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Doing a Tasting at Cape Cod Winery in Falmouth
Posted by Kinlin Grover | Wednesday, July 8, 2020

It might come as a surprise to learn that Cape Cod has a few wineries, as it isn't exactly a premier grape-growing region. At the same time, the area has a rich agricultural history, so it makes sense that winemakers would experiment with vines to see how they progress.

Today, there are three wineries on the Cape, including Cape Cod Winery, which also has a young vineyard. Since the vines are so young, they aren't being used for wine yet, but the hope is that they'll be ready in 2020. Truro Vineyards grows grapes on-site, too, while First Crush in Harwich imports its grapes from California.

One of the great things about Cape Cod Winery is its location, as it sits just off Route 28 in East Falmouth, so it's close to both Falmouth Inner Harbor and the beaches overlooking Vineyard Sound. As a result, you can stop by the winery after a day at the beach, or head for a quick glass before shopping downtown.

Cape Cod's wineries don't get much attention nationally, but they're an unexpected treat as part of your vacation to this one-of-a-kind piece of the world.

About the Winery

Cape Cod Winery is a local, family-owned business, and that's a big part of its charm. In fact, if you visit during the summer, you'll be greeted by either the owners, Pete and Erika Orlandella, or their children, Joe, Pete Jr., and Olivia. The Orlandella family purchased the winery in 2013, and take great pride in keeping it local.

As for the land, Cape Cod Winery sits on a 10-acre vineyard on Oxbow Road with a long history in agriculture. In the early 1900s, the property was a strawberry farm before becoming a potato and dairy farm.

The vineyard provides an area of refuge from the bustle of Falmouth in the summer, as it's a quiet oasis where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the best wines the Cape produces.

Stop By For a Tasting

Many people who visit the winery do a tasting. These tastings cost $10 per person and allow you to sample five different varieties. The wine also comes in a souvenir glass, which you can keep.

Or, if you're familiar with the wine available there, grab a glass and enjoy it in the outdoor patio area overlooking the vineyard.

The main tasting bar is outside and features tables and chairs where you can relax with your chosen vino. There are also fire pits, for when the weather cools off, and an indoor area for use in the winter.

Locals often hang out at the vineyard for a couple of glasses of wine in the afternoon because it provides a quiet place to soak up the sun. Food trucks camp out at the winery in the summer, and the staff sells picnic supplies in the gift shop. You can also pack a lunch to enjoy with your wine if you plan ahead.

No reservation is needed to visit Cape Cod winery, so you can decide to stop by at any point on your Cape Cod vacation.

Pick Up a Bottle For Later

Of course, while you're at the vineyard, you might want to grab a bottle of wine or two to bring back to your vacation rental. The good news is that Cape Cod Winery has a multitude of wine types to enjoy.

Perhaps the most famous wine at Cape Cod Winery is Rosé Mermaid Water, which combines strawberry and raspberry aromas, and makes for an excellent patio drink in the summer. The winery's Cranberry Blush and Blueberry wines are other popular fruit wines the vineyard yields.

As for white wines, Cape Cod Winery has chardonnay, riesling, pinot grigio, and sauvignon blanc, all of which pair wonderfully with the seafood that you can pick up from a local market. If you're doing some cooking at your vacation rental, a bottle of white is a good bet.

Red wines at Cape Cod Winery include Channel Marker #16 Cabernet Sauvignon, Nantucket Sound Red Malbec, and Reel Red, a blend of merlot, zinfandel, and cabernet sauvignon grapes. You can pair these wines with steak, lamb, and other red meat, or enjoy them on their own in the evening.

You can't really go wrong with the offerings at Cape Cod Winery, although you might want to do a tasting to make sure you end up with a bottle of your favorite.

A Taste of Cape Cod

Trying out some local businesses during your vacation to the Cape might mean dining at small restaurants, exploring the boutiques, or taking a couple of tours. Cape Cod Winery fits in with this commitment to local, as all of the wine is produced on-site, and the vineyard is true to its Cape Cod roots.

When staying in the Falmouth, Massachusetts, area, look at the calendar of events at Cape Cod Winery, as they often hold concerts and other gatherings during the summer months.

You'll never run out of things to do in Falmouth, and Cape Cod Winery is just one of the many venues that make this town great.

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