Aquila's Nest Vineyards was named one of the top 10 wine-tasting rooms in the country in the USA Today Readers' Choice Awards on July 29.
It is the only vineyard in New England to receive the recognition. Most of the others winners are in California or Oregon. The only other East Coast wine-tasting room on the list was Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery in Hammondsport, New York.

NEWTOWN — Aquila’s Nest Vineyards of Sandy Hook has been named the No. 5 Best Wine Tasting Room in the United States in the USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

Since opening only six years ago, co-founders Neviana Zhgaba and her husband Ardian Llomi, the winery has become one of Connecticut’s premier wine destinations by combining award-winning wines with immersive guest experiences.

Nestled in the Housatonic River Valley, this family-owned New England Vineyard pairs award-winning wines with sweeping countryside views. Earning recognition as Connecticut Magazine's Best Winery in 2025, Aquila's Nest offers visitor experiences from community celebrations to seasonal outdoor events that highlight Connecticut wine country's charm. It was featured in the travel book "100 Things to Do in Connecticut Before You Die," and has become a favorite for both locals and travelers.

There’s so much to love and do at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, it might become your new favorite hangout. This winery in Newtown has deep feminine undertones, naming its wines after ancient Mediterranean mythological women. But wine here is only the beginning. This vineyard has a full food truck and music schedule, plus a slew of unique events. Meet with a psychic, have kitty cuddle time, practice gentle yoga, or get loose at karaoke wine night! Playfully-decorated indoor and outdoor spaces are available for groups or private events, and food pairing events of all kinds are on the docket.

2026
Wine
No. 5: Best Wine Tasting Room
Inspired by Mediterranean heritage and astronomy, each wine at Aquila's Nest Vineyards is named after a woman from ancient history or mythology and features a constellation-themed label. Guests can enjoy estate-grown and handcrafted wines in an eclectic 2,000-square-foot tasting room featuring a baby grand piano, relax in private gazebos and fire pits overlooking the vineyard, and experience one of Connecticut's most vibrant agritourism destinations with live music, culinary events, stargazing, cultural experiences, and seasonal celebrations year-round.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards has once again earned prestigious recognition at the 2026 Libation Awards Wine Competition, receiving Double Gold – Best in Category for its Estate wine in the Native American and Hybrid Wines category. The vineyard also received three Gold Medals for its Merlot, Estate, and Riesling wines, along with two Silver Medals for its Muscat and Cayuga wines. These six awards highlight Aquila’s Nest Vineyards’ continued commitment to exceptional winemaking, quality, and craftsmanship.

NEWTOWN, CT — Aquila's Nest Vineyards has earned national recognition after being nominated for USA Today's 2026 10Best Readers' Choice Award for Best Wine Tasting Room.

The Sandy Hook vineyard is one of 20 wine tasting rooms nationwide selected by a panel of travel and wine experts for this year's competition and is the only New England vineyard to receive a nomination.

According to USA Today, Aquila's Nest was recognized for its Mediterranean-inspired atmosphere and astronomy-themed wines. The vineyard's wines are named after women from ancient history and mythology and feature constellation-themed labels.

A Newtown vineyard has been nominated among the best wine tasting rooms in the country by USA Today.
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards earned the distinction in USA Today's 2026 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, which covers the top experiences and cuisine in the country that range from "Best Fast Food Burger" to "Best Yoga Retreat Center."
"Inspired by Mediterranean heritage and astronomy, each wine at Aquila's Nest Vineyards is named after a woman from ancient history or mythology and features a constellation-themed label. C7

Salsa instructor extraordinaire Alisa Bowens-Mercado made her way from New Haven to Newtown on Tuesday, February 17 to spend the night dancing away for the first time in the indoor space of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards.
The night began with the sounds of Latin America floating through the air, and Bowens-Mercado took a moment to discuss her 26 years of teaching with The Newtown Bee.

FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce will honor its second class of Women in Business Awards winners March 11 at Fairfield University’s Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

This event honors six remarkable Chamber women across a variety of fields in the community who have made a positive and lasting impact. Award winners were selected among nominees who are members of the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.

Local legendary rock band Panacea performed its second annual Panacea & Friends Twixtmas show at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards last weekend.
The band is comprised of original members and siblings Leslie Ballard on vocals, flute, and percussion, and Corky Ballard on vocals, guitar, and bass. The December 28 lineup also included Christian Martirano on vocals and keyboards, Tony Traina on drums and vocals, and Steve Moran on sax and melodica.
Musical selections drew from rock, blues, jazz, and funk, as well as holiday music. The set list also included Corky Ballard’s new jazz arrangement of “Summer Breeze,” which his sister said “was a hit!”

Connecticut’s always been a top spot for great al fresco dining during the spring, summer and fall. Restaurants have also been innovating new ways to keep diners fun and warm for the colder months – and it's making for even cooler dining experiences.

Fire Pits, Fireplaces, and Wine
Aquila's Nest Vineyards in Newtown has seasonal experiences for even the most stubborn winter haters. Groups can book seating around a private fire pit, or enjoy a cozy fire under a fully enclosed pergola.

On Tuesday, November 18, dance instructors Alonso Guzman and Dardo Galletto hosted their first ever Argentine Tango event at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, 56 Pole Bridge Road.

Galletto has been a dance instructor for many years and first opened a studio in New York City in 2010. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to close his studio doors and decided to move to Connecticut. Here, he had to start all over again and find new students and new places to teach. Galletto currently teaches in Southbury, Ridgefield, Washington, and Fairfield.

“I love [what] I’m building in Connecticut,” Galletto said.

Guided by alumna and entrepreneur Neviana Zhgaba ’11, MS’13, three women majoring in computer science are harnessing AI to tackle real-world business challenges at Aquila’s Nest Vineyard in Newtown, Connecticut.

Akshay Mathur, PhD, assistant professor of computer science in the School of Engineering & Computing, is overseeing the undergraduates’ senior design project with Zhgaba, who owns Aquila’s Nest as well as Windy Hill Estate in New York.

Nga Eni Muça– Nga një vajzë që ëndërronte universitetet europiane, në një sipërmarrëse e suksesshme në SHBA. Kjo është historia e Neviana Zhgaba, shqiptare e diasporës, e cila me vendosmëri dhe pasion ka ndërtuar një jetë të re mes teknologjisë dhe verës, duke ruajtur gjithnjë identitetin shqiptar.

2025 NATIONAL SMALL PRODUCER WINE INVITATIONAL RESULTS

August 28th, 2025 — Winners have been announced in the 2025 National Small Producer Wine Invitational. After several days of spirited judging, Aquila's Nest Vineyards took the top prize as the 2025 National Small Producer of the Year.

There’s so much to love and do at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, it might become your new favorite hangout. This winery in Newtown has deep feminine undertones, naming its wines after ancient Mediterranean mythological women.

The air at Aquila’s Nest on June 25 was abuzz with anticipation and excitement while poets prepared to share aloud to the crowd. The C.H. Booth Library hosted an event titled, “Verses in the Vineyard: Poetry for Hope,” which aimed to bring the community together in a blend of poetry and nature. Shari Merrill, who is head of adult services at the C.H. Booth Library, ran the event.

We are thrilled to announce that Aquila's Nest Vineyards has been named Best Date Night Activity in Fairfield County in the 2024 Daily Voice Readers' Choice Awards! According to its website, Aquila's Nest Vineyards is a family-owned winery and event venue that offers a unique and immersive experience inspired by mythology and astronomy providing a romantic setting with its scenic views, beautifully designed outdoor spaces, and an inviting atmosphere.

Wine Slushies at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards
I’m not normally one for sweet drinks but at least once a summer I can’t resist the lure of the Connecticut winery slushie: a potent mix of alcohol, ice and sugar that delivers a heap of summer vibes. While many wineries now feature slushies, my personal favorite is the red and white wine slushy mix at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Newtown.

The team at Aquila's Nest said in the release that the daffodils "have emerged beautifully," despite the cold April weather, and the bloom is expected to peak over the next few weeks.
“We envisioned a spring where guests could sip wine while surrounded by golden blooms,” the team said in the release. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see that vision come to life—and even more exciting to know these fields will only grow more stunning as the daffodils multiply year after year.”

Hi Neviana, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about entrepreneurship is that there is almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

It’s no secret that wine and romance go together. I suspect this might be because there’s something inherently intimate about the wine-drinking experience — as couples we order separate beers and cocktails but we often share a bottle of wine. Regardless of whether that theory holds true or not, I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than at one of Connecticut’s vineyards.

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Try Connecticut Wine at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards
Visit Aquila’s Nest Vineyards if you want to know what Connecticut wine is all about.
It is located at 56 Pole Bridge Road in Newtown.
The 10-acre vineyard of the 40-acre farm grows several grape varieties, most of which are hybrid varieties.

WILTON – If there was any overarching message that people could take away from Thursday night’s Women Innovators in our Region event, it is women business leaders are driven to move forward in these volatile times.

Catherine Cioffi, communications director for Westchester County, set the tone at Westfair Business Journal’s awards presentation at Rolling Hills Country Club Thursday night with more than 100 in attendance. She is one of 22 businesswomen who were honored for their achievements in Westchester and Fairfield counties.

Despite the threats of rain, the Friends of Newtown Seniors gathered at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards for its Summer Soiree — an evening of small bites, good friends, and even better music. The event was a success, selling 100 tickets and bringing in a crowd of about 70 people an hour after the start time.

After our date night dinner at the Barnwood Grill, we headed to our next destination. We were looking forward to our next stop.

We have always enjoyed the outdoors. When creating our bucket list at the beginning of the year, we knew we wanted to visit a vineyard. The most challenging part was determining which time of the year was best and which one to visit.

On Tuesday July 16 Representative Jahana Hayes toured Aquila’s Nest Vineyard in Newtown alongside Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small, of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). They also spoke with owner and operator Ardian Llomi,
Aquila’s Nest Vineyard was named the 2024 Connecticut Manufacturer of the Year by the Small Business Administration.

Q&A talks to Neviana Zhgaba, owner of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards.

Can you describe your business?

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards is an experience- and impact-focused vineyard, and a climate neutral certified winery, providing visitors with immersive events that embrace each of the five senses.

Aquila’s Nest was inspired by mythological tales and our love for astronomy. All our wines are branded with the image of a constellation, the name of a woman drawn from an ancient Mediterranean myth, the inscription of a wisdom Latin phrase translated in English in the back of the label, as well as a unique wine cup design of the story that brings all these elements together.

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Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Newtown celebrated being recognized by the Small Business Administration as Connecticut’s Small Manufacturer of the Year in a recognition ceremony on Friday, April 26. The event was held on location at the experience-focused vineyard, winery, and event venue.

Friends, family members, and state and local officials came to congratulate Aquila’s Nest owners Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi for overcoming insurmountable odds in their business journey and achieving their lifelong dream of planting a vineyard.

Manufacturer of the Year: Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi, Aquila’s Nest Vineyard “We don’t just bottle wine, we bottle experiences, and we are proud to be a place for the community to come together and experience the joy the vineyard brings to our family,” Zhgaba said.
The business has kept sustainability in mind from day one and has made it a mission to support women entrepreneurs .

When Neviana Zhgaba, who owns Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Newtown with her husband Ardian Llomi, was first contacted for this story, she couldn’t talk because she was touring Spain’s oldest winery.
Every year Zhgaba and Llomi go on a wine trip to Europe looking for inspiration for their Connecticut winery and because, well, they just love wine. Both hail from Albania and were raised in a Mediterranean culture steeped in the fruit of the vine.
“You grow up looking at your parents, your neighbors, your friends’ families, harvesting grapes and making their own wine,” says Zhgaba.

There are myriad spots at Newtown’s Aquila’s Nest Vineyards for declaring one’s intention. Particularly memorable: inside one of the property’s four igloos. “During winter months, when you’re inside an igloo, you feel like you’re somewhere on the North Pole,” says Aquila’s Nest founder and co-owner Neviana Zhgaba. Happily, the plastic structures are heated.

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In this edition of “Ask the Board,” we asked America’s Top Small Business honoree Aquila’s Nest Vineyards how small businesses can succeed during the off-season. If you could create your own fantasy board of directors, who would be on it? CO— connects you with thought leaders from across the business spectrum and asks them to help solve your biggest business challenges. In this edition, we ask an expert about affordable ways to show employee appreciation.

The connection between community and winemaking was ingrained in Neviana’s Albanian upbringing. Her path to owning a vineyard, however, was anything but linear.
After moving to Connecticut to study at Fairfield University, Neviana built a successful career in technology including ten years at General Electric and ongoing work with BNY Melon in data analytics.

Aquila's Nest Vineyards in Newtown is one of 13 wineries participating in this year’s Connecticut Winter Wine Trail.

The business offers a variety of unique seating experiences, including igloo spheres that can accommodate up to eight guests.

After enjoying a selection of winter wines, visitors can go to outdoor fire pits and enjoy a music light show.

Aquila's Nest Vineyards also hosts programs such as succulent workshops, painting activities and Broadway musical shows.

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On Nov. 3, Aquila's Nest Winery — a pick for Connecticut Magazine's Best Winery of 2023 — will host this event. Four miniature fall pies from Loree's Fine Foods will be paired with four Aquila's Nest wines.

Nested among the rolling hills of Newtown, Conn., there's a 41-acre patch of paradise that owes its beginnings to two Fairfield University engineers.

Aquila's Nest Vineyard was the dream of Ardian Llomi '11, MS '14 and his wife Neviana Zhgaba '11, MS '13, who met back in their native Albania and whose romance blossomed through their years of study at Fairfield University. Having spent his childhood working on a farm by the Black Sea, Llomi wanted the same kind of living close to the earth experience for his own children. In 2016, when the couple was six years out of college and Neviana's firm, they knew their dream was about to soar.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Sandy Hook, CT: Aquila's Nest Vineyards is a climate-neutral certified winery and event venue serving wines inspired by the founders’ Albanian roots. The vineyard offers immersive events that showcase Connecticut-grown wines while connecting visitors to the surrounding picturesque landscapes.

The Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce and the Womens Business Council is delighted to announce our highly anticipated Business After Business Summer Networking event, set to take place at the award-winning Aquila's Nest Vineyards on 56 Pole Bridge Road, Newtown, CT 06482. The event promises unparalleled networking opportunities, fostering valuable connections among professionals from diverse industries.
This event is open to the general public. Men and women are welcome to attend.

Additionally, for those 21 and older, Two Roads Brewing in Stratford is running free brewery tours all day and Aquila's Nest Vineyard in Newtown is offering a noon and a 6 p.m. tour of the vineyard grounds with the owner and winemaker, to name a few adult-specific events.

The invitation from JoAnn LoGiurato announced a wine tasting to celebrate women in wine. Scheduled for International Women's Day at Stew Leonard’s Wines in Norwalk earlier this month, the event included wineries from the U.S., New Zealand and Italy. It got me thinking about the role of women at Connecticut wineries.

NEWTOWN, Conn. (WTNH) — From the moment they saw it, Neviana Zhgaba and her husband knew that their 40-acre piece of land in Newton was special.
“We saw it at the end of October when the leaves were beautiful and it was at sunset,” she said. “We saw the amazing sunset over the foliage, you know, over the hills, and we fell in love, and we decided to purchase the property.”

NEWTOWN, CT (WFSB) – From the vines to your glass, we are taking you on Connecticut’s wine trail.
Eyewitness News checked out the wines at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Newtown.
Aquila’s has fun offerings for Valentine’s Day, including a murder mystery.

Yankee Magazine Nov/Dec 2023

Zhgaba says the Newtown vineyard she owns with her husband, Ardian Llomi, is a dream come true because it brings people together and makes them happy. And, as she sees it, “that’s the beauty in life.” Overlooking a bucolic Connecticut hillside, its roots are truly in Albania, where she and Llomi grew up around wineries.

Growing up in Albania, an agricultural country at the crossroads of the Mediterranean cultures, Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi learned the value of taking care of the Earth. The family-owned winery and event venue in Newtown has become a Climate Neutral certified business, meaning it compensated for all of last year's carbon emissions by purchasing credits and using other sustainable practices.

“Thanksgiving is the best wine day of the year,” Jim Winston declared. Winston was at DB Fine Wines in New Canaan conducting the store’s annual Thanksgiving wine tasting. “It's a day for good wines,” he said, just not the very best. His example: Rather than serving Beaucastel Châteauneuf-du-Pape at $130 a bottle, open Coudoulet de Beaucastel ($30) from vineyards just across the road for $100 less. He then led us through twelve wines that would be excellent partners with the traditional feast.

Three dancers drifted and ran among illuminated globes exhibiting emotions that ranged from serenity, anguish and intensity to collegiality, trauma and restoration as they conveyed in dance the ancient Japanese art of Kintsugi — repairing broken pottery while highlighting the areas of breakage.
This was the spectacle that greeted several dozen attendees at Ballaro Dance’s emotionally-charged return to Sandy Hook on August 10.

It’s hard to visit Aquila’s Nest Vineyards and not be won over. The setting might do it: the vineyard overlooks a picture-perfect stretch of rolling Connecticut woodland. Or maybe it will be the wine: unlike many Connecticut wineries, Aquila’s Nest features dry (non-sweet) vintages that are rich in character.

Rosé All Day
Time to hit the trail—the Wine Trail, that is. If you’re sticking to western Connecticut, you’ll want to stop by Newtown’s Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, one of the newer state wineries with a myriad of outdoor sipping spaces. Book the Arabian Nights–inspired pergola, for example, under which you can enjoy a bottle of “The Amazons” Baco noir by a lantern-lit fire pit.

This year’s BEST OF CONNECTICUT picks are positively popping with Nutmeg State goodness, all picked by you and our distinguished panel of Connecticut experts. From food and drink, to activities and entertainment, to shopping and services, it’s a celebration of the great things our state has to offer.

Time to hit the trail—the Wine Trail, that is. If you’re sticking to western Connecticut, you’ll want to stop by Newtown’s Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, one of the newer state wineries with a myriad of outdoor sipping spaces.

Cultural Alliance and Aquila’s Nest seek artists for upcoming show

The 40 Under Forty Awards, presented by Westfair Communications and the Fairfield County Business Journal, recognize 40 outstanding young professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, entrepreneurial achievement, and community impact. The annual awards celebrate rising leaders who are making meaningful contributions to their industries, driving business growth, and shaping the future of Fairfield County.

Grab a flight of local wines and head out to a gorgeous field overlooking the rolling hills of Newtown. Aquila’s Nest Vineyard allows visitors to bring their own food for picnics, but any beverages must be purchased from the vineyard. Dogs are allowed outside on the lawn, but owners must cleanup after any pets or picnics.
Aquila’s Nest Vineyards is open Wednesday through Sunday at 56 Pole Bridge Road, Newtown. For more information, visit aquilasnestvineyards.com.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards in Newtown, Connecticut, is partnering with women-owned small businesses in the Nutmeg State to host two different fundraisers to support Ukrainian relief efforts.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards is partnering with local women-owned Connecticut small businesses to host two different fundraisers to support the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine the week of March 20.

Neviana Zhgaba: Starting a Business in the Midst of a Pandemic
From a series of leading roles to Product Manager at BNY Mellon, the pandemic led Neviana Zhgaba down a very contrasting path. Co-founding Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Neviana turned her love for nature into an oasis of peace, good food, art and wine. Inheriting her love for nature from her hometown, Neviana has transformed this beautiful 41-acre winery into an experience-focused business. The pandemic saw many businesses battling to succeed, however, Neviana found the formula for success, effectively creating an innovative business.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards Queen of Illyria 2018
Owners Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi have injected their Albanian roots and much of their personalities into Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary. Ardian assists with the winemaking, while Neviana channels her artistic nature, along with her interests in community and women’s empowerment, into the branding and marketing of the wines. Queen of Illyria, named for an ancient female ruler from what is now modern-day Albania, is a blend of syrah and malbec.

Gëzuar festën kombëtare në “Folenë e Shqiponjës” në SHBA

Oda Quartet singlehandedly is transforming Albanian ancestral stories into music when they perform Twilight In The Vineyard at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards on Saturday, November 27th at 6 p.m to celebrate Albania’s Independence Day. A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Albanian Youth Center, founded by Albanian-American philanthropist and businessman Richard Lukaj of Greenwich.

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CT LIVE!: Aquila's Nest Vineyards

Aquila's Nest is a relatively new and wildly popular vineyard in Newtown, CT.
"The Nest" just sent out a press release to thank its first year customers and announce a lineup of exciting events including their "Halo-Wine Scavenger Hunt."
The scavenger hunt through Aquila's Pumpkin yard takes place on October 30th.

Opening an Experience-focused Vineyard in Connecticut Neviana Zhgaba & Ardian Llomi, Co-Owners Neviana came to Connecticut Small Business Development Center looking for help accessing capital to start their business and open their facility. Nelson Merchan, CTSBDC Business Advisor, helped Neviana and her husband evaluate their funding options and reviewed their business and marketing plan.

DANBURY - Starving artists may have a place in the economy after all. A group of greater Danbury’s elected leaders will discuss the impact that the arts can have in reviving economic activity during an early October forum hosted by a regional arts nonprofit.

Snyder & Pritchard Homes Tours and Chats with Owner of Aquila's Nest Vineyards in Newtown, CT

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The endeavors of artists and oenophiles come together at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, Fairfield County’s newest winery. For the traveler in search of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, it is easy to bypass this destination while traveling down Pole Bridge Road in Sandy Hook. A small sign points to an inconspicuous driveway, with nary a vine in sight.

Attempting to go beyond the standard bar bands, area breweries and a vineyard in Newtown are trying to give a boost to local musicians and provide customers with something a little extra.
“I love live music and we wanted that to be a part of the atmosphere and the whole experience,” said Neviana Zhgaba, who with her husband Ardian Llomi owns Aquila”™s Nest Vineyards. The Newtown operation, which opened in November, offers music on Thursdays and weekends. “It”™s mostly jazz,” Zhgaba said. “A lot of guitar or piano, some sax. Wine puts people in a good mood, and having music as well makes it even better.”

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (CAWC) will present a pair of sculptural exhibitions this year at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, 56 Pole Bridge Road in Sandy Hook. Following a call for artists issued earlier this year, curator Amy Salerno has selected nine artists whose work will be included in the presentations.

An all-star lineup of state and local government officials attended a March 19 event at a Newtown winery to boast of how small businesses have continued to thrive and to promote the easing of several Covid restrictions. Gov. Ned Lamont, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman, and Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal were among the speakers at the event, held at Aquila”™s Nest Vineyards, a 41-acre space at 56 Pole Bridge Road in Newtown.

Small Business: How to grow your business

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut (CAWC) has partnered with Aquila’s Nest Vineyards to present outdoor art shows inspired by the world of birds. The exhibitions in Sandy Hook will continue the cultural alliance’s Accessible Art Project series.

The Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut has partnered with Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, of Newtown, to present an outdoor art show inspired by the world of birds.

Artists from Connecticut and New York are asked to submit proposals for two exhibits, “Nesting,” which will run from June to September, and “Migration,” running from September to November. The exhibitions are expected to be the first of many Cultural Alliance Accessible Art Projects to take advantage of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards’ outdoor spaces.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyard was preparing to welcome customers as spacing limitations eased Friday.

State, federal, and local officials all convened in Sandy Hook Friday afternoon, March 19, where they celebrated the successful launch of a small business during a pandemic, another step for the state toward full reopening, and a national milestone that was reached ahead of schedule.
Governor Ned Lamont, Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, and US Senator Richard Blumenthal were welcomed by Aquila’s Nest co-owners Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi for an afternoon press conference at their Sandy Hook vineyard. The event also highlighted local business partnerships that have already been formed since the opening of the Pole Bridge Road vineyard in October.

Gov. Lamont, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz visit small business in Newtown

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NEWTOWN - A fledgling winery owned by an area couple is the latest vineyard in Connecticut to benefit from expanded state laws allowing private parties and special events on farmland to boost agribusiness. Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, a 40-acre winery west of Lake Zoar that celebrated its 100th day in business on Saturday, was given permission by Newtown’s land use board to host art installations, yoga meditations, food trucks and private parties up to 150 people.

What better way to relax, refresh and breathe! Visit Newtown Salt Spa's Himalayan halotherapy room and enjoy a glass of wine from Newtown's Aquila's Nest Vineyards!
Looking for a staycation, book the Mayflower Inn & Spa, Auberge Resorts Collection in nearby Washington, CT and make it a true experience!

NEWTOWN — An Albanian couple’s vison for their newly opened vineyard that combines winemaking with yoga meditations, private celebrations and art installations is drawing scrutiny in a residential neighborhood outside Sandy Hook. “It’s controversial because it’s in a residential zone, but I think it is something we can look at,” said George Benson, Newtown’s planning director, during a public hearing about the winery last week. “I think there’s a lot that can be pared down.” Members of the town’s Planning and Zoning Commission agreed that the owners of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards on Pole Bridge Road had the entrepreneurial spirit Newtown wanted to encourage, but not if it ruined the quality of life for homeowners on Lake Zoar’s west shore.

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Like almost everything else this year, the countdown to midnight won’t be quite the same on New Year’s Eve.
Businesses are planning events while considering safety and coronavirus restrictions.
COVID rules mean keeping crowds smaller and wrapping up by 10 p.m. at the latest.

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Neviana Zhgaba is the owner of a brand new vineyard located in the Sandy Hook area of Newtown, Connecticut called Aquila's Nest Vineyards! Neviana and her husband Ardian have always enjoyed the outdoors while also visiting local vineyards and when they came across a stunning 46 acre property off Exit 11 on I-84 in Fairfield County they knew they found the right place.

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Neviana Zhgaba dhe bashkëshorti i saj Ardian Llomi rreth pesë vite më parë nisën të kërkonin një pronë për të ndërtuar shtëpinë e tyre të parë. Kur ishte në pritje të djalit të saj të dytë, bashkë me Ardianin po kërkonin një fermë për të ndërtuar shtëpinë e tyre, pasi dëshironin që djemtë e tyre të lidheshin me natyrën. Ato gjetën një tokë prej 41 hektarësh në Sandy Hook dhe vendosë ta blinin. Toka ishte në pronësi të familjes Staudinger për rreth 200 vite dhe dëshira e tyre ishte ta kalonin atë në një familje tjetër që do të vazhdonte ta përdorte atë si një fermë.

When Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi decided they”™d like to try their hand at owning and operating a winery, they knew precisely what approach they would take. “I love the arts, creating new things, photography,” Zhgaba told the Business Journal. “And I”™ve done a lot of graphic design. So we wanted to make this a place where everything ”˜fits”™ together, from the colors and the presentation to the overall theme, which relies a lot of mythology and history.”

Whenever Albanian couple Neviana Zhgaba and Ardian Llomi visited a vineyard, they dreamed of one day owning their own.

After years of planning and hard work, that dream is coming to fruition. They bought 41 acres of vacant land at 56 Pole Bridge Rd. in Newtown in 2016. Since then, they have built a winery, planted and harvested grapes, and bottled wine.

Now, Aquila’s Nest Vineyards will be opening for guests in October, with a specific date to be announced.

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, 56 Pole Bridge Road, celebrated its late-October opening with a Newtown Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, November 7.
Members of the community gathered outside the site’s 4,000-square-foot steel tasting room and basked in the panoramic views of changing autumn leaves and 7½ acres of rolling vineyards.
Honorary guest speakers included First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, State Representative Mitch Bolinsky, and Catherine Marx, district director, Connecticut District Office US Small Business Administration.

In case you haven’t heard, Newtown’s just got a new vineyard at the end of October! A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet owner Neviana Zhgaba and see the beautiful 41 acre farm that Neviana and her family have converted into a vineyard. Below she shares the story of Aquila’s Nest Vineyards and how she balances motherhood, working full-time, and her family’s business venture at Aquila’s Nest.