(HARTFORD, CT) – The 2026 Passport to Connecticut Wine Country programs begins Friday, May 1, opening another season of visiting Connecticut’s farm wineries, collecting stamps, and entering for a chance to win prizes. Residents and out-of-state visitors are invited to travel the state, enjoy locally grown wines, and discover new stops along this year’s expanded trail.
“There’s nothing like summer in Connecticut! And the Passport to CT Wine Country is exactly what you need to help discover all our state has to offer,” said Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. “As you explore our beautiful farm wineries, there is so much more to explore in each town, from fabulous shops to stunning walking trails, delicious restaurants and so much more.”
“The Passport to CT Wine Country remains one of the most engaging ways to experience Connecticut agriculture,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “Each visit supports growers and makers, encourages travel across the state, and builds a connection to the farms behind these beverages.”
What’s New in 2026
A total of 37 participating farm winery locations with three new producers onboard for 2026, each offering a distinct landscape and story.
- Ox & Oak Vineyard in Lebanon, set among sweeping stands of oak trees, brings a quiet woodland backdrop to the passport trail.
- Spring Hill Vineyards in New Preston, located on a farm with roots tracing back to the 1700s, adds a historic setting to the mix.
- Long View Ciderhouse in Southington, a branch-to-bottle cidery, produces apple wine made entirely from fruit grown on the farm.
Participants will also find a new feature inside the printed passport booklets this year. A QR code on the inside cover allows users to register their physical booklet shortly after receiving it. This optional step provides an easier way to confirm entry for the end-of-season prize drawing.
Farm wineries will have the option to use a live QR code to issue stamps onsite. Visitors may collect stamps three ways:
- By scanning the QR code at the winery,
- By tapping “stamp my passport” within the mobile app, or
- By having their printed booklet marked during the visit.
The printed book and digital app remain available at no cost.
The CT Farm Wine Development Council has increased the total prize allocation this season to $15,000, which will be divided among multiple prize drawings within the three categories - Taster (12+ stamps), Sommelier (18+ stamps), or Winemaker (35+ stamps).
Connecticut is home to more than 45 licensed farm wineries, each required to use at least 25% Connecticut Grown fruit. A number of producers also participate in a voluntary designation that highlights wineries using 51% or more Connecticut Grown ingredients.
The 2026 Passport programs runs through December 31, 2026. Prize drawings will take place no later than January 31, 2027.
More information about Connecticut farm wineries and the Passport to Connecticut Wine Country program is available at ctwinecountry.com.
About Connecticut Farm Wineries
The Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council, administered by CT DoAg, is a voluntary council made up winery owners, research institutions, and representatives of Connecticut Department of Agriculture and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. The council is responsible for promoting state wines and related products, offering educational programs, recommending research projects, and advising groups on farm wine development.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) mission is to foster a healthy economic, environmental, and social climate for agriculture by developing, promoting, and regulating agricultural businesses; protecting agricultural and aquacultural resources; enforcing laws pertaining to domestic animals; and promoting an understanding among the state's citizens of the diversity of Connecticut agriculture, its cultural heritage, and its contribution to the state's economy. For more information, visit www.CTGrown.gov.
