Summer is here – time to pour on the fun and explore the spectacular vineyards along the Connecticut Wine Trail. Before heading out, you might want to know what makes these 22 wineries your can’t miss summer go-tos for fun, relaxation, beauty, entertainment – oh; and great wine!
First, they are all farm wineries – some are relatively new, and some have been family-run for generations. What they all have in common is pride in cultivating and harvesting the grapes, peaches, raspberries, and other fruits that make their award-winning wines unique in all the world!
Second, each winery is a destination, well worth a visit to experience their bucolic landscapes, breathtaking vistas, and classic New England charm. You might even spot some cows, goats and other animals grazing on their rolling hillsides.
Hit the Trail
Once you start exploring the Connecticut Wine Trail vineyards sprinkled throughout the state, you won’t want to stop. We’ll get you started by giving you some of the best reasons to hit the Trail this summer:
Turn On Your Taste Buds
At a Connecticut Wine Trail tasting, you’re not just going to discover wonderful wines; you’re going to learn about wine, see how it’s produced, take in the amazing aromas of a wine cellar and ultimately, sample complex varieties and blends that make your taste buds cry out, “Wow – this is me!”
Make an Event of It
Tours and tastings are where your journey begins; but it doesn’t end there! Many Connecticut Wine Trail vineyards host comedy and trivia nights, jukebox bingo, mystery dinners, paint and sips, goat strolls (yep), yoga in the vineyard, jewelry and art shows, and festivals celebrating summer’s bounty.
Fit for Foodies
It is often said, “The best way to enjoy wine is with food.” The vineyards along the Connecticut Wine Trail are on board with that – bountiful charcuterie boards to be exact; plus tempting and savory small bites, and an array of outstanding food trucks offering gourmet treats that (would you believe?) blend perfectly with wine! There are also wonderful “pairing events,” featuring chocolate & wine, cheese & wine – even sushi & wine!
Listen to the Music
Many of the Connecticut Wine Trail vineyards up the ante with live entertainment on weekends, from folk to country, jazz to rock. Can you imagine a more enjoyable and memorable summer evening than sipping fine wine as you listen to music wafting through the vineyard like a soft summer breeze? Sounds like the perfect date night, evening with the girls or just relaxing with friends – old and new!
The Bottom Wine
It’s easy to see that the Connecticut Wine Trail has something for everyone all summer long (even Rex – check before you head out). So, start a tradition – grab your sweetheart, your besties, family and friends and visit a local farm winery or two or three (why not all 22?), and make a fabulous day or evening of it – maybe a whole season. Happy (Wine) Trails to you!