It may not be Napa Valley, but the Connecticut Wine Trail (www.ctwine.com) rarely disappoints those who come to explore, charmed by the region’s small, well-run wine producers, as well as by the scenic meadows, seaport villages, and historic towns they pass along the way. The area is home to fifteen vineyards, joined by the eastern and western branches of the trail. (There are easy-to-spot blue signs all along the trail so visitors don’t get lost.)

Connecticut’s Western Wine Trail

The western trail runs through the Connecticut Highlands, connecting seven wineries.

• Jones Winery offers tastings in its historic barn and sells crops of berries, pumpkins, and Christmas trees.

606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd., Shelton

203/929-8425

• McLaughlin Vineyard is a 160-acre farm that also makes and sells its own maple products.

Albert’s Hill Rd., Sandy Hook

866/599-9463

• Digrazia Vineyard grows premium French hybrid grape varieties exclusively.

131 Tower Rd., Brookfield

203/775-1616

• White Silo Winery specializes in dry and semisweet fruit wines (raspberry, blackberry, rhubarb, and sour cherry) and houses an art gallery as well as a patio/bar.

32 Rte. 37 East, Sherman

860/355-0271

• Hopkins Vineyard has a hayloft café in its 19th-century barn.

25 Hopkins Rd., New Preston

860/868-7954

• Haight Vineyard

Chestnut Hill, Litchfield

860/567-4045

• Jerram Winery offers an art gallery year-round and a summer wine bar.

535 Town Hill Rd., New Hartford

860/379-8749

Connecticut’s Eastern Wine Trail

The eastern trail, meanwhile, is a bit more spread out, and usually requires several days to visit all the wineries.

• Gouveia Vineyards is owned by a Portuguese family that welcomes picnickers.

1339 Whirlwind Hill Rd., Wallingford

203/265-5526

• Bishop’s Orchards Winery produces primarily fruit-based wines.

1355 Boston Post Rd., U.S. Rte. 1, Guilford

203/453-2338

• Chamard specializes in Chardonnay.

115 Cow Hill Rd., Clinton

860/664-0299

• Stonington Vineyards

523 Taugwonk Rd., Stonington

860/535-1222

• Jonathan Edwards lets swirl and taste at a custom-built wine bar next to the fireplace on 50 acres overlooking the shoreline.

74 Chester Maine Rd., N. Stonington

860/535-0202

• Heritage Trail Vineyards’ tasting room is housed in an 18th-century farmhouse complete with wide board floors, antique beams, and a fireplace.

291 N. Burnham Hwy., Lisbon

860/376-0659

• Priam Vineyards offers excellent picnic spots with 35-mile views of the area.

11 Shailor Hill Rd., Colchester

860/267-8520

• Sharpe Hill has its own restaurant offering dinners every Friday evening and lunches Friday through Sunday.

108 Wade Rd., Pomfret

860/974-3549