Chateau le' Gari' "A Fine Time Among The Vines"

Profile and photos by Ali Kaufman

It never fails to amaze me that even after all the miles I’ve traveled around our beautiful state, there are still gems to uncover, Chateau Le Gari is definitely one of them. Located just off Route 2 in Marlborough, Connecticut, the vineyard is surrounded by the Salmon River Forest and sandwiched between the Blackledge River and Fawn Brook. This location affords guests easy access to a natural setting that feels worlds away while they enjoy what the Chateau Le Gari has to offer. I met owners Gary & Caroline about a year ago and since then have had the chance to visit on several occasions. I was immediately intrigued by Gary’s southern accent and their Fleur Di Lis branding on their wine labels, my radar was not far off as I learned West Monroe Louisiana is where Gary hails from. There have been lots of stops along the way from LA to CT, I’ll start by thanking Gary for his service to our country, as a Marine right out of High School, thank you Sir. As if the Marines weren’t proving ground enough, Gary next went to work on the drilling platforms, some 120 miles out in the ocean for stretches of 7 to 28 days at a time. 7 years was long enough to know that this was not what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. The opportunity to come to Connecticut presented itself and he has been here ever since. First landing in Fairfield surrounded by some very tony neighbors and then to West Hartford where he was making homemade wine. Around this time he found a mentor in Dr Richard Kiyomoto, former researcher at Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, Department of Forestry and Horticulture. Gary had glowing things to say about Kiyomoto and how his expertise helped take a hobby, albeit one he was passionate about, to a brand new level.

In 1996 Gary became the owner of the property in Colchester that is now Priam Vineyards, fast forward to 2015 with the purchase of 20 acres in Marlborough and a new beginning for Gary and his wife Caroline. The couple spent time traveling extensively in Portugal, and through the wine country of California. Visiting wineries and the many friends Gary had cultivated from years in the business. The couple gathered inspiration that they would bring back and use to create the Chateau Le Gari. The barrel room, patios and tasting room are all welcoming spaces with multi-use possibilities. This is a place where everyone is welcome, there is no elitist feel whatsoever, much to the contrary, you will feel like a neighbor or even family when you walk through the door. Not a wine connoisseur? No problem, do a tasting see what you like, the staff is always ready to share descriptions and suggestions. They are also adept in whipping up wine slushee’s if that is more to your liking. In addition, Gary and Caroline have several creative options for any event you may be planning, from

Weddings to Showers, Birthdays to Retirement, if you want to celebrate it they are accommodating and ready to work with you to realize the event of your dreams. They have found that a capacity of about 125 works well, while the venue can hold many more, this number allows for an experience that people can enjoy without feeling overwhelmed or lost in the crowd. If you want control over catering, table set up and the like, you are welcome to take the reigns but know that they are more than able to help you with all of that and have much of what you may need already on property. Open year round, barring any more pandemic closings, each season brings something different. There are picnic tables and fire rings set up along the Fawn Brook that runs the length of their property, creating an absolutely perfect place to perch for a picnic!

“This is a family business and they have a gift for making you feel welcome, maybe it’s the southern hospitality or just the fact they are happy to be living the life they are creating...”

They welcome guests to also enjoy the flourishing wild life that they live side by side with. Bird lovers, bring your binoculars, you are sure to get an eyeful on most any day. Another way they cohabitate with their surroundings is to not use harmful products on the vines. Birds that have moved into the houses they put up take care of most incests and a family of Bobcats has been keeping the grape loving deer and turkeys in check. Wine making, I’ve learned from my conversation with Gary, is a dance of sorts, with Mother Nature playing the tune. Next combine science with experience and throw in some luck for good measure. Before the harvest in September the month of August is when the grapes go through a process of veraison, meaning the grapes begin to change color from green to red or translucent for the white wines. Which by the way Gary reminds me white wine is clear not white of course! This is also the time when the ripening grape’s sugar content grows and decisions need to be made according to the forecasted weather and what’s happening in the field. The refractometer is one of the tools to help guide decisions by measuring the sugar content but, “if you’ve done it long enough, you know when it’s right.” Gary also went on to say the they had a beautiful fruit set this year, thanks again in part to the gravely soil that births his vines.

This year I attended one of their dinner events, held in the largest of the rooms, seated at beautifully finished wood tables that run almost the entire width of the room. The evening featured a 5 course meal expertly prepared by Chef Michael Damato, plated artistically and served at perfect temperature. The meal had wine pairings and music by Scott Fellows whom serenaded us but still made it possible to have a conversation. I was glad of that because we were seated next to the most interesting couple that had arrived at the Chateau in their RV for a night of boondocking. Gary’s property is listed on Harvest Host, a travel club site offering unique camping experiences at vineyards, breweries, farms and other surprising locations like museums and attractions. Also this year the Chateau launched what they hope will be a tradition with the Bayou Boogie on Friday of Labor Day weekend. Being extra cautious about Covid led them to keep the inaugural festival guests to a number that allowed for wide spacing, lots of room to dance, no waiting in lines for food/drink and plenty of seating/tables for any guests that wanted them. Musical line up included Steve Riley who made the trip from Louisiana for his first performance in almost 2 years, they hope to have him back next year.

Weather permitting, Sunday’s, they have live music on the patio, if weather is not so agreeable it is moved inside. While inside I would also invite you to check out the large scale paintings that adorn the walls, they are Caroline’s creations and some are for sale. Caroline grew up in Colchester and has found a way to keep a whole bunch of plates spinning! Besides being an integral part of every facet of running the winery, event planning and booking music, she is Mom to the couple’s young son Jesse who clearly is the apple of both his parents eye’s. This is a family business and they have a gift for making you feel welcome, maybe it’s the southern hospitality or just the fact they are happy to be living the life they are creating, whatever it is you are invited to experience for yourself…and bring a friend while you are at it! Cheers!

Please visit www.chateaulegari.com for details, info and hours. Stay connected by signing up for their emails so you won’t miss a thing.