6 Ways to Wine

Mystic, Connecticut Region

Here’s our guide to starting your wine bucket list for the eastern Connecticut Shoreline. Wine your way through the Mystic area by stopping at the following establishments (not all in one day of course!). The bulk of these locations offer wine by the flight, an excellent way to master the art of tasting wine.

Jonathan Edwards

Photo by Meredith Fuller/This Is Mystic

16 scenic minutes from Mystic, Jonathan Edwards Winery has a beautiful tasting room where you can sample a flight of 7 of their wines! Their grapes come from both west coast’s Napa Valley and North Stonington, CT, so in a sense they’re a bicoastal winery! JE has ample outdoor seating, summer concerts and many annual events.

Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Franc, Lodi Zinfandel, Napa Cabernet Sauvignon (Cab Sauvignon is like Napa’s flagship grape), Lodi Cabernet Sauvignon, Petite Sirah, and “Dark”, a port style wine, are available in their tasting room. You can also find some JE wine at local restaurants and package stores.

Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Photo by Saltwater Farm Vineyard

Ten minutes down the shore from town, Saltwater Farm is a re-imagined WWII era airport turned vineyard. The rustic tasting room, a former hangar, opens up to a lovely balcony and large terrace with views of the vineyard and saltwater marshland of Stonington, CT.

Saltwater Farm offers Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Rosé, Cab Franc, and Merlot. Other neat stuff at the vineyard: live music & a fabulous wedding and event venue. Check their calendar for more info.

Stonington Vineyards

Photo by Stonington Vineyards

Stonington Vineyards is a quick 10 minute drive from town and offers daily and year-round tastings. While visiting, sample a flight or choose from their Chardonnay (our fave), Riesling, Seaport White (budget-minded? Grab a bottle of Seaport White at only *$12), Rosé, and Cabernet Franc. Check out their calendar for events like “Sip and Paint”, “Yoga in the Tasting Room”, live music and much more!

Universal Package Store

Photo by Meredith Fuller/This Is Mystic

Universal Package Store is located in historic Downtown Mystic just a few doors down from the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. They have a passionate and knowledgeable staff, expansive selection of wines (beer, liquor, & cigars too) plus they offer free nearby delivery. YES! Universal Package Store carries the following local wineries: Stonington Vineyards, Jonathan Edwards, Sharpe Hill Vineyard of Pomfret, and several options from Long Island. Pop in for a tasting night in the shop!

M Bar

Photo by @islesirving

M Bar, located in the downtown area of Mystic near the train station, is a great place to sample wines from Saltwater Farm Vineyard, especially when you can’t make it over to the tasting room in Stonington.  Peruse MBar’s flight list…last we checked there were 5 to choose from! They also offer a wide variety of fine west coast and European wines on the menu. Not something you’d expect while sitting in a former gas station! Check out their calendar for happy hour, food/drink menus, music, events and more.

Maugle Sierra

Photo by Maugle Sierra

15 minutes outside of town in Ledyard, Maugle Sierra est. in 2002 offers a tasting of up to 7 wines for $12 (SCORE!). The tasting room and wine patio are great spots to catch the sunset, listen to live music, and enjoy the view of vineyard grounds below.

Some of the wines offered by Maugle Sierra: House White, House Rose, Sunset White, Rendezvous, St. Croix, and House Red