Vineyards in Stonington in the 1980's --- Stonecrop Vineyard

In 2015, I posted this blog I called Vineyards in Stonington in the 1980's. Recently, there was a comment on that blog letting me know that Tom and Charlotte's son would help me solve the mystery of what happened to Stonecrop Vineyard. He left his name, T. Benton Young and his contact information so you can be sure that I followed up!
This past Sunday, we met Ben Young and his son, 13 year old Liam, whose school assignment led him to my blog. I am so glad he found it and let his father know.¹
Ben Young is the son of Charlotte and Thomas Young. Ben trained at the CIA (Culinary Institutes of America) and spent 15 years as chef at Lake of Isles. He is currently teaching Culinary Arts at New London High School.
Ben told us that Thomas Young graduated from Clemson in Biochemistry and worked at Squibb in New Jersey. It may be that his love of wine began when he took a trip to the Finger Lakes. In 1977, Thomas and Charlotte started their vineyard in Stonington and called it Stonecrop Vineyard. I can relate to the choice of names because when my husband and I planted our vineyard, for the longest time, the perennial spring crop were stones!
Ben and Liam brought with them beautiful photos that his mother, Charlotte, a photographer, took and developed in her darkroom.

He also brought this, a bottle with the label of Stonecrop Vineyard's Vidal Blanc!
The label was the artistic creation of his uncle, Wes McClure and depicts their home and the vineyard.
Ben mentioned that he has two bottles of unopened wine from that era, but is unsure how it would taste upon opening it. Still it is a wonderful memento to have!
The vineyard was planted in Marechal Foch, Vidal Blanc and Seyval Blanc, all hybrid varieties known for their cold-hardiness and resistance to fungal diseases. Those varieties were good choices for the area because Southeastern Connecticut is prone to mildews.

Here are some precious photos:
Harvest

Destemming Harvested Grapes

Barrel Aging and Bottling

Ben also provided this well kept article from 1981 which mentioned that the vineyard was planted on an old dairy farm.

The Lakeland Ledger of December 26, 1982 showed the existence of the following wineries:²

I located more information in a June 19, 1984 article published in The Day.³ In 1984, there were 3 working wineries within 4 miles of each other, Stonecrop Vineyard, Clark Vineyard and Crosswoods. Stonecrop Vineyard was the ground breaker for winemaking in the area!
Ben remembers the owners of Clarke Vineyard, Thomas and Barbara Clarke and their children as well as the owners of Crosswoods Susan and Hugh Connell and their children. It sounded like the three vineyards were a tight-knit community.
Another thing I learned is that one of the people who commented on this blogpost in 2015 was named Cort Moore. According to Ben, Cort was his father's good friend and would come to help in the vineyard and winery and was like an uncle to him!
Another coincidence closer to home, my eldest daughter and Ben were classmates!
Thank you Ben and Liam for spending some of your Sunday showing us your photos and sharing your memories!
References:
1. Conversation with Ben and Liam Young.
2. Mark Liff, On the Trail of the Fruit of the Vine, The Ledger, Sunday Travel Section, December 26, 1982.
3. Clare Collins, New rural wineries give tastes and tours, New London Day, Tuesday, June 19, 1984.