Glocester council grants Mulberry Vineyards event permits amid neighbors’ complaints and DVR probe

The Glocester Town Council approved a package of special events for Mulberry Vineyards (David Wright) that grants up to 24 outdoor events for 2026, including live music, farmers markets and festivals, while adding stipulations limiting amplified music and requiring police and fire approval.

At a lengthy public hearing, neighbors urged the council to deny or sharply limit permits, saying past events were excessively loud, caused traffic and that the vineyard had previously been cited by the Department of Business Regulation (DVR) for beverage violations. David Calantonio and other residents presented what they described as a DVR consent order and said they had observed late‑night deliveries they believed to be unfermented juice or bulk wine imports. "They were selling wine, alcohol without a license... They cannot import pre fermented wine, which is what they were doing," a resident said.

David Wright, the vineyard owner, acknowledged prior regulatory issues, said his operation is a small microbusiness that reported about 729 gallons last year, and told the council that DVR has conducted inspections. Wright said he will address any noncompliance, will reach out to DVR and invited council members to inspect the facility. "If there's a violation, we work with the DVR to make sure we are compliant," he said.

Councilors debated the difference between private family events, commercial weddings and large public festivals. The council added conditions: advance application deadlines, crowd management and parking plans, no on‑street parking on Pound/Towne Road, police and fire chief sign‑off, and a limit on amplified live music to nonconsecutive weekends and specified hours (typically early afternoon). Councilors rescinded a request for broad evening weddings and agreed to keep the operation's hours similar to the prior year.

After discussion the council moved to grant the special events package with the stipulations; the motion passed by voice vote. Several council members urged continued monitoring and noted the town lacks direct authority over state liquor licensing, so any alleged sales violations would be handled by DVR.

The council’s approval allows Mulberry Vineyards to hold outdoor markets and music events under the specified limits but leaves unresolved the DVR investigation and neighbor demands for stricter limits if further violations or unacceptable noise recur.