Are you looking for the perfect spot to sample some of the best wines, beers, and ciders that Connecticut has to offer? If so, you’ve come to the right place! This guide will help you discover some of the best wineries, breweries, and cideries that Connecticut has to offer, as well as provide tips on how to get the most out of your experience. So, whether you’re a beer enthusiast, a wine lover, or a cider fan, you’re sure to find something that tickles your taste buds in this guide to Connecticut’s best wineries, breweries, and ciders.
Wineries
Connecticut is home to some of the best wineries in the Northeast. With its rich history, diverse climate and soil, and passionate vintners, Connecticut has become a great destination for wine enthusiasts. From coastal towns to inland valleys, Connecticut is home to more than 40 wineries, with many offering tours, tastings, and special events. The state also hosts several popular wine festivals each year. Whether you’re looking to explore the many vineyards in Connecticut or just want to enjoy some quality wine in the comfort of your own home, there’s something for everyone here in the Nutmeg State.
Taylor Brooke Winery
Located in Woodstock, Connecticut, Taylor Brooke Winery is a family-run winery that offers a wide selection of wines for visitors to enjoy. Established in 2006, the winery has been producing award-winning wines from local and imported grapes for over a decade. In addition to classic favorites like Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, Taylor Brooke Winery also produces seasonal blends, sparkling wines, and fruit wines.
The winery is open for tastings, tours, and special events throughout the year. Guests can enjoy wine tasting flights and purchase wines to take home while enjoying live music and food from local food trucks. The winery hosts a variety of events like private parties, weddings, business events, and more. Be sure to check out the Taylor Brooke Brewery at the same location!
Hopkins Vineyard
Located in Warren, Connecticut, Hopkins Vineyard is a picturesque winery set on a 35-acre property. Established in 1989, it is known for its sparkling wine, which is handcrafted using the old school champenoise method of bottle fermentation. This method is unique because it produces a more complex flavor and better carbonation than traditional methods.
The grapes used to create their award-winning wines are grown right on site in their very own vineyard. At Hopkins Vineyard, the goal is to produce high-quality wines that reflect the taste of their particular region. To that end, they use sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention wine-making techniques. The result is a wide range of incredibly sophisticated wines.
Stonington Vineyards
Located in the beautiful town of Stonington, Connecticut, Stonington Vineyards is a must-visit for any lover of crisp white and red wines. The vineyard offers a wide selection of delicious wines, each crafted with care and skill. Here, you can sip on distinctive wines while enjoying the fresh sea air and stunning views. The rolling hills and lush greenery of the surrounding landscape offer a picturesque backdrop for the perfect wine tasting experience. They also offer special events throughout the year, like live music performances and seasonal festivals.
Breweries
Connecticut is home to an array of outstanding craft beer breweries that range from small family-run operations to large regional brands. For those looking to sample some of the best local brews, there are plenty of excellent choices. From light, sessionable ales and lagers to bold imperial stouts and IPAs, there is something for everyone.
Counter Weight Brewing Company
Located in Hamden and right near Aspen Glen, Counter Weight Brewing Company is a locally owned and operated microbrewery specializing in innovative, handcrafted beer. From hazy IPAs to malty lagers and smooth stouts, Counter Weight has something for everyone. They are committed to producing high-quality beer with local ingredients whenever possible.
In addition to their on-site taproom, the brewery has several regular events throughout the year, such as beer pairing dinners and brewer’s tastings. They also host a variety of events, like weddings, corporate outings, birthdays, and more. At Counter Weight Brewing Company, you can enjoy unique, delicious beer in a relaxed atmosphere with good friends.
Kent Falls Brewing Company
Kent Falls Brewing Company is a small, working farm brewery located on a 50-acre farm in Kent, Connecticut. The brewery specializes in handcrafted ales and lagers made with locally sourced ingredients. At Kent Falls Brewing Company, they strive to produce the highest quality beer possible while staying true to their farming roots. All the ingredients are sustainably sourced from the surrounding area.
The taproom at Kent Falls Brewing Company is open for tours and tastings. Whether you’re looking for a refreshing pint or just want to take in the beautiful pastoral scenery, Kent Falls Brewing Company is the perfect destination for any beer lover.
Fox Farm Brewery
If you’re looking for a craft brewery experience in Connecticut, look no further than Fox Farm Brewery in Salem. This family-owned and operated business is always coming up with something new. From sours to IPAs to stouts, they’ve got everyone’s tastes covered. No matter what time of year you visit, there’s sure to be something new and interesting to try. The tasting room at Fox Farm Brewery has a welcoming atmosphere, where you can sample any of their current offerings and learn about the brewing process.
Cideries
Connecticut has long been known as one of the country’s premier producers of hard cider. With several small-batch and artisan cider makers, there’s no shortage of amazing ciders to be found here. Whether you’re looking for sweet or dry, traditional or experimental, Connecticut has something to offer. Nearly all ciders are gluten-free, but be sure to ask at each cidery if they are safe for anyone who has an intolerance to gluten.
Holmberg Orchard and Winery
Holmberg Orchard and Winery, located in Gales Ferry, Connecticut, is a family-owned farm enterprise that has been in business for four generations. The family’s history with the land dates back to the late 1800s, when the original settlers arrived and began cultivating crops and the first apple, pear, and peach trees were planted in 1935.
Their signature product is their hard cider, which is made with locally grown apples and fermented using traditional methods. The cider has a crisp and refreshing flavor that makes it an excellent choice for any occasion. They also offer a selection of wines and other fruit-based beverages and products, such as sparkling fruit wines, juices, candles, pies, and more. With a rich history and a commitment to quality, this family-run business is sure to continue through future generations.
New England Cider Company
New England Cider Company is located in Wallingford, Connecticut and specializes in small-batch, traditional hard ciders made with locally sourced apples. The company has earned a reputation for producing high-quality ciders that are both sweet and tart. In addition to their delicious ciders, New England Cider Company also offers a tasting room where visitors can sample their ciders and take home a growler or two.
The ciders are made from a blend of fresh-pressed apples and fermented to create a complex and flavorful cider that is sure to delight. Their flagship cider is the Fresh Blend, a crisp and slightly dry cider with notes of green apple, honey, and spice. The Viva la Cidra is a dry apple “wine” that drinks like Chardonnay. They also offer a variety of specialty ciders such as Blueberry, Purple Rain, Spruce Willis, and Hopped.
Yankee Cider Company
Located at Staehly Farms in East Haddam, Connecticut, Yankee Cider Company is a family-owned cidery dedicated to producing top-notch cider. The cidery strives to create unique and enjoyable ciders by using locally sourced apples and using traditional methods. They are known for their intense aromas and complex flavors. The ciders range from dry to semi-sweet and are available for purchase at the cidery’s tasting room.
Yankee Cider Company is open for tours, tastings, and events throughout the year. Whether you’re looking for a great local cider or just want to support a family-owned business, visit Yankee Cider Company today!
Honorable Mention: Westford Hill Distillers
Located in the beautiful town of Ashford, Connecticut, Westford Hill Distillers is an award-winning distillery specializing in eau-de-vie, or “water of life.” Eau-de-vie is a type of clear, strong brandy made from fruit. Westford Hill Distillers offers a variety of fruits to make their eau-de-vie, including apples, cherries, pears, and raspberries. Their goal is to bring the flavor of New England to the spirits that they produce.