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What an absolute hidden gem. I def mean hidden, because I circled the parking lot a few times to make sure I was in the right spot because I kept questioning myself because I was half paying attention to where I was going. Post work brain for the win. And I def mean gem because the wine and cider here are some of the best I've had in CT. For me, it's the flavor combos. It's not just red or white wine, there is FLAVOR. It's not a plain cider, they have flavor. I can't pick a favorite because I liked everything I tasted in its own individual way. I can't wait to come back and try more of what's in store here, because my taste buds are going to love the experience. Ambiance wise, it's beyond adorable in here, from the coach, to the twinkle lights, to the armor on the walls. And I'm sorry, Zelda the dog steals the show and is the cutest pup ever. The owner is hilarious and he knows how to make wine. I mean, he KNOWS how to make WINE. I'm so impressed and obsessed. I now need to move closer because this is going to be one of my new hangout places for sure.
Went to Valor Wines in North Haven last week and it was incredible. We sampled a list of wines and ciders and were excited for the unveiling of the new Apple Theory logo. We were greeted by the worlds best sommelier, Zelda. Her sweet demeanor was only matched by her rapid tail wagging... Her other alias is wind dog. The room has a natural wood feel and is lit with beautiful low lighting. All of the wines and ciders were absolutely wonderful. The stand outs in my world were the petite sirah and the peaches and cream cider. However, I would happily have seconds of them allllll. It's definitely a space that you can spend many hours. The owner is so kind and creative! He is constantly making new creations. His names are so fun. Any Mean Girls Dan would try "That's So Fetch" and Hot Mess is here fun. If you haven't gone to this little gem you are missing out!
Great little place in North Haven for wines and ciders! Quiet for a Sunday...wish more people were there hanging out. Last Sunday of August so understandable. Inside or outside seating, bring some snacks and hang out!
Valor Wines is a craft microwinery and cidery that opened in North Haven, Connecticut in September 2021. It was founded by Ray Iannucci. Born into a family of winemakers, Iannucci began working at his grandfather's make-your-own wine business which was named The Wine Press. After a while, he became completely consumed with a passion for winemaking. When his grandfather decided to retire, Iannucci decided to take the same space on Quinnipiac Avenue and repurpose it to house his own winery and tasting room. Although he creates traditional styles, he also experiments and puts a modern twist on his wines. Around the same time Valor Wines opened its doors, Iannucci also started the sister business Apple Theory Cider (located in the same space). His mission with the cidery is to locate "heirloom" apple varieties and craft traditional dry European-style ciders which became rare in the United States following Prohibition. I was recently invited to Valor Wines for an exclusive tasting event for food bloggers. The event also coinciding with the release of the new Apple Theory logo. The winery is just a short drive from my home. The tasting room was cozy with lots of medieval decor. Iannucci was a friendly host who made us all feel right at home. The wines that we sampled included the "Dry Riesling", "Hot Mess" (Petite Sirah Blend), and "That Is So Fetch" (Cayuga infused with black currant and spices). I'm partial to Petite Sirah, so "Hot Mess" was my favorite. The ciders that we tried included "House Blend Barrel Aged Off-Dry Cider" (made from a blend of 9 locally-grown apple varieties) and "Peaches & Cream" (Sweet Peach Cider made with Oak Milk). The House Blend was my favorite of the two. North Haven-based CT Chowder Company were on hand to cater the event. They brought along several finger foods such as their Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese. My favorite was easily their Connecticut Clam Chowder which they described as a hybrid between New England and Manhattan-style clam chowders. I had a great experience at Valor Wines and look forward to returning! Thanks to Elizabeth Miedsinksi for organizing the event, Ray Iannucci for the delicious libations, and CT Chowder Co for the delicious food!
We've been to Valor Wines a handful of times now, and the wines and ciders are always on point. I am a die-hard fan of dry wines (never anything sweet) and Ray, the owner shocked me with the Dry Riesling... it's now my favorite white! All of the reds are thoroughly enjoyable - the Pinot Noir, the Zinfandel and the Malbec were all solid choices. We've seen some pretty good live music there on Friday nights... Valor Wines is a great destination for a date, a girls' night out, or a friends get-together. They also just added a bunch of board games to encourage people to come and linger. Note: This is a genuine winery, but it's not a vineyard. Don't expect to be strolling through the grapevines taking selfies. There is a nice spacious outdoor seating area with a gazebo and plenty of seating. You can take selfies with the wrought-iron carriage, the warrior helmets, or your flight of wine and cider. Oh, and don't forget to visit the #winedog - her name is Zelda. I'm pretty sure other people had dogs there, too. Plenty of tables and chairs - bring your own snacks or get DoorDash delivery. You won't be disappointed!
Valor Wines / Apple Theory Cidery was recommended to us by a craft beer friend so we checked them out. I'd classify this place as more of an urban winery/cidery which presents itself in the style that's more of a local craft brewery than your traditional scenic winery. Be prepared... You're not going to roll up a winding country road, passing rows of grape vines and pastures of horses. No, this urban destination is conveniently located just minutes off of I-91 in an industrial area of North Haven. That said, it should not be overlooked due to the lack of "quaintness"... Yes, you can still wear a cute dress and bring your picnic basket full of cheese, grapes and cucumber sandwiches. We did! But you also may be surprised to find a yummy food truck on-site along with bands and trivia too! Once inside, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the feudal decor (passed down by family over generations of wine makers) and attentive staff. There are several wines and ciders available to try. You can get a flight or buy a bottle. There's plenty of seating so bring your family and friends too! Oh - and it's dog-friendly inside and out with plenty of space to get away from Fido if you have allergies or just don't like dogs (you monster). I'm not sure if people under 21 are allowed... But I get the feeling it's fine as long as you keep an eye on the kiddos. The day we went, it was pretty hot and humid and we did have our giant, furry dog with us so we opted to sit inside in the AC. But they do have a lovely outdoor seating area with plenty of room to stretch your legs and plenty of seating with umbrellas that create shade. The wine and the cider were great! The owner was there and he kindly picked me out a flight of wines to try that paired well with the cheese we brought. I also got to try a glass of cider that presented as more of a wine and it was delicious! My manfriend also enjoyed his wines as well. If you're looking for a winery/Cidery with an urban, modern vibe, plenty of parking, plenty of seating (inside and out) that's dog friendly and people friendly, please pay them a visit! You won't be disappointed!
6 months ago
I've been here once before for a painting class and it was amazing Since then, there have been many updates to the menu, including wine mixers, and different ciders. We got a flight of ciders this time, and tried to 8 different flavors. This has to be one of my favorite places for cider as there are about 20 different flavors ranging from sweet, sour, and even spicy!! There is an outdoor seating area and a bunch of seating inside. There are a ton of games to choose from. What's even better as this place this dog friendly! read more
I came to Valor Wines for an event, and trust your GPS! I thought I was being directed to a random construction company, but Valor Wines has a door in the "elbow" of another building. There are signs and arrows. There is parking, but not a huge amount. The inside is indescribable in a few words. Elvis is on a balcony, theres a carousel horse, and the lights on what may be barrels are changing periodically. They also have their own merchandise. The seating includes plush velvet couches, a really long table, and outdoors with lights. There are two restrooms. The drinks themselves were fun. For non-drinkers, they are a Coke spot. I had a blueberry lemonade sangria, and could feel the antioxidants. It was something I actually enjoyed, and it's rare for me to say. The star was the adorable puppy. I hope she was tipped well. read more
Valor Wines is the first micro winery in North Haven and a really cool spot that you definitely need to check out! Here's the scoop: So the place itself is located in a business park, and not at all where you'd expect a winery to be. But once you get inside, it's extremely warm and cozy! The theme is medieval, with a life-size suit of armor greeting you when you walk in. They also have knight's helmets and shields on the walls, etc. It's pretty cool. There's a large table in the middle of the room to sit at if you have a big group, and smaller high-top tables surrounding. They also have a several vintage couches to sit on, which were comfy. There's an electric fireplace on the back wall, adding to the cozy feel. They have a bookcase with board games available to play. Now let's talk about the wines... excellent! I was very surprised by the large variety of wines and similar beverages they have on their menu. They have the standard reds and whites of course, but then also wine fusions, sangrias, traditional ciders, and flavored ciders. For my first drink I ordered the Peachy Keen Sangria, which is a blend of California red wines with peach, black currant, grape juice, lemon juice, lime juice, and mixed berries... delicious! After that, I ordered the "Grandma's Kisses" wine fusion, which is Pinot Grigio infused with strawberry, butterscotch, lime, and French oak. Also very good! I thought the wines were all very reasonably-priced, with most of the red/white wines being $9 a glass, and the wine fusions $8 a glass. The owner, who was the only employee working at the time, was very friendly. I went on a Sunday afternoon and the place was not that crowded, which was nice. They had a guitarist and singer playing who very good. The owner's dog, Zelda, was super cute and friendly! One thing to note is that, while they do have pre-packaged cheese, crackers, and a couple other light snacks available, they don't serve any other food, though you are welcome to bring your own. You're also allowed to bring pets! (both inside and outside). Although it was too cold to sit outside, they do have a nice patio area in back. Overall I would definitely recommend taking a trip to Valor Wines, and I'm already looking forward to going back! read more
Business owner information
Raymond I.
I'm truly grateful that you took the time to share your experience.…
What an absolute hidden gem. I def mean hidden, because I circled the parking lot a few times to make sure I was in the right spot because I kept questioning myself because I was half paying attention to where I was going. Post work brain for the win. And I def mean gem because the wine and cider here are some of the best I've had in CT. For me, it's the flavor combos. It's not just red or white wine, there is FLAVOR. It's not a plain cider, they have flavor. I can't pick a favorite because I liked everything I tasted in its own individual way. I can't wait to come back and try more of what's in store here, because my taste buds are going to love the experience. Ambiance wise, it's beyond adorable in here, from the coach, to the twinkle lights, to the armor on the walls. And I'm sorry, Zelda the dog steals the show and is the cutest pup ever. The owner is hilarious and he knows how to make wine. I mean, he KNOWS how to make WINE. I'm so impressed and obsessed. I now need to move closer because this is going to be one of my new hangout places for sure. read more
Went to Valor Wines in North Haven last week and it was incredible. We sampled a list of wines and ciders and were excited for the unveiling of the new Apple Theory logo. We were greeted by the worlds best sommelier, Zelda. Her sweet demeanor was only matched by her rapid tail wagging... Her other alias is wind dog. The room has a natural wood feel and is lit with beautiful low lighting. All of the wines and ciders were absolutely wonderful. The stand outs in my world were the petite sirah and the peaches and cream cider. However, I would happily have seconds of them allllll. It's definitely a space that you can spend many hours. The owner is so kind and creative! He is constantly making new creations. His names are so fun. Any Mean Girls Dan would try "That's So Fetch" and Hot Mess is here fun. If you haven't gone to this little gem you are missing out! read more
4 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
Valor Wines is a craft microwinery and cidery that opened in North Haven, Connecticut in September 2021. It was founded by Ray Iannucci. Born into a family of winemakers, Iannucci began working at his grandfather's make-your-own wine business which was named The Wine Press. After a while, he became completely consumed with a passion for winemaking. When his grandfather decided to retire, Iannucci decided to take the same space on Quinnipiac Avenue and repurpose it to house his own winery and tasting room. Although he creates traditional styles, he also experiments and puts a modern twist on his wines. Around the same time Valor Wines opened its doors, Iannucci also started the sister business Apple Theory Cider (located in the same space). His mission with the cidery is to locate "heirloom" apple varieties and craft traditional dry European-style ciders which became rare in the United States following Prohibition. I was recently invited to Valor Wines for an exclusive tasting event for food bloggers. The event also coinciding with the release of the new Apple Theory logo. The winery is just a short drive from my home. The tasting room was cozy with lots of medieval decor. Iannucci was a friendly host who made us all feel right at home. The wines that we sampled included the "Dry Riesling", "Hot Mess" (Petite Sirah Blend), and "That Is So Fetch" (Cayuga infused with black currant and spices). I'm partial to Petite Sirah, so "Hot Mess" was my favorite. The ciders that we tried included "House Blend Barrel Aged Off-Dry Cider" (made from a blend of 9 locally-grown apple varieties) and "Peaches & Cream" (Sweet Peach Cider made with Oak Milk). The House Blend was my favorite of the two. North Haven-based CT Chowder Company were on hand to cater the event. They brought along several finger foods such as their Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese. My favorite was easily their Connecticut Clam Chowder which they described as a hybrid between New England and Manhattan-style clam chowders. I had a great experience at Valor Wines and look forward to returning! Thanks to Elizabeth Miedsinksi for organizing the event, Ray Iannucci for the delicious libations, and CT Chowder Co for the delicious food! read more
4 years ago
We've been to Valor Wines a handful of times now, and the wines and ciders are always on point. I am a die-hard fan of dry wines (never anything sweet) and Ray, the owner shocked me with the Dry Riesling... it's now my favorite white! All of the reds are thoroughly enjoyable - the Pinot Noir, the Zinfandel and the Malbec were all solid choices. We've seen some pretty good live music there on Friday nights... Valor Wines is a great destination for a date, a girls' night out, or a friends get-together. They also just added a bunch of board games to encourage people to come and linger. Note: This is a genuine winery, but it's not a vineyard. Don't expect to be strolling through the grapevines taking selfies. There is a nice spacious outdoor seating area with a gazebo and plenty of seating. You can take selfies with the wrought-iron carriage, the warrior helmets, or your flight of wine and cider. Oh, and don't forget to visit the #winedog - her name is Zelda. I'm pretty sure other people had dogs there, too. Plenty of tables and chairs - bring your own snacks or get DoorDash delivery. You won't be disappointed! read more
Valor Wines / Apple Theory Cidery was recommended to us by a craft beer friend so we checked them out. I'd classify this place as more of an urban winery/cidery which presents itself in the style that's more of a local craft brewery than your traditional scenic winery. Be prepared... You're not going to roll up a winding country road, passing rows of grape vines and pastures of horses. No, this urban destination is conveniently located just minutes off of I-91 in an industrial area of North Haven. That said, it should not be overlooked due to the lack of "quaintness"... Yes, you can still wear a cute dress and bring your picnic basket full of cheese, grapes and cucumber sandwiches. We did! But you also may be surprised to find a yummy food truck on-site along with bands and trivia too! Once inside, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the feudal decor (passed down by family over generations of wine makers) and attentive staff. There are several wines and ciders available to try. You can get a flight or buy a bottle. There's plenty of seating so bring your family and friends too! Oh - and it's dog-friendly inside and out with plenty of space to get away from Fido if you have allergies or just don't like dogs (you monster). I'm not sure if people under 21 are allowed... But I get the feeling it's fine as long as you keep an eye on the kiddos. The day we went, it was pretty hot and humid and we did have our giant, furry dog with us so we opted to sit inside in the AC. But they do have a lovely outdoor seating area with plenty of room to stretch your legs and plenty of seating with umbrellas that create shade. The wine and the cider were great! The owner was there and he kindly picked me out a flight of wines to try that paired well with the cheese we brought. I also got to try a glass of cider that presented as more of a wine and it was delicious! My manfriend also enjoyed his wines as well. If you're looking for a winery/Cidery with an urban, modern vibe, plenty of parking, plenty of seating (inside and out) that's dog friendly and people friendly, please pay them a visit! You won't be disappointed! read more
2 years ago
Great atmosphere, comfortable and casual. We stopped by on a Saturday evening. Entertainment was great- Faye Green & Michael A. Ross. ! We got a flight to try a few different varieties, and a glass of two of the cabs. So glad we stopped in! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
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118 Quinnipac Ave
North Haven, CT 06473
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(203) 777-9463
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https://www.valorwines.com
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3 years ago
