Connecticut hosts a healthy modern winemaking scene, with vineyards scattered across the state. That includes the big backyard of our Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk, which provides the ideal boutique home base for sampling Fairfield County wines and rural scenery in one fell swoop!
The official Connecticut Wine Trail includes more than 40 vineyards and wineries. Here are just a few of the ones closest to Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk!
Savino Vineyards (128 Ford Rd, Woodbridge, CT)
Established in 2000, family-owned and operated Savino Vineyards occupies eight handsome acres growing two white grapes—Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc—and four reds: St. Croix, Frontenac, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. The Savino wines are produced in a century-old barn on the property, and yours to appreciate in the welcoming tasting room!
DiGrazia Vineyard & Winery (131 Tower Rd, Brookfield, CT)
DiGrazia Vineyard & Winery dates back to 1978. It’s a family-run organic vineyard producing a wide assortment of reds, whites, and other wines, including the Fieldstone Reserve—a red made from St. Croix grapes—and Wind Ridge, a semi-dry white featuring Seyval Blanc. Among the best-known of DiGrazia’s products is the Wild Blue, a blueberry wine that gets some extra kick and flavor from the addition of brandy. Enjoy this good stuff in the Barrel Room or with a picnic out on the grounds.
Hawk Ridge Winery (28 Plungis Rd, Watertown, CT)
The acclaimed Hawk Ridge Winery—named for an abundance of red-tailed hawks on site—encompasses the vineyard portion of the larger Hidden Breeze Farm, which boasts a deep history of cultivation. Hawk Ridge’s reds, whites, rosés, and ports come highly regarded and well-awarded: The Hawk’s Beak Reserve, for example, landed a Double Gold Medal in the Amenti del Vino International Wine Competition.
Jones Family Farms (606 Walnut Hill Rd, Shelton, CT)
Set on 400 acres in the White Hills, Jones Family Farms got its start way back in 1848, and these days the Jones Winery is one of its linchpin features. A rich roster of top-quality wines springs from those grapevines, including the Jones Pinot Gris, Woodlands White, Muscat Ottonel, Pure Rosé, Vintner Select Cabernet Franc, and Ripton Red. The Harvest Time fruit wine, meanwhile, is produced from 100% Connecticut-grown apples and pears: a great celebration of Constitution State fertility!
A Fairfield County Wine Tour With Boutique Accommodations at Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk
Of course, besides day-tripping to excellent wineries such as the ones listed above, you can also enjoy fine wine right here in Norwalk—whether savoring a tasting over at Fountainhead Wines (12 Knight St) or another local wine emporium, or a glass at our very own Hotel Zero Degrees Norwalk restaurant, Mediterraneo. Join us on an oenophile’s getaway at our boutique hotel!