Hudson River Valley Wineries

This blog is dedicated to news, events, profiles and reviews of fine food and wine in the Hudson River Valley. We especially feature and spotlight the burgeoning wineries of the Hudson River Region. We accept and will relay information about releases, events, festivals and any toher happening related to food and wine in the Hudson River Valley. Send pertitnent information to hudsonriverwine@yahoo.com

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Carlo DeVito is a long time wine lover, and author of books and magazine articles. He is the author of Wineries of the East Coast. He has traveled to wine regions in California, Canada, up and down the east coast, France, Spain and Chile. He was also a publisher at Running Press Book Publishers, where he published books from Wine Spectator, as well as books with Greg Moore (of Moore Bros.), Matt Kramer, Howard Goldberg, and many other wine writers. Mr. DeVito has also been the editor of many successful traditional trade books, including Strange Fruit by David Margolick, On the Shoulders of Giants by Stephen Hawking, and three titles by Malachy McCourt. Other authors include John and Mary Gribbin, Thomas Hoving, Philip Caputo, E. O. Wilson, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., John Edgar Wideman, Stanley Crouch, Dan Rather, Dee Brown, Susie Bright, and Eleanor Clift. He lives with his wife, pet publisher Dominique DeVito, their two sons, their two dogs, and their numerous goldfish.

Monday, August 31, 2009

BETHEL WOODS WINE FESTIVAL 2009


This last Sunday was the 2009 Bethel Woods Wine Festival. There were many wineries in attendance for the one day event.

The weather was beautiful at the Bethel Woods Arts Center. The fields were a bright green. And the sun was a bright blue.




















Whitecliff Vineyard, Brimstone Hill, Cascade, Silver Stram, Hudson-Chatham, Bashakill, Pazdar, Adair, and Glorie Farm all represented the Hudson River Region.

More than 1,500 people lined the walk outside the tent during the course fo the day. And many of the wineries sold out before the 4pm closing.
It was a great day and a great event!

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Stoutridge and Brotherhood Come Up Golden at 2009 Food & Wine Classic

CONGRATS TO STOUTRIDGE AND BROTHERHOOD...they both won gold at the 2009 New York Wine & Food Classic in the Finger Lakes…


Brotherhood, America's Oldest Winery NV Holiday Spiced Wine won gold. Congrats to Cesar Beza.


Congrats to Steve and Kim Osborn for their Stoutridge Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Franc / Noiret which also won gold.
Complete results of the 2009 Classic will soon be posted under “New York Gold” at http://www.newyorkwines.org/, which also includes Gold medal New York wines from other major competitions.

Media Contact: Jim Trezise, 585-394-3620, ext. 203

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

WHITECLIFF VINEYARDS
GAMAY NOIR
Michael and Yancey Migliore are very nice folks. Michael works very hard promoting the valley, as well as make some wonderful wines. Recently, I found myself wanting another bottle of his Gamay Noir.


I'd first had it much earlier in the year. And then Michael brought it to the Hudson Valley Winemakers Only BBQ this summer.

Whitecliff Vineyards 2007 GAMAY NOIR $16.95/bottle is an estate bottled wine. It is 100% Gamay Noir. It is light bodied, with soft tannins and strawberry and red fruit flavors. It has a lovely, smooth finish.

It's a great summer red, but will also be a perfect accompaniment to any kind of fowl in the winter months. A perfect partner for a nice, roasted chicken with new potatoes and fresh green salad...some rustic loaf of artisanal bread...mmmmmmm. It'll be great for Thanksgiving Day as well.
Great stuff!

CEREGHINO/SMITH REDS....WOW!!!!

"The essential point of collaboration—whether in marriage, art, music, or winemaking—is to create something that the individuals involved could not achieve separately. A few miles south of Kingston, in a funky old stone house, a collaboration that encompasses all four Cereghino-Smith strong suits is producing some high-quality wine in an improbable place," Peter Barrett wrote in Chronogram magazine.

At both Bounty of the Hudson and Second Saturday Walk in Catskill last weekend, their wines continued to impress!

I'd like to say that I had a favorite, but it would be difficult.


Little House 2007
50% Syrah, 25% Mourvedre, 25% Petite Sirah. Aged for 14 months in hybrid American/Canadian Oak barrels. With this Rhone style blend, Fred and Paula are celebrating the Quadricentennial of the Hudson Valley and the Huguenot families who first brought vinifera grapes to this country. A big smooth wine. Nice deep, dark berry fruit flavors.



Eaten by Bears 2008
63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Petite Sirah, 18% Cabernet Franc.Cereghino Smith reinterprets a classic Left Bank Bordeaux blend in the 2008 Eaten by Bears. As Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits tannic structure with notes of black cherry, the Petite Sirah brings depth and lushness to the wine. The Cabernet Franc finishes with bright acidity bringing brightness and balance. This is one of Fred and Paula's most popular wines. It's a beautiful wine. Another really nice red.

Rock 'n Roll Red 2008
This vintage's amped up blend of 47% Sangiovese, 29% Petite Sirah, 24% Cabernet Franc references Italy's Super Tuscans with notes of tea, spice and electric prunes. This is one of Dominique's favorites. It's an impressive red wine.

Cabernet Franc 2008
90% Cabernet Franc, 10% Petite Sirah.Two wine regions come to mind when we think of the pure expression of Cabernet Franc... the Loire Valley of France and the wine regions of New York. Our New York Cabernet Franc is softened with a lush touch of California Petite Sirah making a mouthwatering wine that exceded even their expectations. It's a very deep Cab Franc, and the Petite Syrah really does add a tremendous touch to this wine.

Congrats to Fred and Paula!!!

I LOVE LUCY LOOK-A-LIKE GRAPE STOMPING COMPETITION



September 12, 2009
Palaia Vineyards

Palaia Vineyards wants you! To stomp on their grapes! And it’s a contest!

This has got to be one of the funniest ideas Dominique or I have ever seen, and we’re very jealous we didn’t think of it.

How hilarious is this?

Palaia Vineyards make some wonderful wines. And you will have a ball!
Don’t miss it!

Sunday, August 09, 2009

CATSKILL SECOND SATURDAY STROLL - THE WINE EVENT


Here are the photos from Second Saturday


Linda Pierro and Bob Redford of Hudson Valley Wine Magazine




These nice ladies were selling wine all nite!
Paula Cereghino and her husband Fred Smith pouring their wines.

Sue Goold of Brookview Stattion getting a massage....


...obviously, it made her feel better. Luv ya, Sue!

Sunday, August 02, 2009

SCENES FROM BOUNTY OF THE HUDSON 2009




Saturday, August 1, was the first day of the Bounty of the Hudson. Huge crowds gathered to see the ribbon cutting by the Chamber of Commerce and a State Senator at Millbrook Winery, in Dutchess County.

The event was a wild success!


John Bruno's daughters selling his tremendous Oak Summit Pinot Noir!


Matt Specarelli of Benmarl and Michael Migliore of Whitecliff Vineyards

Setting up the Brotherhood table.

Clinton Vineyards was well represented.

Quiet moment in the booth at Applewood before the throngs arrived.


Marc Stopkie and wife displaying Adair Winery's photos in the Hudson Valley magazine feature from this month!

David Pazdar and his father-in-law were there as well.

George Ciafero of Cascade Mountain.
Doug Glorie of Glorie Farms.

Brimstone Hill was also there.

Kim Osborn was in the house representing Stoutridge, while hubby Steve was busy tending the tasting room back at the ranch!