Priam Vineyards in Colchester, Connecticut: A Scenic Escape for Wine Lovers

Nestled in Colchester, Connecticut, Priam Vineyards offers a delightful escape for wine lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. This charming 40-acre farm founded in 1998 has grown to become one of Connecticut’s premier wine destinations on the CT Wine Trail. You’ll find an impressive selection of thirteen international award-winning wines that are estate grown, blended, bottled, and cellared right on the premises.

When you visit Priam Vineyards, you’re supporting a leader in sustainable vineyard practices. In 2010, they became the first winery in New England to be completely solar powered. The vineyard hosts numerous events throughout the year, including live music, wine pairing classes, and comedy shows, making it perfect for a weekend getaway or special occasion celebration.

Connecticut 2025 Deals!
Get a discount of 15% to 70% on accommodation in Connecticut! Look for deals here:
Connecticut Hotels, Apartments, B&Bs

Priam Vineyards a Winiarski Family Vineyard

Priam Vineyards offers you a charming escape in the beautiful hills of Colchester, Connecticut. This family-owned vineyard combines stunning scenery with excellent wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region. When you visit, you’ll find yourself surrounded by rolling hills and picturesque views that create the perfect backdrop for wine tasting.

The vineyard hosts various events throughout the year, making it more than just a place to sample wine. You can check their calendar to find special tastings, live music, and seasonal celebrations that add to the experience. Their event venue is also popular for weddings, letting couples celebrate their special day among the vines.

Wine enthusiasts will appreciate their Wine Club, which has been enhanced to offer even better benefits. Joining gives you special access to their finest selections and exclusive events. The Winiarski family takes pride in their agricultural production, maintaining the farm and vineyard with care and attention to detail.

You’ll find the vineyard serves as both a working farm and a tourist attraction, giving you insight into the winemaking process while enjoying the fruits of their labor. Their commitment to quality is evident in every bottle they produce.

Rating: 4.4 (292 reviews)
Location: 11 Shailor Hill Rd, Colchester, CT 06415
Contact: (860) 267-8520
Website: Visit Website

Weddings and Events at Priam Vineyards

Priam Vineyards offers a stunning backdrop for your wedding day with its picturesque hilltop location surrounded by dancing vines. The combination of natural elegance and rustic charm creates a magical setting where you can exchange vows under the open sky in any season.

The dedicated wedding team works closely with each couple to bring dream weddings to life. They offer a complete site package and guide you through each step of the planning process, making it as stress-free as possible. Everything you need for a memorable celebration is provided.

You and your guests will enjoy the vineyard’s award-winning wines while celebrating in this breath-taking destination. The venue blends authentic beauty with world-class wines to create an unforgettable experience that many past couples say exceeded their expectations.

During your initial visit, the wedding experts will walk you through the details of their wedding offerings and discuss ways to customize the experience to fit your vision and budget. Their hands-on approach ensures your special day reflects your unique love story.

Rating: 4.8 (9 reviews)
Location: 11 Shailor Hill Rd suite a, Colchester, CT 06415
Contact: (860) 267-4860
Website: Visit Website

History of Priam Vineyards

Priam Vineyards has a rich history rooted in family tradition and a passion for winemaking that spans generations. The vineyard’s story includes both personal heritage and a commitment to sustainable wine production in Connecticut.

Founding and Early Years

Priam Vineyards was established in 1998 in the historic town of Colchester, Connecticut. The vineyard was named to honor founder Gloria Priam’s grandfather, Andrew Priam, whose vineyard and land were taken from him during the Russian Revolution in Hungary in the early 1900s. This naming created a beautiful connection between past and present winemaking traditions.

In 2002, Priam Vineyards became a licensed farm winery, marking an important milestone in its development. The winery officially opened its doors for retail sales in April 2003, welcoming visitors to experience their unique wines.

From the beginning, the founders had a vision of creating quality wines while maintaining a deep respect for the land. They chose the location carefully, settling in the Salmon River Watershed area.

Evolution of the Vineyard

Over the years, Priam Vineyards has grown into a 40-acre property with a strong reputation for excellence. The vineyard has developed a commitment to sustainability, becoming a completely solar-powered winery – one of the first in Connecticut to make this environmental commitment.

The winery has expanded its offerings to include thirteen international award-winning wines. All their wines are estate grown, blended, bottled, and cellared on premises, ensuring complete quality control from grape to glass.

In July 2022, Priam Vineyards entered a new chapter when new owners purchased the 40-acre vineyard and 20-year-old winery business. The new ownership continues to honor the traditions established by the founders while bringing fresh perspectives to the operation.

Winemaking Process

Priam Vineyards creates their award-winning wines using careful methods that respect the environment. Their estate-grown grapes are handled with precision from vine to bottle.

Sustainable Practices

Priam Vineyards stands out as Connecticut’s first completely solar-powered winery! When you visit, you’ll notice their commitment to the environment throughout the property. The vineyard sits in the beautiful Salmon River Watershed area and uses sustainable farming methods that protect the local ecosystem.

You’ll appreciate how they minimize chemical use in the vineyard, allowing the natural character of the grapes to shine through in each bottle. Their solar panels generate clean energy for the entire winemaking process, from crushing grapes to bottling the final product.

The owners even place bluebird houses throughout the vineyard to encourage natural pest control. These eco-friendly practices help create wines that truly reflect the unique Connecticut terroir.

Unique Varietals

When you taste Priam’s wines, you’ll experience flavors that showcase Connecticut’s growing conditions perfectly. Their collection includes twelve international award-winning varieties, all estate-grown and bottled on site.

You can sample their specialty whites, which often include crisp, aromatic options perfect for summer sipping. Their reds develop complex flavors that change with each season’s unique growing conditions.

The winemaking team, including owner Gary Crump who you might find behind the tasting bar, carefully blends and cellars each wine. Gary loves sharing his winemaking knowledge with visitors.

Each bottle represents the vineyard’s 20+ years of winemaking expertise. When you visit, ask about their current vintage’s special characteristics – the staff is always happy to explain what makes each release unique.