Better Know An American Viticultural Area – Western Connecticut Highlands

Contributing Writer

Continuing along the CT Wine trail on a recent November afternoon, I headed out of Canaan, CT south on Route 7 towards Goshen, CT and the next two wineries on my list. After a few miles along Route 7, you veer off onto Route 63, a pleasant drive along a winding two-lane highway past both fields and woods. Even in rainy November the drive is relaxing and the scenery pretty. In the Spring and Summer the area will be lush with green trees and fields, and in the Fall, once the leaves start to turn, the colors are magnificent. On a crisp Fall afternoon with blue skies and a riot of red gold and orange in the trees, the area will be spectacular.

The area, known as the Western CT Highlands is a relatively cool area with a short growing season, far enough away from Long Island Sound that it doesn’t get the moderating effects of the Ocean currents which helps the Long Island Wineries produce a wider array of wines. As a result, vineyards in this region tend to do better with varietals and blends.