Elk Hill Winery is located at 225 Prim Lane, Berne, NY 12023 Albany in the historic Hudson River Region of New York. Elk Hill is a no nonsense winery, lovingly and painstakingly built by the Primiano Family. Our winery is nestled in the Heldeberg Mountains, within twenty minutes driving time from Albany.
As well as visiting us during our normal hours of operation, we invite you to come enjoy our annual wine festivals. Tours of the winery are available during each festival. Wine tasting is encouraged. Visitors that purchase two or more bottles of our wine will receive a complimentary wine opener and a steam ship (large roast beef 120 Lbs.) Roast Beef sandwich. We enjoy having visitors and warmly welcome all wine lovers. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the Elk Hill Winery.
Cascade Mountain Winery & Restaurant is located at 835 Cascade Mountain Road, Amenia NY 12501 in the Hudson Valley. Cascade Mountain was founded in the spring of 1972 by the Wetmore family who pioneered the production of premium table wines on the eastern side of the Hudson River. Bill, along with his wife Margaret and their three children Charles, Michael and Joan, planted the vineyard in 1972, built the winery in 1977, and opened the restaurant in 1985.
Today, Cascade Mountain is a thriving business which features a full line of award-winning table wines and a highly rated restaurant. Customers come from all over the world to enjoy a few pleasant hours on top of the Berkshire foothills accompanied by some of the best food and wine to be found in the Hudson River Valley
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Balston Spa
Johnston's Winery
518-882-6310
Johnston's Winery is located at 5140 Bliss Road, Ballston Spa, NY 12020. Johnston's Winery is on the west side of the Hudson River Region. Call for an appointment.
Mountain View Winery is located at 401 County Route 61, Cambridge, NY 12816 in the Hudson River Valley. The view from the winery is a sweeping vista of the Green Mountains of Vermont on the other side of the valley. Mountain View Winery is the first licensed Farm Winery in Washington County, New York. We are located just north of Cambridge, and due east of Saratoga Springs. Offereing traditional grape wines, as well as fruit wines. The winemaker is active duty Air Force and might be deployed at any given time, so Winery hours are by appointment only for tours and tastings.
The Dallemagne family has been producing some of the world's finest wines for generations, starting in the area near Liege, Belgium in the mid 1400's. Paul Dallemagne, the owner and winemaker, has resurrected the family tradition of fine wines and opened Mountain View Winery in July of 2005. The first year's total production was 95 cases, a small start. Second year production was be 185 cases. Plans are to continue to expand production as the Winery's customer base expands. The Winery is closed each year between October and February. Press "Blue Button" to learn more about the wines of Mountain View Winery, including: Merlot, Diamond, First Kiss Blush, Myrtille - a Blueberry fruit wine, and more.
Goold Orchards and Brookview Station Winery is located at 1297 Brookview Station Road, Castleton, NY. Goolds Orchards is 9 miles from downtown Albany on the east side of the Hudson River in the town of Schodack. Our farm has been in the Goold family since 1910. Our goal is to grow and sell only the highest quality apples. Goold Orchards has won the New York State apple consumer package contest and also Rensselaer County Farm Bureau's annual farm beautification award.
Our farm store features many varieties of apples including Macintosh, Crispin, Jonamac and Ida Red. The Store is open year-round with apples and pasteurized cider. Goold Orchard's sweet apple cider is freshly pressed in our own mill the old fashioned way, through oak racks. Goold's cider is made from a blend of sound, firm apples and flash pasteurized to insure a flavorful, safe, fresh juice. Quality and freshness are maintained by storage at near freezing temperature in our large refrigerated holding tanks. Press "Blue Button" for more about Brookview Station Winery and Festival.
Orchard Attractions Bakery Store Fall Festival - Including Brookview Station Wine Tent featuring farm wineries from across New York State Brookview Station Winery's Apple Wine Apple Pickin' Time
Clinton Vineyards is located at 450 Schultzville Road, Clinton Corners NY 12514 in Dutchess County. Clinton Vineyards and Winery, located in the Hudson Valley is the premium producer of Seyval Blanc, white table wine, champagnes and dessert wines from grapes grown on the estate.
Imagine yourself walking among orderly, luxuriant rows of trellised vines laden with grapes with a backdrop of beautiful rolling hills. Then stop in a charming tasting room to sample premium white wines, méthode champenoise sparkling wines and luscious dessert wines, with sexy names like Romance, Embrace, and Desire. Enjoy the experience of meeting the proprietor and winemaker and tasting delicious food made from the bounty of local farms. Well, if you think you have to travel 3,000 miles to the Napa Valley, think again, because these pleasures await you at Clinton Vineyards in Dutchess County in the Hudson Valley. You'll feel welcome in this setting, one of the most beautiful in Dutchess County complete with historic barns, a pond, lovely gardens and exquisite landscape.
Close to New York City, Albany and Danbury, Clinton Vineyards is open for tours and tastings Friday-Sunday from 11AM-5PM year round. Groups can be scheduled on other days. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Clinton Vineyards' wines and winery.
Follow our Dutchess Wine Trail past the Vineyards, orchards and farms that provide the bounty of this beautiful valley. Along the way, you will sample wines that have gained international recognition while you tour the wine cellars and chat with the owners and winemakers. The Dutchess Wine Trail takes you to Alison Wines & Vineyards, Clinton Vineyards and Millbrook Vineyards, all within a half hour of each other. Press to see complete list and descriptions of Wineries.
En route, you'll pass by thoroughbred horse farms, dairies, orchards, woodlands, lakes and trout streams that will transport you to an earlier, simpler time. In addition, there are the Gardens of Wethersfield and Innisfree, as well as the fabled mansions of the Hudson River. Enjoy the many fine restaurants, country inns, bed & breakfasts and antique shops along the Dutchess Wine Trail.
At the wineries, you will be sampling a medley of European wine varieties vinified as sparkling wines, dry to semi-dry table wines and late harvest dessert wines that have won their share of Gold Medals in both National and International Competitions as well as the praise of wine critics across the country. Visit our wineries and sample our wines, each a taste of seasons past: The snows of winter, April showers, summer sunshine and crisp fall nights. It's all there in the bottle, waiting for you. Press "Blue Button" for more information about The Dutchess Wine Trail.
Colebrook Country Wines is located at 562 Colebrook Road, Gansevoort, NY 12831. We now have the following wines in stock: Elderberry, Strawberry/Rhubarb, Cherry, Peach, Apple, Red Currant, and Green Apple/Reisling. Free tastings of course! We can also customize a gift basket for any occasion, using our gourmet wine sauces, syrups, jellies and biscuits.
Whitecliff Vineyard is located at 331 McKinstry Road, Gardiner, NY 12525 in the Hudson River Valley. Whitecliff Vineyard sits on 70 acres opposite the Shawangunk Mountain chain located west of the Hudson River (near New Paltz) and 60 miles north of New York City. It is one of nine wineries of the famed Shawangunk Wine Trail and is following in the tradition of French Huguenot settlers who brought wine making to this scenic valley over three centuries ago.
Today, we're using the latest techniques in vineyard management and enology to bring the best in European wine grape varieties back to this historic area. Whitecliff is working with European vinifera varietals such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling, and quality hybrids like Seyval Blanc and Vignoles, including small plantings of Pinot Noir and Merlot. And we are pioneering use of Gamay Noir grape in the Hudson Valley for a true Beaujolais-style Nouveau.
Whitecliff Vineyard is rooted in the centuries-old agricultural traditions of the Hudson Valley. Visit us and see how fertile soils and beautiful surroundings contribute to the vineyard, and are reflected in the fine, flavorful wines that are a vivid expression of this region—the oldest winemaking region in America. Visitors are invited to sample wines in our tasting room and enjoy the spectacular view of the Shawangunk cliffs from the deck. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Whitecliff Vineyard.
The Hudson-Chatham Winery is located at 1900 State Route 66, Ghent, New York, 12075. Hudson-Chatham Winery is the dream of Carlo and Dominique DeVito, both publishing professionals who have long shared a love of wine. This exciting new winery, which specializes in small hand-made batches of wine, is dedicated to the richness of the Hudson River Valley, particularly its wine, agriculture, literature, art, history, and many other attractions that make it a rich and special region. The Hudson-Chatham Winery, located between the historic towns of Hudson and Chatham, is the first winery in Columbia County.
As well as creating fine artisanal wines, the DeVito family (including two dogs), and many valued friends, have worked hard restoring the winery's grounds and its prestigious circa 1780 farmhouse. The winery will feature hand-crafted wines, cheese and desserts, and will include vineyards tours and a gazebo with scenic views. A visit to the Hudson-Chatham Winery will inspire all your senses. Press "Blue Button" for more information about the new Hudson-Chatham Winery.
Chateau LaFayette Reneau Winery and Inn is located at Route 414, 7 miles north of Watkins Glen, in Hector, NY 14841. We cordially invite you to savor 140 acres of vineyards, ponds, and woodlands. Our brick house and renovated barn/winery are from an earlier, simpler time. The panoramic view of Seneca Lake is absolutely spellbinding. Your visit here is more than another trip to a winery. It's a vacation from daily stress. This is the ideal place to nurture wine & dreams.
Looking for a unique setting to savor our great wine? Enjoy a serene luncheon in our picnic area while gazing at the breathtaking views of Seneca lake and our vineyards. We are the most photographed winery in the State of New York. Press "Blue Button" for photos and more information about Chateau LaFayette Reneau.
Palaia Vineyards is located at 20 Sweet Clover Road, Highland Mills, NY 10930 in the beautiful Hudson Valley. Come and visit us and see whats new. We have Added a Deck to the Tasting Room. It's a great place to enjoy the view of the vineyard and the background of the Skunnemunk Ridge - and just relax. We invite you to come and visit while you explore and celebrate the history around us.
History Palaia Vineyards "Pa-Lie-Ahh" is named for our winemaker's grandfather, Angelo Palaia who emigrated here from Italy and passed his winemaking skills on to his son and grandson. We have taken the basics he gave us , and with modern winemaking techniques have been able to make some truly outstanding wines. Here at Sweet Clover Farm, we believe in celebrating and preserving the history of our family, country, town and homestead. We are proud to be the owners of a working farm that has been in the Hudson Valley for over 200 years. Once a dairy farm, it is now home to over 10 Acres of vineyards with more planned for the future. The 200 year old bank barn had been restored over the last 3 years and is now a beautiful winery on the lower level, with storage and a tasting room above preserving the look and feel of the historical building. We invite you to come and visit. Press "Blue Button" for history, photos and more about Palaia Vineyards and be sure to visit our winery.
Benmarl Vineyards is located at 156 Highland Avenue, Marlboro, NY 12542 in Ulster County. Benmarl Vineyards holds the NY State Farm Winery license #1 and is the acknowledged parent of the burgeoning farm winery industry that has brought fame to the new wineries of New York State. Press "Blue Button" to explore Benmarl's website and learn the history of America's Oldest Vineyard.
Benmarl's fine wines have won acclaim throughout the world and prestigious awards. Benmarl's varietal and table wines are made, aged and bottled at the winery from grapes grown on the Benmarl Estate as well as from grapes of other growers.
A Brief History The Miller family began wine growing as a hobby, saw it become a kind of privately sustained research station and eventually become what friends have described as "more a crusade than a business". It began appropriately on a vineyard in the Hudson River Valley, the oldest wine district in the United States. Wine has been made from the grapes of this region since the 17th century when the French Hugenots grew vines and made wine in nearby New Paltz. U.P. Hedrick, author of the Grapes of New York, called the Hudson region "the birthplace of American viticulture" citing a planting in 1827 at Croton Point as the nation's earliest commercially successful vineyard.
Benmarl Vineyards & Winery was very fortunate to have its wine well received. Judgment of the quality of wine is, of course, a very subjective matter. One drinker's preference may be another's anathema. In order to gain general acceptance a new wine, like a new idea, must overcome a formidable series of barriers to acceptance representing a tendency in all of us to resist change. The very idea of wine as a part of our American cuisine was resisted for a long time and even now when we are at last learning to use wine at our tables, many people are still reluctant to accept wines which are not grown in a famous region. With this in mind it would not have been surprising for the wine from this little known vineyard to be disparaged for its regional differences or simply to be ignored. But happily it met quite the opposite reaction. There has perhaps been no other American vineyard, during the past few years, which has received more attention from those who write about, think about, and enjoy good wine than Benmarl.
"TIME Magazine" in a handsome full color feature, described Benmarl and its eastern farm winery counterparts as "a new breed of winemakers, whose wines of fine quality and elegance are shaking California's throne." The highly respected "New York Times" wine columnist Frank Prial became interested in Benmarl and its Société when it sought his help in publicizing the need for legislative reform to encourage farm wineries in New York, and he described its wines as "remarkable examples of what dedication can produce." Author and wine authority Alixis Lichine wrote in his "Encyclopedia Of Wines And Spirits" that "Benmarl promises to be among the finest vineyards in the nation". In its warm radiance Benmarl's Société has grown from a few friends to many hundreds all over the United States. Benmarl's example is being followed by an expanding number of small wineries throughout America. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Benmarl Vineyards.
Glorie Farm Winery is located at 40 Mountain Road, Marlboro, NY 12542. Housed in a 1913 barn near the top of Mt. Zion Mountain, Glorie Farm Winery is one of the newest wineries in the Hudson River Valley Region.
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Kedem Winery, producing Kosher wines, is located at 1519 Route 9W in Marlboro, NY 12542 in Ulster County, part of the beautiful Hudson Valley Wine Region. Kedem Winery is open for tours and wine tastings.
Royal Wine Corporation operates Kedem Winery. Royal Wine has a heritage of perfection and family tradition which spans over 8 generations of superb wine production. With scores as high as 92 in Wine Spectator Magazine, Royal's wines have earned international recognition. From award-winners like Baron Herzog Cabernet Sauvignon to the famous Baron Rothschild Haut Medoc, Chateau Yon Figeac and many other prominent chateaux wines from France, we have the right wine for any occasion.
What Makes a Wine Kosher? A simple definition of “kosher,” is a food prepared in accordance with Jewish dietary laws. The term “kosher wine” refers to a wine that was made according to specific guidelines. Kosher does not represent a variety or style of winemaking and the fact that a wine is kosher has no effect on its taste. In other words, kosher wine is not like Chinese or Italian food, which are varieties of food. Since kosher law does not prohibit the use of specific wine styles, grape varieties, or origin, any wine made in accordance to these rules can be kosher. This explains the large variety of kosher wines available from around the world, including Argentina, Australia, South Africa, Spain, New York, California, France, Israel, Italy, among others.
Today, the range of grape varieties used for the production of kosher supervised wines has greatly expanded. Consequently, kosher wines are available in all varieties from around the world. By employing the services of master winemakers, using only premium grapes and applying state-of-the-art viticultural techniques, modern kosher wines are often superior, or at least identical in quality to non-kosher wines. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Kedem Winery.
Stoutridge Vineyards is located at 10 Ann Kaley Lane, Marlboro, NY 12542. We are members of the Shawangunk Wine Trail as well as the Meet Me In Marlborough Farm Trail. The vineyards are half a mile from the beautiful Hudson River on the south-east facing slopes of a ridge of land on which grapevines and fruit trees have been continuously planted for 200 years. The Marlboro area has a rich history of fruit and wine production and during the 1800's was the principal supplier of fresh fruit for New York City.
We specialize in Germanic style white wines from the Pinot Blanc, Vidal Blanc and Riesling varieties, and Northern Italian style red wines from the Pinot Noir, Sangiovese and Teroldego varieties. We also offer for sale a selection of superb New York State grape and fruit wines.
The winery is currently housed in a picturesque and historic stone farmhouse known to elder locals as "The Homestead". The winery at Stoutridge Vineyard is a gravity flow design built into a hillside directly on the site of the pre-prohibition era Morano Winery (1902 - 1919). The old winery's foundation wall is all that remains of the historic structure, and it has been meticulously restored to become a beautiful front wall for the Stoutridge tasting room patio. To further preserve the history of the site, the production room of the new winery is of the same dimensions as the previous winery's interior. By building the winery in into the hillside we are not only able to make our wines using a gentle gravity-flow method, but were able to construct a very energy efficient building using the earth's natural 55F temperature to cool the winery in the summer and warm it in the winter.
Press "Blue Button" to view the vineyards for each wine - Riesling, Pinot Noir & Teroldego, Sangiovese; view photos of Stoutridge Winery and grounds, and learn all about wine at Stoutridge Vineyards' website.
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery is located in Millbrook, New York 12545 in Dutchess County. Millbrook Vineyards & Winery was the first vineyard in the Hudson River Region of New York dedicated exclusively to the production of vinifera grapes. Millbrook Vineyards & Winery’s 30 acres of vines include plantings of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and an Italian varietal called Tocai Friulano. Dyson began planting vines at the Millbrook site in 1983. The southwest facing slopes and the gravelly soil proved excellent for viticulture.
Millbrook Winery officially opened for tours and tastings in 1988, and today produces 8,000 - 10,000 cases of wine a year, specializing in Chardonnay, Tocai Friulano, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. The winery has earned recognition for these wines in such prestigious publications as The Wine Spectator, The New York Times, The New York Daily News, Hudson Valley Magazine, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Encyclopedia of Wine, and Bon Appetit.
Essential to the Millbrook Wine Experience is an informative and enriching tour of the Winery, which will leave you with an insider's view of the entire winemaking process, from careful tending of the vineyards to our Winemaker's art of vinification. Tours are complimentary and conducted every day. Millbrook Vineyards & Winery is open year-round, seven days a week from 12:00 - 5:00 p.m. with the exception of New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. From Memorial Day through Labor Day our hours are extended from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Millbrook Vineyards & Winery.
Oak Summit Vineyard is located at 372 Oak Summit Road, Millbrook, NY 12545 in the Hudson Valley. We make the greatest Pinot Noir in the true Burgundian manner. Great wine can only be made from great grapes. Therefore we grow only healthy, luscious grapes without any herbicides. Thereafter we vinify only clean, pure Pinot Noir without any additives.
Our 6 acres of vines are planted in Dutchess Cardigan, a somewhat gravelly loam of great depth. The natural pH is 6.3, and the soil is rich in nutrients and well balanced in minerals, without the need for artificial amendments. Our Pinot Noir vines are all traditional Dijon clones grafted on American rootstock. They are hand planted and hand trained onto a VSP trellis system.
Oak Summit's PINOT NOIR has received an amazing array of awards including 3 Gold Medals, a Silver and a Bronze from the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Association's 2005 Grand Competition at the Culinary Institute of America. And also, the prestigious CORNELL CUP for the best wine in the Hudson Valley AVA. And, among others, the DCEDC Agriculture Awards for 2005 and the Silver Medal from The American Wine Society's 21st Annual Competition. Press "Blue Button" to see photos of Vineyards, Tasting Room, Sunset View over the lake, and more about Oak Summit Vineyard.
The Winery at St. George is located at 1715 East Main Street on Route 6 in Mohegan Lake, NY 10547. The Winery at St. George is a New York State winery nestled in the scenic Hudson Valley wine region. Our wine making operation, visitor’s center, and tasting room are housed in the historic Old St. George’s Church in beautiful Mohegan Lake. The winery will produce limited edition, high quality wines from grapes grown at Hilltop Hanover Farm in Yorktown Heights. Our mission, our passion, is to advance environmentally sound organic agriculture while sustaining open land initiatives.
Planted on May 9th, 2007, the vineyard will be an integral part of Westchester County’s Conservation and Natural Resource Center. It boasts three grape varietals: Cabernet Franc, Seyval Blanc and Noiret (a Pinot Noir hybrid). We, the winemakers, look forward to years of abundant harvests and converting these fruits of labor into spectacular wines for all to enjoy. Press "Blue Button" for The Winery at St. George website.
Silver Stream Winery is located at 11 Kennedy Lane, Monroe, NY 10950. The Hudson Valley is a viticultural paradox. It is at once an exciting new wine region and also the oldest commercial wine producing region in the country.
History There was a hill in Orange County New York. The hillside overlooked what used to be an old Indian road used before the Dutch got here and then later it became a Colonial road leading to the local iron works and forge. The road ran alongside a stream for most of its distance, the name of the stream was Trout Brook, but us kids, we used to just call it Silver Stream.
Today there are five varieties grown here at Silver Stream Winery: Cabenet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Traminette and an Alsatian variety known by the tongue-twisting name of Gewurtztraminer. We are producing about estate grown wines and other New York State varietals. We also make a vinegar that will knock you socks off and then hang 'em up on the bedpost. Press "Blue Button" to explore the exciting wines that are available here in the Hudson Valley of New York and at Silver Stream Winery.
Monticello
Allied Wine Corporation
845-796-4160
Allied Wine Corporation is located at 2 Fairgrounds Road, Monticello, NY 12701. Allied Wine Corporation is the leader in Kosher wine manufacturing and sales.
Adair Vineyards is located at 52 Allhusen Road, New Paltz, New York 12561, Ulster County in the Historic Hudson Valley. Little known is the fact that wine growing was once a thriving industry along these Hudson River shores. The French Huguenots planted grapes in the Hudson Highlands in the 17th century and in 1870 a hundred tons of grapes a day sailed from Marlboro down to New York City. While wine making is not new to the area, it did fade in importance during Prohibition and did not, until recently, stage a dramatic comeback.
The beauty of the land is legend. One needs only to recall the glorious paintings of the Hudson River School artistes to visualize the grandeur of this magnificent valley. We often compare a visit to Adair Vineyards to a step into one of those 19th century paintings. There are similarities. Asher Durand’s painting in 1840 The Solitary Oak appears on our wine label. And, we have a solitary oak standing at the head of our vineyard. In his painting are cows, horses, mountains, and a stream. Our winery is housed in a barn, over 200 years old, once occupied by cows and horses, and has a stream running by with the Shawangunk Mountains in the background.
The vineyard is located next to the winery. In order to maintain the highest quality, our wines are created firstly with estate-grown grapes and then supplemented with additional varieties grown at a local farm which we have a close working relationship. Our 10 acres of vines are composed of two white varieties: Seyval Blanc and Vignoles, two red varieties: Foch and Millot. We currently produce more than 20,000 bottles and look forward to increasing our production.
In the wine cellar you will see how we make the wine, care for it to perfection and bottle it for our customer. Our wines range from dry to slightly sweet. Come to Adair Vineyards. Combine wine tasting at our winery with several of the other Hudson Valley wineries. Or stop off to see us on the way to some of the many historic and scenic sights. We know you will have a good time. Press "Blue Button" for more information about our wines and winery.
Rivendell Winery is located at 714 Albany Post Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. Rivendell Winery was established in 1987 by the Ransom Family in the Hudson Valley town of New Paltz, on the west side of the Hudson River, on a property originally established as a winery in the 1970's.
Over the years it has become one of New York's most awarded labels, receiving considerable national attention for its wine quality. With a wine growing philosophy that utilizes only the finest grapes grown in the best regions of New York, and an emphasis on high quality wines made in unique and proprietary styles, Rivendell has grown to a dominant position in its immediate market, winning many regional polls for "Best Winery", an alchemist's horde of medals from regional, national and international competitions and a number of marketing "firsts" for the New York industry. Indeed, in 2004 Rivendell was awarded the Governor's Cup, for the "Best New York Wine" at the annual New York Wine Competition.
In 1998, the winery tasting room was redesigned to offer the wines of many other quality New York wineries under the name Vintage New York™. Currently there are over 75 wines available for tasting from more than a dozen New York wineries. From Finger Lakes Chardonnay to Long Island Merlot to handcrafted Grappa and Brandy, Rivendell has become the place to discover the finest in New York wines in the Hudson Valley. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Rivendell Winery.
Baldwin Vineyards is located at 176 Hardenburgh Road, Pine Bush, New York 12566. Located 85 miles northwest of NYC in the beautiful Hudson River Valley Region, Baldwin Vineyards is situated on a 35 acre vineyard with a pasture like setting, complete with a stone home built by the Hardenburghs in 1786.
Proprietors, Patricia and Jack Baldwin, planted the first Vineyard in 1982 and a second vineyard in 1983. By 1985, both were working full time to create a micro winery which offers a wide array of different styles of wine for the discerning palate. Dry, creamy Chardonnays, a Brut Methode Champenois and Merlot for dry wine lovers. Dessert wine lovers will revel in the Late Harvest Riesling, a Raspberry Wine and an internationally acclaimed Strawberry Wine. A total of 24 different wines await wine lovers.
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Brimstone Hill Vineyard & Winery is located at 61 Brimstone Hill Road, Pine Bush, New York 12566 in the beautiful historic Hudson Valley Region. Brimstone Hill Vineyard & Winery grows and produces elegant country Hudson River region wines. Visitors have a choice of eight graceful wines to taste. Brimstone Hill Vineyard & Winery's award winning wines have been pleasing the palatable senses of this region for over 25 years!
Our cozy tasting room is open year round! We welcome small and large groups to enjoy all four glorious seasons the valley has to offer. An appreciation for wine starts in the vineyard. At Brimstone Hill Vineyard & Winery, grape vines are all around us. Begin your visit walking through rows of tall slender vines, where each season teaches us to understand some aspect about the wine grape. Inside patrons are able to taste a variety of wines ranging from dry chilled whites, to toasty reds and sumptuous semi-sweet whites.
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Prospero Winery is located at 134 Marble Avenue, Pleasantville, NY 10570 in Westchester County.
Over thirty years ago, a young man left his home in the Abruzzi Region of central Italy. Tony Prospero arrived in New York with a dream of starting a successful family business with his father, Guido, and brother, Pasquale. They set-up a fruit and vegetable market in Pleasantville, New York, situated in the heart of Westchester County.
The market quickly became a profitable business, and Tony immediately envisioned expanding in order to include new lines of products. Prospero's began selling the finest California grapes, together with superb Italian winemaking equipment. While their family-run business was expanding steadily, the Prospero's were producing excellent homemade wine. They decided it was time that they shared their fine wine with the rest of the world. In 1997, Prospero Winery was founded in Paso Robles, on California's central coast, producing three wines: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
In 1998, Chardonnay, Muscat Canelli, Grenache Rose and a house blend were added. In 1999, a winery and tasting room were opened on the original site of Prospero's fruit and vegetable market in Pleasantville. The Prospero family produces exceptional wines made from the finest California grapes, and is dedicated to offering its customers high-quality products at exceptional prices. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Prospero Winery in Pleasantville.
Alison Wines & Vineyards is located at 231 Pitcher Lane, Red Hook, NY 12571 in Dutchess County. Alison Wines & Vineyards began in 1999 because Winemaker Richard Lewit dreamed of combining his numerous, but seemingly disparate, interests and loves including: the outdoors; New York’s Hudson Valley; biology and chemistry; wine and food. A native of Westchester and a graduate of nearby Bard College with a chemistry degree, Richard was working in New York City as a newspaper reporter when he realized that winemaking in the Hudson Valley combined what he wanted.
A few years later, after apprenticing at nearby Millbrook Vineyards and also with Oregon's renowned Ponzi family, Richard was ready to start his own winery. With six vintages completed, an impressive number of medals, and another vintage ready for the bottle, that dream is a reality. Fully established with a reputation for high-quality, affordable wines that are delicious and food friendly, Alison Wines is expanding with popular strawberry and blueberry dessert-style fruit wines as well as great-tasting apple wines.
We are proud to be a New York State farm winery in our favorite place, the Hudson Valley. We take care that our wines reflect the special climate and growing conditions found in New York. Happily, this produces just the sort of wines that we love: complex enough to enjoy over and over, accessible enough to sip alone, and versatile enough to complement any meal. For us wine is about everyday enjoyment with food, with family, and with friends. We hope you find the same enjoyment with our wines that we do. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Alison Wines & Vineyards.
Pazdar Winery is located in Scotchtown, NY 10941. We started the Pazdar Winery in 1995 to produce Innovative Unique Boutique and Hand Crafted Premium Wines with Attitude. The first wines were released June 1996. To ensure quality, the wines are hand-crafted using the finest grapes, fresh pressed fruit juice, and finest winemaking techniques from Europe and the United States. They are carefully aged. It is only when they have reached the desired flavor, that they are bottled and sold.
At this time we choose not to have a tasting room. Instead we enjoy going into various communities and getting to know our customers on personal basis. On weekends during the spring, summer, and fall months, one of us is usually at a farm market or a local liquor store where the wines can be tasted and bought. If you would like a listing of where we will be, please e-mail us and we will add you to our mailing list. Press "Blue Button" for Pazdar Winery.
Breezy Hill Orchard & Cider Mills is located at 828 Centre Road, Staatsburg, NY 12580. Press "Blue Button" to browse our recipe section, check out our photo gallery or take a tour of Breezy Hill Orchard & Cider Mills.
The Shawangunk Wine Trail is nestled between the famous Shawangunk Mountains and the majestic Hudson River in Ulster County, just 85 miles north of New York City. The Trail is composed of eleven family owned wineries and dozens of "Associate Members" dedicated to making a visit to the Hudson Valley a memorable experience.
While taking a tour of the wineries along the Trail, always in view of the mountains to the west, one is reminded of the cataclysmic forces of earlier geological periods when the earth heaved up forming the great folded ridge of conglomerate rock. And the more recent glacial period that scratched and gouged the scenic cliffs and formed the unique chain of emerald lakes perched atop the ridge. The eleven wineries on the Trail all follow the tradition of the fine winemaking established by the early French Huguenot settlers who brought their wine making expertise to this valley over 300 years ago. Each winery is different. Small to medium in size, all proud of their well crafted red and white wines that range from bone dry to dessert sweet. You will find sparkling wines, vinifera and French/American varietals and blends, and even some beautifully made fruit wines. This young, thriving industry has recently become well known for its prize winning wines across the nation. Throughout the year there are special events such as Lobster Fests, jazz concerts and strawberry festivals.
Scattered along the Trail are many special attractions, lodgings, B&B's and restaurants. While following the Trail the traveler could visit a thoroughbred horse farm, a honey farm with performing bears, exciting nature trails through the majestic mountain range an road side fruit and vegetable markets to delight all the senses. There is hang gliding, camping, parachuting, fishing, horseback riding, canoeing, country fairs, antiquing and a visit to the oldest street in America where the stone houses display the way life was lived in 1650.
In spring there are apple blossoms, strawberry picking and fresh flower sales. In summer, the College at New Paltz features a repertory theater and the Music in the Mountains Festival. There are several art galleries and numerous antique shops. And to top it off, literally, is a trip to Lake Minnewaska and Lake Mohonk Mountain House high atop the Shawangunks. The view from Skytop Point at Mohonk spans four different states. Press "Blue Button" for more information about The Shawangunk Wine Trail.
El Paso Winery is located on the westerly side of route 9W in the beautiful Hudson Valley Wine Region of New York State. Our winery tasting room is the barn of an original 125 year old farmstead. El Paso Winery gets its Spanish name from the original owner who emigrated from Uruguay, South America almost 30 years ago. His specialties were sweet wines, some of which we still produce today.
My husband and I purchased the winery in 1997 and our favorite wines are the wonderful dry reds and whites of New York State. El Paso Winery produces 20 wines; so, why not stop in for "a little taste of the Hudson Valley". Press "Blue Button" for more information about El Paso Winery.
Comments: El Paso Winery is easy to find. Just follow Route 9W a pleasant ten miles north of the Mid-Hudson Bridge or four miles south from Kingston.
Magnanini Farm Winery & Restaurant is located at 172 Strawridge Road, Walkill, NY 12589 in the Hudson River Valley. If hospitality could be harvested, there’s no doubt that Richard and Rachel Magnanini would enjoy bumper crops each year. What isn’t homemade at Magnanini is handmade. In fact, the personal touch is evident at Magnanini in everything from Rachel’s homemade delicacies; Richard’s proudest blends of wine, and to his father’s architectural work.
From the outset, Galba, who worked in the vineyards when he was a youngster in Italy, has been intent on making the Magnanini Winery a family affair. It has been exactly that since the winery was established in 1983 to the first bottling a year later. In the spring of 1985, the family-style European restaurant was opened.
The property on which the vineyards and winery are located has been in the family since 1953, although it wasn’t until 1970 that Galba and Richard began planting wine grapes. “In 1965, I went to Europe. I was touring Europe and I saw American tourists drinking wines. I came back and decided to plant.” The harvest from the first planting was sold to home winemakers in the area. While the winemakers perfected their wines, Richard continued to do research on viticulture practices and winemaking techniques.
With the adoption of the Farm Winery Act in 1976, the Magnanini’s were encouraged to continue their efforts in the vineyards and eventually bottled 1,000 gallons for commercial sale in July 1984. Production at the winery has reached to 6,000 gallons. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Magnanini Farm Winery & Restaurant.
Applewood Winery is located at 82 Four Corners Road, Warwick NY 10990 in Orange County. Enjoy wine tasting at a real farm winery in New York's Hudson Valley. Discover New York wines at Applewood Winery. Our wines are made from our own vineyards, orchards and from across the state. We make Chardonnay's, Cabernet Franc, barrel fermented reds, in addition to that we have delicious fruit wines including Hard Apple Cider. Every wine is produced in a "limited edition" with almost every bottle spoken for as soon as its made. So you'll only find our wine at the tasting room and here in our online store.
Enjoy music every weekend in August. Music starts at 2:00 and ends at 5:00. The Cafe will be open serving fruit & cheese platters and sandwiches. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Applewood Winery.
The Demarest Hill Winery and Distillery is located at 81 Pine Island Turnpike, Warwick, New York 10990 in the beautiful Hudson River Valley. As a young man, Francesco tended the family vineyards in Molise, Italy, learning the intricate skill of wine making from his father. He toiled long and hard in these humble surroundings, and he set out to build his dream. After tears of backbreaking labor in countries all over the world, Francesco finally settled in America. Here he used his hard-earned money to purchase a large tract of land in Warwick, New York, where his vision began to take shape.
Francesco carefully selected and assembled the equipment that would allow him to demonstrate his wine making expertise. At first he only made a few barrels of wine, but as the years went by, his production began to increase. He continued to perfect his winery's quality, and in 1994, the first varietal, as well as blended wines were created: Chardonnay, Zinfandel, and Chenin Blanc. Francesco was now ready to share his creation with the world.
Francesco has expanded his vineyard on a sun-drenched hillside, due to the ever-increasing demand for Demarest Hill wines. When asked why he makes wine, Francesco responds: "It's the people. When they take a sip of my wine and smile, that's my reward. If they didn't smile, I don't think I would make wine anymore." Press "Blue Button" for more information about The Demarest Hill Winery and Distillery.
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is located at 114 Little York Road, Warwick NY, 10990 in the foothills of the Hudson Valley. Situated between Mt. Eve and Mt. Adam, our tasting room provides the ideal setting for tasting wine, listening to music, and enjoying food. We invite you to come to the tasting room and celebrate Wine and Music and Food. Our wines and ciders are also available for purchase throughout NY and NJ.
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is open all year round. We sponsor a music series, "Uncorked and Unplugged n the Orchard" featuring live music every weekend - rain or shine. Our bakery is open every weekend year round. We offer fresh breads, pastries and specialty items, all prepared by our Culinary Institute of America trained chefs.
Every autumn, our guests are invited to enjoy our lavish orchards and Pick-Your-Own apples and Pears. Pear picking begins in August. Apples begin to ripen shortly thereafter in early September. With thirty varieties we have an apple for every palate. Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery's commitment to fine food and wine are why we are referred to as a "Bit of Tuscany in the Hudson Valley". Please, bring your family to meet our family and enjoy our farm, winery and orchards. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Warwick Valley Winery.
Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery, is located at 100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive, Washingtonville, NY 10992 in the Hudson River Valley Region.
Winemaking is an ancient and honored art, and nowhere is this more evident than at Brotherhood, America's Oldest winery. The winery was established by a European emigre, John Jaques, who produced the first commercial vintage in 1839. Brotherhood has been in continuous operation since that time, making the winery the oldest in the United States. Brotherhood Winery is listed in the New York State Register of Historic Places and is listed as a National Historic Landmark.
The winery, nestled in the foothills of the Catskills, offers visitors the opportunity to "step back into history". Our original buildings house vast underground cellars comparable to those of famous European wineries. Visitors stroll the beautifully landscaped premises, tour the romantic underground cellars, and taste a variety of award-winning wines. Press "Blue Button" for more information about Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery.
Comments: Call for the dates of "Special Events" such as: Grapestomping.
Windham Vineyard & Winery is located at County Route 10, Windham, NY 12496. Windham Vineyard is the highest elevation vineyard and winery in the Northeast. Come visit a picture perfect mountaintop vineyard and micro-winery. We produce small batches of hand crafted wines for every taste. We grow some very unusual grape varieties in our vineyards that make exceptionally delicious and unique wines. Press "Blue Button" for details of our all inclusive mountaintop wine breaks, current opening hours, and vineyards.
A Wine Lover’s Event Resource How many times have you found yourself looking for a really cool local wine event, wine education class, boutique wine shop or friendly wine club in your area? Or searched for wine events in destinations you plan on traveling to? After spending needless time searching inefficiently, you find very little or, worse, nothing more fun than visiting the local grocery store’s wine department. Or you could type www.LocalWineEvents.com into your browser and find it all at your fingertips.
LocalWineEvents.com was created in 2000 by wine industry veteran Eric Orange. Today the website receives over 9 million hits a month, and it ranks as one of the top search engine results for wine-related searches. Also featured are almost 2,000 web links to various wine, spirits, food and wine education websites. Over 55,000 events have been posted to date with new events being added daily. “There are exciting events going on all of the time,” says Orange.
Users browse the site for free and no registration is required. LocalWineEvents.com offers a user-friendly city search feature in the state or country of your choice, making it easy to find out what’s going on in your part of the world. Once you have selected the specific city, you simply choose those events of interest or select the subject pages such as “Wine & Food Educators,” “BYOB Restaurants” or “Food, Wine and Lodging” located at the top of the city webpage. LocalWineEvents.com users may also sign up to receive “The Juice” newsletter and e-mails about local wine events happening in their area. Written by: Tom DiNardo, Wine Adventure Magazine.
Press "Blue Button" to explore Local Wine Events website.
From Lake Erie to Long Island New York Wine Country spans the entire breadth of New York State. View "Uncork New York" and click on the many New York Wine Regions. View the list of wineries found in each wine region as well as have the opportunity to view a short video clip on the region, peruse a map locating the wineries and check out the calendar of events for this particular region. You’ll also learn about each region’s specialties and find some general statistics.
If there are one or more “Wine trails’’ active in the region, we have provided links to their sites as well. Wine trails are groups of wineries that are related geographically and work cooperatively to encourage visitors to learn about the fine products they are bringing to the market. Many of the wine trails have special event programs that feature wine and food pairing events throughout the year. These events are listed along with the winery-specific events in the Calendar of events for the individual regions.
Map Center To see a statewide map indicating the location of the various regions. You can easily identify how to move from one region to another if you have time for an extended visit. By then clicking on the specific region of interest, you will get a more detailed map.
Hudson River Valley Wine Region North of New York City, graced by the beauty and temperature-moderating effects of the majestic Hudson River, lies one of America's most historic wine regions. Even more important than the water's effect on the air, the steep palisades funnel maritime breezes through the region, which today hosts more than 20 wineries building on the tradition of the oldest vineyard and winery in America. A pioneering region for French-American grape varieties such as Seyval Blanc and Baco Noir, the Hudson River Region has also proved hospitable to the more delicate European grape varieties such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.
Within the larger Hudson River Region, on the West side of the Hudson River enjoy the "Shawangunk Wine Trail," named after a nearby mountain range. On the East side of the Hudson River is the "Dutchess Wine Trail". Press "Blue Button" to view Uncork New York".
Wineries, Winery Tours & Wine Tasting
Comprehensive Directory and List of Wineries and Wine Trails in Westchester County and the Hudson River Valley.
The Art of Winemaking
Winemaking is an art. Grapes vary by climate, type and soil. There are several hundred widely different cultivars of grapes grown in the United States. The cultivars are grouped into four types: European (Vitis vinifera), American (Vitis labrusca and its derivatives), Muscadine (Vitis rotundifolia) and French hybrids, crosses of V. vinifera cultivars with disease-resistant wild American species. There are many different styles of wine, and there are many ways to make each style. No two winemakers seem to agree on the "exact or correct" way to make wine.
Types Of Wine
The types of grapes used to make a wine are the most important factor in the taste of the wine. However, the flavors are also affected by other factors such as soil, exposure to sunlight, climate, how the grapes are handled and fermented, types of yeast used, whether the wine is aged in wood, etc. Because of this, the same type of wine can be produced in several different regions, yet, taste different.
Varietal refers to the grape variety used to make a particular wine. Serious wine-producing countries and states regulate the amount of a particular grape that make up a particular wine. In California and Washington any wine referred to by the name of the grape (Chardonnay, for example) must be at least 75% of that grape; most varietals in Oregon must be 90% of the named grape; and Alsace requires 100%.
History of Wine
Wine has been around for thousands of years. From ancient civilizations to modern times, wine has been produced and enjoyed by peasants and kings. Evidence of wine production dates as far back as 6000 BC, to early Mesopotamian culture. The Mesopotamians were the first known people to cultivate grapes.
The ancient Egyptians recorded the harvest of grapes on stone tablets and the walls of their tombs. The Egyptians loved wine and imported what they could not grow. The Egyptian Pharaohs were especially fond of wine. Some of them were buried with bottles of wine in order to make their journey to the underworld more tolerable. Wine was a social drink in Ancient Egypt and great importance was given to its production and consumption. The Egyptians were not the first to grow wine, but they were the first to record the process of wine making and celebrate its values.
Wine in Ancient Greece and Rome
Wine in ancient Greece was praised and immortalized by poets, historians and artists. Wine also played a role in the religion of Ancient Greece associated with the god Dionysus. Like the Egyptians, ordinary citizens did not consume wine. It was considered a privilege of the upper classes.
During the time of the Roman Empire, the production of wine spread throughout Europe. At this time, wine became available to the common citizens. Some cities even built bars on almost every street in order to promote wine. Roman wine was said to be sweet rather than dry. Pure red or white wines were almost unthinkable in Ancient Rome. The Romans believed that flavoring was more important than the original taste of the wine. They added such flavors as fermented fish sauce, garlic and onion to their wines.
The Dark Ages
During the “Dark Ages”, wine production was mainly kept alive through the efforts of monasteries. As the Church extended their monasteries, they began to develop some of the finest vineyards in Europe. Although most wine production was done in monasteries, some religious believers diluted their wine with water in order to make it "safer" for them to drink. Since most of Europe lacked a reliable source of drinking water, wine was considered to be an important part of their everyday diet. During this time, people also begin to favor stronger, heavier wines.
14th and 15th Century
England began importing wine from Germany when they lost Bordeaux to the French in the 14th century. Portugal also shipped wine to England, which helped keep the two countries on friendly terms. During Shakespeare's time, wine was very much a staple of the diet. Beer was a favored alternative, yet wine enjoyed more attention. It was during this time, when wine began to diversify and consumers began to value the concept of variety in their drinking. Citizens of Shakespeare's age clearly enjoyed drinking wine and began to discuss its virtues and pitfalls with greater enthusiasm than in the previous centuries. By the end of the 16th Century, for the first time, an abundant supply of fresh drinking water was available to London and so the wine industry was moved into a new age.
17th and 18th Century
The wine industry saw a brief decline in the 17th century. Politics and religious propaganda did little to promote the drinking of wine for pleasure. Wine also had to face the rival of a clean and readily available supply of drinking water. Despite all of this, many new developments helped the wine industry keep its popularity. The invention of better glass making, the cork and other accessories, as well as better methods of production helped to promote wine in the 17th century.
Wine went through several changes during the 18th century. England witnessed many of these due to its political relations with France. Because of the strained relations with France, the English were without a major source of wine and had to look elsewhere for their drink. They turned to Portugal, Holland, and South Africa for their wine.
Despite their strained relations with the British, the French wine industry soared in the 18th century. Many people feel that this was when the wines of Bordeaux really began to flourish. The merchants who frequented the Bordeaux region came from Holland, Germany, Ireland and even Scandinavia. As a result, Bordeaux was able to successfully trade wine for coffee and other much sought after items from the New World, which helped cement the role of wine in the growing industry of world trade.
19th Century
During the early 19th century, when the British were fighting the Napoleonic Wars, they were unable to get a steady supply of wine from France, and instead turned to Portugal. Port became the favored wine in England during this time.
Champagne also gained favor in the 19th century. The French widow Nicole-Barbe Clicquot-Ponsardin is credited with making Champagne the celebrity wine of the world. She found easier ways to remove the sediment from Champagne and replaced it with wine, sugar, and brandy. She also organized the production of Champagne so that it could be done in an assembly line, making this beverage truly "modern."
The wines of New World began challenging those of the Old World in the 19th century. Thomas Jefferson was convinced that the lack of fine wines in America was driving his fellow citizens to drink too much hard liquor. This idea carried on after his death and influenced the way Americans viewed wine. Ohio was the first region in America to successfully grow grapes for wine. Its glory soon faded, however, and California soon took its place.
Although the 19th century is considered to be the golden age of wines for the Bordeaux and Burgundy regions, it was not without tragedy. Around 1863 many of the French grapevines began to suffer from a mysterious disease. It was soon discovered that this disease was the caused by the Phylloxera aphid. Some French winemakers at this time, moved to the Rioja region in northern Spain, and taught the Spaniards to make wine from local Tempranillo grapes.
Modern Times
The last 90 years have seen a revolution in the wine industry. The scientific background of wine making has developed greatly, allowing for many things that were once impossible to be accomplished. An example of this would be refrigeration. Before the 1940s, wine was supplied to people according to their geographic location. After the development of refrigeration, it was easier for wineries to control the temperature of their fermentation process. This enabled high quality wines to be produced in hot climates.
Machines that harvest grapes more quickly have allowed vineyards to become larger and more efficient. Grapes can also be harvested during day or night, allowing vineyards to control the temperature and climate when grapes are harvested.
Modern wine makers can now achieve total control of every stage of wine making, from harvesting and crushing to bottling. Though recent advances in technology have benefited the wine industry, they have also led to the temptation to produce more wine at the expense of quality. Wine makers face the challenge of producing wine for a larger market without losing the character and individual flavor of their wines. More countries are producing more varieties of wine than ever before. Advances in technology will ensure that this trend will continue, with more countries producing more wine, and better wine.
The Vineyard
A well-cared-for vineyard will often outlive the person who planted it. Adequate soil preparation is very important. This preparation should begin at least a year before the vineyard is to be set out. It should be designed to subdue weeds, to improve the physical condition of the soil, and to add humus. This is easy to do before the vineyard is established but is difficult to do after the vines are in place. A soil sample should be taken to determine potassium, magnesium, soil pH and organic matter so that adjustments can be made before planting. The need for keeping a relatively high organic matter content in the soil cannot be overemphasized. A high humus content not only is essential for holding moisture, but it also improves the physical condition of the soil.
Any experienced winemaker spends most of their time in the vineyard. Vineyards influence the final product of wine more so than winery manipulations and procedures can ever accomplish. Careful attention should be given to both climate and soil conditions before planting wine grapes. Particular varieties excel only in specific kinds of climate and soil conditions.
Climate
A regions climate greatly affects the types of varieties that are available for a wine producer. In selecting a grape cultivar, you must consider the number of growing degree days, the length of the growing season and the frequency of exposure to low temperatures. The time required to mature grape fruit varies with location and climate and is very dependent on the amount of heat experienced by the vine. The frequency of very cold weather will determine winter survival of the vines.
Soil
A gravelly or sandy loam soil is considered best for grapes, but they will do well on many soil types. The soil should have a fairly high water-holding capacity, not be waterlogged at any time during the year, have 3 to 5 feet of usable depth depending on texture, be of at least medium fertility and slightly acid. A soil too poor to grow other crops will not be satisfactory for a vineyard. The prospective grower should keep certain general characteristics of soils in mind in choosing a site. A sandy soil warms up rapidly and will mature a crop a few days earlier than will a clay soil but a sandy soil tends to be less fertile and to have a smaller water-holding capacity. A soil containing too much clay will also form a crust in hot weather that will adversely affect water infiltration. The water holding capacity of the soil strongly affects the final flavor of the wine.
Propagation
Grape vines are typically purchased from nurseries where they have already been grafted to prevent phylloxera infestation. New vines typically will not produce significant yields of fruit until the 3rd or 4th year. This is a very important point in terms of risk assessment and a business point of view. If the crop is lost via fire, flood, or some other natural disaster or accident, the winery would lose 3-5 years without any income. This makes the vineyard an extremely high-risk asset.
Layout
Several factors must be considered in deciding on the best planting distances for a vineyard. First, there should be enough space between rows to allow for convenient tractor cultivation and spraying; second, there should be enough space between plants in the row so that adjoining vines will not intermingle too much; and third, sufficient space should be allowed so that there will be little competition between the roots of adjoining plants for nutrients and water.
General Winery Operations
Harvest
The vine cycle depends largely upon the regions climate. In California, the vine cycle begins around April 1st when new shoots elongate during April and May and the vine flowers around May 15th. Tiny berries begin to grow but remain green and hard until about July 15th. Veraison begins then and the berries begin to develop color and to soften. Fruit is usually harvested around September 15th. The harvest date is largely dependent upon the variety, the location, and the weather.
Before wine is removed or harvested in the vineyard, the amount of sugar in the grape must be measured. The acidity level must also be measured before harvesting the grapes from the vine. Two common methods are titration (grams of tartaric acid per 100 mL of juice) and pH.
Once the sugar is measured, the wine maker can estimate the alcohol concentration of the finished product. These methods have all been developed to aid the vineyard in giving the winery the best possible grape for the desired purpose.
Crushing
The grapes are crushed to make the juice accessible to the yeast. Crushed grapes are called the must. The must is made up of 80% juice, 16% skins (wine pigment), 4% seeds (tannins = wine flavor and aging characteristics). Therefore, controlling the amount of contact achieved between the juice, skins, and seeds is critical to the flavor, color, and overall final product of the wine.
Additions
Several additions may be made to the must before pressing it. SO2 is commonly added to inhibit oxidation and kill undesirable micro-organisims. However, if the winery chooses to put SO2 into their wine, US law requires the winery to write "contains sulfites" on the bottle label.
Although in most cases the winery is aware of the amount of sugar in the grapes they are crushing, sometimes winemakers wish to add sugar to the must to either enhance flavor or raise the alcohol concentration. The act of adding sugar to the must after crushing is called chapitalization. Chapitalization is illegal in California and in southern Europe. Adjustments may also be made to the must’s acidity.
Pressing
Pressing is done to separate the skins, seeds, and any other non-juice must item from the juice. There are several different types of presses used in the winery industry. Some of the more popular ones are the screw, membrane/bladder, moving head, and basket presses. The basket press has a piston which pushes the fruit down in a cylinder. The moving head press is similar to the basket press except it presses horizontally as opposed vertically.
Racking, Fermentation, and Aging
Racking is the process of transferring juice or wine away from the settled lees. Titration and centrifugation are alternative means by which a winemaker could use instead of racking.
Fermentation is typically initiated by adding 1 to 2 percent by volume of cultured yeast to the juice or must. Although there are many different kinds of fermenting vessels used throughout the global wine industry, in the United States, most modern wineries use stainless steel tanks. The fermentation process is regulated closely by managing the temperature of the vessel and yeast. This requires that refrigeration jackets or heat exchangers be installed on the fermenting vessel.
The most common way wine was aged in the past, and the tradition persists to this day is via barrels. Barrel aging is typically used for red wines and adds vanilla, spicy, and sometimes smoky flavors to the wine.
French Barrels
French oak is the primary type of wine barrel used today staying in line with a strong European wine making tradition. French oak is the barrel of choice for chardonnay. France uses somewhat of an appellation system that designates the forest from where the wood was purchased to make the barrel (i.e. Limousine forest) and hence some wineries specify not only the country but also the specific forest location of the wood that used. Due to the long lasting reputation and high labor costs, French wine barrels run between $700 and $800 per barrel.
American Barrels
Although new to the world wine making industry, American oak wine barrels on a number of occasions have been proven to be capable of producing high quality wines and thus their usage is on the rise. American oak is the barrel of choice for Australian Shiraz because of the pleasing distinct flavors that complement that style of wine. American barrels are less expensive than the average French barrel ranging between $250 and $300 per barrel. The current trend is that as the price of wine barrels increase the usage of American oak barrels increases as well. Because American barrels have lower labor costs and are relatively new thus not having a long consistent history, they are substantially less expensive than French barrels.
Combination Barrels
Outside of the French barrels made by the French and American barrels made by the Americans, there are Americans who make barrels using imported French wood and French who make barrels using imported American wood. The prices vary slightly from the barrels described in the two sections above.
The average useful life of both American and French barrels are roughly 5 years. However, innovations such as inner stay oak slates or carving away a few layers of wood inside the barrel can extend the life of a barrel up to 10 years. Furthermore, all barrels should be topped off roughly once a week to eliminate void air space.
Blending, Fining, Filtration and Bottling
Wine coming from different batches, varieties, vineyards, fruit maturities, and wine making treatments are sometimes blended by the winemaker in order to produce a more uniform final product.
Fining Agents are used to take out undesirable particles, which tend to make the wine "hazy". By fining the wine, the wines clarity is greatly improved. This is critical to white, blush, and sparkling wines where clarity is very important to the average consumer.
Wine is then filtered to further clarify and stabilize the wine.
The last step before the wine leaves the winery is bottling. Most wines are aged in the bottles for a few months up to a few years depending on the wine and the winery.