Whaleback Vineyard

Whaleback Vineyard is a winery in Rutland, VT, located in the heart of Poultney, nestled between the scenic Green Mountains and the waters of Lake St. Catherine. The estate cultivates over 6,000 vines across nine acres, growing cold-hardy grape varieties such as St. Croix, Marquette, La Crescent, Frontenac, and Frontenac Gris, all used to craft their diverse selection of Vermont wines, including white, red, rosé, fruit wines, and honey mead. Their wines are produced, cellared, and bottled on-site in a historic, remodeled barn, with all grapes and select apples sourced from their own orchards and trusted local farms. Open for wine tastings Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm, Whaleback Vineyard welcomes visitors to experience the full winemaking journey, especially during harvest season. With a 4.50 rating based on customer reviews, the vineyard is recognized for its quality, authenticity, and family-driven craftsmanship.

Founded on a farm in southern Vermont, Whaleback Vineyard is a family-owned and operated business led by Dennis and Amy Brown, along with their daughters Jacinda and Sadie. The family has nurtured the vineyard since its inception, with the daughters involved from an early age, Jacinda and Sadie planted their first vines alongside their parents. Sadie’s artwork, including the vineyard’s iconic logo, adorns the tasting room. The historic barn, originally built in the late 1800s, stands as a testament to the property’s enduring legacy, featuring hand-hewn beams, wooden pegs, and a slate roof that has weathered over 200 years. The land has been in the Brown family since the 1950s, passed down from Lenore and Dennis Brown Sr., who inherited it from the Griffith family, who had farmed the land since the late 1800s. The barn once sheltered dairy cows and horses before becoming the heart of modern winemaking.

Whaleback Vineyard is known for its deep roots in Vermont’s agricultural heritage and its commitment to crafting wines from locally grown grapes and fruit. The family’s dedication to preserving the historic barn and surrounding land reflects a broader mission of sustainability and craftsmanship. Their transparent, on-site production process, from vine to bottle, sets them apart as a trusted, authentic destination for wine lovers in the region.

Located on Old Lake Rd in Poultney, the vineyard sits within a landscape shaped by generations of stewardship, where the legacy of farming and winemaking continues to flourish.