Aquila’s Nest Vineyards is a climate-neutral certified, experience-focused vineyard, winery, and event venue. Aquila, Latin for “eagle”, is appropriately perched on a hilltop in Newtown, Connecticut, and is western Connecticut’s newest gathering place dedicated to inspiring connections and communities. Situated 14 miles northeast of Danbury, the winery is 90 minutes north of New York City by car and easily accessible to travelers.
The beautiful 41-acre experience-focused winery is the brainchild of enophiles, Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi, who purchased the former 200-year-old farm in 2016. Drawing on their Mediterranean heritage, the Aquila’s Nest Vineyard experience intermingles mythology, art, and wine to create a story that will define the guest experience from the moment one enters the driveway to the first peak of the Mediterranean statues in front of the winery entrance.
The new brushed-steel barn-like winery makes a stark, simple silhouette against the region’s famously bucolic landscape and the mesmerizing vineyard sunsets. Rooted in simplicity and inspired by the colors of nature, the 4,000-square-foot facility shares production space with a 75-seat wine bar and tasting room which opens to an outdoor seating terrace overlooking the vineyards and stunning sunset.
Entertaining guests with a variety of wine pairing events, providing intimate fire pits and outdoor seating, promoting local women and minority-owned businesses, and creating community connections have been a focus at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards since their October 2020 debut. We don’t just bottle wine, We bottle experiences.
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards has received several recognitions for its exceptional wines and outstanding winery experience.
- National Small Business Award Winner 2024: Connecticut Manufacturer of the Year
- US Chamber of Commerce Top 70 Small Businesses in America 2023 Award
- Best Winery in CT 2023 by Connecticut Magazine
- 100 Things to Do in Connecticut by Anastasia Mills Healy
Wine List
- Queen of Illyria Red Blend
- Princess of Troy Merlot
- The Amazons Baco Noir
- Sybil Dry Rosé Wine
- Libera Sparkling Rosé Wine
- Zana e Malit Dry Riesling
- Gaea Estate White Wine
- Siren Moscato
Facts
Est. 2016
Founders/Owners: Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi
Planted in 2016, our vineyard, winery, and tasting room/garden are set against the backdrop of a historic 41-acre farm, which has been in continuous agricultural production since the 1800s.
There are currently 10 acres of planted vines on our property, including: Chambourcin, Marquette, Riesling, Cayuga White, Cabernet Franc, Baco Noir, Valvin Muscat and Traminette.
Wine is available by the glass, bottle or exploratory flight, featuring four wines paired with locally sourced nibbles.
Guests can experience unique seasonal seating spaces with varied capacities: One Thousand and One Nights Pergola (6 - 25 guests), Fairy Gazebo (9 guests), The Forbidden Fireplace (11 guests), Igloo Sphere (8 guests), Fire Pit Circle (8 guests), Luxury Picnic (2 - 10 guests).
Children are welcome in the tasting room and outdoor terrace, all time under Parent supervision. In compliance with state law, our tasting bar is only for guests over the age of 21. Guests under 21 cannot drink alcohol, even with a parent’s consent.
Dogs are welcome outdoors in the uncovered seating spaces only, must be under owner supervision at all times, leashed, and owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet.
