One for the Trail Wine to Benefit NRVT’s Ridgefield Ramble

There’s a new way to help NRVT (Norwalk River Valley Trail) build the Ridgefield Ramble - “One for the Trail”, a 2019 Central California Meritage.  A portion from the sale of every bottle will go directly to the NRVT.   Commissioned by Mitch Ancona (Ancona’s Wines and Liquors), it’s on sale now in Ancona’s three locations. (Ridgefield Center, Branchville and Wilton.)

Click HERE to purchase.

“It is an extremely pleasant way to help raise the $130,000 still needed to complete design and engineering for the planned 1.6 mile Ridgefield Ramble trail.  So, please, buy a bottle and help build a trail! Once again, Mitch Ancona has shown his strong commitment to making the Ridgefield Ramble a reality by creating this great wine to benefit the NRVT!  ” - Beth J. Merrill, Executive Director NRVT

 The winery notes state: "This Meritage is the best representation of a winemaker using all the tools he has to make the best wine possible. The wine is crafted over several tasting sessions with the winemaking team fine tuning all aspects from flavor and aromas to structure and mouthfeel. On the nose: aromas of sage, licorice, and blackberry. On the palate: chocolate, currants, and black olives. Pair with pot roast, French onion soup, or Italian sausage pasta."

The Ridgefield Ramble is an important new section of the NRVT.  It will connect directly to the Redding section now under construction, resulting in 2.8 miles of 10’wide crushed stone, multipurpose trail; perfect for hiking, biking, pushing baby strollers and wheelchair visitors. Ridgefield Ramble’s beautiful property begins at a pond adjacent to the Norwalk River (Rt. 7 & Simpaug Turnpike), and follows around the pond, along the Norwalk River then begins a climb into the Berkshire foothills. There it wanders serenely among large old trees, rock outcroppings, and in sight of a nearby rock escarpment.  The top section of this trail runs through a sheep fold from the early 1900’s (at Bobby’s Court) before it connects to the NRVT Redding Mile (currently in pre-construction).    Once complete, the NRVT Ridgefield section will be a 5 mile trail connecting Wilton to Redding trails.  For a view of the trail site, click here.

The Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) recently received a $3 million construction grant through support of the Town of Ridgefield and WestCOG (Western CT Council of Governments). This grant will cover all construction for the 1.6 mile Ridgefield Ramble trail.  It is the single largest grant received by NRVT since its inception in 2012. To activate this grant, NRVT needs to raise $130,000 (only 4% of the grant amount) to complete design, engineering, leasing applications, and all state and local permitting. 

During the Coronavirus pandemic, the NRVT had trail use spike up to 260% over prior years.  NRVT has completed 8.2 miles of trail, with 3.4 miles under construction and 18 miles more to go.  NRVT is in planning or in construction in all 5 of the trail towns. 

Photo shows NRVT Ridgefield Team: l to r: Jana Hogan, Brian Turskowski, Beth Merrill, Mitch Ancona, Kitsey Snow,