Connecticut has a storied farming history with its fertile landscapes, bucolic countryside, and coastal location. And its maritime climate and diverse geology give Connecticut favourable conditions to grow a large variety of grapes. Despite its rich resources, the Connecticut wine scene didn’t take off until the passage of the Farm Winery Act of 1978. This allowed winery owners to sell their products to the public.

After the legislation, wineries and vineyards quickly sprouted across the state in the coming years. Today, Connecticut boasts over 40 licensed wineries that serve some of the best New England wines. This spawned the creation of the Connecticut Wine Trail in 1992 to attract wine enthusiasts from across America. While Connecticut remains a vastly underrated wine destination, my post will bring you up to speed on its best wineries.

To help you get started on the Connecticut Wine Trail, I’ve picked my favorites along the state-wide route. Whether you prefer a full-bodied red or fruity white wine, there’s a vintage for every preference. After visiting just a few wineries, you’ll see why Connecticut doesn’t earn enough praise for its stellar wine region.

 

Top 12 Connecticut Wineries

Connecticut Wine Trail | Sunset Meadow Vineyards | Connecticut Valley Winery | Gouveia Vineyards | Chamard Vineyards Bistro | Saltwater Farm Vineyard | Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery | Stonington Vineyards | Hopkins Vineyard | Jonathan Edwards Winery | Taylor Brooke Winery | Walker Road Vineyards | Preston Ridge Vineyard 

 

Connecticut Wine Trail

The Connecticut Wine Trail takes you on a journey through some of the state’s charming towns in this fertile region. Connecticut boasts one of the fastest-growing wine regions in America, and it’s the premier spot in New England to sip wine. As you follow the route, you’ll wander onto scenic farmlands, feel the coastal breezes of Long Island Sound, and admire the verdant Litchfield Hills.

The trail is home to 40+ vineyards and wineries for you to sample refreshing local wines. Most venues offer tasting rooms, tours of their vineyards, and expert food pairings for each vintage. And many of my favorites have picturesque settings that highlight the rural beauty of Connecticut. From Mystic Country to Greater New Haven, Connecticut host fantastic wineries across the state.

And when you stop at your first winery, pick up a Connecticut Wine Passport to earn stamps and possibly win prizes.

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1. Sunset Meadow Vineyards

599 Old Middle St, Goshen, CT 06756 

With stunning views of the Litchfield Hills, Sunset Meadow Vineyards is a staple on the New England wine scene. They’ve earned honors as one of the top 100 wineries in America and have a Massachusetts location. At their Goshen vineyard, Sunset Meadow hosts patrons in the beautiful Connecticut countryside. Their tasting room includes charcuterie plates, meats, cheeses, and other snacks available for purchase. And their facility is dog-friendly as long as your canine remains on a leash.

Sunset Meadow has an extensive variety of reds, whites, and sparkling wines to appease all taste buds. The Root 63 Café’ is an interesting read since its infused with coffee and has hints of cherry and dark chocolate. Their Pinot Noir-style St. Croix has a touch of smoke and black pepper, while the Twisted Red teases your palate with hints of blackberry, black cherry, plum, spice, and vanilla.

Their Chardonnay is aged in French Oak and has touches of citrus and honey. Try the Cayuga White for a blend of grapefruit, citrus, and peach. And for a glass of refreshing fruit wine, the Sunset Blush and Country Porch Peach are bursting intense flavors. You can also get rich fruity flavors with their Shades and Shades de Blanc sparkling wines.

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2. Connecticut Valley Winery

1480 Litchfield Turnpike, New Hartford, CT 06057

Connecticut Valley Winery continues to blaze a path in international wine competitions and is among America’s most successful wineries. The company has over two dozen medals at the Big E Northeast Gold Wine Competition and earned the award for a best small winery in the northeast. They also earned recognition as one of the world’s most awarded wineries at a single event.

Their standout wine is the Black Bear Port that has earned awards at international wine competitions. It has two gold medals under its belt and was once the top-ranked ruby port in America. Although it’s hard to live up to the prestige of the Black Bear Port, the Black Tie Cabernet Franc and Chianti have also earned awards. Connecticut Valley’s white wine collection isn’t too shabby either with their Valley White, Spumante Muscato, and citrusy Orange Vidal.

The staff encourages visitors to bring their favorite snacks to pair with their wine of choice on the deck. If the weather’s cold, you can hang by the cozy fireplace sipping your wine. Guests can also book the winery for birthdays, business meetings, and other private events.

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3. Gouveia Vineyards

1339 Whirlwind Hill Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492

Gouveia Vineyards started from a vacant farm, and the hard work of the Gouveia family turned it into a premier Connecticut winery. Once the vines were planted and the first vintages crafted, word spread by mouth to bolster its success. The staff encourages patrons to bring their own food and enjoy others’ company in the scenic location.

The Gouveia family roots trace back to Portugal, and traditional Portuguese winemaking techniques shape each vine. They plant grapes by hand on the property, and dedicated volunteers help with picking the vines. Gouveia’s extensive selection of wines includes Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Zinfandel, Cayuga White, Chardonnay Oak, Whirlwind Rosé, and several others. They also serve fruity Sangria during summer and soothing Mulled wine by winter.

Gouveia has a storied reputation amongst Connecticut wine enthusiasts, and its list of awards makes it a popular choice. They’ve earned numerous medals at the BIG-E Northeast Gold Wine Competition, earned medals at multiple international competitions, and once took home the award for Connecticut’s favorite winery.

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4. Chamard Vineyards Bistro

115 Cow Hill Rd, Clinton, CT 06413

Chamard Vineyards Bistro is the premier spot in Connecticut for the wine and food pairing of your dreams. Situated near the Connecticut shoreline, Chamard Vineyards is a classic New England farm winery with European traditions. Their history dates to the 1980s, when the vineyard stretched five acres and consisted of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. Today, Chamard Vineyards boast a 40-acre property and is one of Connecticut’s top wine producers.

Their red wine selection includes a Malbec with hints of tobacco, Cabernet Franc with blackberry and spice, and a Heritage Petit Verdot with deep plum notes. If you’re willing to buy a bottle, the limited-edition Composition No. 1 has a rich taste with hints of mocha. For white wines, check out the Riesling with citrus and green apple flavors, Estate Chardonnay aged in stainless steel, and the Stone Cold White with notes of citrus and honeysuckle.

What makes Chamard Vineyards stand out is their 35-seat bistro that serves farm-to-table culinary delights. The menu is heavy on seafood dishes to perfectly pair with your wine of choice. Their food choices include New England Lobster Roll, Seared Yellowfin Tuna, and Pan-Roasted Atlantic Halibut. I’m hungry just thinking about it!

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5. Saltwater Farm Vineyard

349 Elm St, Stonington, CT 06378

With its picturesque riverfront location in Stonington, Saltwater Farm Vineyard is a favorite amongst local wine enthusiasts. Their setting adds a special touch being located inside a restored WWII-era aeroplane hangar. From the building, you have an astonishing view of the vineyards on their 100+ acre property. Saltwater Farm has live music and other festive events year-round to entertain guests at the vineyard.

When you step into the tasting room, the staff has cheese, crackers, charcuterie, and other tasty snacks available for purchase. Saltwater Farm uses a French-inspired winemaking process and expert knowledge of local viniculture to craft award-winning wines.

Their red wine list includes a Pinot Noir, Estate Cabernet Franc, and their Runway Red NV (a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot). In their white selection, you’ll find an Estate Chardonnay with notes of Granny Smith apple and their ‘Gold Arc’ Chardonnay that soothes your palate with toasted caramel and vanilla bean.

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6. Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery

15 Windswept Hill Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492

The family-owned Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery draw to their Italian roots at this Tuscan-style venue. Using traditional techniques that go back centuries, the Ruggiero family produces premium grapes on their Wallingford estate. Its Tuscan-inspired tasting room offers a glimpse of the scenic Connecticut countryside while sampling award-winning wines.

With recognition from several prominent wine competitions, Paradise Hills serves some of New England’s best wines. Just sample their oak-hinted Chardonnay beside the wood-burning fireplace for a cozy wine tasting. President’s Choice is their premier red wine with subtle notes of blackberry on the nose and palate. And for a tempting white wine, sample the award-winning Cayuga with notes of melon and honeysuckle.

Paradise Hills adds live entertainment to your wine tasting with a calendar full of performers. When the weather warms up, you’re encouraged to pack a lunch and taste your favorite Paradise Hills wine as music fills the airwaves.

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7. Stonington Vineyards

523 Taugwonk Rd, Stonington, CT 06378

Nestled in the heart of Connecticut wine country, Stonington Vineyards hosts a relaxed vibe to host your wine tasting party. Their tasting room is available for private events, group tastings, and fun daytime events. The renovated room includes a stone patio and fireplace to enhance the intimate setting as you gaze at the vineyards. And when the weather’s warm, take your picnic basket and have a delicious meal with your wine of choice.

With its proximity to Long Island Sound, the maritime microclimate provides the right conditions to grow premium wines. The staff handpicks their grapes to ensure they’re of the highest quality at harvest. Stonington Vineyards earn high marks for their barrel-fermented Chardonnay, Seaport White, and Triad Rosé. They also produce a Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Sheer Chardonnay.

Stonington Vineyards pairs its wine tastings with rousing entertainment for guests. They often host live music, workshops, and other festive events throughout the year.

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8. Hopkins Vineyard

25 Hopkins Rd, Warren, CT 06777

Hopkins Vineyard is a fantastic winery to visit while exploring the western Connecticut Highlands. Perched along Lake Waramaug, Hopkins Vineyard gives customers some of the best views in Connecticut. The Hopkins family transformed their dairy farm into a vineyard decades ago and now grow 11 grape varieties on their property.

Step inside their 19th-century barn and enter the wine room for impeccable vistas overlooking Lake Waramaug. To pair with your wine, the staff serves cheeses, country pâtés, and fresh bread. If you’re eager to learn more about winemaking, Hopkins Vineyard offers tours to illustrate the techniques used in their region.

Hopkins Vineyard produces their award-winning wines in small, handcrafted batches for an exceptional taste. They carefully tend to estate-grown grapes to ensure the highest quality reds, whites, and sparkling wines. Their wine selection includes several dry wines, such as the Cabernet Franc 2017 Estate and Chardonnay 2017 Estate. If you enjoy fruit wines, check out their Peach and Apple Cider semi-sweet wines.

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9. Jonathan Edwards Winery

74 Chester Maine Road, North Stonington, CT 06359 

Just a short drive from the Connecticut coast, Jonathan Edwards Winery brings a Napa Valley vibe to New England. Jonathan Edwards has a rare bi-coastal winemaking process to help them stand out against other Connecticut wineries. Wine tours escort you around the vineyards, into the barrel rooms, and teach you about the winemaking process. And their wine enthusiasts offer artisanal cheese to pair with your wines during tastings.

When the founders of Jonathan Edwards made their first harvest in Napa Valley, they were stuck on a place to call home in New England. North Stonington was the perfect home base for their grapes, and they planted 20 acres of vineyards near the coastline.

The town boasts a rich agricultural history, and you won’t find many places with prettier farms than around North Stonington. The Jonathan Edwards property sits on an 18th-century farm, and the fertile landscape continues to be used for farming.

Since Jonathan Edwards crafts wines on the east and west coasts, they offer one of the more diverse wine selections in Connecticut. Their Napa Valley collection includes a Merlot, Pinot Grigio, and Cabernet Sauvignon. And from their Connecticut estate, they produce a Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and other delicious options.

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10. Taylor Brooke Winery

848 CT-171, Woodstock, CT 06281

Situated in the quiet northeast corner of Connecticut, Taylor Brooke Winery is a family-operated business that expertly crafts small-batch wines. Using his biotech background, Richard A. Auger experimented with the winemaking process to form the company. Years later, Taylor Brooke still tinkers with recipes to craft a wide range of refreshing wines.

Fruit wines are their speciality, and the 100% Cayuga Autumn Raspberry wine remains a top-seller for its sweet raspberry flavors. Their Cranberry Riesling has a tarty taste but a dry finish for your palate. And Taylor Brooke also dabbles in dessert wines like the Merlot port Chocolate Essence and the Late Harvest Traminette.

One of the unique features in Taylor Brooke’s tasting room that I find adorable is the dog portraits on the wall. A former employee painted each dog, and they’re rescues beloved by the winery staff. You might find one of the dogs hanging out in the tasting room during your visit.

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11. Walker Road Vineyards

17 Walker Rd, Woodbury, CT 06798

Walker Road Vineyards is among the smaller Connecticut wineries, but the family-owned farm can compete with anyone. Their 150-year old barn creates one of the more scenic wine tasting rooms anywhere in Connecticut. Located in historic Woodbury, a visit to Walker Road puts you within a stone’s throw of the beautiful Litchfield Hills. The winery even hosts yoga in the vineyard to enjoy the scenic surroundings of the farm.

Walker Road focuses on blending multiple grape varieties similar to some of Europe’s famous wine-growing regions. Their Walker Road Red Table Wine blends Saint Croix, Cabernet Franc, and Sangiovese grapes for a classic dry, full-bodied wine. Gertrude’s Garden White Table Wine uses Seyval Blanc, Traminette, and Sauvignon Blanc grapes for a delectable dry white wine. Both wines have earned numerous awards to put the small winery on the map.

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12. Preston Ridge Vineyard

100 Miller Rd, Preston, CT 06365

If you’re looking for a beautiful wedding venue, why not the picturesque countryside surrounding Preston Ridge Vineyard? The romantic location is minutes from the Long Island Sound, and the woodlands burst into radiant colours during fall. Preston Ridge’s scenic setting can also host other private events, and there’s often live music on weekends.

With an extensive list of vintages, Preston Ridge is sure to have a wine that appeals to your taste buds. Their sweet Estate Harvest Blend is a popular, hand-crafted Traminette that’s often sold out. The Mélange is a smooth, Bordeaux-style red wine with a delicious taste of cherries and black plum. If you’re craving a Rosé, their Zundell Farm Rosé has notes of cranberry and green apple.

 

Which of these wineries will be first on your list to try? Let me know in the comments below.