Worthington Vineyards & Winery in Somers has finally uncorked a long-awaited resolution to a years-long zoning dispute. This clears the way for a major expansion and sets strict new rules for events, music, and neighbor relations.
After four years of legal wrangling, a settlement in Hartford Superior Court spells out how this fast-growing Connecticut farm winery can operate. Neighbors now know what to expect as business booms.
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Somers Winery Dispute Ends in Court-Approved Settlement
The settlement between Worthington Vineyards & Winery, the Somers Zoning Commission, and neighboring homeowners brings a contentious period to a close. What started as a clash over noise, traffic, and crowds has turned into a detailed operating framework for one of north-central Connecticut’s most visible new wineries.
Towns like Somers, Ellington, Enfield, and Stafford often wrestle with balancing farmland, rural character, and economic development. This case feels like a real-time example of how communities try to balance agritourism with neighborhood quality of life.
New Tasting Room Planned for 2026
The settlement approves a new tasting room, with construction planned for 2026. Owner Mark Murdoch says the expansion is essential.
The current tasting room only fits about 50 people, which limits indoor capacity and makes winter months tough. Murdoch notes that about half of Worthington’s customers come from Massachusetts, showing the winery’s growing appeal beyond Somers and into places like Vernon, Tolland, and Manchester.
Clear Rules on Music, Events, and Hours of Operation
Earlier conflicts stemmed from different interpretations of the winery’s original approvals and event frequency. Now, the new agreement lays out precise rules so owners, neighbors, and town officials all know what’s allowed.
These limits aim to balance Worthington’s ambitions with the expectations of residents who moved to Somers for its quieter, rural environment. Families in nearby Coventry or Bolton probably get it.
Outdoor Music Capped at 30 Days a Year
One of the biggest changes involves outdoor musical entertainment. Under the settlement:
- Outdoor music is limited to 30 days per year.
- There must be at least one full weekend each month with no outdoor music.
- There must also be one Sunday each month free of outdoor music.
These provisions target what neighbors called the most disruptive part of winery operations: amplified sound drifting across open fields and into nearby homes.
Weddings and Special Events Tightly Controlled
Worthington can still host outdoor weddings and private events, but now there are new caps and coordination requirements. The settlement allows:
- Up to 10 large private outdoor wedding receptions per year.
- Daily tasting room hours until 8 p.m., providing predictable closing times.
- Wine-pairing dinners and theatrical entertainment, subject to the overall schedule controls.
The agreement also calls for careful scheduling. Different events can’t overlap in ways that create excessive crowds, parking headaches, or traffic jams on local roads like Mountain Road.
Neighbor Relations: From Target Practice to Notification
The settlement goes beyond regulating the winery—it also addresses behavior on neighboring properties. Kenneth and Michele Prior, who live across Mountain Road from Worthington, had clashed with the winery over noise and activity.
Some of the most dramatic incidents involved target practice and shooting on the Priors’ land, including during wedding ceremonies. Those tensions really showed how strained things had gotten between the farm winery and its immediate neighbors.
Priors Agree to Advance Notice Before Shooting
Now, the Priors have agreed to notify the other parties before they shoot on their property. This advance notice requirement is meant to reduce surprises, avoid direct conflict during scheduled events, and give the winery time to adjust or let guests know if needed.
Farm Winery Model and Regional Impact
Worthington opened in 2022 under a special use permit, after Somers adopted new farm-winery zoning regulations. Those rules support agricultural businesses that combine wine production with on-site entertainment and recreation.
Like other agritourism spots drawing visitors from Hartford, Windsor, and across New England, Worthington promotes a wide range of recreational activities alongside its vineyards. That blend of tourism and agriculture has become a key economic strategy for many rural and semi-rural Connecticut communities.
Town Officials Welcome Clarity and Compromise
Somers officials say everyone felt a sense of relief after resolving the dispute through mediation instead of dragging it out in court. The settlement lays out a clear enforcement plan for the town.
It also gives Worthington some breathing room to expand. At the same time, neighbors now know there are real limits on noise and event size.
For people living all over Connecticut—from Somers to Glastonbury and probably everywhere in between—this case highlights a tricky question. How do you let popular spots like wineries and farm breweries thrive, without losing the peaceful vibe that made these towns appealing in the first place?
Here is the source article for this story: After 4 years in court, Somers, Connecticut, winery settles with neighbors
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