Esteemed Winemaker | General Manager

Mike McAndrew started his long career in the wine industry selling wine in the Finger Lakes region of New York in the late 70’s. Excited about the emerging wine community in Connecticut, Mike apprenticed at another Connecticut vineyard before coming on as the winemaker at Stonington Vineyards in 1987. It was the combination of climate, elevation, close proximity to the ocean and mineral content in the soil that lured Mike to Stonington Vineyards and lucky for us, he has been our winemaker ever since. A minimalist at heart, Mike’s winemaking philosophy is as natural as possible. “Grow sound fruit, pick when ripe and make great wine.” In his free time Mike can be found practicing yoga, enjoy the slopes while the vines are dormant or spending time with his beloved family!

Dedicated & Experienced Vineyard Manager

Our Vineyard Manager Linda, got her start in the vineyards because of her initial interest in plants and gardening. She has been with Stonington Vineyards for 18 years taking her direction directly from winemaker, Mike McAndrew. Stonington Vineyards has a very hands on approach to farming. The vines are all hand pruned, hedged and harvested. We strive to incorporate organic practices whenever possible and respect the unique micro-climate of the region we are fortunate to call home.

Tasting Room Manager

Susan joined Stonington Vineyards in 2013 as part of our seasonal tasting room crew, but it didn’t take long for her to become a staple at the vineyard. With her dedication to customers, willingness to jump in wherever needed, and effortless ability to keep things running smoothly, stepping into the role of Tasting Room Manager in 2020 was a no-brainer.

If you’ve visited SV, you’ve likely seen Susan in action—zipping around the property, wearing about ten different hats at once, all while keeping her cool. She’s a familiar face to all our regulars and, a familiar face on our social media!

When she’s not at the vineyard, she’s either lost in a good book, soaking up the sun at the beach, or spending time with her favorite people—especially her niece, nephews, and godson. And let’s not forget Tanner, her beloved pup, who she proudly (and maybe obsessively) dotes on. Be sure to say hi to Susan next time you visit…. if you can catch her!

Assistant Winemaker

Jim has been with Stonington Vineyards for the past 12 years. Working under the leadership of Mike McAndrew, Jim has helped create the quality wines Stonington Vineyards is known for. Jim and Mike make an excellent team, and Jim’s organization and experience are paramount during harvest season. Jim resides locally with his wife Nicole, and their 3 beautiful children who are often found helping Dad during harvest season!

Tasting Room

Mikel-Ann started at Stonington Vineyards over 12 years ago, as part of our festival team and quickly moved to weekend tasting room staff.  Committed to our customers, Mikel-Ann can be seen in the tasting room after a week of teaching at a local school and university.   Her commitment to customer service is evident to all those regulars who know her by name!  Mikel-Ann is a devoted mother to her son, Jonathan and the wife of Lou Raposa who she married right here at Stonington Vineyards. She wouldn’t have it any other way!

Tasting Room

Mathew didn’t just stumble into our team—he practically sipped his way here! After years of being a dedicated wine club member, he made it official and joined our vineyard family 5 years ago. With a deep love for wine (and a few impressive courses under his belt), plus a background in restaurant management, he brings a fresh perspective to our tastings. His pairing suggestions are spot-on, thanks to his passion for cooking—and let’s be honest, his enthusiasm for great food knows no bounds.

How deep does his foodie love go? Well, he named his cat Taco Toby, and as fate would have it, Toby’s birthday falls on Cinco de Mayo—clearly, they were meant to be. When he’s not talking tannins and tasting notes, Mathew is serving up sharp wit and impeccable style. His fashion sense is as bold as his personality, and his humor could brighten even the dimmest wine cellar. Come for the wine, stay for Mathew’s charm—you won’t regret it!

Tasting Room

Richie first joined our crew back in 2011, working festivals and spreading the wine love. Fast forward to 2021, and he became a regular fixture in our tasting room. His passion for wine isn’t just about sipping; he loves educating our customers on all things vino.

Beyond our walls, Richie curates wine lists for local hotels and restaurants, always ready to chat about the perfect food pairings. And speaking of food—when Richie cooks, we all win. His homemade lumpia is legendary, and we’d be lying if we said we didn’t look forward to every bite. But if there’s one thing that rivals his love for wine and food, it’s his sweet tooth! More often than not, you’ll catch him with candy or some kind of treat in hand. So whether he’s pouring, pairing, or passing out sweets, Richie brings a little extra flavor to everything he does!