
“We had a clear notion of what we wanted, in terms of barn sensibility. That’s what drove it. But the key was to make it very contemporary.”
— Michael Connery, Owner
Kingdom of the Hawk was purchased in 2018 and vines were planted almost immediately. The contemporary barn, located on 50 acres of farmland in North Stonington, CT, is a nod to the agricultural heritage of the town. Its location on the edge of the hill highlights the sprawling views of vines, forest and wildlife.
In keeping with its sister property Saltwater Farm Vineyard, Kingdom of the Hawk fuses historical perspective and contemporary construction. It is a unique destination where wine is served with a side of architectural awe. The setting, the character of the wine and the quality of the venue are all top of mind.
We look forward to seeing everyone at Kingdom of the Hawk!
Lights. Camera. Action.
WFSB Great Day CT visits Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard and sips wine with owner Michael Connery for their weekly Wine Wednesday segment.
PUBLISHED: October 16, 2024
“Nestled in the forests of Stonington, CT is a new winery aptly named Kingdom of the Hawk. 50 acres of pristine wilderness sits adjacent to a dark gray, contemporary, barn-like structure with fabulous wine, friendly staff, and, of course, hawks in flight.
Conceptualized and designed by Michael and Merrily Connery, this winery epitomizes reimagination and, truth be told, a touch of romance.”
Stunning sunsets, wildflowers, wine and river sounds. All make a new CT venue a ‘huge destination’
PUBLISHED: September 15, 2024
“Some people make great wine, good music and stunning scenery part of their retirement goals.
For Michael and Merrily Connery, it’s become their life, as one thing led to another and the couple now own two vineyards where business is booming.
“We didn’t set out to create a vineyard or event space, it just evolved,” said Merrily Connery, a retired New York City real estate broker.”
One Couple’s Second Act Becomes A Kingdom for Connecticut Wine Lovers
“For many, life’s second-act may look more like a snail’s pace kind of day at the beach with a little sunshine and a lot of relaxation. It’s meant to be the ultimate period of switching from overdrive to, well, no drive. Right? For Michael and Merrily Connery, however, they did shift gears, but instead of slowing down, they swapped the go-go-go of city-life for spectacular stony views and fields of potential. From the ground up, along the southeastern, Connecticut shoreline, the Connery’s built a wine lover’s paradise.”
“It takes great vision to turn an airport into a winery at Saltwater Farm Vineyard (SFV) in Stonington and a gas station into a fine restaurant at the former Mbar in Mystic. Michael and Merrily Connery have done both and now they've reimagined a contemporary barn in their newest creation, Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard (KoH) in North Stonington.
But first some background. The adventures started in 2001 when the Connery’s bought what was then a blighted old airport hangar that had seen better days and 108 acres of land on the water.”
“In the quiet, agriculture community of North Stonington hawks are frequently seen flying over a property encompassing 50 acres of farmland set off by a classically repurposed barn that marries history with contemporary design. Employing steel beams, stone, polished concrete and an archway it is immediately identifiable with yet another similar archway 12.5 miles down the road. This is Kingdom of the Hawk, the newest expansion and vision of Michael and Merrily Connery, and very likely, not the last.
“We like creating. We like having a project,” Michael begins when in actuality it all began some 22 years ago when the then Manhattan based couple purchased a large plot of overgrown land overlooking tidal marshes in Stonington. The property hearkened back to the 1600s when it was a 108-acre working farm. In 1937, it served as a WWII-era airplane hangar, but now it was 2001, and it just sat there lifeless...century-old hayfields lying unused.”
“ … Demand is so high that, two decades later, Michael Connery ’75 JD and his wife, Merrily, find themselves opening a second vineyard and event venue, Kingdom of the Hawk, in North Stonington, a few miles inland.”