Looking for a great winery in Worcester County, MA? Look to Nashoba Valley Winery, located in Bolton, MA. Just off of 495, Nashoba is home to fruit orchards, a winery, brewery, restaurant and the first licensed distillery in Massachusetts.
Orchards: Nashoba has over 4,000 apple trees, with varieties from Baldwin to Spencer, and everything in between. In addition to the spectacular variety of apples, there are 18 varieties of peaches available for picking from mid July through mid September. Peaches are available by the ½ peck and full peck, while apples are available by the peck or ½ bushel. Look forward to plums in the future, the first harvest in expected in 2013.
Winery: The winery carries a variety of wines, from dry to sweet, red, white, dessert, and fortified. Their dessert wines are a particular pleasure, with peach standing out as the highlight of their crop. Many of the white wines are made with local apples or contain grapes from the winery. For $7, you can take a tour, sample six wines, and take home your glass. Alternately, $4 at the tasting bar will give you five different standard wine samples and a glass.
Brewery: Nashoba produces four “Flagship Beers” along with six seasonals. The Flagship beers are an American style IPA, a traditional English style ESB, a German lager, and a Bavarian Hefeweizen. The seasonals include an American Pale Ale (named Belgian Pale Ale for its yeast strain), two stouts, and a special reserve series that is brewed in small batches and available for a limited time. Beers are available in singles, 6 packs, cases, or growlers.
Spirits: In 2003, Nashoba Valley Winery was issued the first farmers-distiller license in Massachusetts. Today, they produce 13 different spirits, including a single malt whiskey that’s been aged for five years, fruit brandies, gin, vodka, and their very own version of cognac. This cognac, known as “Northern Comfort” is particularly memorable. In addition to Northern Comfort, be sure to try “Silk,” their peach brandy, sweetened with peach juice and peach wine.
Restaurant: J’s at Nashoba Valley Winery is open for lunch and dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. Along with their regular menu (which contains such intriguing items as fondue of goat cheese and smoked JoBarb Farm pork ribs), J’s offers a fixed price menu on Wednesday-Friday evenings. They also have picnic outings for families and companies.