Tag: Connecitcut Travel

Wine and Cheese Market @ Hopkins Vineyard

Hopkins Vineyard overlooking beautiful Lake Waramaug is a perfect spot to visit this autumn. If you are foodies that love wine and cheese, don’t miss the Wine and Cheese Market on October 19 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hopkins Vineyard has teamed up with Jones Winery, Land of Nod Winery, Spring Hill Vineyards and Sunset Meadow Vineyards to host a wine and cheese tasting and market. This event will feature wine from each of the vineyards as well as cheese and food samples from a host of local vendors. Another highlight of this event are the handmade gift items from talented local craftspeople and artisans that will be for sale. If you want a bit more than cheese samples, not to worry, food for purchase will be available from the Clambaking Company. This company specializes in fresh seafood and BBQ, so there will be something to delight every palate.

Hopkins Vineyard is located on 25 Hopkins Road in Warren Connecticut. The tickets for this event are $25 per person and $12 for a designated driver. For tickets click here.

If you miss this event, keep in mind that the picnic area at Hopkins Vineyard is open daily this October. You can either bring your own picnic lunch and pick up a bottle of Hopkins wine from the shop or purchase one of the cheese platters stocked with Arethusa and other gourmet cheeses at the shop.

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They’re Back! The Watch Is On As Eagles Return To The Litchfield Hills!

Eagle Viewing at Shepaug

Some snowbirds head to Florida in the winter, but the majestic American bald eagle doesn’t have to travel so far for a choice retreat. Every year Bald Eagles fly down from more frigid climes in search of the annual fish buffet provided by the running waters of the Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic River in Southbury, a town in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills. They favor this spot because the turbulence of the dam water pushes the fish to the surface where eagles can swoop down and feast on their favorite dish.

The best place to watch the swoops and glides of these graceful winter guests.
is the Eagle Observation Area near the Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station,
where an organized eagle watch takes place every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through mid-March. Wednesdays are popular with school groups.

In spite of the record snowfalls in 2011, 3,500 visitors came to the Shepaug Dam. On an average day, they saw seven eagles, but lucky viewers on the best days last year spotted as many as 21 eagles. The low count day saw only one lone eagle. Chances are best on cold clear days when the surfaces of most other rivers and ponds have frozen. Over 133,00 people have visited the observation area since it was opened to the public in 1986.

The shelter, maintained by FirstLight Power Resources, is located 1000 feet from the river, affording safety for the eagles while providing an excellent vantage point. High powered telescopes are set up on tripods for visitors and volunteers from Connecticut Audubon are on hand to assist in spotting ad answer questions about the birds. The volunteers have set up an informative web site with facts and figures about these fascinating birds.

Admission to the viewing area is free, but advance reservations are required to insure that the observation site is not overcrowded. They can made by calling (800) 368-8954 Tuesday through Friday, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The volunteer web site, http://www.shepaugeagles.info, has many tips for visitors. Among them is the advice to dress warmly in layers and to allow plenty of time to wait for the eagle action to begin.

For more information on the eagles and other winter activities and a free copy of UNWIND, a 112-page color guide to lodging, dining and all the attractions in the Litchfield Hills, contact the Western Connecticut Visitors Bureau, PO Box 968, Litchfield, CT 06759, (860) 567-4506, or visit the web site at http://www.litchfieldhills.com.

Photos: Frank Procaccini

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