Western Connecticut Highlands AVA explained

Western Connecticut Highlands AVA
Type:American Viticultural Area
Year:1988[1]
Country:United States
Part Of:Connecticut
Similar:Southeastern New England AVA, Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA
Climate Region:Continental
Soil:Glacial schist and gneiss
Total Size:1004550acres[2]
Grapes:Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Seyval blanc, Vidal blanc[3]
Wineries:7

41.7042°N -73.2204°WThe Western Connecticut Highlands AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes all of Litchfield and parts of Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties in Connecticut. The Connecticut Highlands are 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.[3] The region is located in hardiness zones 5b and 6a.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: §9.122 Western Connecticut Highlands. Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) . Title 27: Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Part 9 — American Viticultural Areas; Subpart C — Approved American Viticultural Areas . 2008-02-08 .
  2. Web site: Wine Institute . 2008 . American Viticultural Areas by State . https://web.archive.org/web/20080127115948/http://www.iwineinstitute.com/ava/avabystate.asp . 2008-01-27 .
  3. Web site: Western Connecticut Highlands (AVA): Appellation Profile . Appellation America . 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130906145139/http://wine.appellationamerica.com/wine-region/Western-Connecticut-Highlands.html . 2013-09-06. live.