I had no idea this was even a thing, but recently, I discovered an interactive map that does a marvelous job of outlining the "Connecticut Cheese Trail." It includes eight local artisan cheese makers. Check it out here:

So, like I said, Natalie Clunan at onlyinyourstate.com did an awesome job laying out the map and giving great descriptions introducing the cheese destinations, but already having a Connecticut Beer and Wine Trail, do we really NEED a Connecticut CHEESE Trail?

Don't get me wrong, I come from a long line of cheese lovers, but not cheese snobs. I've been known to buy a store brand cheddar every once in awhile which is looked down upon by the highbrows.

Because of my short attention span, the Cheese Trail my friends and I would choose to follow has to be much closer to the Danbury area, be much shorter, and include a vineyard stop. It's that whole "wine n' cheese" thing. That's why I've custom built my own shorter and simpler Wine & Cheese Trail.

My rule is when the cheese platter comes out so does the wine which is why our first stop is Hopkins Vineyard on Lake Waramug to pick up some decent bottles of wine. From Hopkins, we'll take a 40-minute drive up Rt. 7 to Falls Village to a cheese lover's paradise called Rustling Wind Creamery. All their cheese is handmade and I'm told that it's a cheese aficionado's dream come true.

Our next and last Cheese Trail stop is Arethusa Farm at 822 Bantam Rd. in Bantam. There is some wine left, right? Cool, so let's pop in and buy our last chunk of fancy ass cheese and head home for a nap. There you have it, people. I have taken the original Cheese Trail excursion from three hours to 45 minutes. You're welcome!

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