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In 1602 Bartholomew Gosnold named Martha's Vineyard for the wild grapes he found growing there. In 1971 the Chicama Vineyards (right), on the island of Martha's Vineyard, became the first bonded winery in Massachusetts.

By 1995 the number of wineries had grown to 12. Today, more than twenty wineries in the state produce over 100,000 gallons of wines annually.

Massachusetts grape growers and winemakers have adapted to special conditions with the individuality and resourcefulness that New Englanders are known for. The wide range of microclimates is a special challenge.

Wineries in the Berkshire mountains have a very different environment for wine grape growing than the coastal areas. Massachusetts vintners have to adapt their choices of grape varieties to accommodate different growing seasons, soil, temperature, sun and water variables.

The Southeast coastal region of Massachusetts has climate and soil conditions ideal for the classic European vinifera grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Riesling and Pinot Noir while mountain regions tend to mix in more American hybrids and fruit wines. The result is a range of wines to please any palate.

• Cape Cod Winery in East Falmouth offers Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Cabernet and Seyval wines.
• At Furnace Brook Winery at Hilltop Orchard in Berkshire County you'll find Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Riesling, French Cidre and Johnny Mash hard Cider along with pick-your-own apples from late August through the end of the harvest in October.

The most common grape wine varieties grown in Massachusetts are the vinifera varieties Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris followed by the American Hybrids Vidal Blanc, Cayuga, Seyval, Vidal, and Marechal Foch.

And it's not just grapes that are being turned into wine. Fruit such as apples, cranberries, blueberries and peaches, honey and flowers are all used in making Massachusetts produced wines. What other region can offer a wine lover the choice of a fine Riesling, an excellent sparkling wine or a true cranberry blush wine?

Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources - Massachusetts Wineries - Official listings of all the wineries in MA sorted by county with contact information, hours to visit, a brief description of what types of wines you'll find at each winery and directions which include a clickable map.

Wines from Massachusetts - Wine Searcher offers a wide selection of shops that carry Massachusetts wines. Wine are listed along with prices.

Massachusetts (State Appellation) - Information on the grapes, wines and vineyards in all regions of the state in an easy to use format.

Massachusetts Wine Tasting and Dinners - Current listings of events and wine happenings throughout upstate with descriptions, locations and contact info.

also see -> Massachusetts Beaches | Massachusetts Tourist Attractions

Massachusetts Fall Foliage