Travelers to Cape Cod can find a little taste of wine country atmosphere amidst the sand dunes by visiting Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod. The winery is located in North Truro, almost all the way to Provincetown at the end of the Cape. Winemakers Kathy Gregrow and Judy Wimer founded the winery in 1992 after seeing potential in the warm coastal air and well-drained, sandy soil, which gives Cape Cod an ideal microclimate not unlike the North Fork of Long Island. Truro Vineyards produces more than 6,000 cases per year of eight different wines, which are sold at the winery and also distributed to over 100 restaurants and wine stores on Cape Cod and throughout Massachusetts.
From April to December, the winery offers tours and tastings in a restored 1830s farmhouse. The farmhouse also has a gift shop where Truro Vineyards’ wines are available for purchase. From May 1 through Thanksgiving weekend, the gift shop and tasting hours are Monday thru Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm and Sundays from 12 noon to 5 pm. Tastings of five wines are available for $5, which also includes a souvenir wine glass. For wine travelers used to the efficiency of Napa or Sonoma tasting rooms, be forewarned that the tastings at Truro Vineyards are held in an outdoor tent in the summer and there can sometimes be a wait of 15 to 20 minutes. Tours are typically held at 1 pm and 3 pm, but it is advisable to call ahead.
On a recent visit to Cape Cod, we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the grounds outside the farmhouse. The winery gift shop does not have any chilled wines for sale, so we supplied our own, but the setting was very pleasant overlooking the vineyards.
Of the wines we tasted, our favorite was Cape Blush, a light, semi-dry blend of Cayuga and Cabernet Franc that is very refreshing when served well chilled. Another wine we liked was Cranberry Infusion, a light Beaujolais-like wine that was not as sweet as I expected, given that it includes a small amount of Cape Cod Cranberries. The 2001 Maritime Red, which is a blend of Zinfandel, Merlot and Cabernet Franc aged in American Oak for 18 months, could probably use more aging. Other wines we did not try include three whites — Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Vignoles — and two reds — Cabernet Franc and Triumph, a Meritage Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.
More information on Truro Vineyards is available on its website at www.trurovineyardsofcapecod.com.
Hey is this the Katy that lived in the great town of Jenksville NY. Face book me or email me if this is you, Face book Rosane Lupold.
Living in Vesal in a cute cape cod with husband Tim. Own 89 acers of land. I love just walking around with my dogs sparky a beagle and Lucky Blue Husky. I have 3 grandchildren. Two boys 6 and 4 and one grandaughter 11. I am a nurse and do home care. My husband fuses gas lines. Hope to hear from you. Rosane Schell Lupold