Westford Hill Distillery Tour — Ashford, Connecticut

Discover the Westford Hill Distillers Distillery Tour in Connecticut

The Westford Hill Distillers Distillery Tour in Ashford, Connecticut offers visitors a behind-the-scenes look at traditional, small-batch brandy distillation on a working farm. This distillery tour introduces guests to how fruit grown on-site is fermented, distilled, and aged into handcrafted eaux-de-vie and brandies, followed by tastings in a rustic farm setting. The experience blends agriculture, craftsmanship, and classic European distilling traditions.

Why it’s special:
Westford Hill Distillers is one of the few distilleries in the U.S. specializing in traditional fruit brandies made from estate-grown fruit. Visitors experience a true farm-to-bottle operation where orchards, fermentation, and distillation all happen in one place.

History & Story of Westford Hill Distillers

Westford Hill Distillers was founded as a family-run farm distillery inspired by European fruit brandy traditions. Located in rural Ashford, the operation grows its own pears, apples, and other fruit used for distillation. Over the years, Westford Hill has earned national recognition for its handcrafted eaux-de-vie, maintaining a strong focus on quality, patience, and traditional methods rather than mass production.

What You’ll See & Do on the Westford Hill Distillers Distillery Tour

• Learn how estate-grown fruit is fermented and distilled

• See traditional copper stills used for brandy production

• Learn about aging and flavor development in fruit brandies

• Explore the orchards and farm surroundings (seasonal)

• Enjoy a guided tasting of selected spirits

• Purchase bottles and distillery-exclusive releases

Hands-On Elements: Guided tastings and detailed explanations of the distillation process.
Photo/Video Policy: Photography allowed throughout public distillery and farm areas.
Souvenirs & Extras: Bottle sales, branded merchandise, and seasonal releases.

Pricing of the Westford Hill Distillers Distillery Tour

Distillery visit and spirits tasting
Adult price: $10 per adult (tasting fee)

Bottle purchases are optional and priced separately.

Visiting information

Most visits last 45–75 minutes, depending on tasting pace. The experience is designed for adults 21+. The tasting room is wheelchair accessible, while farm and orchard areas may include uneven ground.

Exact Distillery & Tasting Room Hours:
Saturday–Sunday: 12:00 PM–5:00 PM
Closed: Monday–Friday

Nearby

• Natchaug State Forest

• University of Connecticut (Storrs)

• Quiet Corner scenic backroads

FAQs About Visiting the Westford Hill Distillers Distillery Tour

Is this a guided distillery tour or primarily a tasting experience?
Visits focus on tastings, with in-depth explanations of fermentation and distillation provided by the distillers rather than structured production walks.

Do I need a reservation for tastings?
Reservations are recommended on busy weekends, though walk-ins are often welcome during open hours.

Are the spirits made from fruit grown on-site?
Yes. Many of Westford Hill’s brandies are produced from fruit grown on the farm’s own orchards.

Can I purchase spirits that aren’t available in stores?
Yes. The distillery offers limited-production and distillery-only releases available exclusively on-site.

Is the distillery family-friendly?
The farm welcomes visitors, but tastings are strictly limited to guests 21 and over.