Who says that Californians should have all the fun? Why is it that people always think of either Napa or Sonoma when it comes to wine tasting? Fair enough, Northern California is where some of our country’s best wines are produced, but there are some great wineries in some not so obvious places. Believe it or not, the state of Connecticut has a wine trail. Yes, it does – passport and all. And, since Connecticut is only a 2.5 hour drive from the city, it’s much easier to get to than California.
A few weeks ago, when my parents were visiting from Florida, we decided to check out some of the Connecticut vinters. We spent a day at four different vineyards tasting wine and enjoying the countryside. The vineyards in Connecticut are not nearly as large or as old as their Californian counterparts, but all offer tastings, have cute shops and offer the opportunity to sit outside amid the grapes. Unfortunately, none of the vineyards we visited seem to offer wine-making tours.
However, like many of the California vineyards, buying wine and bringing your own picnic is encouraged at most of the Connecticut vineyards. We met up with some friends of my parents when we visited the Gouveia Vineyard in Meriden, CT. Goveia is set on a hill overlooking the vineyard. The views were absolutely stunning. We gorged ourselves on wine, shrimp cocktail, antipasta, and salad. It was a lovely way to end the day. You know what they say, “Drink what makes you happy, with friends who make you laugh.” Click here for a list of Connecticut vineyards to visit.
