New England Weekender - Part 2 - Connecticut Wine Trail

[Beccaberry]

Sunday we had plans to visit the Western path of the Connecticut Wine Trail. This is something I’d been wanting to do since I moved to the area. (A moment’s pause for the shock to dissipate from those of you who know me ) As for those of you who *don’t* know me…I love wine. Really love wine. All wines. (Well that’s not totally true, but *most* wines )

We packed a lovely picnic for later that day, had a slice of apple bread with our coffee and away we went…Gerry the GPS (as opposed to the INfamous Barry) is brilliant. It had each winery preprogrammed into its memory (you know, as opposed to lesser important points of interest, such as gas stations in Green Witch).

The winding country roads were absolutely breathtaking…



We’d already been to Jones Winerya few times, so instead we started with Mclaughlin Winery



The vintner’s home amongst the vines…





We enjoyed this small(ish) winery. The proprietors were personable and not pretentious. They offered a tasting of five wines for five dollars (with a complimentary embellished wine glass). Jon found a wine he especially liked, Blue Coyote; and at under $15, it was a steal.

Our next winery, DiGrazia Winery would be our favorite of the day. Nestled away in the beautiful grape vinyards, the DeGrazia Winery is a veritable haven for wine lovers.



This tasting was $6. For your money you were allowed to choose any six of their wines. As I said, this winery would prove to be our favorite…not only for the proprietors (who were lovely and friendly and just really “good people”) but also for their “generous” tastings (really, I swear, this was NOT the only reason they were our favorite!). Our vintner quickly learned our likes and dislikes, and several times offered us “extra” tastings simply because she thought we’d “enjoy them.” And we did. Every one of them. The Signature Blacksmith Port was devine. Absolutely devine. We purchased four bottles: 2 bottles of Anastasia’s Blush, 1 bottle of Blueberry Hill (a blueberry dessert wine) and 1 *GASP* bottle of their Reserve Port. The port was $40, and though it is, in fact, the most expensive bottle of wine I’ve purchased in my limited fascination…it was worth every penny.

We also purchased a couple of glasses of wine to enjoy out on their patio (along with some fresh cheese cubes and crackers I’d brought from home) before continuing on our way.

[Beccaberry]

Continuing on…

More scenery…















We eventually arrived at our third winery, the White Silo Winery. While quaint, this winery had little to offer in the way of our own personal tastes. We also found the proprietor to be somewhat unfriendly. We made quick order of our tasting here; almost begrudgingly noting that her special blend of sangria was quite tasty…and then we were back on the road; headed for Kent Falls State Park.

We paused on the way to Kent Falls, I thought Jon would toss me from the car when I asked him to pull over…yet again. But he jus t smiled and guided the car toward the shoulder (though he did try to drive off before I could climb back in ) But even he had to admit the view was stunning.

[Beccaberry]

We arrived at Kent Falls, through a covered bridge…I was already hooked. The first sight that greeted us was this massive waterfall…it was beautiful! We picnicked nearby the falls on cold cuts, olives, cheese, fresh apple slices and of course…wine.























We took a short hike around the falls and as we walked, Jon explained to me that the “potholes” (pictured below) are caused when a pebble gets trapped in a small dent in the falls. Unable to break free and move on, It will swirl around and around endlessly trying to free itself…as it swirls, it wears down the rock and forms these potholes, making escape even more difficult. The enormity and symbolism in this act sticks with me even now…



Afterwards, we sat and enjoyed the view for an hour or so before heading out to our fourth and final winery...Hopkins Winery.

[Tinker]

Wow !!!

[Beccaberry]

Hopkins Winery is located on Lake Waramaug. We enjoyed this winery as it was the largest of the four we’d visited so far and for our $5 fee we were allowed to taste 10 different wines (including an ice wine that was devine). The wines themselves weren’t among our favorites, but the winery itself certainly was. Its location was by far the most picturesque of any we’d visited.

[Beccaberry]

After our tasting, we took a drive around Lake Waramaug. It doesn’t get more perfect than this, folks. In fact, at this point, I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves…

[Beccaberry]

The end

[kazzaqld]

Becca those pictures are awesome!

What a lovely weekend you must have had!

[Disneybumble]

Right here's a years warning. I'M Coming over. Wine ,stunning trees,wine,somewhere i have always wanted to vist, wine and good company. Please lovely Becca i wanna go and taste wine and eat besides waterfalls. Stunning

[Dawn]

Wow!