New Hampshire is one of those northern states that has really blossomed due to the creation of the cold-hardy “Minnesota” varieties, many of which were developed by Elmer Swenson in Minnesota. Those varieties, plus native fruits and maple syrup, make for a fascinating selection of wines.
Averill House Vineyards farms organically, growing Native American varieties like Catawba and Niagara in addition to Brianna, Frontenac Blanc, Marquette and others. Featuring an 1830’s barn, the winery offers a wide area of special events like Yoga & Winetasting, Comedy Nights, and Bottle Your Own opportunities.
Hermit Woods Winery & Deli is another event-focused operation with indoor seating for 65 and outdoor for another 45 to enjoy truly regional cuisine with their wines. Those include fruit wines (Blueberry, Strawberry/Rhubarb), Honey, Fronteanna (a blend of Frontenac and Brianna), Truly Ours White (Estate Niagara, Frontenac Blanc, Brianna, and Catawba), and MMM! (Mango Maple Moscato). In addition, Hermitt Woods was cited by USA Today as the 4th best tasting room in America.
Great Grapes: Sabrevois
Developed by Elmer Swenson, this cold hardy and disease-resistant red grape variety is grown in New Hampshire and further north in neighboring Quebec, Canada. If picked early, it can make a high-acid, medium bodied complex red wine with good tannins similar to Baco Noir but not as fruity.
