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Jones
McLaughlin
Digrazia
White Silo
Hopkins
Haight-Brown
Miranda
Sunset Meadow
Land of Nod
Jerram
Gouveia
Bishops
Chamard
Maugle Sierra
Stonington
Jonathan Edwards
Heritage Trail
Priam
Sharpe Hill

 

291 North Burnham Highway, Lisbon, CT 06351
Phone:
(860) 376-0659
» Web Site
» Email
Open Tuesday
– Sunday, 11AM – 6 PM. 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.
The 39-acre 18th century farm, fallow for many years, was transformed
into vineyards and winery by 1996 to reflect California inspiration. Visitors
are invited to taste the sumptuous wines within a restored antique barn
as well as to enjoy gourmet treats created by Heritage Trail Vineyards
President, media chef and author, Chef Harry Schwartz. In addition, the
vineyard will feature a boutique batch gelateria, smoke house for Heritage
Trail Fish, and a selection of cheeses for the new café. Visitors
are also welcome to explore the scenic grounds, which include two ponds,
a rose garden, and New England woods.
The Wine:
A selection of six wines is made from eight different grape species
in the eight 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 cheeses
and desserts. Two fully fermented, dry red wines are made: Cabernet
Franc, blended with Merlot in the Bordeaux tradition; and, Shetucket
Red, made from French-American hybrids, named after the other river
bordering Lisbon. In addition, a Shetucket Sweet Reserve Red is offered
as a dessert wine. These wines are estate-bottled from grapes grown
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 eight 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
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.
Guests may tour the vineyards independently. The grounds in season
provide an exceptional site for picnicking and for scheduled private
events. The café will open in the fall of 2008.
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.
“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." - Marguerite Thomas, Wineries of the Eastern States
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