1. Home to over 25 wineries
Debbie Gioquindo
Hudson Valley Wine Goddess
Executive Director Hudson Valley Wine Country
3. The Hudson River Wine Region is referred to as the most complex geological regions
of the world. Located parallel to northern Spain, southern France and central Italy,
warm ocean breezes extend the growing season to between 180 – 196 days.
•The French Hugenots planted the first vines in New Paltz (now part of Ulster County)
in 1677, 100 years before any vines were planted in what is now California.
•1827, Quaker RobertUnderhill, who had established a self-sustaining community at
Croton Point, planted grapevines brought from Europe. Although Underhill’s attempt
to cultivate these vines failed, that didn’t stop him. Over the next two decades
he cross-bred native and European vines and the results paid off - grapes with
wonderful flavor growing on vines hardy enough to survive in this climate.
•William Cornell established a vineyard in Ulster County in 1845. His endeavors
greatly interested his brother-in-law, Andrew Caywood, who settled in Marlborough
and worked on creating second generation hybrid vines. This is now part of Benmarl
Winery @ Slate Hill Vineyards
4. •The first commercial winery in the Hudson Valley, Jacques Brothers Winery, was
established in 1837 for the production of altar wines. Renamed Brotherhood in
1885, the Washingtonville winery is the nation’s oldest continuously operated
winery.
•In 1850, the region’s second winery was established at Croton Point. The company
produced altar wines and also marketed its product in New York City as a medicinal
tonic.
•The Hudson Valley Wine Company was opened in Highland (Ulster County) in
1904 by Alphonso Bolognese. The company made altar wines for local monasteries
and was the Regent Champagne Cellars.
•High Tor Vineyards, which operated on a scenic mountain site in Rockland County
back in 1949, was one of he east’s most prominent wineries.
•In the 1970’s New York Governor Hugh Carey appointed John Dyson as state
Commissioner of Agriculture. Dyson formed a task force that drew up the Farm
Winery Bill. With testimony from Benmarl Vineyards owner Mark Miller
and support from many other vintners and organizations, the bill was passed in
1976, paving the way for rapid growth of the Hudson Valley wine industry.
16. East Side of the Hudson:
•South to North: Beginning @ Millbrook Winery travel to Clinton Vineyards, Tousey Winery,
Hudson-Chatham Winery, and Brookview Station.
West Side of the Hudson
•Northern Route: Begin at Robibero Vineyards and travel to Whitecliff Vineyards & Winery,
Adair Vineyards, Glorie Farm Winery, Stoutridge Vineyard and end the day at Benmarl Winery.
•Southern Route: Begin at Palaia Vineyards and travel to Brotherhood Winery, Applewood
Winery and end the day at Warwick Valley Winery.
•Mid Route: Begin at Brotherhood Winery and
• travel to Baldwin Vineyards, Brimestone Hill Vineyards, Whitecliff Vineyards & Winery
and end the day at Robibero Vineyards
•Or – travel to Benmarl Winery, Stoutridge Vineyards, and Glorie Farm Winery. If you
have time end the day at Adair Vineyards.
East/West Combo
•Begin at Clinton Vineyards and visit Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, then travel across the river
to Marlboro and visit Stoutridge Vineyards, Benmarl Winery and if time permits visit Glorie
Farm Winery.
17. Location – It’s closer than you think!
•10 miles South of Albany, NY (Brookview Station Winery)
•55 miles North of New York City (Palaia Vineyards)
•50 miles West of Danbury, CT (Millbrook Vineyards or Benmarl Winery)
More information
www.hudsonvalleywinecountry.org
www.facebook.com/hudsonvalleywine
www.twitter.com/hvwinecountry
Editor's Notes
Home to the oldest winery in America – Brotherhood
Oldest Vineyards – Slate Hill Vineyard @ Benmarl
Talk about Caywood and the history of the wine in the area.
Orange and Southern Ulster Counties. Talk about the wine trail. A little about touring and picnic lunch. Events