Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | APRIL 20, 2026 15 death in late 2023 set in motion Bob's decision to sell and relocate closer to family in Maryland. More than a few prospective buyers came with development plans in mind. "We chose to purchase it and continue on with beautiful agricultural land, farm land and vineyard opera- tions," Briere said. More than wine With national wine spending in decline, small wineries that once built their businesses around volume are looking for other ways to fill their glasses. Criollo, whose Hopkins Vineyard sits in rural northwestern Connecticut, says hosting events has become essential to survive. "We definitely have a vineyard, we grow our grapes," she said, "but we need to bring people in. Business has been … challenging for wineries, to be honest." At Cassidy Hill, Briere is estab- lishing a full hospitality calendar. The winery has 19 Friday night music events scheduled this season, which can draw close to 200 cars on peak summer evenings. A stage and outdoor pavilion are under construction near the vines. The tasting room already hosts trivia nights and painting events, and weddings are now on the table. By June, the original homestead on the property is expected to be listed on Airbnb, giving visitors the chance to spend a weekend at a working vineyard. "In order to sell more wine, you have to host events," Briere said. The winery also distributes to more than 30 package stores within about 15 miles of Coventry, and Briere is in talks with a local brewery to bring craft beer to the tasting room. Cassidy Hill participates in the state-run Connecticut Farm Winery Passport Program, which encourages visitors to travel to different wineries and collect stamps — part of a broader effort to draw more tourism to the industry. Looking ahead Connecticut's wine industry has faced a series of headwinds. Criollo said wineries lost their Sunday-sales exclusivity in 2012 when the state began allowing package stores to open on Sundays, erasing a competi- tive advantage they long held. Also, a manufacturer's permit now allows Connecticut wineries to operate without growing any grapes — instead, they can be imported — which Criollo said has diluted the market for traditional farm wineries. And a longstanding effort to allow wine to be sold in grocery stores — already permitted in more than 40 states — has stalled repeatedly in the legislature. "You can go into your grocery store and buy a Connecticut beer, but you can't buy a Connecticut wine," Criollo lamented. Despite those pressures, the state's winery count has remained relatively stable. The association has added new members even as some older opera- tions have closed or been sold, she said. Current listings include Chamard Vineyards in Clinton — a 38.75-acre shoreline estate established in 1983, with a French bistro, tasting room and 20 acres of planted vines. The asking price is $8.5 million, according to a listing from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. And in Woodstock, Taylor Brooke Winery & Brewery, a 43-acre operation founded in 1999 by Richard and Linda Auger that includes a winery, brewery, commercial kitchen and residence, is on the market at $3.5 million, according to the listing. O'Donnell said the industry's future will depend on whether new buyers bring not just enthusiasm, but a clear understanding of the demands of running a hospitality business and the work required to build an experience that goes beyond wine. "The idea that you could just sort of take over from your mom and your dad or your grandfather and run it the same way, given all the national trends that you're seeing in the industry — that's just not going to work," he said. "The folks who are really making headway are the ones running this with a much larger hospi- tality concept, or the lifestyle buyer who has a certain tolerance to price fluctuations that a traditional industry buyer probably wouldn't have." Three bottles of wine from Cassidy Hill Vineyard, including (from left) Summer Breeze, Jet's Red and Pink Catawba. HBJ Photo | Brian Ambrose Focused on Building a Strong Foundation The construction industry is extremely fragmented, fiercely competitive, and carries high risks. We can help improve your odds. "Citrin Cooperman" is the brand name under which Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC and its subsidiaries provide professional services. Citrin Cooperman & Company, LLP and Citrin Cooperman Advisors LLC (and its subsidiaries) practice as an alternative practice structure in accordance with the AICPA Code of Professional Conduct and applicable law, regulations, and professional standards. 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