Beer and Wine February Newsletter: Winery of the Month

By Sarah Thrall, Beer and Wine Department

Snow Farm Vineyard, located in South Hero, VT, was the state’s first winery and grape vineyard. The farm is located on 150 acres of land that was onced owned by Fred Lane who ran Crescent Bay Farm from 1961. By the early 90’s, many dairy farms were being sold off and the land was being used for commercial use.  It was Fred’s hope that when he retired, he could sell the farm, but that the land could still be preserved. Therefore, in 1996 when he sold 20 acres to two lawyers, the sale included restrictions to ensure that the property would stay in agriculture use.

In 1998, Fred’s son Dave and his wife Julie, bought the remaining land. They raised beef, offered llama expeditions and ran a bed and breakfast. In 2012, Dave bought back the 20 acres that the vineyard was located on, bringing the full 150 acres entirely back into the family. 

Snow Farm has a tasting room that is open daily and they also host private tours and weddings. From November to the first week in March, they have their weekly winter wine downs music series and starting in June, they host their summer concert series.

Being located on an island in the middle of Lake Champlain, allows Snow Farm to grow their grapes in climates identical to Burgundy, France. Due to the colder climate, they also specialize in dessert wines that cannot be made in many other places around the world.

City Market currently carries Snow Farm Vineyards Vermont Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, as well as the following:

• Vermont Seyval Blanc-A dry white wine with citrus and apple aromas, lemon flavor and a tart finish.

• Snow White-An off-dry blend of Cayuga and Seyval grapes.

• Vermont Baco Noir-A medium bodied, very fruity red table wine.

• Crescent Bay Red-A mellow, earthy and fruity red table wine with a smooth finish.