The Coastal Wine Trail Series Part 2 – Jonathan Edwards Winery
With a visit to Jonathan Edwards Winery a reflection on our trip along the Coastal Wine Trail continues. As we meandered the coasts of Connecticut we approached our next stop. The fog still clung to the valleys but as we made our way through the rolling farmlands of North Stonington, Connecticut it slowly began to clear.
Jonathan Edwards Winery
The Setting
The century old white, three-story dairy barn, now beautifully restored, sits atop a sloping hill and is surrounded by roughly 50 acres of fertile farm land. A winding brick path leads up to bright red barn doors and stone patio of Jonathan Edwards Winery. Handmade stained glass panels of grapes sparkled from the windows as we entered the tasting room. From the walkway overlooking one of the barrel rooms, I watched the men working among the barrels and tanks.
The overcast sky and fall chill weren’t enough to keep people away. Even though we arrived a few minutes after the tasting room opened we weren’t the first guests to the make it to the tasting counter. The wine list seemed a perfect antidote for the day’s dreary start.
The Wines
The estate grown Gewürtztraminer’s cheerful notes of flowers and citrus brought to mind the first glimpses of spring. With barely 35,000 acres of this grape planted worldwide as of 2015, tasting this wine where it is grown can be rare and worth experiencing. The estate Pinot Gris followed with a delicate honey aroma and tart apple flavors.
But what sets Jonathan Edwards apart from other wineries along the Coastal Wine Trail, or other New England wineries, is their joining of West Coast to East Coast. They have partnered with small growers and winemakers in Napa, Sonoma, and Lodi, California. There they harvest and ferment their California grapes. Next they cart the wine to Connecticut where it continues to age alongside their Connecticut harvest.
The Tastings
For a taste of Cali in Connecticut try their rich Napa Valley Merlot or bold Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon. The winery offers a daily courtesy tour that starts at noon and lasts approximately half an hour. The tour offers a behind the scenes look at how they transport, age, and bottle all their wines.
Glass in hand, we savored our last sample of Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon on the deck leading off of the tasting room. From there we slowly sauntered toward the vines, admiring the weathered stone fences of the grounds.
It’s easy to see why Jonathan Edwards is such a popular venue for brides-to-be. On weekends it is wise to visit early as the tasting room fills up fast and closes early for private events. Please visit jedwardswinery.com for details.
