Western Connecticut Highlands AVA

41.7042°N 73.2204°W / 41.7042; -73.2204 The Western Connecticut Highlands AVA is an American Viticultural Area that includes all of Litchfield and parts of Fairfield, New Haven, and Hartford counties in Connecticut. The Connecticut Highlands are far enough away from Long Island Sound that there is little of the moderating effect on climate that large bodies of water produce. The region is relatively cool, with a short growing season between mid-May and mid-September. The soil in the area is glacial schist and gneiss. Local vintners have had the most success with cool climate Vitis vinifera and French hybrid grape varieties.^[2] The region is located in hardiness zones 5b and 6a.

Western Connecticut Highlands AVA

Wine region
Type	American Viticultural Area
Year established	1988[1]
Country	United States
Part of	Connecticut
Other regions in Connecticut	Southeastern New England AVA, Eastern Connecticut Highlands AVA
Climate region	Continental
Soil conditions	Glacial schist and gneiss[2]
Total area	1,004,550 acres (1,570 sq mi)[3]
Grapes produced	Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot noir, Seyval blanc, Vidal blanc[2]
No. of wineries	7[2]