Win(e)ding Trails: Continuing Adventures on the Connecticut Wine Trail

Marguerite Barrett

Contributing Writer

Last weekend, my friend Christy Sherard and I hopped into the car and headed over to the Western CT Highlands.  I had been telling Christy about my adventures on the CT Wine Trail, and being a recent transplant from Texas, she thought it was a great way to get to see more of her new home state – and an even better idea to spend a Sunday afternoon sampling wine.

If you’ll remember from earlier posts, I began my wine adventures in the northwest corner of the state, and am actually making my way backward down the Western trail.  Having already visited Land of Nod, Sunset Meadow and Miranda, the next winery on the trail is the Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield, CT.

Haight-Brown was established in 1973 and is Connecticut’s first winery.  It’s a scant mile down the road from the town of Litchfield.   The vineyard is approximately 10 acres, and the winery itself sits in what looks to be a chalet-style converted barn.  

The tasting room is one of the most comfortable and welcoming I’ve encountered on the CT Wine Trail.  When you first enter the winery, you’re greeted by a large lobby with information and brochures on the winery, special events and the wine trail itself.  Proceed up a small flight of stairs to enter the tasting room itself. 

At the top of the stairs is a large U-shaped bar with comfortable stools for the tasting.  

To the left of the bar is a large retail area with gifts including cookbooks, candies, and wine-related merchandise.

To the right of the bar is a large and very comfortable seating area.  On the day we stopped by, a fire was burning in the fire place and there was a a relaxed feeling of comfort and welcome pervading the entire room. Beyond the fireplace seating area is a smaller private room which is used for private events, wine tasting classes, or can just be  a place where someone can curl up and enjoy a glass of wine.

Haight-Brown also offers wine classes, special events such as their

 end of month wine, cheese and chocolate pairings; their spring barrel tastings; their Fall Festival, and a host of other special events throughout the year.  Finally, the winery is available for private events and will also produce personalized wines.

But as charmed as we were by the ambience of the tasting room, we were there for the wines.  Next Up: The Whites!