Things to do / Travel Guide
The Hudson Valley's experience in the world of wine dates back to the French Huguenot settlers over 300 years ago. Today, the valley is home to dozens of wineries, some of which are internationally-acclaimed. Also, due to the proximity to the Finger Lakes, many wineries actually bring in some or all of their grapes from that region. Nevertheless, there are a good deal of vineyards within the region, and for all these and the wineries, in some quarters the Valley has even begun receiving the accolade “Napa of the East.” You won't find all the pretension known in the West, as most of these are mop-and-pop affairs.
While the Hudson Valley in days long past used to be an agricultural center, it has lost this status to other regions in the U.S., and other countries in the world. China now is a leading exporter of apple cider, a product the Hudson Valley used to be known for. A lucrative innovation has been to convert old farmland to winemaking, as each acre can produce more fruit and reap higher profit. Thus the region has begun seriously investing in winemaking.
The esteemed wines of the Hudson Valley include an array of whites, reds, sparkling, European blends, and wines made from fruit other than grapes. The Valley's wine connoisseurs welcome you to enjoy a visit to some of the oldest wineries in the country (including the very oldest), a day trip on a wine trail, and tastes of the critically-acclaimed local wines.
Before we get started on the wineries, a mention goes to the Bear Café, located State Road 212 near Woodstock. It has been recognized five years in a row by the magazine “Wine Spectator” “for having one of the most outstanding restaurants wine list in the world,” selling wines from all the world's premier wine regions.
Hudson Valley Wineries
Heading north up the Hudson Valley from New York City, vacationers will have their choice of wineries to visit.
- The Brotherhood Winery is about 10 miles off of the New York Thruway, exit 16 at Washingtonville, NY. Take some time before the tasting to appreciate the historical significance of the site. It's the oldest winery in the United States – a visit is a unique experience.
- Further north, near Poughkeepsie, the Kedem Winery could be the site of a Jewish pilgrimage. For generations, and throughout the country, Kedem wine has been a part of the holiday meals. Its not just the wine your grandfather, Irving made kiddish on – tastes have become more sophisticated in their more recent products. See for yourself – just not on Saturday!
- About 10 minutes south of New Paltz (exit 18 on the Thruway), the relatively new Adair Vineyards offer unusual local wines produced in a 200 year old barn. The winery offers tours and tasting from late-spring through the fall season, providing yet another reason to visit New Paltz.
- Further north, across the Hudson and off the Taconic State Parkway, the Millbrook Vineyards and Winery is a popular attraction year-round. Its wines have been acclaimed by the New York Times, among others.
Hudson Valley Wine Trails
The Hudson Valley boasts two wine trails, where the idea is to go from winery to winery in the course of an afternoon, day, or a few days, tasting the wines as you go and learning about wine production and the different varieties produced. The Dutchess Wine Trail on the east side of the Hudson River, and the Shawangunk Wine Trail on the west side; the wineries are mostly along the river.
Take the Dutchess Wine Trail up Taconic State Parkway to Alison Wines and Vineyards, Clinton Vineyards, and Millbrook Vineyards and Winery. Each winery is not too far from the next, and some of the wines featured are gold medal winners.
The longer of the two, the Shawagunk Wine Trail passes by 11 wineries up and down I-87: Adair Vineyards, Applewood Winery, Baldwin Vineyards, Benmark Vineyards, Brimstone Hill Vineyard, Brotherhood Winery, Glory Farm Winery, Rivendell Winery, Stoutridge Winery, Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery, and Whitecliff Vineyards.
Wineries in Woodstock, Cooperstown, New Paltz, Catskills and Hudson Valley
Wineries
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