Join us on Sunday, September 13, for Savor Litchfield, the culinary event of the year at South Farms in Morris!
Savor Litchfield Litchfield County’s Culinary Event of the Year Sunday, September 13, 2026 | South Farms, Morris, CT
Join us for Litchfield Magazine’sSavor Litchfield on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, the premier culinary event held at the beautiful South Farms in Morris. Enjoy an unforgettable afternoon of flavor as Chef John Bordeau of Sparrowbrings together the area’s top culinary talents, each preparing signature bites for guests to enjoy. Expect craft cocktails from Litchfield Distillery and South Farms, upscale pop-up shops, live music by the Dirk Quinn Band, a full cash bar, and fun for the whole family with a dedicated kids zone.
Looking to elevate your experience? VIP tickets offer early access beginning at 2 pm, featuring an exclusive hour of elevated offerings, including premium bites, signature cocktails, and a deluxe goody bag. VIP guests will enjoy special tastings —all before the main event opens to the public. Limited quantity of VIP tickets available.
Make Savor Litchfield unforgettable with a private table for six. Your group will enjoy a private shaded table for the entire event, dedicated tableside service, a bottle of prosecco, and elevated food and drink offerings in a beautifully styled setting..
GENERAL ADMISSION: $150
◗ Tastings available for 26 local chefs from 3-6pm
◗ Kid’s Zone, craft cocktails, pop-up shop area
AGE 4-12 ADMISSION: $50
◗ Age 3 and below – FREE ADMISSION
VIP EARLY ACCESS: $225
◗ Early VIP entry before the crowds
◗ Complimentary glass of Prosecco
◗ Exclusive Chef’s Tastings, created just for VIP guests
◗ Swag bags filled with gifts from sponsors
PRIVATE TABLE FOR 6: $2,400 (Limited availability)
◗ Reserved table for 6 for duration of event.
◗ Early VIP entry before the crowds
◗ Complimentary bottle of Prosecco
◗ Exclusive Chef’s Tasting Plate, created just for table guests
◗ Swag bags filled with gifts from sponsors
◗ Personalized table signage with your brand or group name
◗ Professional photo opportunity with the new Litchfield Magazine cover
Each spring in Litchfield County, a quiet hillside in Northfield transforms into one of the region’s most beloved seasonal rituals.
Now open!
Each spring in Litchfield County, a quiet hillside in Northfield transforms into one of the region’s most beloved seasonal rituals. The Laurel Ridge daffodils, planted more than eighty years ago, are not just a display of flowers but a living legacy of generosity and simple beauty.
In 1941, Virginia and Remy Morosani began planting daffodil bulbs across a rocky pasture that was unsuitable for farming. What might have been considered unusable land became something extraordinary. Over time, those initial plantings multiplied into tens of thousands of blooms, spreading across rolling fields, wooded paths, and even small islands in a pond.
Today, the fields open each April as a gift to the public. Visitors wander through a shifting landscape of color, from pale yellow and soft white to vibrant gold, typically peaking between mid April and early May. The experience is intentionally simple. No tickets, no commercialization, just the invitation to walk, observe, and take in the fleeting beauty of the season.
For many, visiting Laurel Ridge has become a tradition, even a rite of passage. It is a reminder that something enduring can grow from modest beginnings, and that the most meaningful landscapes are often those created not for profit, but for shared joy.
As the days grow longer, the air warmer, and the tulips begin to bud, we’re getting spring fever! Here are some fun things we can’t wait to do in Litchfield County this spring.
Litchfield County, Connecticut is magical all year, but especially so as everything comes back to life each spring. Here are 25 fun things we can’t wait to do in Litchfield County this spring!
The town of Kent has planted tens of thousands of daffodils. Enjoy shopping, dining, and art galleries while enjoying the narcissus. kentct.com/daffodil-daysKentct.com for more info.
For a powerful nature fix, Kent Falls inside Kent Falls State Park is never more impressive during the spring runoff. But please resist getting into the water. It is dangerous.
Hit up Natureworks Garden Center in Northford for monarch-attracting plant seeds and all the advice you’d ever need to grow butterflies. Start now, and you’ll have plenty of flittering visitors come summer.
See if you can spot the Blue-winged Warblers nesting in Southbury’s Bent of the River Audubon sanctuary.
Libraries are brimming with virtual events… gardening how-to sessions, and book talks. Check the calendar of the one closest to you.
Stop by the sixth annual The Voice of Art’s Fine Art Festival featuring fine functional art and fine non-functional art. Free and open to the public. May 23-24, 1oam-5pm
Fish, hike, or picnic in one of the 25 preserves maintained by the Roxbury Land Trust.
Don’t miss the gardening lover’s weekend of the year at Trade Secrets at Lime Rock Park. This philanthropic sale draws more than 60 vendors—specialized growers, small nursery owners, antique dealers, and artisans…with proceeds going to Project SAGE in northwestern Connecticut.
Bring your camera to Wigwam Road in Litchfield on a sunny day in April or May and take a walk through the 15 acres of daffodil plantings at Laurel Ridge Farm.
Adjacent to Lime Rock Park in Falls Village, CT., Colter Rule runs Autogalerie, a premier listings and collection management service for specialty vehicles. At just 25, Rule has already established himself as a significant force in the classic car market.
By Christopher Stella
Adjacent to Lime Rock Park in Falls Village, CT., Colter Rule runs Autogalerie, a premier listings and collection management service for specialty vehicles. At just 25, Rule has already established himself as a significant force in the classic car market. A serial entrepreneur, he founded Autogalerie in 2022 following a career in club promotion and co-founding event discovery platform Posh, which was purchased by Eventbrite. In 2025 alone, Autogalerie completed over 200 listings on automotive auction house, Bring A Trailer, amounting to more than $5 million in sales—a figure that reflects the robust demand for classic vehicles in the region.
Autogalerie provides meticulous photographic and video documentation of each vehicle’s features to maximize market appeal. The business serves a diverse clientele that includes executives from Lime Rock Park itself, and manages vehicles spanning sportscars to vintage 4x4s. With a second location in Palm Beach, Florida, Autogalerie also provides storage and collection management services. “Many people buy a weekend home here, and want the car to go with it,” says Rule. “And the regional coffee shops and bakeries support a perfect weekend drive vibe—they become destinations for leisurely weekend excursions with family.”
Family is another factor that is driving interest, as nostalgia often motivates buyers—memories of an old family vehicle, simpler times. In an era of automation, classic cars offer sensory engagement: roll-down windows, and speedometers that offer pointers instead of pixels.
Some would say that every car has a story, and we are stewards of it. This stewardship is creating more than a market—it’s building community united by the belief that newer isn’t always better. And that the feel of a wooden steering wheel, the sound of a key clicking in an ignition, the pull of a manual shift knob, don’tjust connect man and machine—they connect people with history, memory, and themselves. Autogalerie Lime Rock, autogalerie.us
Discover Litchfield County’s leading wellness experts, from integrative medicine and acupuncture to fitness, beauty, and personalized care.
Discover Litchfield County’s premier wellness providers, offering integrative medicine, naturopathic care, acupuncture, fitness training, eye exams, Pilates, salon and spa services, and personalized health plans designed to support whole-body balance, beauty, and long-term vitality for every stage of life.
This family-run practice brings together top practitioners across many modalities, including movement, medical care, mental health, and coaching, to craft personalized treatment plans. READ the full story….
At DPZ, technical skill goes hand-in-hand with guest care. Advanced training allows the team to work with precision and confidence so clients can truly relax. READ the full story….
Dr. Tara Tranguch is a Naturopathic Doctor who combines functional testing with individualized treatment plans to address whole-body health, including cardiovascular disease, digestive disorders, hormone and endocrine imbalances, and chronic inflammatory conditions READ the full story….
Owned by Robert Rovezzi and Luc Fondaire, and managed by Dina and Brett Cateno, the facility offers services ranging from personal training and fitness consultations to a full-service gym. READ the full story….
At Eyes on Litchfield, Dr. Tabitha Plunske and Dr. Tommasina Pasqua Sideris provide comprehensive, doctor-led eye exams using advanced retinal imaging to detect early signs of systemic disease—pairing precision care with curated, boutique eyewear READ the full story….
Owner Suzanne Blaicher brings personalized training directly to clients, whether at home, at the office, or virtually from anywhere in the world. READ the full story….
Litchfield Pilates & Integrative Health (LPIH) Studio in Washington Depot, owner Annie Kaplon brings her extensive expertise as an Integrative Health Nurse at NYU Langone Health, Lerner Holistic Nursing Fellowship Coordinator, Board-Certified Integrative Health Coach, and PMA® Certified Pilates Instructor. READ the full story….
Current treatment offerings include massage and bodywork, medical-grade skincare, hair, and nails, with more to come in late 2026 with the unveiling of their newly renovated destination wellness property. READ the full story….
SpringRoot Acupuncture & Wellness in Woodbury blends the time-tested science of Acupuncture with modern medical solutions, to provide personalized, effective, unique healthcare in a meditative environment. READ the full story….
Visit a sugar house in Litchfield County! Maple syrup is produced from the sap of maple trees, which is collected from late winter through early spring and processed in sugar houses located throughout Litchfield County.
Maple syrup is produced from the sap of maple trees, which is collected from late winter through early spring and processed in sugar houses located throughout Litchfield County. Many sugar houses are open to the public. You can view their boiling process and buy their maple syrup and products. To be sure sugar houses are in operation, always phone ahead. Some years are better than others. Looking for more fun winter activities for you and the family? Check out 30 Things to do in Litchfield County this Winter!
Anstett’s Sugar Farm The Anstett family welcomes you to tour their farm specializing in maple syrup for the past 30 years. Check the web site for hours and boiling times during the months of January through April. Hours are by appointment only during the off season, please call to schedule a time.
542 East Greenwoods Road Norfolk 860.542.5013
Brookside Farm II
Open for visits mid-February through March. Maple syrup sold year round. Please call ahead.
79 East Chestnut Hill Road Litchfield 860.567.3890
Brothers and Sons Sugarhouse
Open year round. Watch syrup being made during February and March. Free tours. Sugarhouse is accessible to the handicapped. Groups welcome. Call ahead.
998 Saw Mill Road Torrington 860.489.2719
Dutton’s Sugarhouse
Visitors may watch sap collection and syrup being made during February and March. Groups always welcome. Call ahead.
28 Sunny Ridge Road Washington 860.868.0345
Flanders Nature Center Maple Sugar House
Each year Flanders taps and collects sap from dozens of trees at the nature center and around town. They have a lovely sugar house which is open for tours.
Sugar House at Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust 5 Church Hill Road Woodbury 203.263.3711, ext. 12 www.flandersnaturecenter.org
Great Brook Sugarhouse
Operated by The Youth Agency, the Sugarhouse is open to the public and syrup is sold year round. Educational tours of the sugaring operation are available. Call for info and availability. Open house weekends, which include displays of early sugaring techniques, are held during March. Call ahead for dates and time.
140 Park Lane (Route 202) New Milford 860.354.0047
Hilljack Sugar Shack
Open 7 days a week 8:00am- 6:00pm. There are extended hours for sugaring season. Visitors are encouraged to stop by anytime. Free tours of facilities. School groups welcome. For tours larger than 7, please call ahead to schedule.
Open 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday. See syrup being made in mid-February to the end of March. Phone ahead. Maple syrup sold year round.
390 Norfolk Road (at Route 44) East Canaan 860.824.7529
Sullivan Farm
For the next 5 weeks, through the end of March, the staff and students will be tapping over 1600 trees and producing some of Connecticut’s finest Maple Syrup. Check out their Maple Fest March 14th-15th and March 21st-22nd.
140 Park Lane New Milford 860.354.0047
West Hill Sugarhouse
Maple syrup for sale year round. Sugarhouse open during the season. Small groups welcome. Call ahead.
525 West Hill Road New Hartford 860.379.9672
Woodbury Sugarshed
Sugarhouse open to the public. Saturdays and Sundays March only for maple syrup demonstration hours 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Open daily year round. Phone ahead.
Cowboy Butter serves expertly smoked meats, Texas-inspired dishes, and creative barbecue delights in New Milford, Connecticut.
By Charles Dubow
Photographs by Sundae Media
You know you’ve had a really excellent meal when all you can talk about on the drive home from the restaurant is how much you can’t wait to go back again. That was the experience my wife, Melinda, and I had the other night returning from Cowboy Butter, the new(ish) barbecue restaurant in New Milford.
Opened this past July on Bank Street, it is the latest offering from Jeff Schmidt and his partner Nicole Minard, whose Waterbury barbecue joint, Hindsight, has been winning raves since 2020. “I sort of backed into this whole barbecue thing,” says Schmidt, a genial, bearded bear of a man. “It was a hobby at first—until it wasn’t.” A local boy, Schmidt comes from a restaurant background. His mother, Jayne Lanphear, is co-owner of @The Corner in Litchfield. “I was a restaurant rat. Basically I grew up doing my homework in the booths,” he laughs.
When he decided to get serious about barbecue, he went to Austin, Texas, where he learned the ropes at the Michelin-starred LeRoy & Lewis, and then followed up by studying with a Kansas City pit master. “The craft barbecue community is pretty tight. Everybody knows everybody else. So I was able to pick up all different kinds of techniques. That’s why we offer a little bit of everything. But it still comes down to starting around 4 or 5 in the morning and living that wood-smoke lifestyle.”
For Schmidt’s patrons, I can easily say that he and his team’s hard work really pays off. To start we had Texas Twinkies that, as one might assume, have nothing to do with the Hostess sponge cake. Instead these are a thing in Texas, and Cowboy Butter’s version is piquant, smoked, bacon-wrapped jalapeños stuffed with brisket and cheese, with a lime crema for dipping. Insanely good. Of course, we also had to have their melt-in-your-mouth burnt ends (glazed smoked pork belly with Whistlepig BBQ sauce) “Cowboy Candy” bacon jam, and pork rind cracklins. Now, normally when tasting a restaurant’s menu I try not to overeat—but in this case I couldn’t help myself, and polished everything off.
We still had plenty of room, though, which was a good thing because next up came a sampling of smoked meats, which is the primary reason to come to a barbecue restaurant—and Cowboy Butter did not disappoint. The prime beef brisket, pulled pork, smoked turkey breast, and baby back pork ribs were succulent, tangy, and perfectly cooked. (Meats are also available by the pound or full rack, to eat in or take out.) Other carnivorous highlights on the menu include their chimichurri tri-tip, Cowboy Butter steak, Cowboy Ribeye, and their decadent hand-cut beef tallow fries. And while it might seem silly to order a burger in a barbecue joint, do yourself a favor and order their American Wagyu Butter Burger. With cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and garlic aioli on a seeded toasted bun, it’s one of the best I’ve ever eaten.
Sullivan Farm offers organic farming education, maple syrup production, and interactive programs for students and visitors.
By Linda Tuccio Koonz
Photographs by Anne Day
Rolling hayfields greet visitors to Sullivan Farm, where hiking trails disappear into the hills under a milky-blue sky. On this peaceful afternoon, the 109-acre New Milford property looks like something from a Van Gogh painting.
But it’s more than just an idyllic setting. Sullivan Farm provides hands-on learning for students interested in the business of organic farming. They grow everything from potatoes to pumpkins, cultivate flowers, and practice beekeeping—even selling their own honey.
The farm also offers tours and programs for groups of all ages. New England traditions, such as making maple syrup, are celebrated here. Mark Mankin, the farm’s executive director, says hundreds turn out for their annual Maple Fest.
“A lot of people really don’t have any idea where maple syrup comes from, and are surprised it starts as sap,” he says. “Many don’t realize it has to be processed; they’re under the impression the syrup comes right out of the tree.”
Sullivan Farm (started in 1841) was a family farm until 1997, when New Milford purchased it. “The way it’s managed is unique to probably any other program in Connecticut, because much of its day-to-day operations are run by high school and college students,” Mankin says. Volunteers, dedicated staff, and paid interns make it possible.
“One thing we’re trying is to make people aware that there’s a process to producing vegetables. Many people go to the store, grab carrots, and have no idea where the carrots came from.”
Seeds must be planted, nurtured, and harvested. There’s a lot to it, he says. The same goes for farm-made jams and baked goods, which the farm sells, along with its fruit, vegetables, and ever-popular maple syrup.
How did syrup making start? Stories vary. It’s believed a broken branch, or woodpeckers, alerted Native Americans to the sap that flows under certain conditions (when temperatures hit the 20s at night, and 40s and 50s during the day).
Originally, Native Americans heated stones and dropped them into sap, creating steam; the sap was boiled down until it became sugar. A slow go, but “with no iPhones or video games, they had a lot of time on their hands,” he says.
These days, Sullivan Farm taps 1,700 sugar maples. The sap is processed in a modern evaporator at the Great Brook Sugarhouse. “It takes 40 gallons of sap to produce a gallon of syrup,” Mankin says, inside the cozy structure.
Displayed near his desk is an amusing advertisement from the Ladies Home Journal, dated 1919. A smiling, chubby-faced man winks as he tips a large syrup container over his plate of pancakes. The copy says, “Oh Boy! Log Cabin Syrup! UM!!!”
More than a century later, we still love to drizzle syrup on our pancakes. Mankin says agriculture is changing dramatically and climate change is a major factor, but Sullivan Farm continues to evolve as well.
“The key to its success is what we’re building now,” he says, “through diversification and programs that draw people to enjoy the property and learn by doing.” —sullivanfarm.org
Cassidy & Teti Interiors transformed 9 Academy into a stylish, modern guesthouse blending comfort, design, and local charm.
By Jamie Marshall
Photographs John Gruen
Like a lot of people who find their way to northwestern Connecticut, interior designers Aidan Cassidy and Charles Teti of Cassidy & Teti Interiors first started coming to Litchfield County as weekenders, more than 30 years ago.
“We fell in love with the area and its beauty, and in particular Salisbury,” recalls Teti, who spent much of his career as a menswear designer. When COVID hit, they pulled up stakes in New York City and moved here full time. They bought a place in Salisbury, and that series of decisions led to a “Eureka!” moment. “As we settled into the area, we recognized there was a potential business opportunity,” says Teti. Specifically, a guesthouse that would combine the space and amenities of a home with the style, luxury, and plentiful towels of your favorite boutique hotel.
In 2021, they bought a simple building on Academy Street just off Main Street, and set about bringing their vision to life. Working with a local builder, they took the building down to the studs and rebuilt from the ground up. “It was an antique house at one time,” says Cassidy, “and was definitely in need of some love.”
The driving force behind 9 Academy was twofold. “We wanted to be able to offer something new and fresh—we were very cognizant of not repeating what was already in the market,” says Teti. “At the same time, we were very cautious and careful to make it feel like you are still in rural Connecticut.”
They opened in 2023 and, judging by the response, they have succeeded. The property comprises three spacious guest suites, each with its own private entry and outdoor space (the first-floor Garden Suite has a—yes—small garden). The second-floor Parlor Suite has a reading nook, and a set of stairs to its own green space. The third-floor Loft Suite has a private terrace with a view of the village.
Light-filled and airy, each suite has an open floor plan for easy flow, a fully equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, and dreamy Le Labo bath products.
But what really sets 9 Academy apart is the thoughtful design. The decor and finishes throughout have a sleek sophisticated feel: limewashed walls and ceilings, bleached oak floors, Belgian flat-weave area rugs, Italian matte ceramic tile with underfloor heating in the bathrooms, and draperies and custom bedding made of flax linen. Furnishings and
accessories are done in a neutral palette of taupe, cream, and khaki.
As former weekenders, Cassidy and Teti have gone to great pains to ensure their guests know about all the area highlights. The check-in/check-out process is easy and efficient thanks to contactless arrival and keyless entry. Communication is primarily by email and text. “It’s the way people communicate today. We learned pretty quickly how to walk the line between outreach and respecting their privacy,” says Cassidy. “In a nutshell, we are a guest house for the modern traveler.” —9Academy.com
Motoriot and Autogalerie celebrate vintage vehicles in Litchfield County, connecting enthusiasts through restoration, sales, and community.
By Christopher Stella
Photographs by Rana Faure
“I believe carscan be a lens through which we understand the world and ourselves,” says Jason Doornick, founder of Motoriot, a vintage vehicle dealer and modification business in Kent. An increasing number of people are looking at the Litchfield Hills through the lens of vintage windshields as classic car culture accelerates, creating a community of collectors and service providers.
MotoriotMotoriot
The growing interest in vintage vehicles in Litchfield County reflects a national one. The US classic cars market—comprising vehicles typically 25 years or older—grew from $7.2 billion in 2018 to $12.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach nearly $26 billion by 2032, according to Credence Research, a global market intelligence firm.
Motoriot
But the county’s winding roads have long been a hub of auto culture. Lime Rock Park, built in 1956 in Lakeville, stands as the third oldest continuously operating road racing venue in the United States, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. The track has long been a destination for car enthusiasts, and this year marks the 44th edition of Lime Rock’s Historic Festival, a Labor Day Weekend celebration featuring vintage racecars.
Motoriot
This heritage is attracting enthusiasts and service providers. Doornick spent his teenage years in Kent, later moving to Hollywood, where he was introduced to actor and car enthusiast Paul Walker. This led to jobs as a stuntman on the Fast and Furious film franchise, and managing Walker’s fleet of vehicles until the actor’s death in 2013.
Motoriot
After returning to the East Coast to run his father’s robotics business, and later open an auto customization outfit in Stamford, he returned to Kent to found Motoriot with partner Charles Narwold in 2023. The business now works with partners in the US, Europe, South America, and Asiathrough which they source a variety of vehicles—from Land Rovers and Land Cruisers to Peugeots and Porsches. If a buyer can imagine it, Motoriot will strive to source it, transparently and ethically, and modify it according to the buyer’s needs—including engine upgrades, modern braking systems, even EV conversions, with each step clearly explained.
“The automotive industry lacks transparency and shared understanding,” Doornick notes. “We’re open with clients on how they’ll get their car, and where their money is going—every step is visible.”
Autogalerie
A 30-minute drive north from Motoriot, adjacent to Lime Rock Park, Colter Rule runs Autogalerie, a premier listings and collection management service for specialty vehicles. At just 25, Rule has already established himself as a significant force in the classic car market. A serial entrepreneur, he founded Autogalerie in 2022 following a career in club promotion and co-founding event discovery platform Posh, which was purchased by Eventbrite. In 2025 alone, Autogalerie completed over 200 listings on automotive auction house, Bring A Trailer, amounting to more than $5 million in sales—a figure that reflects the robust demand for classic vehicles in the region.
Autogalerie
Autogalerie provides meticulous photographic and video documentation of each vehicle’s features to maximize market appeal. The business serves a diverse clientele that includes executives from Lime Rock Park itself, and manages vehicles spanning sportscars to vintage 4x4s. With a second location in Palm Beach, Florida, Autogalerie also provides storage and collection management services. “Many people buy a weekend home here, and want the car to go with it,” says Rule. “And the regional coffee shops and bakeries support a perfect weekend drive vibe—they become destinations for leisurely weekend excursions with family.”
Autogalerie
Family is another factor that is driving interest, as nostalgia often motivates buyers—memories of an old family vehicle, simpler times. In an era of automation, classic cars offer sensory engagement: roll-down windows, and speedometers that offer pointers instead of pixels.
Autogalerie
“Older cars have a clear connection to the road—as a driver, you’re going to smell it, hear it, feel it,” notes Doornick. “Every car has a story, and we are stewards of it.” This stewardship is creating more than a market—it’s building community united by the belief that newer isn’t always better. And that the feel of a wooden steering wheel, the sound of a key clicking in an ignition, the pull of a manual shift knob, don’tjust connect man and machine—they connect people with history, memory, and themselves.
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