We don't have to go to out to California to enjoy wine country. We have our own little corner tucked away here in the heart of the Southeastern New England Wine Growing Appellation.

On any given day a handful of vineyards in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut are within your reach.

Now, five of them -- Newport Vineyards of Middletown, Greenvale Vineyards of Portsmouth, Sakonnet Vineyards of Little Compton, Westport Rivers Vineyard and Winery in Massachusetts and Running Brook Vineyards in Dartmouth -- have banded together to market themselves as a destination. Travel from one to the next, they suggest. Go from tasting room to vineyard tour and stop at a B&B if you are so inclined. Make a day or a weekend out of it. You don't have to fly to Napa Valley to experience a wine country tour.

Try a no oak Chardonnay at Newport Vineyards, a Pinot Gris at Greenvale, a Vidal Blanc or ice wine at Sakonnet, a sparkling wine at Westport Rivers and a White Merlot at Running Brook. Those are just a few of the offerings afforded by the wine region with a Southeast facing coastline which captures the warm Gulf Stream waters in the summer and fall. This cool grape growing region concentrates on vinifera varietals and hybrids. White and sparkling wines do well here.

Just to motivate you a little more, there's a passport to pick up at any winery. Those who have it marked at all five by Dec. 31 are in the running for prizes including a weekend stay at Castle Hill Inn & Resort and Red Sox tickets.

"Just working on the concept of the Coastal Wine Trail is exciting for all of us," said Carol Russell of Westport Rivers.

All the vineyard owners and winemakers are passionate about their wines. That's the nature of the business for those who work the earth. Visiting any of the vineyards will impart that devotion of love of all things wine.

The wineries can be visited in any order, but to avoid backtracking, Russell suggests starting at either Newport Vineyards or Running Brook Vineyards. Those interesting in more than vineyards can visit www.CoastalWineTrail.com for a listing of area B&B's and restaurants between the wineries.

All the wineries have Web sites to visit to learn more about their wines and their tastings and tours. They are www.newportvineyards.com, www.greenvale.com, www.sakonnetwine.com, www.westportrivers.com and www.runningbrookwine.com.

Questions on the trail? Contact retail@westportrivers.com or call (800) 993-9695.