You've heard of Concord grapes, a variety developed in 1849 in Concord, Massachusetts, by Ephraim Bull and now used to make grape juice, jelly, and sweet wines.

You might think the Nashoba Valley Winery, 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton, MA 01740, only 16 miles (26 km) west of Concord, would use Concord grapes.

But you're in for a delightful surprise.

Non-Grape Fruit Wines

Most of Nashoba's wines are made from fruits other than grapes: apples, peaches, pears, blueberries, cranberries....

I can attest that the wines are intriguing, satisfying, and delightful. The tart, dry Cranberry-Apple goes especially well with Thanksgiving turkey, and the After Dinner Peach has an exquisite sweet-dryness like good sauterne.

Wine Tasting

Clear your palate and drop in for a free tasting any day of the week. Leave time for a self-guided walking tour through the orchards, with a picnic at one of the tables, all of which enjoy fine country views. June through October, come out and "pick-your-own" fruit.

How to Go There

To get here, take MA 62 west from Concord through Maynard to Stow, then MA 117 west to Bolton, just west of I-495 (exit 27). Follow MA 117 west to the blinking yellow light in the center of Bolton (map).

Turn left onto Wattaquadoc Hill Road, and the winery is a quarter of a mile up the hill, on the left-hand side.

—by Tom Brosnahan

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