This Place Is Going To Be MAJOR!

We made a grape decision to check out the brand NEW Shepherd’s Run in South Kingstown yesterday afternoon. (Full disclosure, a very kind person who reads the blog and follows along on IG gave me a hot tip about this place that’s been open to the public less than a month at this point and I’m eternally grateful.)

The refurbished estate (the main English manor style house and gardens were originally constructed in 1933 as a summer retreat for a prominent Rhode Island family helmed by Rush Sturges, a Providence lawyer, and later transitioned into a convent and then a school, long story short) has been reimagined as a winery, boutique hotel with ten rooms (and more to come, I hear), and a wedding venue.

There’s a casual and airy elegance about the updated main house that reminds me of a Nancy Myers movie; you almost expect a food or travel writer played by Meryl Streep or Reese Witherspoon to pop up in the North Salon (where we sat by one of two ginormous open windows, see all photos below) or the main living room which boasts a large brick fireplace that looks original to the house as well as ample seating.

If you want to go for a tasting, a reservation is required. We made ours online a few days before. The tasting includes your choice of up to 4 wines (one of their points of difference is that in addition to their own wines they will be offering others from around New England and the world) and it cost around $25. There’s also the option of buying by the glass or the bottle. I really liked the 4 I picked, especially the last one, a 2019 SYRAH from Wahluke Slope, Washington which had hints of fig, green peppercorn and cigar box. Really wishing now that I’d bought a bottle.

Our server did bring over some fresh bread and olive oil along with the wine and I understand they do offer breakfast to those staying in the hotel. If you’re wanting something substantial to go with your vino, though, it’s probably best to bring some cheese and bread or something along those lines.

It sure looked as though they were prepping for a fantastic out-of-doors wedding ceremony yesterday. It’s just a stunning spot for that or a Rhody staycation this fall. Speaking of which, if you’re from Shepherd’s Run and you need anyone to stay over for a trial run once you guys unveil those additional rooms, don’t hestitate to email or Instagram message me. I’d LOVE to sip, stay and celebrate!

Shepherd’s Run is open Wednesday thru Sunday from 11am to 6pm and located behind Prout School at 4780 Tower Hill Road in South Kingstown.

As always, if you find yourself wine-ing down there AFTER reading this, I beg you to let them know you found out about them here via Patty J and PattyJ.com.