Wine Tasting & Wine Bars

Nantucket Vineyard

Yes, Nantucket has its own vineyard - and the wines are genuinely worth seeking out. Located at the Cisco Brewers campus on Bartlett Farm Road, Nantucket Vineyard has been producing wines since 1981, making it one of the pioneering vineyards in Massachusetts. The maritime climate, sandy soil, and cooling ocean breezes create conditions surprisingly conducive to viticulture, particularly for varietals that thrive in cooler climates.

The Wines

Nantucket Vineyard produces a range of wines that reflect the island's unique terroir. Their white wines tend to be the standouts, with crisp acidity and bright fruit notes that pair beautifully with fresh seafood. The winery sources some grapes from the island and supplements with fruit from other New England vineyards to produce their full range.

• Grey Lady: A refreshing white blend that has become the signature wine of the vineyard. Light, crisp, and perfect for a beach picnic or oyster pairing.
• Nantucket Bay: A medium-bodied red with soft tannins, suitable for cooler evenings on the porch.
• Sea Blush: A popular rose that captures the casual elegance of island summers.
• Merlot and Cabernet Franc: Red varieties that show surprising depth for a northern vineyard.

Visiting the Vineyard

Wine tastings at Nantucket Vineyard take place at the Cisco campus, where you can sample the full portfolio in a relaxed outdoor setting. The tasting experience is informal and approachable - grab a flight of wines and find a spot on the lawn while live music plays on weekend afternoons. It's not the Napa Valley experience of rolling hills and elegant tasting rooms, but the casual atmosphere, combined with the novelty of tasting wines actually grown on a tiny island in the Atlantic, makes for a memorable stop. Many visitors combine a vineyard visit with tastings at Cisco Brewers and Triple Eight Distillery, all located on the same property.

Top Wine Bars on Nantucket

When you're seeking a sophisticated setting to enjoy exceptional wines, these establishments offer curated selections, knowledgeable staff, and atmospheres designed for leisurely exploration of the grape.

• 1

  Greydon House

  17 Broad Street

  The wine bar at Greydon House represents the pinnacle of wine culture on Nantucket. This boutique hotel's ground-floor wine and cocktail bar offers an extensive and thoughtfully curated wine list that emphasizes small producers, biodynamic wines, and interesting varietals you won't find elsewhere on the island. The intimate, elegantly designed space features a marble bar, comfortable seating areas, and a sophisticated yet unpretentious atmosphere. The staff are genuinely knowledgeable and happy to guide you through their selections. Order a cheese and charcuterie board to accompany your flight, and settle in for an evening of wine discovery. The by-the-glass program is particularly impressive, with wines preserved using Coravin technology to ensure freshness of even the most precious pours.

• 2

  Boarding House

  12 Federal Street

  The cellar bar at Boarding House has long been a destination for wine aficionados visiting Nantucket. The subterranean space creates an intimate, romantic atmosphere perfect for focused wine exploration. Their list balances accessible crowd-pleasers with more adventurous selections, and the knowledgeable bartenders can help match your mood and palate to the perfect bottle. The by-the-glass selection is robust, making this an ideal spot for solo travelers or couples who want to sample broadly without committing to full bottles. Pair your wine with their renowned raw bar offerings or creative small plates for a complete experience.

• 3

  Ethos

  1 North Beach Street

  Ethos brings a fresh, contemporary approach to wine in Nantucket. This stylish restaurant and bar puts natural wines at the forefront, offering a curated selection of organic, biodynamic, and minimal-intervention wines from around the world. The vibe is relaxed but refined, with a young, wine-savvy staff who are passionate about introducing guests to producers pushing boundaries in viticulture. The food menu is designed to pair seamlessly with wine, featuring Mediterranean-inspired small plates, fresh vegetables, and quality proteins. For adventurous wine lovers tired of the same old Chardonnay and Cabernet, Ethos is a revelation.

• 4

  Proprietors Bar & Table

  9 India Street

  While known for its creative cocktail program, Proprietors also offers an excellent wine selection that caters to discerning drinkers. The intimate space, with its antique-filled interior and candlelit ambiance, creates a perfect setting for wine exploration. Their list favors Old World producers and classic regions, with interesting finds from lesser-known appellations. The staff here can speak knowledgeably about both wine and food pairings, and the small plates are designed to complement whatever you're drinking.

Wine Shops

Whether you're stocking your rental house, planning a beach picnic, or seeking a special bottle for a dinner party, Nantucket's wine shops offer excellent selections and knowledgeable staff.

Hatch's Package Store

A Nantucket institution, Hatch's on Main Street offers a carefully curated wine selection that goes far beyond what you'd expect from a package store. The staff have deep wine knowledge and can guide you to the perfect bottle for any occasion or budget. They're particularly strong on summer-friendly whites and roses, though the red selection is also impressive. Local delivery is available for larger orders.

Nantucket Wine and Spirits

Located on Sparks Avenue, this shop offers a broad selection spanning everyday wines to collectible bottles. They're known for excellent prices by Nantucket standards and a friendly, helpful staff. During summer months, they often feature tastings on weekends.

Murray's Beverage

Murray's offers a comprehensive selection with a particularly strong showing in French and Italian wines. Their experienced team can help you navigate special occasion purchases, and they stock many wines not found elsewhere on the island. Worth the visit if you're seeking something specific.

Restaurants with Exceptional Wine Programs

For a memorable wine-focused dining experience, these restaurants go above and beyond with their cellar selections, sommelier service, and thoughtful pairings.

Topper's at The Wauwinet

The crown jewel of Nantucket's restaurant wine programs, Topper's maintains a Wine Spectator Grand Award-winning cellar with over 1,500 selections. The depth here is remarkable, with vertical collections of top Burgundy and Bordeaux, rare California cult wines, and benchmark bottles from every major wine region. The sommelier team provides exceptional guidance, whether you're spending modestly or splurging on a special occasion bottle. For serious wine lovers, this is a pilgrimage-worthy destination.

Straight Wharf Restaurant

The wine list at Straight Wharf is thoughtfully curated to complement their seafood-focused menu. You'll find excellent Loire Valley whites, crisp Chablis, and Muscadet that pair brilliantly with the ocean's bounty. The sommelier can guide you to perfect pairings, and the by-the-glass selection allows for experimentation across courses. Wine markups are fair by Nantucket standards.

Le Languedoc

Befitting its French-inspired cuisine, Le Languedoc offers a wine list that leans heavily on French producers. You'll find excellent Burgundy, Rhone, and Loire selections, along with hidden gems from the restaurant's namesake region in southern France. The intimate setting makes for romantic evenings of food and wine pairing, and the service is attentive without being intrusive.

CRU

CRU's wine program is designed around their raw bar and coastal cuisine. The list emphasizes crisp whites, champagne, and roses that pair naturally with oysters, crudo, and grilled fish. The by-the-glass offerings are particularly strong, and the waterfront setting makes for a perfect sunset wine experience.

Sommelier Experiences and Wine Dinners

For deeper wine exploration, Nantucket offers opportunities to learn from experts and experience special wine events throughout the season.

Private Sommelier Services

Several island sommeliers offer private consultation services for visitors staying in rental properties. These experts can stock your house with wines tailored to your preferences, plan pairings for private chef dinners, or lead intimate tastings for your group. Inquire at your rental agency or concierge service about arranging these personalized experiences.

Winemaker Dinners

Throughout the summer season, restaurants like Topper's, Straight Wharf, and Boarding House host special winemaker dinners featuring visiting producers. These multi-course events pair carefully crafted menus with wines presented by the winemakers themselves, offering rare insights into the stories behind the bottles. These events sell out quickly - follow restaurant social media or call ahead to inquire about upcoming dates when planning your visit.

Festival Events

The Nantucket Wine Festival, typically held in May, brings together wine enthusiasts for a weekend of tastings, seminars, and dinners featuring acclaimed producers from around the world. The event attracts serious collectors and casual wine lovers alike, with programming ranging from approachable introductory sessions to deep-dive masterclasses on specific regions or producers.

What Wines to Try on Nantucket

The island's wine culture naturally gravitates toward styles that complement the coastal setting and seafood-forward cuisine.

Whites and Roses

• Muscadet: The classic oyster wine - bone dry with saline minerality
• Sancerre and Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc: Crisp, herbaceous, perfect with fresh seafood
• Chablis: Unoaked Chardonnay with steely acidity, ideal for lobster
• Provencal Rose: Pale, dry, refreshing - the quintessential Nantucket porch wine
• Gruner Veltliner: Austrian white with white pepper notes and food-friendly acidity
• Albarino: Spanish coastal white made for seafood

Champagne and Sparkling

Champagne flows freely on Nantucket, and for good reason - the celebratory spirit of island vacations pairs perfectly with bubbles. Most restaurants offer excellent champagne programs, and a bottle of grower champagne on a sunset deck is one of life's great pleasures.

Reds for Cooler Evenings

• Pinot Noir: From Burgundy, Oregon, or New Zealand - versatile with grilled fish or duck
• Beaujolais: Light, refreshing reds that can be served slightly chilled
• Lighter Rhone Reds: Grenache-based wines with finesse rather than power

A Perfect Wine-Focused Evening on Nantucket

Looking to build an evening around wine exploration? Here's how to craft a memorable experience from sunset to last sip.

5:30 PM - Sunset Start at Greydon House

Begin your evening at Greydon House's wine bar. Arrive early enough to secure a comfortable seat, and let the bartender guide you through a flight of natural wines or lesser-known varietals. Order a cheese board to share while you watch the golden light filter through the windows and the evening crowd begins to gather.

7:30 PM - Dinner at a Wine-Forward Restaurant

Reserve a table at Straight Wharf, Le Languedoc, or Topper's depending on your mood. Let the sommelier guide your wine selections, starting perhaps with a crisp glass of champagne, moving to a white with your first courses, and finishing with something richer for main plates. Don't rush - wine-focused dining is about savoring each pairing.

10:00 PM - Nightcap at Boarding House Cellar

End your evening in the intimate cellar bar at Boarding House. Order a glass of dessert wine or aged Port to close the evening, or perhaps a final glass of something the sommelier recommends. The subterranean ambiance provides a perfect contemplative conclusion to an evening celebrating the grape.