Connecticut’s 1978 Connecticut Farm Winery Act, which allows winery owners to sell their products directly to the public and to provide tastings, has resulted in the launching of dozens of wineries in the state.
Connecticut’s wineries are primarily located in the Western Connecticut Highlands, designated an official American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1988, and in the southern and eastern part of the state. Those in the south and east, plus Sharpe Hill Vineyard in the northeast, have been grouped together to form the Connecticut Shoreline Trail.
Those wineries within 15 miles of the ocean also fall within Connecticut’s second AVA, the Southeastern New England AVA (which extends into Rhode Island and Massachusetts).
Tours typically last from 30 to 60 minutes per tour and they are well worth your time to check out the different ones. Each one has their own flavors, beauty, and charm to experience.
What is even more awesome is that most wineries offer free samples of their wines when you go through a tour as well. Some do more formal tasting events as well. The tours are extremely interesting and fun to do too. They aren't just there to sample the wine that you're looking forward to but are actually very informative and you get to meet a lot of like-minded people usually that are also doing the tour. It's always nice to a fellow wine lover! - Be sure to call ahead if you are planning on doing a tour at one of the wineries or vineyards though to check on availability since many of them get very busy during season.
