by N Zinser

Created on: August 23, 2009   Last Updated: April 18, 2011

If you're planning a trip to Connecticut, or even if you're a resident, be sure to make time for the wine trail. Connecticut's vineyards have been a lesser known but welcome addition to the tourism of the state. Vineyards have been in Connecticut since 1978, and the trail itself was established in 1988. There are currently 19 established vineyards on the trail, with much to offer the oenophile. Every vineyard has a distinctly different site and wine offering, so visiting all 19 is a must-do! The trail is split up in two sections, East and West.

Western Vineyards are located in northern Fairfield and Litchfield counties. Jones Family Vinery is the southernmost stop on this leg of the tour, located on a farm that has been active for over 150 years. The vineyard has been in existence since 1999, and they offer a variety of whites and reds, as well as fruit wines, such as apple, raspberry, even black currant. Traveling to the next stop, it is McLaughlin vineyard, located in Sandy Hook, on the Housatonic River. The grapes grown here are hybrid grapes of French American varieties, and they offer drier wines, as well as maple products from their own sugar house! Digrazia is next on the list, located in Brookfield. This vineyard, like McLaughlin, focuses on hybrid grapes, although Digrazia has a wider range of wines, even including ice wines, ports, and dessert wines. From Digrazia, we travel to White Silo in Sherman. White Silo is located on a small farm, and the wines featured here are exclusively fruit-based: sour cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and rhubarb. Local cheeses can also be enjoyed here while taking in the scenery! Moving on to Hopkins Vineyard in New Preston, this vineyard is located on a farm that was established in 1787, with the vineyard added in 1979. This stop is the first wine-bar featured on the trail, in the farm's Hayloft, you can enjoy the table wines they have to offer, as well as local cheeses and pates. Next on the list is Connecticut's first established vineyard, Haight-Brown in Litchfield, established in 1978. Haight-Brown offers a Tasting Room, Farm Shop, and even the Vine Room, a private tasting bar and gallery. Sunset Meadow in Goshen is the next stop on the tour, a vineyard that started in 2003, which offers a variety of reds and whites that can be enjoyed in the vineyard's 1800's barn. Miranda Vineyards, Goshen's first vineyard, is the next stop. It is a smaller location, offering a small number

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