03/13/2025
RECORD-JOURNAL
Wallingford wineries can bring in more fruit from out of CT after their grapes were destroyed
By Christian Metzger,Staff WriterMarch 12, 2025
WALLINGFORD — Wineries in town can now supplement their crops with more grapes from out of state.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved the change unanimously under the expanded farm winery licenses.
Paradise Hills Vineyard founders Richard and Brenda Ruggiero proposed the change, which allows wineries to pursue additional liquor licenses on top of the existing winery license, specifically a manufacturer’s and craft cafe license.
The manufacturer's license allows them to purchase more grapes from outside Connecticut in the event that their crop is ruined or damaged, like they were in a hail storm at the end of the harvest season last year. The craft cafe liquor license allows them to sell wines and spirits from other Connecticut breweries, offering additional options for people who might want to try other liquor from across the state.
Jerry Ferrell Jr., an attorney with CT Liquor Law, said having the additional flexibility and security afforded by the additional licenses is important to stay profitable in the current landscape of farm wineries across the state – which have all been experiencing issues due to the changing weather.
“I have farm winery clients throughout Connecticut who are facing similar challenges due to the weather; I hear at least once a week from a farm winery," Ferrell said. "Many of those clients tell me they’re barely making enough profit to stay in business. I’ve handled the sale of several farm wineries over the last two years where founding farm winery families exited the business because they told me it had become too difficult."
Brenda Ruggiero said she felt the additional licenses would allow for alternative revenue streams that would allow them to continue to address the challenges in their niche market.
“It would absolutely be a blessing to have some help, right now we have no help,” Ruggiero said. “Any revenue is great revenue, especially in today’s market … you want to diversify to stay afloat. We continue to farm but unfortunately we’re subject to God and the weather.”
Though state statute only requires 25% of the fruit in their wine to be made with grapes grown natively on the farm, Paradise Hills has 50% in theirs — which is a point of pride to the owners.
Competition has increased for wineries like Paradise Hills and the nearby Gouveia Vineyards, as state regulations have allowed for urban wineries to begin to crop up around the state. While the Ruggieros said they weren’t afraid of the competition, they said it was unfair that urban wineries weren’t held to the same standards – with no restrictions as to the amount of state grown grapes were used in their wines.
“We are so meticulous. In the season we strive so hard, I still work like a dog and work a full-time job so we could continue to employ all the people that we have — because people, they really want their jobs and we love this town, and we love farming,” said Brenda Ruggiero.
She urged the commission to continue to support the wineries for the kind of attention and tourism they draw to the area. By allowing them to pursue the different licenses, she said, all it would allow them to do is better pay the bills.
“We are losing the market, we are losing the customers, people are going elsewhere, they’re not coming and visiting Wallingford and spending the money at all the places that we should in this unbelievable town,” she added.
Joe Gouveia, owner of Joe Gouveia Vineyards, said he supported the motion from Paradise Hills, noting how difficult business has been in recent years – and not just due to the weather.
He said his profits were slim, and while having enjoyed immense success in the past, are currently only pulling in as much profit as they did in 2013 – when the vineyard was only open four days a week.
Many neighbors surrounding the winery also showed up to the meeting to express their support for the owners, emphasizing that they felt both local wineries held an important position in the community and were worth supporting so they can continue to stay in operation and remain a draw to the area.
