Connecticut Wine Trails

The wine industry did not exist in Connecticut until 1978 when the State passed the Connecticut Winery Act. The wine trails themselves were established in 1988. Connecticut is one of the newest wine producing areas, which is why it is not that well known. There are two wine trails in Connecticut with a total of 19 wineries. One goes by the seacoast and one in the hill country.

The Western Trail is in the hills, has a total of 10 wineries and you can comfortably visit about 4 a day. Jones Winery planted their first grapes in 1999. They produce Huntington Red, a dry wine, Ripton Red which goes with hearty meals, Pinot Gris , a dry white, Stonewall White which is similar to Pinot Gris, Woodlands White a crisp and sweet wine, Dawn's First Blush, a sweet wine made of apples, pears and black currants, Harvest Time made from apples and pears, Strawberry Splendor, Blueberry Bliss a semi sweet wine or a heavy meal or after dinner drink, Raspberry Rhapsody a sweet aperitif or dessert wine and Black Currant Bouquet.

McLaughlin Vineyards is one of the smaller vineyards with 15 acres of grapes. They produce Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Seyval Blanc, Riesling, and several white, blush, and red blends.

DiGrazia Vineyards was founded in 1978 and the winery in 1984. They grow only French Hybrid grapes and produce
dry to sweet, no sulfite wines, late harvest, ice wines, dessert wines, pumpkin wines, white port and ruby port, blueberry and pear dessert wines.

White Silo Winery is one of the smallest wineries. They produce Raspberry, Blackberry, Rhubarb and Sour Cherry wines, both Dry and semisweet.

Hopkins Vineyard planted their first vines in 1979. They produce Chardonnay, Vineyard Reserve, Cabernet Franc, Highland Estate, Rose, Westwind, Sachem's Picnic, Cider and Vidal Blanc.

Miranda Vineyard planted their first grapes in 2001 and opened to the public in 2007. They make hand crafted, small batch wines such as Seyval Blanc, Rosé, Chardonnay, Merlotm Woodridge White and Woodridge Red.

Sunset Meadow Vineyards produces Cayuga White with the taste of grapefruit, melon, and peach, Blustery Blend, a blend of Cayuga White and Seyval Blanc, Vidal Blanc a mix of Chardonnay and Vidal. Sunset Blush with the taste of peach, apricot, and plum, Merlot with the taste of cherry and hints of black pepper and butter, Twisted Red, a blend of Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Lemberger & Chamborcin and St. Croix a dry wine with aromas of cherry and fruit with a finish of spice and pepper.

The Land of Nod Winery planted their first vines in 1994 and started production in 1998. They produce Bianca, Pinot Noir, Corot Noir, Raspberry & Blueberry Raspberry Medley.

Jerram Winery opened in1999 on a 10 acre farm. They produce White Frost Chardonnay, Seyval Blanc, Gentle Shepherd and Aurora, both white blends, S'il Vous Plait Cabernet Franc, Highland Reserve red, Marechal Foch, Nor'easter, a semi-sweet red blend, Vespers, an after dinner sweet white and Our Sweet Rose, a lightly sweet Rose'.

There are nine wineries on the Eastern or Coastal Trail. Sharpe Hill Vineyard is the largest in the state, is a multi award winner with 200 medals won since opening in 1997. They produce Ballet of Angels semi-dry white, Cuvee Ammi Philips is a limited edition wine made with Chardonnay grapes from Long Island , American Chardonnay , Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay, a Chardonnay blended with Melon de Bourgonne , Dry Riesling that goes with seafood and Asian fusion, Dry Summer Rosé with strawberry, Red Seraph a dry blend of Merlot and St. Croix , Cabernet Franc for red meat, St. Croix a dry wine and Select Late Harvest a dessert wine with the taste of pineapple, apricot, and honey.

Gouveia Vineyards has 15 acres of grapes and produces Whirlwind Rose, a semi-sweet wine with the taste of mulled apple spice and pepper, Chardonnay with tastes of grapefruit, wild cherry and marshmallow, Oaked Chardonnay with the taste of coffee, mocha and chestnuts, Stone House Red, a blend of Villard Noir, Chambourcin, Rubiana, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, Stone House White, a blend of Chardonnayl Seyval Blanc and vignols, Merlot with the taste of spices and blackberry, Cayuga White with the taste of citrus, Seyval Blanc with a hint of fruit and Cabernet Franc.

Priam Vineyards was founded in 1998 and began marketing their wines in 2003. They produce Jeremy River White, a semi-sweet blend, Salmon River White, an off-dry Chardonnay blend, Blackledge White a full bodied, dry white, Cayuga, a dry, fruity white, Barrel Select Chardonnay, a lemony, dry chardonnay, Riesling, an Off-dry wine, Gewurztraminer, Late Harvest Riesling, a dessert wine with the taste of honey, St. Croix, a dry, full bodied red, Salmon River Red, a Bordeaux blend, Salmon River Red, a Bordeaux blend, Westchester Red, an off-dry red blend and Essence of St. Croix, a port style dessert wine.

Heritage Trail opened as a winery in 1996. They produce a dry,Chardonnay, an off-dry Quinebaug White, a semi-sweet, white dessert wine, Sweet Reserve, Cabernet Franc, blended with Merlot, Shetucket Red, and a Shetucket Sweet Reserve Red dessert wine.

Stonington Vineyards was established in 1987 and produces Chardonnays and Chardonnay blends, Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Cabernet Franc.

Maugle Sierra Vineyards is a small specialty winery that was established in 2002. They produce 1740 Ledyard House White a Chardonnay, 1740 Ledyard House Rose'a St. Croix based wine, 1740 Ledyard House Red a St. Croix-Merlot blend, Ledyard Sunset Red a St. Croix - Cabernet Franc blend, St. Croix, a semi-dry with fruit flavors and Esencia de St. Croix, a dessert or aperitif wine.

Chamard Vineyards was founded in 1983. They produce Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and Cabernet Franc.

Bishop's Orchards Winery specializes in fruit wines. They produce Stone House White a dry Apple Wine, Apple Raspberry Blush an Apple Wine with Raspberry, Celebration, an off-dry Apple Wine, Blushing Beauty, a Peach Wine, Honey Peach Melba an Apple Wine with Honey, Peach & Raspberry. Happely ImPeared an Apple Pear Wine, Adam's Apple an Apple Dessert Wine, Strawberry Delight a Strawberry Dessert Wine and Faulkner's Spiced Apple an Apple Wine with spices.

Source: Connecticut Wine Trails