Chamard Vineyards: Both Sides Speak Out

in Clinton is looking to expand their business, their visibility, their visitors and their bottom line - no doubt about it.  They are a business, after all, and businesses need customers and revenue to survive.

Patch sat down and spoke with Chamard General Manager Jeff Vernon and Director of Sales and Brand Management Bridget Riordan, to clear up some confusion over their application before the town's Planning & Zoning Commission and to allow them to provide an understanding of their plans for the vineyard.

A Little History of Chamard:

Chamard, located at 115 Cow Hill Road, has been in business since 1983 when the undeveloped property was purchased by William Chaney, the CEO of Tiffany & Company. The vineyard produced its first wines in 1988. In 2005, Dr. Jonathan Rothberg purchased the property from Chaney.

The property is comprised of 40 acres, half of which are used to grow grapes. They sell the majority of their wines wholesale and to restaurants and liquor stores. For 12 years, Chamard has won "Best Wine" honors from Connecticut Magazine.

Chamard produces a Sauvignon Blanc, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet, Merlot and Port.

"We are making wine, at least double the amount from when we first started," said Riordan. They will be introducing nine new wines this year.

In 2005, Chamard offered free tastings and in 2007, they encouraged folks to bring their own food and picnics to the property to enjoy with Chamard wine, said Riordan.

Unfortunately, people exploited this use, bringing with them huge coolers of food and drinks including wine and beer from Stop & Shop, said Vernon.

"The picnic idea was to get people on the property but the evolution of it was that folks took advantage of it," said Vernon. "They treated our property like Hammonasset or Chatfield Hollow but we weren't charging an entrance fee."

Just this January, outside food and drink was no longer allowed to be brought on the property.

"We let people know that we wanted to head in the direction of a bistro, serving local cheeses, breads, etc.," added Riordan.

Today, Chamard features a Singer-Songwriter Series on Fridays and Saturdays, and Bands in the Barn on Sundays. Both are free to the public. The Farm kitchen is open for lunch and dinner Friday-Sunday. Picnic baskets can be purchased ahead of time for any of the other events. There are food trucks on the property selling goodies, as well. Chamard is also part of the Connecticut Farm Wineries Wine Trail and Passport program.

Chamard's Goals:

"We want to make Chamard a destination on the shoreline and Connecticut and bring the beauty of the property and the quality of the wine to people everywhere," said Vernon. "In order to keep this property a 'jewel in the region' as many people have called it, we need to have a viable business - we need the people."

Vernon said their mission is to create a thriving economy here in Clinton and the surrounding area so everyone can benefit from it.

The vineyard business is growing in the state, he added. In 2005, there were 15 vineyards in Connecticut; in 2012 there are 32.

Chamard's Applications Before the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC):

Chamard applied for and has been granted by the town's PZC a "Farm Tourism" status.

As Vernon explained, "once we received the status (which we did), we can apply for continuous use activities - or things that are not event-driven, but on-going."

The PZC has not yet voted on this part of the application.

The second part of their application involves plans for a 35-seat bistro. Vernon said that PZC regulations allow for a farm market, a restaurant, and the sale of artisan items. They have applied for this through the PZC which has not yet voted on this part of the application.

Lastly, they are looking long-term and would like to be able to discuss having approval for 130-seats. There is no formal application of this desire before the PZC at this time.

"We are not trying to build a new banquet place," said Vernon. "This is about encompassing the entire site."

As Vernon explained, Chamard already has seating in their tasting room, picnic area, deck, the Barn and other outside areas which add up to about 100 "seats." They'd like to increase this to 130 seats.

These plans for the future mean the ability to receive approval for the whole site, not build a new restaurant or brand new space for 130-seats.

"Many neighbors viewed this as all new. It isn't. This doesn't mean we are building a new, 130-seat restaurant," reiterated Vernon.

The Neighbors And Others Speak Out:

At a recent public hearing conducted by the PZC, many neighbors to the property spoke out against issues at the vineyard including increased traffic and noise, and late-night loud music and fireworks.

The property is surrounded by residential roads including Country Village, Running Pine, Longate, Coach Light and Old School House Road.

Here are some of the remarks from residents at the public hearing:

"Every piece of property that abuts this winery is residential so small weddings with 50 people are OK, but the last affair there was huge and really loud. Then there were fireworks."

"Some people have young children and the noise is still going on at 10pm."

"We are not living in the city above a bar."

"Delivery trucks with trailers can't make the turn into the property. It's a safety issue."

"They are not following the letter of the law."

"Whatever has been granted in the past should be allowed, but nothing should be expanded."

"I am vehemently opposed to anything new at the vineyard."

"I don't see how this application benefits the town, it only benefits the owners of the vineyard."

"25 years ago there was no vineyard. Now we have a farmers' market, farm dinners, fireworks and loud music."

"I'm worried about it turning into Sturbridge Village."

"Where will the plans stop? I see a future inn or hotel."

"I'm opposed to any expansion mostly because of the noise issues."

"I live blocks away and have been woken up by music and fireworks."

"They have not been responsible neighbors."

"I have two little kids and one on the way. Because of the noise and traffic, they wake up and the dogs wake up."

"I've heard buses leaving after midnight."

"It used to be there was an occasional event, now it's an event center."

The public hearing on part of the Chamard application remains open to July 30. The next meeting of the town's Planning & Zoning Commission is July 30, 7pm, at .