Heritage Trail Vineyards

Location

Heritage Trail Vineyards is located on 38 rolling acres in the Quinebaug-Shetucket National Heritage Corridor, an area federally registered as one of America’s most scenic destinations. In addition, the vineyard is close to many of Connecticut’s tourist attractions, including Mystic Seaport, the Mohegan Sun, and Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Heritage Trail Vineyards invites you to join them for light food, great wine, and a wonderful setting. In winter, warm your hands at the fire; in summer, stroll the property or admire the view from a sunny deck. They are looking forward to seeing you soon!

Hours

May through December, Heritage Trail is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11:00 to 5:00 p.m., and January through April, they are open by appointment. Please call the vineyard at (860) 376-0659 to arrange a tasting or to purchase wine.

How to get there

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 the Boston area, 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 Route 169. The winery is two miles down the road.

At Heritage Trail Vineyards, you can enjoy several different award-winning wines. Though descriptions of all wines are available, they know that the best way to learn the secrets of a wine is to sample it. Wine and food pairing is such an interesting field and that’s why you are welcome at Heritage Trail Vineyards, you are invited to visit their free tasting.

Wines

The vineyard’s Estate-Bottled Chardonnay is produced only from Chardonnay grapes grown at Heritage Trail Vineyards. Aged in glass for primary fermentation, Heritage Trail Chardonnay is further enhanced by malolactic fermentation to achieve its full, buttery flavor.

In 1995 and 1996, this Chardonnay won the Bronze Medal in the state-wide amateur winemakers’ contest sponsored by Amenti del Vino (Friends of Wine) of Connecticut. An excellent choice for white meat and fish main courses, it enhances any meal with its subtle herbal overtones highly respected by people who own their own wine farms. (A limited quantity is available.)

Quinebaug White, Heritage Trail’s newest wine – Quinebaug White is named after the flowing waters of a local river. It has a crisp, off-dry taste, with just a touch of sweetness. Made from Vignole Blanc and Cayuga White grapes, Quinebaug White is perfect with fruit, cheese, and dessert. It can also provide a light, delicious complement to poultry or fish courses. Heritage has a tradition in organically produced wines just like Valentino Vineyards in Illinois.

Heritage Sweet Reserve White Table Wine is produced from 100 percent Vignoles Blanc grapes which are selectively hand-picked at the peak of ripeness. Crushed immediately, they are pressed off the skins, and the juice is allowed to ferment slowly at cool temperatures. This is such a great American wine, though, of course, there are more interesting wines and wineries in North America.

The careful handling of this delicate grape has rewarded Heritage Trail with a wine rich in varietal intensity. Subtle nuances of dried apricot and pineapple in the nose blend nicely with the wine’s clean, sweetly balanced finish to make it the perfect aperitif before dinner, or as an accompaniment to your favorite dessert.

Cabernet Franc – Heritage Trail Cabernet Franc is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot estate-grown grapes. This full-bodied, deep ruby red is made with traditional vinification methods followed by malolactic fermentation to produce a pleasing and well-balanced result.

In the tradition of Bordeaux, the Cabernet blend is then aged in French oak barriques for two years, creating a rich, fully mature flavor with red currant and cassis overtones against a tannic background. The wine is bottled in the traditional way though there is so much discussion about the solutions to wine bottle closures. It is excellent with dishes such as roast pork, lamb, beef, and venison.

Shetucket Red – Shetucket Red takes its name from a river that borders the western side of Lisbon. Made from a French-American hybrid (Baco Noir and Buffalo), it is aged in American oak for several months. With a deep red color, this wine has a fruity flavor against a modestly tannic background. It is the perfect companion to light meats, pizza, pasta, and cheese dishes. See also this post about Valentino Wines and Vineyards in Long Grove, Illinois.