CONNECTICUT VINEYARDS - STONINGTON VINEYARDS - Connecticut winery, seaport blush, Winery Tours

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General Information

Owners:
Nick & Happy Smith
General Manager:
Mike McAndrew
Wine Maker:
Mike McAndrew
523 Taugwonk Road
Stonington, CT 06378
Phone:
(860)535-1222
Fax:
(860)535-2182
» Web Site
» Email
Orders(in CT):
(800)421-WINE
Open 7 days a week.
11am - 5pm

Tasting Room Hours

Open 7 days a week.
11am - 5pm
Tour Schedule:
Tours daily at 2pm
Group tours:
Call winery for info

Directions

From 1-95:
(From Mystic, New York and parts west) Take exit 91. At end of ramp take left onto Taugwonk Road. 2.4 miles on the left.
(From Providence, Boston and down east) Take exit 91. At end of ramp take right onto Taugwonk Road. 2.4 miles on the left.
(From Norwich, Hartford and the North) Take Conn. Route 2 East past the casino to North Stonington traffic Circle. Turn right onto Rt 184 West for 2.3 miles. Turn left (south) at blinking light onto Taugwonk Road. Vineyard is 0.6 miles on the right.
(From Mystic via U.S. Route 1 Go East) To North Main Street (sign for CT Wine Trail and I-95). Left onto North Main to end. Right... under I-95 overpass... 2.4 miles to vineyard entrance on left.
Click here to see a detailed map.

Stonington Vineyard
Photo by John Malenda.

Stonington Vineyards was established by Nick and Happy Smith in 1987, when purchasing 58 acres in the Stonington Uplands on which winegrapes had been planted earlier in the decade. The winery was constructed in 1988/89 incorporating the latest in winemaking technology and the traditional methods of barrel fermentation. From the start, Mike McAndrew has been the Winemaker, garnering the reputation for producing quality, European-style table wines that have won numerous awards over the years. Stonington is best known for its barrel fermented Chardonnays and its proprietory blends. We also produce, as varietals, Vidal Blanc, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Cabernet Franc.

Our vineyards are situated on south-sloping well-drained glacial soils. The proximity to the Atlantic Ocean provides us with a maritime microclimate not unlike Bordeaux with a long and relatively cool growing season.

The majority of our wines are sold from the winery tasting room with the balance to fine restaurants and wine shops throughout Connecticut and small volumes to Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

For more information and a calendar of events please click www.stoningtonvineyards.com

Events:

The Gallery at Stonington Vineyards will feature a Photographic Exhibition of work by Kimberly McKay now through March 1st.

Our Festivals for 2008
July 19 & 20
September 20 & 21
(11-5pm)
Food, Wine and Live Music!
Join us for a fun filled weekend. As always there is plenty of chilled Stonington Wines & There will be lunches available for purchase from local restaurants such as Pizzetta, Voodoo Grill, Bayou BBQ, The Purple Pear Caterer and Cortona's of Westerly with (tables & chairs provided). Local gourmet vendors:

Wayne's Organic Produce,
Giff's Chutneys, Bumpy Beer Mustard,
Norm's Best CT Gourmet marinated Mushrooms,
Ariston Oil,
The Purple Pear gourmet desserts,
Lurgio Imports
Farm River Honey,
Great Harvest Bread Company
Mrs. D's Sun-Dried Tomato Bruschetta
Wicked Good Company condiments, &
Beltane Farms goat cheese
AND MANY OTHERS!!
will be sampling and selling their wares.
Plants for sale from Pequot Plant Farm
Chair massages by
Massage Therapy Works.

Taste and Tour:
Stroll in the vineyards and see the seasonal changes in the grape growing process.

Stonington Vineyards is open to the public seven days a week (yes-including Sunday) from 11am-5pm. A visit can be fun and educational for the whole family. You can picnic in the vineyards, you bring the food and we'll supply the wine chilled..

We take pride in offering a real hands-on experience of a working farm winery. An educated consumer is our best customer. Our knowledgeable staff makes your visit to Stonington Vineyards very interesting and informative.

Daily Tours

Each day at 2pm we offer a comprehensive conducted tour of our winery taking you through each step in the wine making process. You can learn a lot and questions are welcomed. The tour is free and takes about 45 minutes.

Are you a tour bus operator? Coordinating corporate functions? Group tours are welcomed and are by appointment only. There is a per person charge. If you have a group of 10 or more and would like to hold a private tour and tasting please call Jeannie Cronan for more information.

Taste Our Wines

Our tasting room is open daily 11am-5pm for the tasting and the purchase of our wines. Our friendly staff will offer you tastes and descriptions of each wine from dry to sweet. Select your favorites and make up a mixed case to get a case discount. We also carry wonderful gourmet food products from New England, whimsical T-shirts, wine accessories and ceramic tableware - all with a grape/wine theme. We have many styles of gift baskets for you to create that special gift to suit any occasion.

Our Wines:
Stonington Vineyards Winemaker, Mike McAndrew, follows the Burgundian tradition of winemaking.

Stonington Vineyards Chardonnay is fermented and aged in French and American oak barrels sur lee for about 10 months.

Our blended wines are fermented in stainless steel tanks allowing the wines to be fruity and crisp. The Vidal Blanc is produced by first allowing the wine to ferment to complete dryness in the stainless tanks and then age for 7-8 months in older oak barrels, lending a toasty, smokey quality to the fruity Vidal with a crisp citrus finish.

Private Functions:
Have your special event at Stonington Vineyards!

Stonington Vineyards, because of its unique and beautiful setting has become a sought after site for private functions. The casual elegance of the formal gardens, gazebo and decks over looking the Chardonnay vineyards is perfect for having a personal, or corporate event.

Our indoor gallery is the site for family parties, corporate retreats, meetings and business dinners. Contact Happy Smith to discuss your special event!

Tel: 860-267-1399

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