Commercial wineries didn’t get started in this state until 1978, when the Connecticut Winery Act was passed with the encouragement of Haight Winery. The state now has over ten wineries, most of which are located in the SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND AVA, which it shares with Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The few other wineries in the state are in the West Connecticut Highlands AVA, which encompasses a little over 1 million acres in the state’s southwestern section. Although this region is the cooler of the two areas, it gains a warming influence from Long Island Sound, which runs along the state’s southern edge. The most popular grapes here are HYBRIDS like VIDAL BLANC, SEYVAL BLANC, CHANCELLOR, CAYUGA, MARÉCHAL FOCH, and AURORA. VITIS VINIFERA varieties like CHARDONNAY, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, PINOT NOIR, MERLOT, CABERNET FRANC, and RIESLING are also grown.