let's take a ride

By JoAnn Actis-Grande – Portsmouth, NH In the past year, my limited outings included taking my dog on adventures around the Seacoast. We discovered many of our local wineries are a great place to take long walks through beautiful vineyard trails and topping it off with tasty wines, good chow and dog treats. Here in New Hampshire, there are over thirty producers of wine (both grape and other fruit- based), cider or mead (a honey wine). They are offered in every imaginable style - still, sparkling, dry, semi-dry, rosé and sweet. Bottled and canned.

Most grapes grown in the state are considered “cold climate grapes” such as French-American hybrids (the genetic crossing of two or more grapes) including Cayuga, La Crescent, Marechal Foch, Seyval Blanc, St. Croix and Vignoles. Niagara, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Riesling and Zinfandel, along with other well- known grape varieties are found here too. The fruit wines use locally grown apples, peaches, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and cranberries.

Wineries are spread throughout the state. The largest and oldest wineries are located in the Seacoast where the climate is milder, allowing tender grapes to thrive. Here’s a few great wineries offering unique styles of wine that are also dog friendly with outdoor patios.

Zovino’s Vineyard Dogs Brewer & Vinny

Zorvino is an authentic Tuscan style winery with a long list of exceptional wines. Their wines are made from grapes grown on 80 acres of land in the center of a hardwood forest, as well as grapes sourced from other regions throughout the world. The vineyard is famous for their 100% fruit wines and unique Z Lab creations that include wine-based Hard Seltzer in 4 flavors. Reserve a seat on the patio and meet Z dogs, Vinny and Brewer, while enjoying flatbreads and other fabulous food, along with locally made natural Happy Belly Bites for dogs. You can also bring your own lounge chairs and blankets to hangout on the property with your pup. (zorvino.com)

LaBelle’s Amherst Venue

Amherst & Derry LaBelle, with two venues and a retail tasting store in Portsmouth, specializes in transforming local fruit into award winning wines. Grapes are picked at their peak, then pressed and fermented the same day, producing delicious fresh and balanced wines. The Americus is a tribute to the American dream, made from the Noiret grape and blended with Cabernet Franc. Their second winery in Derry just opened and will feature LaBelle Market (slated to open mid-May) along with a new event center, golf course and mini golf. They also are building a champagne house to craft their own sparkling wines. The restaurants have outdoor patios with fire-pits and live music most nights. Dogs can deck out wearing LaBelle bandanas and stay hydrated in style with LaBelle logo water bowls. The "biscuit of the day” is often chosen by a dog-loving staff member. (labellewinerynh.com)

Flag Hill’s RiverCrest Villas

Once a dairy farm, the winery is set on beautiful grounds for picnics andthe 18-station walking tour with an audio file at each station. The walkis a little over a mile, and it is dog friendly- a great way to see all the grain, grapes and food they grow. The final station overlooks where the Lamprey and the North River come together. Stop in the tasting room for a wine smoothie or taste from a long list ofwines, port, and spirits that reflect the character of the area. They are known for their award-winning vodka. An onsite restaurant also hosts a monthly “Chef’s Dinner Series” serving seasonal foods that pair well with their wines. Situated right on the property are the RiverCrest Villas – perfect for an overnight getaway. (flaghill.com) (rivercrestvillas.com)

In 2017, Food & Wine magazine named Hermit Woods Winery one of the “Best 500 Wineries in America to Visit.” It was formally White Mountain Vineyards, the first winery in New Hampshire. They produce wines from local fruit in a vinifera style using the finest raw materials that are mostly organic - dry, well balanced and unique in a large variety of traditional and non-traditional styles. The popular Petite Blue, featured on the Today Show, has up to a pound of fresh blueberries in every bottle. There’s an in-house deli with cheeses, charcuterie, salami plates, flatbreads, paninis, sandwiches and salads. The Loft at Hermit Woods, a new thirdfloor event space and music venue, will open this year after several years in the making. For dogs, treats are available, fresh water on the deck and canine visitors are featured on their social media pages. (hermitwoods.com)

Tasting Room at Hermit Woods

All four wineries have gift shops where you can purchase wines and wine accessories, including gifts for your four-legged friends. There’s nothing better than good wine paired with the great outdoors and a dog by your side! Cheers!

Hermit Woods Patio Pup

JoAnn Actis-Grande (JAG) is Wine Editor for Taste of the Seacoast Magazine. Her wine columns have been and continue to be featured in Seacoast Newspapers, TheFiftyBest.com and Seacoast Bark Magazine. She also guides intimate groups to wineries and destinations in Tuscany and beyond. JAG lives in Portsmouth, NH. More of her articles can be found on winejag.com, and you can contact her joann@winejag.com.