Rhode Island Wineries & Wine Country  Yes, there is a wine country here in Rhode Island. Acutally, the Southeastern New England Wine Growing Appellation is now a recognized viticulture growing zone -- by far the best grape region in New England. And the Newport area is in the heart of that wine zone, with its mild, coastal climate. Regional New England wineries Greenvale Vineyards, Sakonnet Vineyards, Newport Vineyards, and Westport Rivers Vineyard, are producing some pretty interesting wine, including regional standouts Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wine.

Wine Tour Inn Or Out To The Vineyards  Enjoy New England's best wines from the comfort of the Cliffside Inn or explore the coastal wine tour trail. Wine Tour Inn options include our wine bar that features the best of the regional wines, and getaway packages that feature top Rhode Island wines and vineyard tasting tours (see Specials).

For Wine Tour Out options, the coastal wine tour trail winds from Newport to Massachusetts, through the bucolic back roads of farmland and seaside villages. and connects five of Southern New England's wineries. All vineyards offer tastings and tours. Wine tour maps are available at the Inn or Coastal Wine Trail.Com.

One-Stop Wine Tour Top Pick  If you want to wine tour but are pressed for time, we highly recommend nearby Greenvale Vineyards, which sits peacefully perched on a hillside that rolls down to the ocean. In addition to good wines, a vintage Victorian barn tasting room, and live jazz on warm weather weekends, Greenvale is one of the most picturesque places in Newport county.

Best Regional New England Wines  Among the various cooler grape varietals grown here, two have gained notoriety and wine press write-ups: Vidal Blanc, a white wine often described as New England's Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet Franc, the well known Bordeaux blending grape, that here makes a nice red on its own. Seek them out. Sparkling wines are also being produced here, with Westport Rivers Vineyard garnering a lot of attention for its sparklers, from high profile tasting triumphs to The White House (where it is served). Whether tasted at the wineries or enjoyed at the Inn, from chardonnay to gewurztraminer to dessert ice wines, discover and enjoy a number of New England wines that you cannot easily taste anywhere else.

Cliffside Inn Regional Wine Bar  The wine cellar at Cliffside Inn features the best of the local wines, along with other choice selections. available for in-room enjoyment. The regional wine list continually changes but usually includes selections of Vidal Blanc $15 - $20; Cabernet Franc $25 - $30; and Sparkling Wine $30 - $45. Ask our Innkeepers what we're currently tasting.

Wineries & Vineyards: Greenvale Vineyards, Sakonnet Vineyards, Newport Vineyards, Westport Rivers Vineyard