Local wine regions like the Finger Lakes and Long Island have attracted wine aficionados for years now, but New York isn’t the only state in the northeast that produces award-winning wines. Connecticut has more than 25 wineries spread across the state, creating varietals like cabernet franc, pinot gris and Seyval Blanc. With the New England fall foliage in full effect, now is a great time to visit a few of Connecticut’s wineries.
Keeping up with the Jones’
Traveling north from New York City, one of the first wineries you’ll reach is Jones Winery, part of a working farm where the Jones family still resides. Many family members work on the farm as well as in the rustic, wood-beamed tasting room that used to be a milking parlor back in the 1870s. During my visit, friendly host David poured the wine and took the time to explain the qualities of each varietal. I walked away with a bottle of stainless steel aged chardonnay as light and crisp as the fall air.
Make a day of it
One can easily make a day of it on the Jones property: aside from wine tasting, there’s berry and pumpkin picking and cooking classes held in the on-site kitchen. A featured option is the annual Thanksgiving-themed menu of braised duck, wild rice with greens, stuffed squash and cranberry chutney—and at the end you can enjoy the feast you’ve created with a glass of Jones wine.
But if it’s more vineyard visits you’re interested in, there are two other wineries nearby: Walker Road Vineyard in Woodbury and DiGrazia Vineyards in Brookfield, both of which are also family owned. While there’s no public transportation options between towns, there are wine tour operators such as Connecticut Wine Tours that include a picnic lunch and visits to three wineries.
Make a weekend of it
Consider starting the weekend with a thrilling zip through Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Bridgeport. After breaking a sweat, an afternoon sipping wine will be that much more enjoyable.
As for farm-to-table dining, there’s Parallel Post in Trumbull, serving a seasonal menu that works with local ingredients in a modern, upscale setting.
Christiana Jones, of Jones Winery, suggests the Dana Holcombe House, a bed and breakfast in nearby Newtown, for overnight accommodations.
How to get there from NYC
Take Metro North to Bridgeport and catch a cab to Jones Winery. If visiting more than one winery, consider booking a wine tour. Or consult offMetro’s guide to renting hybrids in NYC.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram