In 1982 when my Wife, Carol, and I moved to Westport we were embarking on a new career together. We chose Westport because it had a farm suitable for our future plans and the citizens of Westport had a farming and fishing ethos. We came to Westport with the core belief that farming and farmland in Massachusetts and all of New England were in a state of demise. In addition, we believed the Smith Farm we were about to buy was not ours and that we were to be God’s stewards in preserving and using the land. Our mission was to save a piece of working agriculture. Our crop would be grapes and product would be fine wine.

To give some background we were both from New Jersey and as kids we witnessed the change after World War II where farmland became house lots and it devastated both of us. We married in 1959 went to college at the same time in Boston and in 1962 we moved to Dighton and began our Family. My... (more)

Over the yers the Russell Family has put into permanent development protection roughly 400 acres of farm land and forestry in Westport.

Of the tillable farm land, 85 acres are dedicated to grapevines for wine to be made by Westport Rivers Winery. About 75 acres is for forage crops for milk cows. About 25 acres is for Buzzards Bay Brewing.

Both businesses, Westport Rivers, Inc. and Buzzards Bay Brewing are owned and operated by the Russell Family.

People of ask how they can help. Our reply is to "Buy Local".