When it comes to the debate about which American-made wine tastes better — the East Coast vs. the West Coast — a range of factors come into play that make this a complex discussion. Everything from the local climate, soil quality, the type of grapes, and more all come together to determine how a particular wine tastes. 

The Eastern and Western Coasts of the United States offer wineries the chance to establish a unique identity, but what about spaces with a presence on each coast? What does it mean to be a bi-coastal winery in an industry where East vs. West can drive the conversation? 

Defining Bi-Coastal Wineries

Where you grow your grapes plays a sizable role in the overall quality of your wine after the production process finishes. When you’re dealing with a winery that has a presence on both coasts, it presents wine connoisseurs with a unique opportunity to taste the best of these special wine-making regions. 

Connecticut wine regions may offer a more difficult winter climate to grow grapes, but that does not mean that it’s without its own unique flavors. California wine regions feature a larger selection of grape growers to choose from and a more favorable climate for year-round agriculture. For a bi-coastal winery, they can combine the best of both coasts and offer a wider selection of wines for their customers while representing the uniqueness of both. 

What Makes a Coastal Winery?

No matter the coast your winery resides in, certain factors determine whether your winery can be considered “coastal” or not. The closer you are to the coast, the more things like strong cold coastal winds can affect your grape harvest. The drastic temperature changes can affect your grapes’ quality, yield, and more. Winemakers must account for these changes and ensure a relatively sustainable growing season. Here in our Connecticut wine region, we are 9 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, giving us cool ocean breezes and some protection from spring frost.

How Our Bi-Coastal Winery Opens Up Opportunities

With the differences in Connecticut and California wines potentially forging strong allegiances in wine drinkers, finding ways to appeal to the widest audience possible becomes crucial. People who prefer one or the other gravitate towards brands specializing in a particular type. Still, if they could find a winery that can offer high-quality options from both coasts, it would be a best-of-both-worlds situation.

Jonathan Edwards Winery has two distinct harvests throughout the year — one from our East Coast fields and the other from the West Coast fields. We offer our customers a taste from both coasts that captures what makes each one truly unique. The West Coast grapes get harvested and fermented in each California wine region and transported across the country to our Connecticut winery to be properly aged. 

Get the Best of Both Coasts at Jonathan Edwards Winery

When looking for a winery tour in Stonington, CT, finding one that offers more than just typical east coast wines can seem impossible. These localized wineries focus on the local climate and how they can make a better product, so they wouldn’t worry about offering anything from the West Coast. That’s where having a bi-coastal winery like ours can open up new opportunities for our visitors. 

Our unique options representing both coasts give our customers and visitors a wealth of options for their wine needs. With both coasts being aged in our Connecticut winery, you’ll have direct access to our unique lineup when you visit our tasting room. Plan your next visit and taste the bi-coastal difference today!