Western Connecticut Highlands AVA
| Wine region | |
Connecticut AVAs | |
| Type | American Viticultural Area |
|---|---|
| Year established | 1988 |
| Years of wine industry | 107 |
| Country | United States |
| Part of | Connecticut |
| Other regions in Connecticut | Southeastern New England AVA, Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA |
| Growing season | 180-210 days |
| Climate region | Region II |
| Heat units | 2,610,5 GDD units |
| Precipitation (annual average) | 42 to 52 in (1,100–1,300 mm) snow: 35 to 100 in (89–254 cm) |
| Soil conditions | Glacial till derived from gneiss, schist and granite |
| Total area | 1.0 million acres (1,570 sq mi) |
| Size of planted vineyards | 114.75 acres (46.44 ha) |
| No. of vineyards | 6 |
| Grapes produced | Aurora, Cabernet Franc, Cayuga, Chambourcin, Chardonnay, Foch, Léon Millot, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Seyval Blanc and Vidal Blanc |
| No. of wineries | 7 |
Western Connecticut Highlands is an American Viticultural Area (AVA) that encompasses all of Litchfield and parts of Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties in western Connecticut. It was established as the state's second AVA on February 9, 1988 by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Treasury after reviewing the petition submitted by Mr. and Mrs. William Hopkins of Hopkins Vineyard, New Preston, Connecticut, on behalf of local winegrowers and vintners, proposing a viticultural area encompassing the western highlands area known as “Western Connecticut Highlands.”
The Connecticut Highlands area is far enough away from Long Island Sound that there is little of the moderating effect on climate that large bodies of water produce. The region is relatively cool, with a short growing season between mid-May and mid-September. The soil in the area is glacial schist and gneiss. Local vintners have had the most success with cool climate Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grape varieties. At the outset, there were four wineries, with others being established within the approximately 1,570 square miles (1,004,800.00 acres) Western Connecticut Highlands viticultural area. In addition, there were six grape growers. The region is located in a hardiness zone range from 5b to 7a.