(HARTFORD, CT) – The 2025 Passport to Connecticut Wine Country officially wrapped up on December 31, and the winners have been drawn! This popular program, organized by the Connecticut Farm Wine Development Council (CFWDC) administered by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, gives wine lovers a chance to explore 36 participating farm wineries and vineyards across the state. Participants could use a free mobile app or a printed passport book to collect stamps as they visited each location.
“Connecticut’s farm wineries are a real gem – a mix of agriculture, craftmanship, and tourism, that creates memorable experiences,” said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “The Passport program encourages people to discover new places, learn about different regions of our state, and make lasting memories. Congratulations to the prize recipients and I invite everyone to join in the fun in 2026.”
From May through December, participants logged more than 30,100 visits to Connecticut farm wineries. The three most visited were Gouveia Vineyards in Wallingford (2,153 visits), Hawk Ridge Winery in Watertown (2,013), and Paradise Hills Vineyard & Winery in Wallingford (1,967).
And the Winners Are…
This year’s prize came from 27 Connecticut businesses, including award-winning restaurants, unique destinations, and adrenalin charged excursions. Each participating winery also donated two bottles of wine, and 50 dedicated visitors who completed all 36 stops were selected to receive a special commemorative gift.
- Grand Prize #1: A luxury getaway at The Delamar in Mystic – Diane Morrow
- Grand Prize #2: An exclusive helicopter experience with HTX Helicopters – Peter Pekarovic
- Runner-Up: A stay at Great Wolf Lodge in Mashantucket – Natalie Basile
A full list of winners is available at ctwinecountry.com.
The 2026 Passport to CT Wine Country will begin in May 2026. If you love wine, local farms, and exploring Connecticut, mark your calendar and join us for another year of discovery! For more information about Connecticut Farm Wineries or the Passport to Connecticut Wine Country, visit their website at ctwinecountry.com.
About Connecticut Farm Wineries
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.
