Surprises await those who venture to the Marshfield Fairgrounds this Sunday (July 28) to discover the world of local farm wines.
From cranberry and honey to pumpkin, innovative flavors of the fermented beverage will be available to tickle the palates of guests at the first-ever Greater Boston Wine Festival.
According to executive director of Massachusetts Farm Wineries and Growers Association Kim LaFleur, the event will feature 13 Massachusetts wineries and their products ranging from those developed from traditional products and methods to the more unique and unexpected.
“The wines are as unique as the winemakers and wineries themselves,” said LaFleur. “As I work with the (members) I am amazed by the individual stories told by each winemaker and farmer and how they became involved (in winemaking).”
According to LaFleur, the New England local wine business is growing fast, but remains a well-kept secret even among culinary connoisseurs in the area. Because of the challenging growing season, LaFleur explained many of the local growers supplement their products with imaginative flair and experimentation. In addition to pumpkin and honey, growers have been known to test infusions of juices, fruits from a variety of orchards and even tomatoes.
For those who prefer more traditional tastes, wineries will have classic and customary samples on hand that are also locally produced.
Marco Montez, owner of New Bedford’s Travessia Urban Winery, was busy with preparations early Monday morning though his downtown micro tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday.
“There are no days off in this business during the season,” he said.
In addition to the Massachusetts wineries, LaFleur said a selection of local food establishments and farmers would be on hand to offer tasty pairings for the wine. Local cheese makers, fishermen and bakers would be among the vendors serving food.
“The plan is for the atmosphere to be very much like a farmers market featuring local produce and products made by people you know and neighbors you recognize,” she said.
Though the American wine industry is not new, LaFluer said it is generally associated with California and parts of New York. A growing population realizes the varieties and options for the beverage created throughout the nation, she believes.
“Trends in the food world are leading people to be aware of what they consume, how and where it is made and the practices of the farmers and vendors,” she said. “Wine is no different. It simply needs more of an introduction so people realize the wonderful selections that are available in their own backyards.”
The Festival will have two sessions on Sunday, July 28. One will begin at 11 a.m. and the second commences at 4 p.m. The event is for guests over age 21 and identification will be required at the gates.
Lenny LaForest, president of Marshfield Agricultural and Horticultural Society, said his organization is putting together a wine garden for the event.
“We want people to have a nice setting where they can sit down and have some wine by the glass, listen to a little music and enjoy the day,” he said.
Several varieties of wine will be on hand from the wineries at the festival, offered for tasting and available for purchase by the bottle.
Informal lessons will be offered during the event for those interested in learning the art of wine tasting.
“We want this to be a fun and informal setting,” said LaFleur. “We think it is the perfect location. It is not intimidating but entertaining and pleasant. We hope this will be the first of many festivals in Marshfield for guests to experience the pleasures of wine from Massachusetts.”
Wineries participating include Mount Warner Vineyards, Amherst Farm Winery, Still River Winery, Coastal Vineyards, Hardwick Vineyard Winery, Travessia Winery, Les Trois Emme Vineyard Winery, Truro Vineyards, Mineral Hills Winery, Westport Rivers Vineyard Winery, Mill River Winery, and Zoll Cellars.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit masswinery.com. Tickets are $45 per person, $5 banding fee (includes wine samples, custom logo glass, wine tote and event program). The number of attendees will be limited each session.