Woodbury Jams Win Food Awards

The second time's the charm for Woodbury's Winding Drive artisan jam company. After coming up empty in 2010's contest, the small business received three awards in the 2011 CT Specialty Food Product Awards Competition.

In the Savory Condiment category, Habenero Gold Jelly and Roasted Garlic Caramelized Onion Jam tied with another product for second place.

Apple Pie Jam received the first place award in the CT Grown category. This category recognizes products that are made with at least 50 percent of their ingredients grown in Connecticut.

"We pretty much insist on local produce," said co-owner Ron Pinto of the award-winning jams and jellies.

From the company's inception, owners Pinto and Fran Adams have used only local fruit for the majority of their jams, with the exception of the citrus products.

The Woodbury husband-and-wife team started the business when Pinto was let go from his sales job in 2008.

"It all came out of unemployment," said Pinto. 

To keep busy, Pinto planned to sell the vegetables from the couple's garden at the Woodbury Farmer's Market while Adams continued to commute to her job in Hartford.

"At the first farmer's market, it was early in the season," said Pinto. "It was cold and damp, so we didn't have much to sell."

"I had picked a bunch of currants and made 12 jars of jelly," said Adams.

The jars sold out quickly and a business was born.

Adams figured they would sell about 150 jars that first summer. They sold 1,000 jars.

"That's the nice thing about being a small company," said Adams. "We have a great test market at the farmer's market."

The couple quickly realized their need for more space and moved into the current facilities almost a year ago. They outfitted the space with a commercial kitchen and increased their production to 10,000 jars in 2010.

Adams and Pinto now run the business full time and are planning on doubling the company's production to 20,000 jars this year. The company produces about 42 flavors, with some unique flavor combinations.

"I'm a self-taught cook," said Adams, "so I'd find ideas in cookbooks, off the Internet and looking at other specialty jams."

Winding Drive jam flavors range from the classics, such as strawberry and raspberry, to more unusual pairings, such as Pear Honey & Ginger, Black Cherry with Pinot Noir and Meyer Lemon & Kiwi Marmalade.

The jams and jellies are available at various farmer's markets, Ovens of France, New Morning, La Bonne's and The Meat House in Newtown. Jars are sold for $7.95. Visit the company's website for more information.