Making the Most of Wine Country

While it stands to reason that most vineyards provide pleasant views of vines, fields and surrounding hills, several truly stand out and are worth a look.

The Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association’s blue signs help guide you to the wineries that make up the Connecticut Wine Trail. Throughout the year, the Trail hosts tastings and events, as well as sample itineraries, to help you get the most of what Connecticut has to offer. Also of note is the Wine Country’s Passport Program, where members get a chance to win prizes.

But what about the wine itself? Connecticut wineries are regularly featured at the Big E's Northeast Gold Wine Competition, which highlights fine wines from New England and New York, judged by industry experts in a blind tasting format. 

Here are some of the 2025 winners from Connecticut:

• Gouveia Vineyards: Sauvignon Blanc (Best Connecticut Wine, Double Gold); Cabernet France and Stone House Red (Gold Medal); Whirlwind Hill Rosé (Bronze Medal)
• Cassidy Hill Vineyard: Summer Breeze (Gold Medal); Jet's White (Bronze Medal)
• Jones Family Farms Winery: Woodlands White (Gold Medal); Strawberry Serenade, Blueberry Bliss, First Blush, Rosé (Silver Medal)
• Paradise Hills Winery: 2022 Landot Noir, 2024 Vino Bianco del Paradiso; 2020 Sonny (Bronze Medal)
• Quiet Corner Winery: 2024 Woodhill (Silver Medal); 2023 Tekton (Bronze Medal)
• Rosedale Vineyards: Farmington River Red, Three Sisters, Lou's Red, Cabernet Franc (Silver Medal); Elkie's White, Winter Red (Bronze Medal) 
• Savino Vineyards: Cabernet Franc (Silver Medal)
• Valor Wines: 2023 Chardonnay (Silver Medal); Malbec (Bronze Medal) 
• Worthington Vineyards: Vineyard Poetry, Whimsical Creation, Blueberry Bliss (Silver Medal); Worthington White (Bronze Medal)