Awards & Recognition

Aquila’s Nest Vineyards is a climate neutral, experience focused vineyard, winery and event venue. Aquila, Latin for “eagle”, is appropriately perched on a hilltop in Newtown, Connecticut. Situated 14 miles northeast of Danbury, the winery is 90 minutes north of New York City by car and easily accessible to travelers.

Entertaining guests with a variety of wine pairing events, providing intimate fire pits outdoor seating, promoting local women and minority owned businesses, and creating community connections have been a focus at Aquila’s Nest Vineyards since their October 2020 debut. We don’t just bottle wine, We bottle experiences.

Aquila's Nest Vineyards has received several recognitions for its exceptional wines and outstanding winery experience.

• National Small Producer of the Year 2025 awarded at the National Small Producer Wine Invitational organized by Libation Awards. Aquila's Nest Vineyards wines were also recognized with a Double Gold Medal, 4 Gold Medal, and 1 Silver Medal. 

  
  

• Best Vineyard in CT 2025 Winner by Connecticut Magazine, Aquila's Nest Vineyards was voted as the Best Vineyard in Connecticut in 2025 by the Connecticut public.

  
  

• National Small Business Administration Award Winner 2024: Connecticut Manufacturer of the Year
  

• Best Vineyard in CT 2024 Finalist by Connecticut Magazine, Aquila's Nest Vineyards was voted as a finalist for Best Vineyard in Connecticut in 2024 by the Connecticut public.

  
  

• Most Unique Places to Propose in 2024 by Connecticut Magazine, The Connecticut Bride
  

• US Chamber of Commerce Top 70 Small Businesses in America 2023 Award. Aquila's Nest Vineyards was one of 70 small businesses across the country, and only one of two from Connecticut to receive this recognition out of 15,000 businesses. The Chamber’s “America’s Top Small Business Awards” celebrates the pioneers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

• Best Vineyard in CT 2023 Winner by Connecticut Magazine, Aquila's Nest Vineyards was voted as the Best Vineyard in Connecticut in 2023 by the Connecticut public.
  

• Aquila's Nest Vineyards was featured as one of the top 100 Things to Do in Connecticut by author Anastasia Mills Healy! Check out the other 99 by picking up a copy.
  

• Best Agrotourism in the Diaspora 2023 Award by Albanian Excellence & Balkans Travel Magazine.

• Best Winery in CT 2022, Editor's Choice by Connecticut Magazine, Aquila's Nest Vineyards was recognized as the Best Winery in Connecticut by Connecticut Magazine in 2022.

• Women Innovators Award, 2024 by Westfair Business Journals, Neviana Zhgaba, Aquila's Nest Vineyards Co-owner was honored for outstanding contributions to innovation, leadership and excellence in their field in our region.

  
  

• Connecticut 40 Under Forty, Class of 2023 by Connecticut Magazine, Neviana Zhgaba, Aquila's Nest Vineyards Co-owner was honored as a dynamic and innovative industry leader who's part of the state's business growth.

• Fairfield County 40 Under Forty, Class of 2022 by Westfair Business Journals, Neviana Zhgaba, Aquila's Nest Vineyards Co-owner was honored as a dynamic and innovative industry leader who's part of the county's business growth.

• Climate Neutral Certified since 2022, a standard earned by companies that offset and reduce their carbon emissions.

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Since opening in October 2020, Aquila’s Nest has become a community hub, hosting live music, dueling pianos, tribute shows, comedy nights, murder mysteries, and craft workshops, complemented by gourmet food pairings such as artisanal cheeses, fine pastries, and locally made chocolates. Guests also enjoy signature sangrias, wine slushies—including shareable slushy towers—and seasonal offerings.

At Aquila’s Nest we don’t just bottle wine—we bottle experiences.