Rainy and cool? Grapes love it

Trying to grow anything with a very late start to the summer and then lots of rain has been hard. Except for grapes.The grapes are thriving at Land of Nod Winery on Lower Road. “It’s all about not having a late frost,” said Dan Adam, “and controlling mildew.”His nephew, Sam Adam, 18, was helping out in the shop during last weekend’s influx of customers, drawn by Railroad Days and as part of the Passport to Connecticut Farm Wineries summer tour. Sam said the grapes are much larger than normal, which is surprising to hear when many cornfields are noticeably behind schedule and some gardeners are still waiting for blooms on their tomato plants.It was Bill “Doc” Adam, Dan’s father and Sam’s grandfather, who planted the first vines about 15 years ago. The retired orthopedist was determined the land that had been in his family since the town was settled would not become a tax burden to his family. It has become a labor of love for his family, with the generations embracing the wealth the land has to offer. The winery even sells yarn made from the wool of the sheep they raise.Land of Nod is getting attention for its well-crafted wines, and lack of pretense.There are the fruity bianca and rosé. From fruit grown at the farm, and often picked by the grandchildren, there is raspberry, blueberry-raspberry and peach, all of which sell extremely well. The peach, an amazingly light and flavorful wine, is already gone. Another batch will be ready in October.Many of the wines are now aged in stainless steel barrels, which impart no flavor to the wine.“People are getting away from the taste from the oak barrels,” Adam said.That’s OK, but they still offer their rich red Ironmaster Reserve, named for the family and the land’s iron-age heritage. It is mellowing in barrels made from an ancient oak that fell on the farm.New this year is Flyfisher white, bottled in 2013 and named in honor of the Orvis fly-fishing demonstrations held on the lawn on many weekends. For hours and more information, go to www.landofnodwinery.com.

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