Southern Connecticut Wine Company

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Atmosphere: 9/10-While Southern Connecticut Wine Company might be a bit difficult to find, its rustic interior allows for a more comforting atmosphere. The main bar area is lined with wooden wine barrels and the wooden tables are candle-lit on most nights they are open. Sometimes, friendly animals tend to wander the location such as the owners’ big, black furry dog. The owners do their best to make the customers feel at home. We only wish the bathrooms, though they are clean, had the same rustic feel so that the mood is not lost anywhere within the experience.

Service: 9/10-The employees of Southern Connecticut Wine Co. are always hard at work crafting wines, catering and facilitating various events within the state. The winery is only open Thursday through Saturday, however, so be on the lookout for their hours. On Thursday and Friday, the winery is open until 8pm. On Saturday and Sunday, the winery is only open until 6pm and 4pm respectively. While they are not always open, the employees of the winery are friendly and accommodating. We had a party of 10 people about a year ago at the winery and they did their best to accommodate and even stayed open a bit later. On a typical day, you will be greeted with warm faces when you sample wine, ask questions about the business or just purchase a bottle to go.

Price/Selection: 9/10-Southern Connecticut Wine Co. has a unique selection of wine and standard pricing for bottles, individual glasses and tasting. Each of their wines have interesting names such as Dark and Dirty and She Devil Sweet. Some of them pay homage to the company’s New England Roots such as Bawstin Blend. They have more red wines than white or rosé but are rumored to be making more of those soon. For the casual wine taster, rosé has become more popular in recent years. They are in the works of creating Meritage, a blend of five different California grapes. This shows their willingness to keep up with the times. The pricing is pretty standard for a wine company in the Connecticut area and varies based on selection (see site for more details). Wine making, which is also offered through their website, is a bit more expensive and can run up to $540, but in turn you receive 3 large cases. A case of wine contains 12 bottles.

Taste: 9.5/10-We came in with varying tastes and left quite satisfied. Christina prefers more of a sweeter taste and found their rosé wine, aptly named Strawberry Infusion, to be quite refreshing on a warm spring and summer’s day. I found their Big House Red, which is a blend black pepper, plum and raspberry to be more my style because I prefer a dryer blend. Spicy McBrackett, which is a deep dark cherry blend, also delighted my taste buds for the same reason. On some days, the winery offers cheese and crackers, which pair quite well with their selections. By offering complimentary food to their customers, they stand out from other wineries, which require you to buy food from them or bring your own.

Overall: 36.5/40-Southern Connecticut Wine Company is a rare gem not only for the town of Wallingford but in comparison to other wineries in Connecticut because of its unique selection, hands-on experience and rustic interior with the occasional live music.  If you are completing your passport for Connecticut wineries, we recommend you prioritize this particular winery. You will not be disappointed.