A Day on Lake Quassapaug: Making a Full Afternoon of Your Visit

A Day on Lake Quassapaug: Making a Full Afternoon of Your Visit

Looking for a day trip in Connecticut that does not require a plan B? Middlebury sits an easy drive from Hartford, New Haven, and Fairfield County, and Lake Quassapaug gives you a full afternoon in one place: a working vineyard, dinner nearby, a little shopping, and a nightcap before the drive home. Here is how to enjoy the whole day.

What is there to do on Lake Quassapaug in Middlebury, CT?

Start at Tranquillity Vineyard & Winery, 45 lakeside acres that remain from the original 300 acre J.H. Whittemore estate, Tranquillity Farm. The estate was developed in the 1890s by industrialist John H. Whittemore, with architecture by the famed firm McKim, Mead & White, and is stewarded today by the Yimoyines family, chosen by the Whittemore heirs. It is the kind of setting where an afternoon disappears easily.

How should I start the afternoon?

Arrive early for the Exclusive Guided Tour and Tasting, $50 per person, which covers the farm's history, the winemaking and aging facility, and a sampling of wines made on site by Head Winemaker Frank Renaldi. Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours, and read what to expect at your first wine tasting if it is your first visit. Prefer a slower pace? Do a self guided tasting from an Adirondack chair on the lawn, no reservation needed.

Where should I settle in for the view?

Reserve a Vineyard Terrace Table for up to 6 at $50 for 2 hours, gather up to 8 at the Estate Gathering Table for $75, or claim the Sunset Fire Lounge around the propane fire pit as the light goes gold over the lake. You can bring your own food, and food trucks are on site when available, so a lakeside picnic is easy. Leashed dogs are welcome to make the day of it too.

What about dinner, shopping, and a nightcap?

Middlebury and the surrounding towns make the rest of the evening simple. Sister property Vyne Restaurant & Bar in Middlebury is the natural dinner reservation after the vineyard, and the village centers nearby offer boutique shopping before you head back for a final glass. It is a complete day out without ever leaving the neighborhood.

How do I plan my visit?

Check hours and book your tasting or table by emailing taste@tranquillityvineyard.com, and see what is coming up at the vineyard to time your trip with live music or a seasonal event. One lake, one afternoon, and every part of the day already planned.

Frequently Asked Questions