Vinland presents a contrast in almost every respect to the historicism of its stately neighbors Ochre Court and The Breakers. Unlike those buildings, Vinland, vaguely English in its antecedents, is a low form of dark, rusticated brownstone which stretches along a rise overlooking the ocean. Ornamental accents are provided by the copper ridge flashing in the form of icicles and the carved stone reliefs set near the entryway. The small, turreted gatehouse, whose serpentine ironwork lantern announces the name of the house at the street entrance, and the stable to the north conform to the style of the main house.

In 1877, Catherine Wolfe's brother, Pierre Lorillard, had commissioned the same Boston firm to design the original Breakers, which burned down in 1892. In 1896 Wolfe sold Vinland to Hamilton and Florence Twombly (she was the youngest grandchild of Commodore Vanderbilt), who had it greatly enlarged a decade later. All the Vinland buildings are now owned by Salve Regina University.