Celebrate the Viticulture Harvest in the Western Connecticut Highlands

From Bourdeaux, France, to Rheingau, Germany, to Sonoma, California, vintners worldwide celebrate their fall harvests with community festivals. Litchfield, Connecticut, is no exception. The Litchfield Hills Harvest Festival, the 13th annual celebration of the viticulture harvest in the Western Connecticut Highlands wine-producing region, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26, 2004, at Haight Vineyard, Connecticuts oldest winery, located in historic Litchfield.

Litchfield, CT (PRWEB) September 3, 2004 -- From Bourdeaux, France, to Rheingau, Germany, to Sonoma, California, vintners worldwide celebrate their fall harvests with community festivals. Litchfield, Connecticut, is no exception.

The Litchfield Hills Harvest Festival, the 13th annual celebration of the viticulture harvest in the Western Connecticut Highlands wine-producing region, will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 25-26, 2004, at Haight Vineyard, Connecticuts oldest winery.

One of the most popular features of our harvest celebration is the childrens grape stomping contest held daily at 2 and 4 pm," says Haight Vineyard winemaker Col. Sherman P. Haight, Jr.    

Parents recall old-fashioned grape stomping from the 'I Love Lucy TV show," says Haight. They cant wait to take pictures of their children stomping grapes in a wooden wine barrel."

Attracting thousands of visitors annually, the two-day festival also features a country store, craft exhibitors and an outdoor cafe offering a menu of hearty harvest fare featuring tacos to lobster and roasted corn to kettle-style popcorn, plus Haight Vineyard award-winning wines and premium beer served by the glass.

Artisans will display and sell handcrafted treasures, such as blown glass, candles, crystals, jewelry, garden accents, home décor, photography, tapestry, wine accessories. Gourmet food products, including handmade chocolates, herbs, spices, maple syrup and olive oil, will also be available for purchase.

Visitors will be able to watch the picking and processing of this years grape harvest, plus taking guided tours of the winery. Complimentary wine tasting will assist visitors in selecting vintages for their home wine racks and cellars.

Old-fashioned hayrides through the vineyard will also offer a first-hand look at the harvest activities. Plus, there will be pony rides for the kids.

Festival admission is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and children under age 12 are admitted free. The festival is sponsored The Republican-American and WTIC 1080 Radio.

Festival information is available on the Internet at www.litchfieldfestivals.com.

To reach Haight Vineyard, take Connecticut Route 8 to exit 42, follow Route 118 West for approximately three miles and turn left on Chestnut Hill Road. More detailed directions are available on the festival website.

One mile West of Haight Vineyard on Route 118 is historic Litchfield with its picturesque village green, quaint stores, white clapboard churches, stone walls and weathered barns. Attractions include the Litchfield History Museum, depicting the evolution of a small New England village(860-567-4051); White Flower Farm with ten acres of display gardens (860-567-8789); Tapping Reeve House, Americas first law school (860-567-4501); and White Memorial Foundation, Connecticuts largest nature center and wildlife sanctuary (860-567-0857).

Additional travel information on The Litchfield Hills is available on the Internet at www.litchfieldhills.com.

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