WALLINGFORD — With recent wine releases this summer, and more to come, here are six things to know about family-owned and operated Paradise Hills Vineyards.

The Tuscan-style winery features outdoor seating overlooking 65 acres of country landscape and vineyards. The tasting room consists of a handcrafted copper bar, surrounded by chandeliers and mahogany tables.

Paradise Hills has more than 20 white and red wines including 10 award-winners. The most popular wine, according to the Ruggiero family (owners), is the Cayuga White. The white wine consists of melon and honeysuckle aromas with a “touch of soft melon fruit on the palate,” and finishes sweet. For reds, The President’s Choice is a full-bodied hit with blackberry aromas and is a top-secret Ruggiero family recipe.

The Ruggiero family has owned and operated the winery and vineyards for the last two decades. The family now spans across four generations. Brenda (owner) and Richard (founder) Ruggiero’s daughters are owners and their own children have been the inspiration for recent and upcoming wine names.

The vineyard will be releasing new wines this summer including a sparkling Rose called “La Bella Rosa” named after the Ruggiero’s first granddaughter, Annabelle Rose.

Ruggiero brothers, Richard and Albert Jr., grew grapes in Hamden to supply other wineries in the state for more than 15 years before moving to Wallingford in 1996 to plant their future vineyard. In 2011 they opened Paradise Hills winery and tasting room. Paradise Hills has since won multiple wine awards, including world-wide championships.

The winery also honors local history with its George Washington inspired wines signifying the first president’s travels through the property in 1775.

Winery:

Monday-Saturday: 11 a.m.to 8 p.m., Sunday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

(Wine Tastings Stop 1 hour prior to close, No Sales past 7:45 p.m. Mon-Sat or 5:45 p.m. on Sundays)

Closed:

New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Holiday Hours 2018:

May 29th – Monday – Memorial Day – Closing at 6 p.m.

July 4th – Tuesday – Open 11a.m. to 6 p.m.

September 4th – Monday Labor Day – Closing at 6pm

More information can be found at http://paradisehillsvineyard.com/

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