Combining his love of nature, his interest in genetics, and his passion to predict, Dr. Rothberg purchased the leading vineyard in Connecticut to push the frontiers of winemaking. Originally Incorporated in 1983 by the Chairman and CEO of Tiffany and CO., Dr. Rothberg found in Chamard vineyards a foundation of grace and elegance that would form the basis for even finer wines.
Most recently Dr.Rothberg has launched a research project
called the Methuselah 
Project, which is sponsored by the Rothberg Institute (TRI), a non-profit research
organization in Guilford, Ct. It is known that drinking wine in moderation
extends a healthy life. this project seeks to find the genes people carry that
do the same. Dr. Rothberg was the first person to map an individual persons
genome and now wants to map 300 centenarians.
The first vines were planted in the spring of 1984, a 5.5 acre vineyard consisting primarily of Chardonnay with a small quantity of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir. From 1986 through 1992 the remaining acreage was prepared and planted, for a combined total of 20 acres. In the summer of 1988, the winery was constructed and Chamard became a licensed farm winery. The first wine, a 1988 Chardonnay was released for sale in November of 1989. Current production is 6,000 cases annually.
