Running Brook Vineyards & Winery Wine Tasting Guide

Since our founding in 1998, we have grown & produced our own 100% local wines in our Dartmouth & Westport vineyards. Running Brook is a family friendly winery and vineyard, serving up great local wines such as Chardonnay, Vidal Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and our unique port style wines. Visit any day year round, and join us for our free local music and wine series every Sunday.

335 Old Fall River Road
North Dartmouth MA 02747
508.985.1998
https://www.runningbrookwine.com/
[email protected]

Open Year Round
Monday through Wednesday: Noon-5pm
Thursday through Sunday: Noon-6pm*
*Hours are extended for LIVE music events.

Note: The Coastal Wine Trail is no longer being run out of Running Brook. Please contact Westport Rivers with any questions.

History

Running Brook Vineyards
Coastal Wine Trail

Running Brook Vineyards and Winery was established in 1998 by Pedro Teixeira, a dentist at the time, and Manuel Morais, one of his patients. They came together to start up Running Brook out of a passion for premium wines. Pedro developed his passion for grapes and wine when he moved to California from his childhood in Portugal.  On meeting Manuel, who had started a vineyard in 1975 and had even developed a new system for planting grapes in cooler regions, his passion intensified. So they decided to start up the vineyard and winery known as Running Brook.

In 2014, Running Brook started up a distillery for the production of brandy, grappa, and flavored Liqueurs.

Running Brook Wines and Wine Tasting

Running Brooks vineyards cover 24.5 acres, with 10 acres in Dartmouth and the rest in Westport. All the wines sold by Running Brook are made from grapes grown in these vineyards. Most of the grapes planted are of the white grape variety. Harvesting is done manually, by hand, as is the custom in most small vineyards.

Type of Wines

Running Brook Wines
Coastal Wine Trail Credit: @runningbrookvineyard

Running Brook offers an assortment of locally made wines that they produce in their vineyards. These range from exotic Cabernet to creamy Chardonnay. You will be impressed by the wines on offer at the winery. There are several wines to choose from, and you can participate in their wine tastings to discover the best for your taste.  The following are some of the wines on offer at Running Brook.

  • 2015 Chardonnay: This is made from traditional chardonnay grapes and then cured in French oak, giving it a smooth, rich, and delicate taste.
  • 2018 Chardonnay: This is another Chardonnay wine aged in oak but with the addition of caramel, giving it a buttery, sweet taste.
  • Vidal Fume: This Vidal wine is cured in French oak and is evocative of the legendary Sauvignon developed by Robert Vindani. A scintillating and invigorating wine.
  • 2017 Cabernet Franc Merlot: Of a blend of Cabernet and Merlot, this is a Bordeaux mixture from right at home here in Massachusetts.

These wines are also available to be shipped, although you’ll have to contact the winery directly. You can also get their wines at some liquor stores. An example of such is Barry’s Fine Wines and Spirits in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

Distillery 

If you love other alcoholic beverages as much as you love wine, then Running Brook is the place for you. They also have a distillery producing brandy, grappa, and an assortment of flavored liqueurs. All of these are distilled from locally raised grapes in their vineyards.

  • Black Sheep Brandy
  • Aguardente Black Sheep Brandy- Aged 12 months Aguardente Brandy
  • Cock-eyed Grappa
  • RB Rose Grappa
  • Liqueurs in a variety of flavors

Wine Tasting

Running Brook Wine Tasting
Coastal Wine Trail Credit: @runningbrookvineyard

Wine tasting is available at Running Brook all year round. You can also decide to enjoy the wine in the fresh air under a canopy outside. The wine tastings are every day of the week from Noon till 5 pm on Mondays to Wednesdays and till 6 pm on Thursdays to Sundays.

In terms of aesthetics, Running Brook’s tasting room is not so modern. With some barrels and wine-making equipment adorning some of the sides of the tasting room, you might think you’re in the wrong place for a while. However, if you love being as close to the wine process production as possible, this will be the perfect backdrop while you enjoy your glass of wine.  Even if you don’t love the environment, the taste of the locally made wines and Manny Morais’ hospitality (the owner) will help you forget the environment.

Overall, the wine tasting experience in Running Brook gives off a rural feeling and serene feeling, which you can’t help but enjoy. Also, they allow you to taste all the wines at Running Brook, unlike some other wineries where you have to choose.

Events

Running Brook Event
Coastal Wine Trail Credit: @runningbrookvineyard

The hosting of events is one of the areas in which the Running Brook Vineyard is lacking. Apart from their free live music events on Saturdays and Sundays, Running Brook’s event roster is pretty much empty. However, they do allow their clients to host events on their grounds. Also, if you plan to attend any of their music events, you should know that all alcohol must be Running Brook’s property only. No other type of alcohol is allowed on their premises.

Membership

A membership in Running Brook winery provides you with benefits such as a ten percent discount on all bottles purchased. You also get a ten percent discount on the payments for all events. You also get to taste wines for free and can even come with up to two guests who get fifty percent off their wine tasting fees. The 13th bottle is free on your purchase of 12 bottles or more.

The membership costs $25. This is a one-time payment as long as you continue to pay the $75 yearly for the six-bottle wine bundles. 

Closest Hotels

Located about three and a half kilometers from Running Brook is the Residence Inn. This is one of the more premium hotels in the vicinity. It is a modern facility with self-serving suites as well as free WiFi. There’s also an indoor swimming pool.

People who wish to spend a little less can consider Hampton Inn Fall River/Westport. This hotel offers you complimentary breakfast as well as an indoor swimming pool. There’s also free WiFi, and it’s an overall comfortable and family-friendly hotel.

Visitors on a budget should check out Best Western Dartmouth-New Bedford, a homey hotel with cheery staff and modern facilities, including WiFi and a pool.

Conclusion

Running Brook Vineyards and Winery is one of the better small wineries you’ll find in the East. Although the rural wine is not for everyone, most people are bound to find it enjoyable and pleasant. It is definitely worth visiting for a wine tasting as well as a tour of the facilities accompanied by nice local music.

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