Connecticut Wine Festival

Press Release:

It's "A Very Good Year" for the Third Annual Connecticut Wine Festival, say participating wineries
 
Festival Features Connecticut Wines, Specialty Foods & Live Music
Goshen Fairgrounds, Saturday and Sunday, July 30 & 31
 
Farmington, CT (June 27, 2011) – With the increasing popularity of Connecticut wines, every year is “a very good year” for the Connecticut Wine Festival, say participating wineries, all of which are members of the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association (CVWA).  Now in its third successful year, the annual event will be held once again at the Goshen Fairgrounds in Goshen, Connecticut, Saturday and Sunday, July 30 and 31. 
 
Presented by the CT Wine Trail, which is dedicated to the development and promotion of Connecticut as a wine producing region, the Connecticut Wine Festival features a wide range of award-winning local wines, specialty foods, quality artisanal crafts, and music.  Guests will sample some of the state’s best wine from 14 participating wineries.  Daily admission tickets are $20 in advance, available at select CVWA wineries, Adams Hometown Markets, online or by phone, and $25 at the gate.  These advance and at-gate tickets include free wine tastings, a commemorative festival wine glass and a tote bag. Tickets for guests under 21 and Designated Drivers are $10 for admissions only.  Wine tasting participants must be over 21 and must present photo ID as proof of age.  Hours for the Festival are 12:00 Noon to 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 30; and 12:00 Noon to 6:00 PM Sunday, July 31.  Log on to www.ctwine.com for complete details.
 
Wine and Dine
In addition to free wine tastings for eligible guests, there will also be specialty food samples and entertainment for all to enjoy.  Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase bottles and even cases of wine at a reduced price directly from the vineyards. Everyone is also guaranteed not to go hungry! Concession stands will offer the familiar fare, such as, burgers, steak sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches and hotdogs, as well as locally produced specialty foods that include cheese, relish, jelly, bread, salsa, and olive oil.  Last-minute vendors who wish to participate can download a form from the CT Wine Festival page for consideration.
 
“The Connecticut wine industry is a relatively new one, but we continue to be impressed by its growing acceptance around the world,” remarked George Motel, Festival Chairman and owner of Sunset Meadows Vineyards.  “Our wines are garnering praise, winning awards, and gaining more and more followers everyday.” 
 
Sherrie Palmer, the festival director, agreed: “We are looking forward to meeting all our growing numbers of fans here and from our neighboring states,” she said. “For lovers of fine wines and the wine enthusiast, and those who are simply looking to spend a fun day among great people, the Connecticut Wine Festival is the place to be July 30 and 31.”
 
Purchasing Tickets
Tickets can be purchased in advance at: Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Hopkins Vineyard, Jerram Winery, Bishop’s Orchards Winery, Gouveia Vineyards, Jones Winery, Taylor Brooke Winery, and Miranda Vineyard. They can also be purchased at Adams Hometown Markets, which is the Festival’s Platinum Sponsor.
 
Proceeds from the Festival will go toward promoting the CVWA Wine Trail and the Connecticut wine industry.  The CT Wine Trail is a state approved winery and vineyard awareness program that is marked with special blue signs that identify the location of all participating wineries that welcome visitors. The trails wind their ways through some of the most scenic and historic regions of Connecticut.
 
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit a participating winery or log on to www.ctwine.com.  You can also email info@ctwine.com or call (860) 677-5467.
 
Participating Wineries
Editor’s Note:  We will be happy to arrange interviews with owners of all our participating wineries, including the following.
 
Hopkins Vineyards - Owned by William and Judith Hopkins and located at the northern shore of Lake Waramaug.  Won “Best of Show,” Double Gold Medal in the Amenti; Del Vino International Wine Competition: 2006 Ice Wine. Log on to http://www.ctwine.com/index.php/wineries-detail/hopkins_vineyard
 
Sunset Meadow Vineyards – Owned by George and Judy Motel, and located in Goshen.  Called “a hidden gem and must see” winery by the Wall Street Journal.  Won Gold for its “New Dawn” at Amenti de Vino; Silver Medals for its Blush, Cayuga at the Int’l Eastern Wine competition; and named “New England’s Best Family Winery” by Yankee Magazine.
 
Jerram Winery - Located in the historic Town Hill section of New Hartford, the winery is owned by Jim Jerram. Log on to http://www.ctwine.com/index.php/wineries-detail/jerram_winery
 
Bishop’s Orchards Winery – 7.7 green acres in the historic town of Guilford, owned by Keith B. Bishop. Winner, Gold Medal, 2009 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition: Amazing Grace Wine; and Gold Medal: 2009 International Eastern Wine.  Long on to http://www.ctwine.com/index.php/wineries-detail/bishops_orchards
 
Gouveia Vineyards – Owned by Joe and Lucy Gouveia, located in Wallingford; winner, CT Wine Festival 2007, Connecticut’s Favorite Winery, People’s Choice Award.  Long on to http://www.ctwine.com/index.php/wineries-detail/gouveia_vineyards
 
Jones Winery –  Spanning 150 years and six generations of the Jones family, today Jamie Jones carries on the tradition in the White Hills of Sheldon.  Winner of the Raspberry Rhapsody: Best in Show, Best CT Wine, Best Fruit Wine, and Double Gold Medal at 2008 Big E Wine Competition.  Long on to http://www.ctwine.com/index.php/wineries-detail/jones_winery
 
Taylor Brooke Winery – Owned by Richard & Linda Auge, and located in Woodstock.  Winner of Woodstock Hill White - 2008 Big E Wine Competition Bronze Medal
Woodstock Valley Red – 2008 Big E Wine Competition Bronze Medal; Traminette – 2009 Big E Wine Competition Bronze Medal; and Raspberry Rendezvous – 2009 Big E Wine Competition Silver Medal.  Log on to: http://www.ctwine.com/docs/Taylor%20Brooke%20Profile.pdf
 
Miranda Vineyard – Owned by Maria and Manny Miranda, Goshen’s first vineyard and is located in the rolling Litchfield Hills.  Awards include 2009 Amenti del Vino International Wine Competition winner for its Chardonnay; and
- 2009 Amenti del Vino International Wine Competition for its Woodridge White.
http://www.ctwine.com/docs/Miranda%20Profile.pdf
 
Digrazia Wineries – Owned by Dr. Digrazia and located in the slopping hills of Brookfield, offers 15 wines, ranging from dry to sweet.  Log on to: http://www.digrazia.com/
 
White Silo Winery – Small specialty winery, located in Sherman.  Log on to: http://www.whitesilowinery.com/index.html
 
Land of Nod –Located in the foothills of the Berkshires and run by the Adam family, who continue the American tradition of skill and excellence in craftsmanship.  Log on to: http://www.landofnodwinery.com/
 
Jonathan Edwards Winery – The pride of the Edwards family, and located on a 48-acre hilltop in the town of North Stonington, the winery has quickly gained a reputation for creating premium quality Napa Valley wines.  Long on to: http://www.jedwardswinery.com/
 
Sharpe Hill Vineyard - Featuring a Zagat-rated restaurant and winner of over 250 medals in International tastings,  and is located in the town of Pomfret.  Long on to: http://sharpehill.com/index.html