We went to Fulchino’s vineyard on a whim and it was a great decision. The wines are completely different from all the other wineries we’ve been to in NH but in a good way. Each wine had a distinct taste, and even though I’ve never been a big red wine drinker, I truly enjoyed all the red wines I tasted. In addition, the decor gives a Tuscan feel, which just adds to the ambiance. Despite the fact that there was a function going on at the time we arrived, Al and Susan treated us as though we were family, and made sure that we had the best experience possible. My boyfriend and I will definitely be making a return trip to Fulchino’s to taste the different wines throughout the year.
Testimonials & Media
New Hampshire Magazine – A Time for Wine
Making new memories – both red and white. Al Fulchino of Hollis is capturing time in a bottle. The memories, the tastes and the family tradition of times past have fueled Fulchino’s lifelong passion for wines. His great-great-grandfather Angelo Fulchino made wine in Gesualdo, Italy, and he can remember as a kid going with his grandfather to Everett, Mass. and buying grapes right off of a train from California. It was an Italian thing. Grandfathers made wine in the basement. Even the government acknowledged and sanctioned the process during Prohibition. Heads of households were allowed to ferment 200 gallons of wine for personal consumption. That was Roosevelt’s concession to get the Italian vote.”I have been making wine since I was 21,” Fulchino says. But three years ago he decided to take the passion into a productive business. He and his wife Susan now run a full-time winery that was just licensed in February. They cultivate and harvest the grapes with help from friends and family. Tastings are offered daily in their recently completed wine production room.”The kids had grown, we decided it was time to take the gamble, do something that we love. I figured there are 1,600 households in Hollis, so I could probably sell 1,600 bottles of wine. People appreciate local products these days.”The couple purchased the Hollis land off of Pine Hill Road in the ’90s and run a small nursery on a corner of the lot. Experience as a grower is beginning to bear real fruit now.In 2007 they planted the first grape vines in the rich, low-lying land that has two feet of rich topsoil – probably a former riverbed. Fulchino claims his wines are all about the terroir, or the characteristics of the land that bestow qualities on the wine. The rich earth holds moisture, limiting the need for irrigation. The dark color of the soil retains heat and his crop can be left on the vine longer. All this leads to sweeter grapes at harvest time.As September wears on, Fulchino tests random grapes for their sugar level with a simple spectral instrument called a refractometer. When the grapes reach low- to mid-twenties brix they are harvested by hand – each type when ready – with help from friend Peter Coppola.Red grapes go into the crusher/de-stemmer while whites go directly into a press.The juice is extracted with a small hand press after fermenting. Large plastic flex tanks that have micro-pores allow the wine to oxygenate while fermenting, reducing the number of times the wine needs to be racked – a process to siphon the wine off the lees or residual yeast at the bottom of the tank.Currently 2 1/2 to 3 acres are planted with 14 different varieties of grapes for a total of 1,400 vines – the largest percentage being red varietals. “I am experimenting with a broader range of types than other New Hampshire wineries,” Fulchino claims. He has tried a few vine types from UC Davis’ Genome Center and other American and Italian vines – which varietal specifically, he will not tell.Fulchino’s red wines taste like variations on a theme, that theme being big and fruity wines with a high alcohol content. You can see the “legs” as you swirl a glass.Fulchino’s biggest wine is one of his Signature Blends, the Cenare, almost a sensory overload. Fulchino says this wine needs a “big” food for a match, something like grilled and seasoned meats. Or it could be sipped for an after-meal enjoyment. Many red wines lose their appeal the day after opening, but probably because of the high alcohol content. His Cenare remains drinkable after a week. It has lost a few high notes, but is still mellow. This characteristic may be perfect for people who want to sip a little wine each evening.The other related wines include the very smooth Mirabella ($30) and Vivace ($30), with spicy notes layered atop the full mellow ripe berry flavors. Each of these are fully developed with soft tannins that don’t need to be tamed with time in the bottle.White wines are in more limited production. It took Fulchino a while to develop a few he liked. And more varieties will be available in September.Fulchino claims the art is in the blending of two to six varietals to create the wine that he enjoys, maybe one reminiscent of his grandfathers’. He says, “I don’t order wine in a restaurant; I only like mine.” He is making wine for people who can’t handle dry wine and prefer a smooth mouth feel with loads of fruit. He adds oak chips or oak staves to achieve the flavor profile he likes. “I blend with artistry and intuition, it’s what makes my wines unique.”Next spring the Fulchinos plan to build a separate tasting room similar to the stucco wine room added this summer, while the back lot offers more acreage to be cultivated. Build it and they will come has never been more true.This June, at the state’s first New Hampshire wine festival held on the grounds of Flaghill Winery, Fulchino found himself at the serving end of a very long line. “People told me they had saved their remaining tickets for our Cenare …Word had gotten around and people were asking for the Big, Bold One. I am tempted to rename it,” he jests.Would Grandpa be proud? I think so. Fulchino honors tradition at every turn. It’s a family operation that remembers its roots and invites all in for a taste of their love, terroir and ancestral history. NH
Testimonials
Clifford Burns
We visited in early July during a week day as our friends told us that it is just as pretty and we could avoid the weekend since we were both on vacation. The visit did not disappoint. The grounds were gorgeous , the vineyard was well manicured. A young lady greeted us promptly like we mattered. The wines were a great surprise especially the reds. I have not found one New Hampshire winery that has measured up to the type of quality I am used too until this visit. I have been to several throughout the state, but this one seems to fly under the radar. This place does not seem like an ordinary New England Vineyard. The place had a true Italy vibe and for us this was an unexpected plus because we needed a getaway and we both love Italy. We ended up spending a couple of hours and will surely bring friends and family. Apparently they also do many events open to the public. By the way,the lady serving us was informative, polite and professional and attentive. She clearly cared about the place and the products they are putting in the glass and on the table. I didn’t see any supervisory type of person readily available but when we visited next time I hope to meet possibly the owner. We had been told to visit this winery for a couple of years now. Glad we made trip from the seacoast.
Robert G
One of the many reasons I love Fulchino Vineyard Zinfandel is it goes with almost any food.
Last night enjoyed Hamburgers with Fulchino beef with Fulchino Zinfandel
and tonight enjoyed it while eating chili.
Thanks Al and Susan.
Christine Bard
My wife and I have recently returned from our trip to Napa and Sonoma Valley in Northern California. While the wines we tasted are still fresh on our palate, we decided to do a comparison of the West coast and East coast wines. On Oct. 1, 2013. a beautiful sunny Fall day, we made the trip over to the Fulchino Vineyard in Hollis, NH. Al Fulchino welcomed us and started us off on our tasting of nine of his wines. I was very impressed. I found all these wines to be very pleasing to the palate and would rank these wines as better than Napa and comparable to Sonoma Valley wines. The wines were reasonably priced and available for sale at the tasting. The wine tasting is small and personalized versus the hundreds of people visiting Napa and Sonoma. It is worth the trip to Hollis to share Al’s passion of making wine. Save your money on airfare to California and spend it on quality wines right here in our own backyard!
Bill and Tina Chouramanis
Just got home! We had excellent service, delicious meatballs and the Tuscan board. We enjoyed the music and fabulous gardens! It’s a piece of Tuscany in Hollis! My friend Kelly & hubby are headed there now! We’ll be back soon! We are planning a couples outing in September. Al, those are the Best meatballs that have crossed my mouth!
Myra L
Loved the atmosphere. It is smaller winery but the set up outdoors was beautiful and cute. Even though i don’t usually describe google reviews using cute, this place is cute for a date nights. Wine choices were good too. We got a bottle of live free or die white wine on our way out. Definitely try that one.
Rhada T
Ruth & I visited Fulchino Vineyard today and tried their Signature Reds. The vineyard is located in Hollis, NH and we were astounded that the reds produced could express a fullness and finish often experienced in the Napa Valley reds.
This winery is a gem, and our hosts, Al and Susan, were most gracious. It is perhaps our Granite States best kept secret:
the most delicious, full reds that I’ve, to date, encountered.
Joe Doccola
Loved this winery! One of my most favorites. Tasted many wines and bought a bottle of just about all of them! The owners are lovely.
The tasting room/patio is brand new and beautiful. But just as good was the service and conversation with the owners.
One can tell that family is an important part of who they are.
A thoroughly enjoyable experience.I will bring all my friends back for a day trip. I look forward to it .
S Gill
What a nice find, we were just driving by didn’t even know there was a winery in Hollis . Owner was so nice, tasting was delicious, can’t wait to visit again.
Betty M
Been to France, Italy and California. This one compares w the proper vibe, ambience and quality. In general the wines available are younger than I am used to enjoying but considering the newness of the vineyard it is to be expected. Service and attention made my wife and I feel at home. Bought case to age. Will return.
Christopher B
A little slice of the old country right in southern New Hampshire. Charming, elegant & intimate with the most attentive staff. Highly recommend the platinum tasting. Gained themselves a couple of regulars today.
Clifford B
We’ve been shopping at Fulchino’s for about 4 months. We originally fell in love with their flowers and then later experienced their wine. We can’t go a week without a bottle. I haven’t tried one that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy. After several visits we learned that they raised and sold grass fed beef. We have been experimenting with our own diet and have not been satisfied with meat from the grocery store. The sirloin from Fulchino’s was the best we’ve ever had! This steak was worthy of an expensive restaurant. I’ve never eaten beef so fresh before. We also tried the ground beef and it was equally outstanding. You don’t need to be an expert chef to cook with meat, it speaks for itself. Just like the wine, the beef is also superior quality.
Katie Kinney
Al Fulchino is running an absolutely amazing vineyard and producing some top-notch wines.
A little bit of a drive away from our home of Boston but so worth it.
He uses all local ingredients and grows thousands of grape varieties – meaning he has
quite a well-rounded variety to sample for free at the tasting room. He’s very happy to talk to you about the wine regardless of how much you do or don’t know already. And beyond that, the wines really are excellent.
Lily B
Based on the advice of friends, we went this weekend for the wine which we greatly enjoyed . Since we were hungry, we ordered a pizza. We selected a barbecue chicken pizza. Hands-down, it was the best pizza I’ve had in my life.
Robert L
We just ran an event for Wellheart Chartered Public School at Fulchino Vineyard and it was absolutely amazing. The facility was beautiful, the food was fantastic, and Al and his team were very accommodating and helped make the event a raving success! We will definitely continue to go to their events and use them as a venue for future events as well