The Best Cape Cod Wineries & Vineyards (From a Local)

Cape Cod, Massachusetts is known for its beautiful sandy beaches and fresh-off-the-boat seafood.

Oh yeah, and that little movie and its three sequels about a man-eating great white shark that attacks beachgoers. (Don’t worry, it’s just Hollywood!)

But did you know Cape Cod is also a great destination for wine lovers? As a Massachusetts gal and a certified wine expert, it’s one of my favorite local vacation spots for catching some rays and sipping some great vino.

When you’ve had your fill of sunbathing and you want an upgrade from those White Claws stashed in your cooler, check out these top Cape Cod wineries.

From local passion projects to international winemakers, you’ll find unique wines and scenic vineyards in this stunning coastal region.

Truro Vineyards

Just before you hit the tip of the cape, stop off in the small town of Truro. This little community is surrounded by some of the Cape’s most beautiful beaches. And it’s also where you’ll find Truro Vineyards of Cape Cod.

Founded in 1992, Dave Roberts and his family took over this North Truro vineyard in 2007. Dave had retired and decided to pursue his dream of winemaking.

The vineyard land has well-draining sandy soils that are perfect for cool-climate grape growing. And the warm ocean breezes that come off the bay help ensure the grapes fully ripen before harvest.

Milan Vujnic, the head winemaker, grew up on his family’s vineyard in Croatia. Before landing at Truro, he worked in wine regions throughout the world, including Marlborough, New Zealand and Napa Valley in Northern California.

Wines to Try

I love a good Cabernet Franc, and Truro’s Estate Cabernet Franc is one of my favorites. It’s well balanced with dark fruit flavors like black cherry and black raspberry and hints of spices. It goes great with this Bolognese sauce and a little freshly grated parm.

Their limited-release series also includes other gems like a reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, a Sparkling Brut Rosé, and an Estate Merlot.

If you prefer a sweeter style, the Lighthouse Series includes off-dry wines that come in a fun lighthouse-shaped bottle. It makes a fun wine décor piece.

Visiting Tips

Tastings take place under Truro’s outdoor pavilion and include a rotating flight of 5 different wines. You can also join a tour of the beautiful vineyard and learn about maritime wine grape growing.

Want the royal treatment? Truro also offers private tastings by reservation. This includes a cheese plate, a glass of your favorite wine from the tasting, and a wine glass to take home.

After your tasting, enjoy your glass of wine by the fire pit on the front lawn and take in the beautiful scenery. You can grab some gourmet cheeses in the gift shop or munch on some food from local food trucks.

And don’t miss trying some small-batch rum or gin from South Hollow Spirits, Truro Vineyard’s on-site distillery.

Cape Cod Winery

For the next Cape Cod vineyard, head on over to East Falmouth located in the southwestern part of the cape. Along with nearly 70 miles of coastline, it’s home to the Shining Sea bikeway. And has easy access to Martha’s Vineyard (which ironically does not have any vineyards).

The Orlandella family purchased Cape Cod Winery in 2013 and moved it a couple of miles to its current location on Oxbow Road.

Fun fact: The land was one of the Cape’s first strawberry farms in the early 1900s. And it has also been a potato and dairy farm.

Wines to Try

The winery makes about a dozen different wines, both still and sparkling. A few are typical New England fruit wines, made from local cranberries and Maine blueberries. But the majority are made from European wine grape varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay.

Cape Cod Winery is known for its dry Rosé Mermaid Water, a great summer porch sipper with aromas of strawberry and raspberry. It also comes in a sparkling style and travel-friendly cans.

I’m partial to their crisp and lemony Sauvignon Blanc, which pairs nicely with the local oysters. I also enjoy the Pinot Grigio, fermented at cool temperatures to retain the more delicate floral aromas.

Visiting Tips

I love the fun atmosphere of their outdoor tasting area and wine bar, decked with twinkling lights and nautical decor.

Seating is first come, first serve at their Adirondack chairs and picnic tables. They are also dog-friendly so you can bring your pup too!

Looking for something to nibble on with your flight? Cape Cod Winery allows you to bring your own food so it’s the perfect place for a winery picnic. Or you can order from their menu of cheese, crackers, and other items for purchase.

Keep an eye on their calendar for special events like live music, sip & paint parties, and yoga. And don’t forget to pick up your favorite bottles or some cute mermaid-themed apparel from the gift shop on your way out.

First Crush Winery

Frank D. Puzio got his passion for winemaking at an early age. He was inspired by childhood memories of tasting his grandfather’s wine that he made in his cellar.

After retiring from optometry, Frank decided to pursue this passion more formally and opened First Crush Winery in 2012.

The winery itself is located in Harwich, MA, in the midsection of the Cape. But the grapes are sourced from a family of growers in the Suisun Valley AVA, which borders Napa Valley, California.

They produce about 4,000 cases and 50,000 bottles of wine annually. Nearly half of this is sold through their “COOPerative,” where members can get hands-on experience during key parts of the winemaking process.

Wines to Try

Several of their wines have won gold and silver Artisan Awards. Specifically, the Zinfandel and Petite Syrah blend, the Bordeaux-style blend, and the Sangiovese.

They also make a Super Tuscan style red wine blend, and wines from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

Visiting Tips

First Crush offers wine tastings, wine by the glass, and cheese plates in the tasting space within their production warehouse. You don’t need to make a reservation in advance and pets are allowed outdoors.

Other Cape Cod Area Wineries

Just before crossing the Sagamore Bridge to get to Cape Cod, pop into the town of Plymouth, MA. Here, you can check out two other local wineries.

It’s also a great spot to stroll the adorable main street. And enjoy seafood and ocean views at one of the many seaside restaurants.

1620 Winery & Wine Bar

This winery/wedding venue is the project of Robert Mullaney, who comes from a family of Sicilian winemakers. He purchased the mill building along with an existing small winery to create 1620 Winery & Wine Bar.

The wine bar is in the heart of town on Water Street. You can sample 1620’s wines with a self-guided wine-tasting flight that includes Robert’s personal tasting notes. Or build your own flight or choose a glass from the list of nearly 30 different labels.

They also offer a selection of wines from international producers, charcuterie boards, tapas, and desserts.

Soak up some summer sun on the outdoor patio, cozy up to the fireplace in the winter, and enjoy your bevvies while listening to live music from local acts.

Plymouth Bay Winery

If you like sweet fruit wines or cocktails, this is the place for you. Plymouth Bay’s wines are made from locally grown grapes and berries, like cranberries, blueberries, cherries, and apples.

Their recipe playbook gives you ideas on how to use their wines to make fruity sangrias, punches, and even desserts.

Plymouth Bay also makes their own wine jelly, wine sauces, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. These are available for purchase in the tasting room.

They accept walk-ins on a space-available basis, but you can also make a reservation online.

When to Visit Cape Cod Wineries

The summer months are peak season on Cape Cod. It’s a great time to enjoy the surf and get your tan on. But be warned that it gets crowded, and accommodations are pricier.

May is one of the best times to visit Cape Cod. The weather is warming up and the summer crowds haven’t hit yet. If you find yourself there in mid-May, hop on a ferry and check out the Nantucket Wine & Food Festival. While there you can also visit Cisco Brewers, home to Triple Eight Distillery and Nantucket Vineyard.

September and October are also beautiful on the Cape and far less crowded. You can take in the brilliant colors of the fall foliage. And slurp down some salty bivalves at the Wellfleet Oysterfest.

Where to Stay for Visiting Cape Cod Wineries

Sandwiched by Cape Cod Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, there’s no shortage of beach towns to choose from in this sandy paradise. But keep in mind, it’s nearly an hour and a half’s drive from one end of the Cape to the other.

If you’re looking to visit multiple wineries, I’d recommend staying mid-cape around Hyannis and Yarmouth. This area has lots of great restaurants, nightlife, and easy access to the island ferries.

For those seeking nature or peace and quiet, check out the laid-back outer cape. Just be aware that many places shut down in the off-season and winter months.

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