brotherhood_winery_cellars_1

Photo via Brotherhood Winery

There’s no burying the lede when booze is involved, so let’s cut to the chase: The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival is almost here. During September, the Festival takes up residence at the Dutchess County fairgrounds for a weekend and offers a glimpse of the best of food and drink the Hudson Valley has to offer.

If you know the Hudson Valley at all, you know that wine is a big deal up here. Not only is the Hudson Valley home to the oldest continuously operating winery in the country (Brotherhood Winery in Orange County, depicted above), it has been growing grapes long before the Napa Valley became synonymous with the concept of American wine. The French Huguenots, who moved to the Hudson Valley to escape religious persecution at the hands of Louis XIV, started grape growing back in the 15th century and to this day, wine remains one of the region’s biggest draws.

Let’s dive into a few favorite regional wineries, and if these leave you thirsting for more, check out the HV Wine & Food Festival in September.

brotherhood winery

Photo via Brotherhood Winery

Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville (Orange County): Arguably the region’s most famous winery, Brotherhood offers tours of the wine works nestled inside tunnels underground where dozens of oak barrels work their magic on the elixir within.

Tasting flights include Varietal (a bit of everything), Traditional (for those who like sweet wines), and World (featuring Casas Petronales Chilean wine), and a tour + one flight costs you a measly $10. We can think of worse ways to spend an afternoon.

Enjoy some repast at the Vinum Cafe, the Winery’s own gourmet restaurant and wine bar. Brotherhood Winery, 100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive, Washingtonville. (845) 496-3661. contact@brotherwoodwinery.net.

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millbrook winery

Photo via Millbrook Winery

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Millbrook (Dutchess County): When someone asks us for a winery recommendation, we suggest Millbrook Winery first. Why? Because Millbrook has set the gold standard for regional wineries by providing consistently good wines (we suggest the Cabernet Franc).

But it’s not just that the wine is good. Millbrook Winery is situated in a stunning environment of gently rolling hills and meadows  — and acres upon acres of vineyards. Seeing it during the fall is not an experience to be missed. Visit for a tour, take a walk around the vineyard’s walking trail (the vineyard is dog-friendly), and enjoy a Portfolio tasting ($11.50, offered daily).

Afterward, stay for a relaxed meal overlooking the pond at the Vineyard Grille & Cafe. Millbrook Winery, 26 Wing Road, Millbrook. (800) 662-WINE. millbrookwinery@millwine.com.

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benmarl winery

Photo via Benmarl Winery

Benmarl Winery, Marlboro (Ulster County): While Brotherhood is the oldest winery in American, Benmarl is the oldest operating vineyard. In fact, wine grapes have been a bumper crop for many centuries in Marlboro, located along the west shore of the Hudson River. Benmarl’s roots stretch back to the late 1700s but didn’t become Benmarl until 1957.

And the song remains the same. Benmarl is still producing reds, whites and rosés while providing visitors with sweeping views of the Hudson River. A visit to the tasting room includes six of Benmarl’s signature wines ($8), but don’t expect a fancy restaurant for your post-tasting meal. Instead, Benmarl keeps it down-to-earth with a wood-fired pizza oven and a grill for burgers.

Stay at the Benmarl Bed & Breakfast and make a weekend of it. Benmarl Winery, 156 Highland Avenue, Marlboro. (845) 236-4265. benmarlwinery@gmail.com.

benmarl winery2

Photo via Benmarl Winery

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gunk trail grapes

Photo via Shawangunk Wine Trail

Shawangunk Wine Trail, various locations west of the Hudson: Want to experience both the best wines and the grandest scenery in the Hudson Valley? Follow the Shawangunk Wine Trail. There are 14 wineries and vineyards along the 80-mile trail that stretches from southern Orange County up to New Paltz in Ulster County.

Hit two wineries a day, and you’ve got yourself a solid of week of fun in the Valley. Brotherhood and Benmarl are both on the trail, as are Adair, Robibero, Whitecliff and Demarest. By the way, Demarest Winery is also a distillery, just in case all that wine put you in the mood for a good, stiff drink. Shawangunk Wine Trail, (845) 256-8456. 

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Real Estate in Wine Country:

 307 drake rd pleasant valley ny

307 Drake Road, Pleasant Valley: $395,000

Who wouldn’t want to live here? This c. 1800 Victorian is as lovely and cared-for inside and out, and the rustic kitchen cabinetry alone is worth a peek inside. Includes 9 ft. ceilings and an in-ground pool on 6 acres in Pleasant Valley, Dutchess County, just 10 minutes. west of Millbrook. Beds: 5. Baths: 3. Square Feet: 4579. Lot Size: 6 acres. Est. Taxes: $12,376. 307 Drake Road, Pleasant Valley (Houlihan Lawrence) GMAP.

1849 rt 208 washingtonville ny

1849 Route 208, Washingtonville: $199,900

Old houses were built to last, and even though this 1820s farmhouse near the village of Washingtonville needs to be polished and updated, it looks to be in OK shape. It’s got new heat, windows, septic, driveway, and more stuff. See? Not so daunting. Washingtonville is in southern Orange County about five minutes from Brotherhood Winery and 15 minutes from Storm King Art Center. Beds: 3. Baths: 1.5. Square Feet: 2028. Lot Size: 1 acre. Est. Taxes: $5,459. 1849 Route 208, Washingtonville (Weichert Realtors) GMAP.

5 west street marlboro ny

5 West Street, Marlboro: $135,902

Now this one is a real project, but these kinds of projects can be the most rewarding. Still, this late 18th Century beauty with the gingerbread-house details doesn’t seem to be in deep disrepair. Includes wood floors, fireplace, high ceilings, lots of windows, walk-up attic and two-car garage. It’s not unusual to find bargains in the riverside hamlet of Marlboro, and it’s still less than two hours from Brooklyn. You’ll need cash or a rehab loan for this property. Beds: 4. Baths: 2. Square Feet: 2554. Lot Size: .26 acres. Est. Taxes: $8,282. 5 West Street, Marlboro (River Realty Services) GMAP. 

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