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Jones
McLaughlin
Digrazia
White Silo
Hopkins
Land of Nod
Jerram
Gouveia
Bishops
Chamard
Stonington
Jonathan Edwards
Heritage Trail
Priam
Sharpe Hill
 
291 N. Burnham Highway
Lisbon, CT 06351
Phone:
(860) 376-0659
» Web Site
» Email
May-Dec.; Fri.-Sun., 11-5 p.m.
Jan.-April; by appointment.
Please call us at (860) 376-0659 to arrange a tasting or to purchase wine.
From New Haven:
Take I-95 North to I-395 North to exit 83A (Lisbon), then take a left onto Route 169. Heritage Trail Vineyards will be approximately three miles up the road on your left.
From Boston:
Take I-395 South to Exit 87 to Route 12; go south on Route 12 to sign "Route 169" (about 4 miles); turn right on Butt's Bridge Road and go to Route 169 (2 miles); take left onto Route169. Winery is two miles down the road.
Click here to see a detailed map.
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This family-run winery is just north of Norwich on Route 169, one of only two Connecticut roads identified as National Scenic Highways. In an area known as the "last green valley" in the Boston-Washington corridor, this artery takes the visitor through the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor, a 32-mile long drive of picture-postcard New England villages between Lisbon and southern Massachusetts. In spite of the major economic and population growth of the last century, this region continues to have the attributes of a quieter past - pasture and woodland amidst rivers, ponds and lakes, small villages and towns with a rural lifestyle. Owned by Diane M. Powell, the 39-acre 18th century farm, fallow for many years, was transformed into vineyards and winery by 1996 to reflect her California origins. The tasting room is located inside an el on the back of the antique house where wines may be sampled before the fireplace in winter or on the adjoining deck in summer. A five-acre backyard with gardens, the vineyards a short walk in the distance, provides a beautiful view to accompany the special flavors of handcrafted wines.
The Wine:
A selection of five wines is made from eight different grape species in the six acres of vineyards. Among white wines are a dry, oak-free Chardonnay and an off-dry blend of French-American hybrids called Quinebaug White, named for one of the rivers that borders the town of Lisbon. A semi-sweet, white dessert wine, Sweet Reserve complements sweet food. Two fully fermented, dry red wines are made to round out the selection of wines: Cabernet Franc, blended with Merlot in the Bordeaux tradition; and, Shetucket Red, made from French-American hybrids, named after the other river bordering Lisbon. All wines are estate-bottled from grapes grown only at Heritage Trail Vineyards. Grapes are tended and harvested by hand, usually in the last week of September or early October, and fermentation and finishing are done at the winery.
The Vineyards:
Among the vinifera species grown in the six acres of vineyards are Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. French-American hybrid species include Cayuga White, Vignoles, Horizon, GR7 and NY17. The Southern Vineyard is planted with white wine species, such as Vignoles and Cayuga White. The Northern Vineyard, on a hillside, contains the red wine species such as Cabernet Franc. Chardonnay occupies a small area in the Northern Vineyard.
Unique Offering:
Heritage Trail Vineyards is located on the 18th century farm of Reverend John Palmer. In a report titled "A Historic and Architectural Resource Survey of Lisbon," the Connecticut State Historical Commission has identified this farm as one of two private structures in Lisbon that deserve to be on the National Historic Register. The main building is considered an "outstanding example" of the single-story Cape Cod style dwellings of the period, and the property reflects a close approximation to a typical farm of the late 18th century. The tasting room, in an el at the back of the house, is in 18th century style with random-width, wide board floors, antique beams and fireplace combined with modern French windows to give a view of the extensive grounds and vineyards in the distance. The winery is located on Route 169 in Lisbon, one of the most scenic highways in the country and the main artery through the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Historic Corridor. Sophisticated antique shops are nearby.
A "boutique" size winery, tours of the winemaking areas are given by request, and guests may tour the vineyards independently. The grounds in season provide an exceptional site for picnicking. Small private events may be held indoors in the historic house year round.
Special Awards/Recognitions:
Heritage Trail Vineyards wines are award-winning wines in state and national competitions.
"The Chardonnay is remarkably fragrant and has a delicate apple and ripe pear nose. It's definitely a food wine. Its clean and dry style lends itself to white fish and light meat dishes."
Bob Chaplin, Norwich Bulletin, September 1999.
"The cozy tasting room overlooks an informal garden backed by woods, with the six-acre vineyard just visible below the garden. Among the wines are Quinebaug White, an off-dry - which is to say slightly sweet - blend of Vignoles and Cayuga, and Shetucket Red, a blend of Baco Noir and Buffalo, another American hybrid; both wines are named after local rivers. There's also Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc. A small gift shop, a fireplace and a sun deck are among the other attractions here."
Marguerite Thomas, Wineries of the Eastern States
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