Wine festival returns to Goshen Saturday, Sunday

GOSHEN>> Connecticut vintners and vineyards, including those from the northwest corner, are on display at the Goshen Fairgrounds, Saturday and Sunday.

“Some people wouldn’t believe that grapes would grow,” in Goshen, said Judy Motel, co-owner with her husband of Sunset Meadows Vineyard. She and husband George Motel planted wine grapes for the first time 13 years ago after they were approached by the Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association.

Now, the Goshen-based vineyard plants 32 acres each year. Sunset Meadows’ tasting room was so bustling Judy Motel scarcely had time to speak about the former cattle ranch’s transformation.

The vineyard is one of 12 showcasing their wares at the Fifth Annual Connecticut Wine Festival, where attendees can sample a wide selection of grape varietal wines. Exotic fruit-based wines are also available, such as a pumpkin and spice fermented wine called “Harvest Spice.”

In addition to specialty food vendors, crafts and live music, the festival provides opportunities to learn about wine.

Each day, in the afternoon, there is a wine seminar which teaches about varietals, smelling and swirling wine.

Wineries participating in this year’s festival include Sunset Meadow Vineyards, Taylor Brooke Winery, Jonathan Edwards Winery, Bishops Orchards Winery, Stonington Vineyards, Miranda Vineyards, Jones Winery, Hopkins Vineyard, Priam Vineyards, White Silo Win- ery, DiGrazia Vineyards, and Sharpe Hill Vineyard. Wines will be sampled out of air conditioned buildings on the fairground.

Festival admission is $30 at the door. Tickets include wine tastings, a commemorative festival wine glass for tastings, a tote bag, specialty food samples and a discount on cases of wine.

Guests under 21 and designated drivers can attend for a reduced admission price of $10.

Wine tastings require photo identification. Hours for the Festival are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, July 27, and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 28.

Photo ID with proof of age is required for the wine tasting.

FILE PHOTO The festival is a way to promote the Connecticut Wine Trail.