boyden Valley Winery & Spirits, 64 VT-104, Cambridge, VT 05444, Phone: 802-644-8151
Charlotte Village Winery
Opened in 2004, Charlotte Village Winery can be found only twenty minutes outside the city of Burlington. The winery offers an excellent selection of classic red and white wines, but it also features wines made with local Vermont fruit, including three signature blueberry wines made with berries grown right on the property.
Wine tastings are offered seven days a week between Memorial Day weekend and New Year's Day, and the winery's tasting deck boasts stunning views of the surrounding Adirondack mountains. Cheese plates are available for purchase, and the winery also has a small gift shop selling clothing, wine accessories, and other souvenirs.
Charlotte Village Winery, 9306, 3968 Greenbush Rd, Charlotte, VT 05445, Phone: 802-425-4599
Hillis' Sugarbush Farm & Vineyard
A friendly, family-run operation, Hillis' Sugarbush Farm & Vineyard produces both wine and maple products. The wine selection includes classic reds and whites as well as maple-infused dessert wines, 100% maple wines, and even a sweet ice cider made entirely with maple and apples. Some of the vineyards are on the main farm property, but there are also some located in a unique growing climate on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain. The wine tasting room is open during the spring, summer, and fall, and it can be found inside the farm's sugarhouse.
Hillis' Sugarbush Farm & Vineyard, 206 Sugarbush Farm Rd, Colchester, VT 05446, Phone: 802-893-2928
Lincoln Peak Vineyard
One of the state's largest grape producers, Lincoln Peak Vineyard prides itself on making its wine entirely from the grapes grown in its 12-acre vineyard.
The winery produces plenty of wonderful red, white, rose, and dessert wines; some wines are produced in small batches and are only available to wine club members. Tastings and tours are offered every day between Memorial Day and New Year's, and by appointment and on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the rest of the year. All tastings include a complimentary souvenir wine glass, and cheese boards are available for purchase.
Lincoln Peak Vineyard, 142 River Rd, New Haven, VT 05472, Phone: 802-388-7368
Neddo Family Vineyards
Born out of a desire to make delicious wine for family and friends, Neddo Family Vineyards is a small boutique winery that proudly makes all its wine from fruit grown right on its farm. The selection includes many different red, white, and fruit wines, and the winery is also able to make special order wine for weddings and other special events. Because of its small size, the winery doesn't have regular tasting hours, but the staff are more than happy to provide tastings and tours by appointment. Many of the wines can also be purchased through local retailers.
Neddo Family Vineyards, 9695, 73 Neddo Rd, Barre, VT 05641, Phone: 802- 479-1175
Putney Mountain Winery
Founded by a music professor and a lawyer with a love of good wine, Putney Mountain Winery specializes in creating delicious wines and liqueurs made with high-quality, locally-grown fruit. The selection includes everything from rhubarb to ginger to apple maple, ensuring that there's something to suit every taste. The winery is run entirely on solar power, and all the fruit is sourced with environmental sustainability in mind. Visitors are welcome to visit the winery to participate in a wine tasting and observe the wine-making process, but there are also tasting rooms in Quechee and Windsor for visitors who aren't planning on going to Putney.
Putney Mountain Winery, 8 Bellows Falls Rd, Putney, VT 05346, Phone: 802-387-5925
Shelburne Vineyard
Boasting fifteen and a half acres of vineyards and state-of-the-art wine-making equipment, Shelburne Vineyard prides itself on its award-winning wines and its sustainable farming practices. Most of the winery's selection consists of reds, whites, and roses, but ice wine, orange wine, and sparkling wine are sometimes available as well. The tasting room is open every day of the week year-round, and guests can choose between a tasting of all available wines and a specially curated wine and cheese tasting. Reservations are required for groups of more than eight people, and the winery is also happy to accommodate bachelor or bachelorette parties and other special events.
Shelburne Vineyard, 6308 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne, VT 05482, Phone: 802-985-8222
Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery
Established in 1996, Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery holds the honor of being the state's first commercial vineyard. The winery is particularly well-known for its deliciously sweet dessert wines, but it also produces dry and semi-sweet red and white wines. The vineyards are located on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain, which has a unique growing microclimate and the exact same growing season as the famed Burgundy wine region in France. The vineyards and winery are open for tours on a seasonal basis, and the tasting room offers flights of wine as well as cheeses, meats, crackers, and chocolates.
Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery, 4617, 190 W Shore Rd, South Hero, VT 05486, Phone: 802-372-9463
Whaleback Vineyard
Located on a beautiful farm that has been owned by the Brown family since the 1950s, Whaleback Vineyard grows all its own grapes and makes all its wine right on the estate. Fruit wines and honey meads are produced as well as traditional red and white wines. The wine-making facilities are inside a historic barn that dates back to the late 1800s, and the tasting room can be found inside a gorgeous colonial farmhouse. Complimentary tastings are available during opening hours, and visitors can also purchase a glass of wine and enjoy it in the tasting room or outside on the beautiful porch.
Whaleback Vineyard, 202 Old Lake Rd, Poultney, VT 05764, Phone: 802-287-0730
