Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA

Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA
Wine region
TypeAmerican Viticultural Area
Year established2019[1]
CountryUnited States
Part ofConnecticut
Other regions in ConnecticutSoutheastern New England AVA, Western Connecticut Highlands AVA
Growing seasonMid-May and mid-September[2]
Climate regionContinental
Soil conditionsLodgement and ablation “meltout” till, mineral schist[2]
Total area1,246 square miles (797,440 acres)[2][3]
Size of planted vineyards114.75 acres (46.44 ha)[2]
No. of vineyards16[2]
Grapes producedCayuga, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Dornfelder, Frontenac, Gamay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Seyval blanc, St. Croix, Traminette, Vidal, Vignoles[4]
No. of wineries12[4]

41°42′15″N 73°13′13″W / 41.7042°N 73.2204°W / 41.7042; -73.2204

The Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA is an American Viticultural Area established on October 11, 2019, in Connecticut. It is located in Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, New London, Tolland, and Windham counties. The area is one of rolling hills with elevations of 200 to 1,000 feet. There are pronounced ridgelines to the east and west with higher elevations. The region is relatively cool, with a short growing season between mid-May and mid-September. Its climate is similar to the Finger Lakes region of New York,[3] The soil in the area is composed of glacial till. Local vintners have had the most success with cool climate Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grape varieties. The region is located in hardiness zones 6a to 7a.[5] Sharpe Hill Vineyard in Pomfret is the largest and oldest winery in the AVA. The vineyard petitioned the TTB to lobby for the establishment of the AVA.[4][6]

  1. ^ "§9.267 Eastern Connecticut Highlands" (Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas). Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). Retrieved February 8, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Establishment of the Eastern Connecticut Highlands Viticultural Area" (84 FR 54779). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. October 11, 2019. pp. 54779–54782.
  3. ^ a b Selinger, Hannah (May 7, 2021). "Maritime Climates and Diverse Styles Define New England Wine". Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c McKee, Linda Jones (November 7, 2019). "New AVA Established in Connecticut". Wine Business.com.
  5. ^ "USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map". United States Department of Agriculture. 2012.
  6. ^ "Proposed Establishment of the Eastern Connecticut Highlands Viticultural Area" (83 FR 64047). Federal Register. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. December 13, 2018. pp. 64047–64053.