Popular Wine-Food-Eagles Series

Is Returning To Sandy Hook

McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook will open its annual “Wine, Food, and Eagles” series on Saturday, January 15.

Every Saturday and Sunday through February 20, the vineyard will combine eagle watching, wine tasting and lunch into a comprehensive program. Beginning at 9 am, participants will carpool from the vineyard on Albert’s Hill Road, to the Bald Eagle Observatory in Southbury.

A private wine tasting and a private tour of the winery is next, following by a three course lunch paired with McLaughlin wines at Compass Restaurant in Newtown.

Space is very limited and reservations are necessary. The price per person is $50 plus tax and gratuity. Call 426-1533 to make a reservation.

McLaughlin Vineyards is a 160-acre farm winery dedicated to producing quality wines while preserving open space and protecting endangered species. The vineyard is host to up to 40 bald eagles every December through March. The eagles migrate from Canada and follow the Housatonic River looking for unfrozen feeding areas.

The Shepaug Dam on the Housatonic provides an ideal roosting are for these birds. The birds perch in the huge trees along the Sandy Hook side of the river.

McLaughlin Vineyards, The Nature Conservancy and Northeast Utilities work together to provide the eagles with a nondisruptive winter home.

Northeast Utilities provides an observatory in Southbury to allow the public to view these majestic and threatened birds in a sanctioned and protected environment.

The observatory is open by advance reservation only.