Vineyards celebrate summer

The Vineyards in Litchfield Hills and Fairfield County have organized some delightful events to fete the bountiful late summer harvests in Connecticut. Many of these events involve wine and food pairing, some offer music and performances and others are good old-fashioned festivals.  Whatever you are in the mood for, Connecticut’s Vineyards are sure to be entertaining and educational.

Jones Family Farm in Shelton, is offering a Rustic Dinner on the Terrace Sip and Savor series of cooking classes at $65 per class.  Their Sip & Savors offer guests a light-hearted yet knowledgeable education on pairing foods and wine. Their chef prepares a farm-style family supper, which is enjoyed with four wine tastings and includes a lively discussion with the wine educator, a Jones farmer, and their chef. On Sept. 13 from 6:30 – 8:30 there will be a Tuscan Tastes Sip and Savor event that will feature Sautéed Veal Cutlet with Lemon, Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Seasonal Jones-grown Vegetables, Biscotti.  This will be followed by a Dine on the Rhine class that will feature Pork Loin with Sautéed Butternut Squash, Seasonal Jones-grown Vegetables, Black Forest Chocolate Cake.  The farm is also hosting a family fun event.  On August 30 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. there will be a Famers’ Market with tractors where visitors will see some of the farm’s new and old tractors.  There is also a farmers market on Aug. 23 from 3:30-6:30. https://www.jonesfamilyfarms.com.

Haight-Brown Vineyard in Litchfield on 29 Chestnut Hill Rd. is offering a Wine, Cheese and Chocolate pairing class ($35 per person) at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 17.  Participants will have a guided pairing of French cheeses and gourmet chocolates matched with signature HBV wines.  A Tapas evening event will follow from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and will feature tapas styled appetizers, 5 to 6 mini courses and two glasses of wine to enjoy.  The cost is $50 per person.  Please visit http://haightvineyards.com to register.

The next event scheduled at Haight Brown Vineyard is the Harvest Festival on Sept. 21 and 22 that will feature an outdoor wine tasting, vendors, food, harvest activities and music. The admission to this event is $20 and includes a wine glass, wine tasting tours, wine activities and parking.

On September 21, Hopkins Vineyard located on Hopkins Rd. overlooking beautiful Lake Waramaug will host their 34 Annual Harvest Festival Celebration that includes live music, wine tasting, artisan cheese, fresh fruit and pate, free Hopkins wine glass and estate grape sampling with the winemaker.  This event takes place rain or shine and tickets can be purchased at the door for $30 or online at $25 through Sept. 19. For more information visit http://www.hopkinsvineyard.com.

McLaughlin Vineyards on 14 Albert’s Hill Rd. in Sandy Hook is presenting Much Ado About Nothing performed by Shakesperience Productions on Aug. 24 at 4 p.m. with a rain date of Aug. 25.  Chef Mark will be on the grill and two types of mead will be available for sale.  Don’t forget to bring your armchairs.  For tickets visithttp://www.shakesperienceproductions.org. On August 25 Shawn Taylor will perform from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the vineyard. Taylor is noted for his soul stirring vocals and poetic blue-collar lyrics. The cost is $15 per person. For more information on all that McLaughlin offers http://www.mclaughlinvineyards.com.

If you like blackberries, White Silo Farm Winery located on 32 Rte. 7 in Sherman is the place to be on August 17 and 18 from 12 noon to 5 p.m.  This picturesque farm will be serving six luscious dishes made from freshly picked blackberries on their farm.  Dishes that will be served include: homemade peanut butter and blackberry jelly sandwiches, sweet potato quinoa cakes with blackberry salsa, blackberry ice cream sundae, blackberry cheese plate, blackberry chevre salad, and one surprise item.  To add to the festivities there will be live music both days as well as farm and winery tours.  On August 23, the White Silo is offering an evening of wine, dance and live jazz music by Doug White Ensemble in a beautiful outdoor setting. Tickets are $20 and include a glass of wine and light farm fresh fare.  For more information http://www.whitesilowinery.com.

Sunset Meadow Vineyard located in Goshen on Rte. 63 north of Litchfield is hosting a “Meet the Grapes” on August 18th.  This has become one of the Vineyards most popular events that include an educational vineyard tour and hayride at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information call 860-201-4654.  The rain date is 9/7.   On August 24 the vineyard is hosting a Dream Wine Tour to benefit Special Olympics that will include wine production tours, wine tastings and lunch at the vineyard.  For more information visit www.dreamride.org. For Vineyard information http://www.sunsetmeadowvineyards.com.

For area information www.visitwesternct.com.