Connecticut wine
Connecticut wine refers to wine made from grapes and other fruit grown in the U.S. state of Connecticut. The modern wine industry in Connecticut began with the passage of the Connecticut Winery Act in 1978. The wineries in Connecticut are located throughout the state, including in the three designated American Viticultural Areas in the state. The climate in the coastal region near Long Island Sound and the Connecticut River valley tends to be warmer than the highlands in the eastern and western sides of the state.[1]
Wine region | |
Official name | State of Connecticut |
---|---|
Type | U.S. state |
Year established | 1788 |
Country | United States |
Sub-regions | Southeastern New England AVA, Western Connecticut Highlands AVA, Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA |
Climate region | Continental |
Total area | 5,543 square miles (14,356 km2) |
Grapes produced | Aurore, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chardonel, Chardonnay, Frontenac, Gewurztraminer, Marechal Foch, Merlot, Pinot gris, Riesling, Seyval blanc, St. Croix, Vidal blanc, Vignoles[1] |
No. of wineries | 18 |
Connecticut Wine Trail
The Connecticut Wine Trail is a route linking approved wineries located in the state of Connecticut. As of 2015, there are 33 wineries on the trail.[2] Members of the CT Wine Trail participate with other Connecticut farm wineries in the Passport to Connecticut Farm Wineries sponsored by the Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture.
Sherman P. Haight Jr. of Haight Vineyard in Litchfield conceived of the idea of the wine trail in 1988. It was officially dedicated by the state in 1992 with five wineries.[3][4] The trail has grown over time: 8 in 2001,[5] 10 in 2004,[6] 16 in 2006,[7] 23 in 2011,[8] and 33 in 2015.[2]
References
- Appellation America (2007). "Connecticut: Appellation Description". Retrieved Nov. 27, 2007.
- "Connecticut Wine Trail Passport". CT Wine Trail. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
- Giuca, Linda (14 October 1992). It's Harvest Time On The Wine Trai, The Hartford Courant, "This year, there is something new along with the annual grape harvest. At the end of August, Gov. Lowell P. Weicker Jr. helped to dedicate the Connecticut Wine Trail, a tour from Stonington to the Litchfield Hills that links five vineyards. The wine trail was an idea that Sherman P. Haight Jr., owner of Haight Vineyard in Litchfield, tried to bring to some state officials nearly five years ago."
- (18 January 2008). Weekend, Republican-American, "No matter where one is in the Nutmeg State, at least one winery is within a 45-minute drive."
- Maxwell, Stacy Lytwyn (3 August 1999). The grape escape, The Hour (newspaper) (reporting 8 wineries on the Trail in 1999)
- McNamara, Eileen (31 March 2004). Lisbon vineyard on market for $1.2M, The Day (New London) (reporting 10 members in 2004)
- Wong, Shelley K. (4 November 2006). No grapes in the vineyard at this fruit winery in Connecticut, The Press-Enterprise (California) (Associated Press) (reporting 16 members as of November 2006)
- Albanese, Ellen (25 July 2010). Finding a variety of wines off the beaten path, The Boston Globe