Wine Tasting Getaway to Westerly’s Langworthy Farm
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Few people know that Southern New England has its own viticultural appellation. It runs from Cape Cod and the Islands along the coast of Massachusetts and Rhode Island into Connecticut. The nine vineyards that make up the Coastal Wine Trial runs through the heart of this appellation with many of them located right here in Rhode Island. Over the course of the summer we will be exploring ‘The Trail’ starting in our state’s far west corner.
Westerly find: Langworthy Farm
Langworthy Farm is tucked away on the scenic route 1A in Westerly. The small vineyard and winery, which doubles as a gorgeous bed & breakfast, dates back to 1875 and is situated on the homesite of Samuel Ward, a former Governor and delegate to the Continental Congress. On this historic land, owner and winemaker Joe Sharry handcrafts his wines from popular varietals such as Chardonnay, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Most of the grapes that go into making Langworthy Farm wines are sourced from 40-year-old vines located on a private single vineyard on Long Island. Joe has been growing his own Chardonnay and Pinot Blanc grapes since 2002 and is looking forward to be experimenting with Cabernet Franc, Merlot and St. Croix plantings in the future.
Wines not to be missed
My favorites include the Shelter Harbor Chardonnay; a wine that has spent six months in oak barrels softening the acidity, but preserving the delicate fruit adding delicious buttery notes; the Napatree Cabernet Sauvignon, a deliciously concentrated and robust red that I see go very well with most meats from the grill; and the Shady Harbor Pinot Blanc, an interesting light bodied white, made primarily from Joe’s own grapes, displaying distinct grape fruit flavors and minerality.
Unless you frequent Westerly you probably haven’t tasted a wine from Langworthy Farm. Joe only makes 1,000 cases a year and his wines are not in distribution. So if you want to taste his delicious cool-climate wines you will have to pack a picnic basket and head down for a visit. If you like oysters you should consider coming down on Saturday June 25th for Langowrthy's “Oysters on the Deck" event where you can taste any wine by the glass alongside locally harvested $1 oysters on the half shell.
Langworthy Farm, 308 Shore Rd, Route 1A, Westerly, 322-7791.
