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09/20/2018 12:00 AMThe intense heat of summer has relented, leaving the fields to yield their autumn harvests. One of the most rewarding ways to enjoy the season and engage all of your senses is to visit a local vineyard. You can traipse through the rows of grape clusters and see just where the wine you'll enjoy shortly came from. The list of flavors infused in these reds, whites, and roses is endless. Enjoy notes of apples, blackberries, black cherries, citrus, honey, leather, oak, peach, pepper, strawberries, tobacco, vanilla, violets, and much more. Fall back on your tried-and-true favorites or have an adventure finding a new one. Here are some area wineries that will excite your taste buds and give your family an unforgettable day.
Bishop's Orchards Farm Market and Winery
Hours: Open year-round for wine tastings and tours on weekends at 2 p.m. Sample four or five wines ranging from dry to semi-sweet, hard cider, and sparkling wines.
Tasting notes: Tastings are $9 a person and tours are $6 a person. Do the two together on Saturdays and Sundays for $14. Some seasonal favorites include Stone House White, Amazing Grace, Celebration, and Honey Peach Melba. They pair well with fruit picked from Bishop's orchards. Fall yields peaches (early September), pears, apples, and raspberries.
Food: Concession stands and BYO.
Atmosphere: Family friendly, no dogs allowed unless service dogs. Fields are handicap accessible but it is a farm field, so conditions are weather dependent and can be rough in areas.
Events: Monthly Paint and Sip Nights. Fall dates TBD (info available online). September through October is Fall Family Fun season with pick your own, corn maze, and the little red barn all open. The barn features the pumpkin patch, concession stand, and kids' activities that include the new Apple Train. Starting this year, the wine bar will be available outside with a limited menu. Concessions include Bishop's signature items like apple cider and apple cider donuts, ice cream, maple kettle corn, sandwiches, and more, with their food truck making fresh menu items with produce from the farm. The corn maze is open on weekends and Columbus Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
1355 Boston Post Road, Guilford
203-453-2338
bishopsorchards.com/winery
Chamard Vineyards
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Memorial Day through Columbus Day.
Tasting notes: Tasting room is open to the public year-round during business hours. Contact in advance for private tours and wine tastings for groups of 10 or more. Bottled releases include Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2016 and Heritage 70/30 2015. Fall releases include Malbec 2016. Wines bottled in fall to be released in spring include Haute Durif 2016 and Cabernet Sauvignon Koch 2016.
Food: Full restaurant onsite serves a full classic French, new American menu with a farm-to-table mentality.
Events: Live music in the tasting room every Friday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.
115 Cow Hill Road, Clinton
860-664-0299
www.chamard.com
Gouveia Vineyards
Hours: Open year-round. Hours from March to December are Monday to Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hours in January and February are Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tours are Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m.
Tasting notes: No new wines planned for fall, but harvest is end of September/early October. Year-round wines are Chardonnay Oak, Chardonnay Steel, Pinot Grigio, Seyval Blanc, Whirlwind Rosé, Cayuga White, Stone House White, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Merlot, Traminette, Stone House Red, Sunset Red, and Chocolate Epiphany Reserve Special Edition.
Food: Cheese and meat platters for sale, or bring your own. Free water and juice for kids.
Atmosphere: Family friendly. Pets allowed at the vineyard if supervised at all times and cleaned up after. Only service dogs allowed in the winery. Wheelchair accessible (no stairs).
Events: Live music on Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m.
1339 Whirlwind Hill Road, Wallingford
203-265-5526
gouveiavineyards.com
Paradise Hills Vineyard and Winery
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tasting notes: First come, first served. No reservations. Six pre-selected wines for $10 or $15 with the Paradise Hills logo glass included. Groups of eight or more must email info@paradisehillsvineyard.com before visiting. Tastings end one hour before close. Whites include Casa Bianco, Temptation, Traminette, Washington Trail White, Vino Bianco Del Paradiso, Chardonnay, Cayuga White, and Notte di Amone. Reds include Casa Rosso, Washington Trail Red, La Bella Rosa, TRIO, Riomonte, Nostra Tradizione, and Sapore Dolce.
Food: Bring your own or have some delivered.
Atmosphere: Supervised children are welcome. Leashed pets are welcome outside; only official guide dogs are allowed inside the winery building. Parking, winery, and restroom are handicapped-accessible.
Events: Live music and wine releases on certain Fridays from 5 to 8 p.m. and certain Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m. Check the calendar for more info.
15 Wind Swept Hill Road, Wallingford
203-284-0123
www.paradisehillsvineyard.com
Rosabianca Vineyards
Hours: Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.
Tasting notes: White wines include Chicco D'Oro, Pinot Grigio, Dolce Gocce, ​Moscato, and Bianca Rosato. Reds include Primitivo, Sangiovese, Dolcetto, Rubino, Tramonto, Vino del Nonno, and Tre Uve. Wine tasting consists of five preselected wines (two white, two red and one red blend) for $11.
Food: Pizza Truck Fridays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Atmosphere: Parties must have 10 or fewer people. No pets allowed on the property.
Events: Cigar and Wine Nights on the third Thursday of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. for $30 per person, and Vinyasa in the Vineyard on Sundays at 2 p.m. for $30 per person.
1536 Middletown Avenue, Northford
203-208-1211
www.rosabiancavineyards.com
Rose Vineyards and Winery
Winery and tasting room under construction next to the farm market, planned opening is spring 2019. They are currently making wines on their family run farm of 13 generations, which has a full working orchard.
Hours: Farm market open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Tasting notes: The winery will open up with eight different wines: four red varietals and four white varietals. The winery will also produce a "farm wine series" which will include wines infused with fruit grown on the family orchard. When the winery is up and running, wine will be sold out of both the winery and farm market.
Food: Creamery (ice cream and frozen custard) open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Pick your own open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily when in season.
Events: Fall events offered such as a pumpkin patch, hayrides, maze, animal feeding, and pick your own apples, peaches, raspberries, and pumpkins. Follow the Facebook pages for both the farm market and the winery for upcoming events and progress.
33 Branford Road, North Branfordwww.roseorchardsfarm.com
203-488-7996