When you think of wine, you think of places like France, Italy and Argentina, right? What about Ohio? Michigan? Arkansas? They may not have the same allure, but travel-planning website Away.com recently featured these unlikely locations on their Top 10 list of “off-the-beaten-path” vineyards. And coming in at #3 on that list is our very own Cape Cod.

“Most people tend to associate California with vineyards, forgetting some equally lush yet budget-friendly wineries right in their own backyard,” says Away.com Senior Editor Kate Chandler. “[Our] list of undiscovered spots along America’s wine country highlights its geographic diversity, and their proximity to metropolitan areas makes them an idyllic detour.”

Not knowing the first thing about wine except that it tastes good, I caught up with Kristen Roberts of Truro Vineyards in Cape Cod to learn some more about local wines, how it differs from the better known stuff, and their ‘green’ way of growing.

PRK: Truro Vineyards is relatively new, beginning in 1992. When did the Cape Cod wine ‘scene’ come about?
KR: There was virtually no wine “scene” on the Cape when the vineyards were planted. We were the first in the area. Now it has become a little more popular. We do have people travelling to taste wine and have become more of a destination.

PRK: How many vineyards can one find on the Cape?
KR: There are two vineyards on the Cape: us, and Cape Cod Winery, which is about 70 miles away in Falmouth.

PRK: How does Truro Vineyards market their products?
KR: We have had great support from local restaurants and get a lot of customers as a result of it. When people dine out and see a local wine on the wine list, it makes them curious about us. We hear from a lot of people that it is how they found us. We also advertise in local guidebooks and magazines.

PRK: Do you mostly sell locally? In New England?
KR: We only have a license to sell to restaurants and liquor stores in MA, so that is our distribution route. We do, however, have licenses to ship directly to consumers in 20 different states. So customers can order right off our website.

PRK: What variety of grapes do you grow?
KR: We grow Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

PRK: People associate wine with warmer regions, like Italy and California. How do you produce wines in our harsh New England climate?
KR: Where we are situated on the Cape there is actually a microclimate that exists, which keeps things way warmer than people think. We have pretty mild winters. Our vines are European vines grafted onto North American rootstock so they are heartier and ready for any inclement weather.

PRK: How does the Cape harvest differ from somewhere like CA?
KR: Our harvest is just a bit later than the typical California harvest. We leave the grapes on the vine until October to get them perfectly ripe.

PRK: Would you be able to tell the difference between a Chardonnay grown in Cape Cod versus Napa Valley?
KR: There is a difference in style in the making of wine on the East Coast versus the West. We “oak” our Chardonnay a little less then a typical California Chardonnay, which makes it a little mellower and lighter in body.

PRK: What are some wines you make that are unique to the Cape/Truro Vineyards?
KR: Our most unique wine is probably our Cranberry Red. It’s a red wine (a blend of Roujean and Syrah) with cranberries added after the fermentation process. So it’s a little sweet, a little tart, and we serve it chilled so it’s almost like Sangria out of the bottle. It’s a great Thanksgiving wine.

PRK: Tell me about your new “green” winery.
KR: We built a new winemaking facility in 2008 with the intention of employing as many “green” principals as possible in both the design and structure. From the choice of each building material to the climate control constructs, we take pride in preserving the delicate environment out here.

Truro Vineyards is more than happy to share their unique wines: there are tastings every 30 minutes and daily tours at 1pm and 3pm. They’re open seven days a week until Thanksgiving from 11am-5pm and Sundays from 12-5pm.

And, in case you were wondering, here’s the complete list of Away.com‘s Top 10 “Hidden Gem” Wine Regions:
1. Hill Country, Texas
2. Bloomington, Indiana
3. Truro, Cape Cod, Massachusetts
4. Botetourt County, Virginia
5. North Fork, Long Island, New York
6. Arkansas River Valley, Arkansas
7. Cleveland, Ohio
8. Yakima Valley, Washington
9. Traverse City, Michigan
10. Brandywine Valley, Pennsylvania