If you had asked us a few years ago whether we saw ourselves planting a vineyard, we probably would have laughed. Not because we didn’t think it was possible, but because it felt so far from where we were at the time. We were still living on the Cape, still thinking about what came next, still dreaming about land.
But when we found Sterling Hollow Farm, something shifted. The land spoke to us, and part of what it said was that it had more to give.
A Vineyard Wasn’t the Plan
When we moved here, our first goals were focused on animals, barns, and infrastructure. There was a lot to restore, and we knew we wanted to take our time doing it right. The vineyard idea came later, after walking the fields for months, learning how the light moved through the hills, how the soil held water, and how the wind settled in the late afternoon.
We weren’t looking to force something into the landscape. We were looking to listen. And the more we listened, the more the vineyard felt like a natural next step.
Why Grapes? Why Here?
Vermont isn’t the first place that comes to mind when people think of vineyards, but there is a growing community of small growers who are proving that cool-climate wine can be something beautiful. The idea of being part of that movement, of growing something that is deeply tied to place, was exciting.
But it was more than that. It was about deepening our connection to the land. Grapevines are long-term plants. They take years to establish. They require patience, care, and attention across seasons. In that way, they matched our philosophy perfectly.
We weren’t looking for a shortcut. We were looking for roots.
A Foundation for the Future
We broke ground in the spring of 2025. The rows are still young, but there is something incredibly hopeful about seeing them lined up on the hillside, reaching for the sun.
We don’t have a production timeline. We’re not rushing toward bottles or labels. We’re simply growing, learning, and giving the vines what they need. Over time, we’ll explore what it means to make wine here. Wine that reflects this soil, this slope, and the hands that tend it.
It’s More Than a Crop
The vineyard is a piece of a larger puzzle at Sterling Hollow. Alongside our Randall Cattle conservation efforts, equine care, and land restoration work, it gives us one more way to live out our values. It’s another way to care for the land, to work with it instead of against it, and to create something that lasts.
Like everything else on the farm, it’s a slow build. And we wouldn’t want it any other way.
Michele & Jim
Sterling Hollow Farm
