CT Winery Named Among 10 Best Wine Tasting Rooms In America

NEWTOWN, CT — A Newtown vineyard has been named one of the best wine tasting rooms in the country.

Aquila's Nest Vineyards ranked No. 5 in the nation in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Wine Tasting Room, making it the highest-ranked tasting room in New England and the region's only winery to make the national top 10.

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The annual awards begin with a slate of nominees selected by an expert panel before winners are determined through public voting.

"This recognition is incredibly meaningful because it comes directly from the people who have visited us, celebrated life's special moments with us, and supported our journey," co-founder Neviana Zhgaba said in a statement. "To be recognized among the best wine tasting rooms in America—and to represent New England on this national stage—is an honor beyond anything we imagined."

Zhgaba founded Aquila's Nest Vineyards with her husband, Ardian Llomi. The vineyard pairs its wines with experiences including live music, comedy shows, seasonal events, wine pairings and educational programs.

"We've always believed that great wine is only part of the experience," Llomi said. "Our goal has been to create a place where people feel welcome, celebrate together, and leave with memories they'll want to relive."

The latest recognition joins several other honors for the Newtown business. Aquila's Nest has previously been named Connecticut Magazine's Best Vineyard in Connecticut and was named the 2025 National Small Producer Winery of the Year by the Libation National Wine Competition.

The vineyard was also named the U.S. Small Business Administration's 2024 Connecticut Manufacturer of the Year and was selected as one of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Top 70 Small Businesses in America in 2023.

Aquila's Nest Vineyards is located at 56 Pole Bridge Road in Sandy Hook. The vineyard is open 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 1 to 9 p.m. Fridays, and 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Visit Aquila's Nest Vineyards website