Yankee Brew News Archive

Nashoba Valley Winery Introduces Line of Beers

Originally Published: 10/97

By: Kerry J. Byrne

Nashoba Valley Winery & Orchard will celebrate the recent addition of a line of beers with an Oktoberfest celebration slated for Saturday, October 25.

Two Nashoba beers were released this summer, Blue Heron Ale and Bolt 117 Lager. A third, Nashoberfest Premium Wheat, was slated for introduction sometime before the festival.

The brewery had been in the works for more than a year, with final approval coming in July, Nashoba Valley general manager Richard Pelletier said. The brewery was borne of an agreement with the town of Bolton he said.

"We have a picnic ground, winery and gazebo. We do a lot of corporate outings, weddings and festivals here. Part of our agreement with the town is that would we only serve at weddings and festivals beer and wine made on-site."

Nashoba's beers are being sold on-site in one-liter resealable bottles. They will self-distribute a small number of kegs for limited off-site consumption. As of press time, Pelletier said discussions were under way with about five or six "very local" restaurants, though he was not at liberty yet to say which establishments were involved.

He said it is doubtful bottles will be sold off-premise.

Nashoba Valley has been in the winemaking business for 18 years. They've also produced a hard cider for the past two years, as well as a perry (pear wine), which Pelletier said is their best-selling product.

Winemaker Larry Ames is currently overseeing the brewing process on a seven-barrel system. Mia LeMay, a biochemist from Worcester Polytechnic Institute with fermentation experience, has been hired to eventually take over the brewing operations so that Ames can continue to focus on wine.

In addition to 100 varieties of apples, the 50-acre orchard produces raspberries, peaches, blackberries and plums. Pelletier said they are hoping to add hops to that list sometime in the near future.

The fall is the busiest time at Nashoba Valley Winery & Orchard. Pelletier said he expects some 75,000 visitors in September and October.

Nashoba Valley is at 100 Wattaquadoc Hill Road, Bolton. The Oktoberfest celebration will include German music by the Hofbrau Boys of Boston, a Slavic supper and apple picking. Beer will be sold, while wine will be available for sampling. Admission and parking are free, and the event will be held rain or shine October 25 from 12 to 5 p.m.

To get to there, take Interstate 495 to exit 27. At the end of the off ramp, follow the sign to Bolton. Exactly one mile down the road is a flashing yellow light. Take a left. The orchard is a quarter mile on the left.

Call (508) 779-5521 for information.