Warren’s Award-winning Hopkins Vineyard

By Charles Dubow

On a beautiful summer day there are few more pleasant ways to spend an afternoon than sitting outside at a table at Hopkins Vineyard in Warren overlooking Lake Waramaug, listening to live music, and sipping a glass of their estate-bottled Chardonnay. 

“We welcome visitors every day,” says owner Hilary Hopkins Criollo, whose ancestor Revolutionary War veteran Elijah Hopkins first purchased this historic farm back in 1787. “We also host weddings, anniversaries, reunions. It’s such a beautiful place, and we are so lucky to be able to share it.”

Originally a dairy farm, Hilary’s father, Bill, converted the land to a winery in 1979, when the Connecticut Legislature passed the Farm Winery Act. which permitted the growth and sale of wine. 

“My dad was a real pioneer,” says Hilary, who today runs the vineyard with her husband, George, and winemaker Jim Baker. “We are now the oldest family-owned and operated winery in the state.” 

Today they produce up to 17 different wines, depending on the season. In addition to their Chardonnay, other popular wines include their semi-sweet red Sachem’s Picnic, a semi-sweet white Westwind, a peach wine, a Riesling, a sparkling, a rosé, and a Cabernet Franc. Visitors can also purchase local craft beers from Kent Falls, as well as cheese platters and other snacks. All their products are available for sale in their shop or online.—hopkinsvineyard.com