“Lehman and Nawrocki affably tell the history of wine in the state, and interview numerous people in the bargain. A truly wonderful little tome, filled with all the interesting anecdotes one might expect . . . It’s a great book. If you like wine and live or are visiting New England, you should buy a bottle of Connecticut wine and read this book, either in a Adirondack chair by Long Island Sound or the Atlantic Ocean, or on the porch of some lovely back country summer home or inn. A fun, wonderful read!”
—Carlo Devito, author of East Coast Wineries: A Complete Guide from Maine to Virginia
“Those interested in a detailed history of Connecticut's wineries should read the excellent, recently published book, A History of Connecticut Wine.”
—Geoff Kalish, WAG Online
“Residents may have tasted Connecticut’s unique and varied wines, and now they can also discover its rich and varied history in A History of Connecticut Wine: Vineyard in Your Backyard by University of Bridgeport professors-turned-husband-and-wife-writing-team, history writer Eric D. Lehman and award-winning poet Amy Nawrocki. Through their first book together, Nutmeggers and visitors alike can unearth the industry’s history, meet the winemakers and enjoy some food for thought—all paired with a Connecticut wine perfect for the occasion.”
—Jaime Ferris, Housatonic Times
“The book’s chapter on the ‘Wine Yankees’ is ground-breaking, since it describes the wine industry in Connecticut as it existed from Colonial times to Prohibition. It is a history that would surprise most of us—and the surprises don’t stop there. The book talks about how many wineries there are in Connecticut, the leaps of faith and imagination that winery owners have made, their toil, their business sense and savvy, and the search for the right grapes for Connecticut, including a discussion of the state-of-the-art in grape science.”
—Francois Steichen, Greenwich Citizen
A History of Connecticut Wine: Vineyard in Your Backyard
A History of Connecticut Wine tells the story of the growing wine industry in our state. Wine has been meticulously crafted in Connecticut ever since colonists discovered wild grapes growing on their land. At first glance the New England climate appears inhospitable for this fastidious fruit but a number of varieties thrive here, including pinot gris, chardonnay, cabernet franc, cayuga white and lemberger. These grapes have been perfected over centuries of careful cultivation, which is evident in their quality. Join local wine enthusiasts Eric D. Lehman and Amy Nawrocki as they explore the intricacies of the region's local blends, the vintners that craft them, and the people who taste them. With vineyards and wineries in every corner of the state, you're likely to find one that suits your palate in your backyard!