Friday Favorites!
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I thought I'd share one of my favorite vineyards and wineries here in CT. If you've never visited a local winery you're in for a surprise. It's the perfect Valentine's Day date or day trip, no matter what the season!
I hadn't ever though of CT as a vineyard state until I spotted a brochure at the train station a few years back, advertising the CT wine trail. It has been my desire to go to California and spend some time in Napa and Sonoma Valley, possibly when we retire!
I hadn't ever though of CT as a vineyard state until I spotted a brochure at the train station a few years back, advertising the CT wine trail. It has been my desire to go to California and spend some time in Napa and Sonoma Valley, possibly when we retire!
So anyway, the brochure peeked my interest! That summer my husband was between jobs and I was looking for ways to have some fun (on a budget) and enjoy the outdoors as we like to do, so exploring the wine trail seamed like a great way to do that. So off we went…a picnic lunch was all we needed… over the course of the summer and fall we visited sixteen out of the then thirty-two vineyards in our fine state! For just a few dollars you can do a wine tasting of the wines produced by the vineyard, then, if you like, you can purchase a bottle of your favorite for either drinking there, while eating your picnic lunch and enjoying the scenery, or taking it home.
Our first stop was the beautiful Gouveia Vineyard in Wallingford, CT. Friends had invited us there earlier that summer for a get together, they said we'd love it, and certainly were not wrong about that! We were immediately mesmerized by the beauty of the vineyard!
In my opinion Gouveia is by far the best for overall scenery and views! The vineyard location sitting atop of Whirlwind Hill says it all!
The pergola was installed a couple of years ago to shade the main patio from the hot summer sun. It is now covered in beautiful Wisteria vines!
The sunsets here are just magnificent!
We've been to Gouveia in all seasons, however the winter is especially nice because of the raw beauty of the landscape. We were there last year during a snow storm…it was perfect! The snow did not stop the droves of people coming out to enjoy the vineyard.
And of course Valentine's Day is a great time to visit any vineyard. I believe it's the perfect date, sitting in front of the large double sided fireplace with your love…how much more romantic can you get!
Out favorite wine at Gouveia is Stonehouse Red, it is a semi dry blend of Cabernet, Merlot and Zinfandel, and has won awards in serveral wine competitions. Paired with a sharp cheese, some Italian bread and fruit it makes a nice picnic lunch.
Some of the vineyards are true farm vineyards, meaning they grow and harvest their own grapes for wine production.
Since our summer on the CT wine trail we have been back regularly to a select few of the places we found to be the perfect day trip getaways. Now when we travel out of state, we make it a point to visit the vineyards in the areas we travel. So far we've tasted wines grown at vineyards in Connecticut, Massachusetes, Rhode Island, Vermont, New York and Pennsylvania. I plan on writing a post about them in the future. If you like to go riding in the country and explore new places this is a great day trip adventure!
Here's a list of the vineyards around the state, and a list here of special Valentine's Day schedules and tastings.
So pack a lunch, or order something to go, and head out this weekend on a Valentine's Day adventure with your sweetheart!
Note: Please drink wine responsibly…don't drive intoxicated…the best wine in the world is not worth your life or someone else's!
Until next time!
Tina
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