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

My Photo
Name:
Location: Catskill, NY, United States

Carlo DeVito has traveled around the US, France, Spain, Chile, Canada, and Italy. He has been a publishing executive for more than 20 years. He shepherded the wine book program of Wine Spectator as well as worked with Kevin Zraly, Oz Clarke, Matt Kramer, Tom Stevenson, Evan Dawson, Greg Moore, Howard Goldberg, and many other wine writers. He has also published Salvatore Calabrese, Jim Meehan, Clay Risen, and Paul Knorr. He has also publisher such writers as Stephen Hawking, E. O Wilson, Philip Caputo, Gilbert King, James McPherson, Michael Lewis, David Margolick, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr., John Edgar Wideman, Stanley Crouch, Dan Rather, Dee Brown, and Eleanor Clift. He is also the founder of Hudson-Chatham Winery, co-founder of the Hudson Berkshire Beverage Trail, and former president of the Hudson Valley Wine Country. His the author of more than 20 books including The New Single Malt Whiskey, Big Whiskey, and the forthcoming The Spirit of Rye. https://carlodevito.wordpress.com/

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

30 YEARS OF GREAT WINEMAKING
AT BRIMSTONE HILL AND A FABULOUS
VIN ROUGE SUPERIOR 2007

I have met Richard Eldridge many times. He and his wife Valerie were some of the people that formed a new breed of winemakers that helped breathe new life into the Valley winemaking scene not long after the farm winery act was passed. These are people who helped usher in the first wave of farm wineries. And they've been making local, artisanal wines for a long time.

Brimstone Hill Vineyard & Winery is celebrating 30 years of operation. In the summer of 1980, Richard and Valerie Eldridge started by selling two wines -- a 1979 Vin Rouge and a 1979 Vin Blanc -- next to the barrels in the newly constructed winery. Now the Brimstone Hill label is attached to more than 8 wines, which include a sparkling wine made in the traditional "Methode Champenoise", a Chardonnay, a Cabernet Franc, and a Riesling.
The winemaking families of the Valley owe a great debt to the Eldridges, not only for their helping to transform the Valley wine scene, but for also making wonderful wine. And for being just plain nice folks.

The vineyard, started in the spring of 1969, consisted of four acres with only half in production. Today the vineyard has expanded to over 13 acres and the small winery building now houses a cozy tasting room overlooking the vines, an office and a lab. An extra large pole barn was built to accommodate much of the storage and the increased wine production. In 2001 an extension was added to the barn.

The Eldridges continue to be excited with the quality of the wines they can produce in the area.
"We are fundamentally interested in producing quality wines with a French character at a reasonable price - similar to the better products of the Loire Valley, Burgundy and Champagne. In order to do this, our operation will remain small and experimental in character.".


I have told Richard and Valerie several times that my favorite Brimstone Hill wine is the Vin Rouge. I think it's the best value in the Valley. The Vin Rouge 2007 is a blend of Foch , Chambourcin, and Chancellor. It is a lovely Burgundian-styled, soft red with big fruit up front and low, soft tannins. Stewed dark strawberries and cherries. A touch of vanilla and spice. A great wine for lunch, or for dinner with chicken, pork, pasta, or even tuna. An incredible wine. Congrats!
And a great big thank you to Valerie and Richard!

Monday, July 26, 2010

2010 Bounty of the Hudson a Hot Success!



Everyone was there this weekend. The crowds showed up in sweltering heat, somewhere just shy of 100 degrees. Despite that, the wine flowed, the laughter heightened, and everyone had a good time -and drank a lot of water.




Kim from Stoutridge Winery.

Yancey and the gang from Whitecliff Vineyard.

The folks from Brotherhood Winery.

Fred and Puala from Cereghino-Smith

The Robibero family was there.

Hudson-Chatham Winery was in the house!

Pazdar was actually well attended. I just happened by early in the mornng when there was no one by.

Applewood was there.

Doug of Golorie Farm Winery

Pandora's Bottle was for sale. A wonderful book!

Linda and Bob of Hudson Valley Magazine were there. Here's linda by the poster of award winning wine labels.

The award winning Hudson Valley wine labels.


Hudson Valley Wine Goddess Debbie Gioquindo pulls the prize winner for the Hudson Valley label voting raffle.

Dawson DeVito of Hudson-Chatham Winery at the end of the event. A long, hard day.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival 2010 July 24 & 25


Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery
114 Little York Road
Warwick NY
Date: July 24 and 25, noon to 5pm each day
Tickets $25 in advance / $39 at the door

The Bounty of the Hudson Wine Festival is a Shawangunk Wine Trail event celebrating Hudson Valley Wines. The event is the only wine festival featuring 100% Hudson Valley Wines, restaurants and locally grown produce.Visitors will enjoy side-by side tastings of the region’s array of wines from 18 Hudson Valley Wineries. Dry, complex, locally grown Seyval, Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, to sweeter apple and strawberry wines. This is the best opportunity to experience the quality now achieved by the wines of Hudson Valley Wine Country. Admission is $25 in advance and $39 at the door. Admission includes wine tasting and wine glass. Tickets can be purchased on the Shawangunk Wine Trail website.

Attending Wineries: Adair Vineyards, Baldwin Vineyards, Brimstone Hill Vineyards, Glorie Farm Winery, Palaia Vineyards, Stoutridge Vineyards, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery, Pazdar Winery, Robibero Family Winery, Cereghino Smith Winery, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, Clinton Vineyards, Hudson Chatham Winery, Cascade Mountain Winery

Attending Restaurants and wineries they are paired with:
Chumleys BBQ paired with Adair Vineyards
Jean Claudes Bakery paired with Applewood Winery
Bellvale Creamery paired with Baldwin Vineyards
Nobel Pies paired with Brimstone Hill Vineyards
Chef Shaun paired with Brotherhood Winery
Lady Finger Bake Shoppe paired with Glorie Farm Winery
Storm King Eatery paired with Palaia Vineyard
Sprout Creek paired with Stoutridge vineyards
Landmark Inn (one day) Iron Forge Inn (one day) paired with Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery
Cafe Mio paired with Whitecliff Vineyard

Cooking Demonstration by Chef Janet from the French Culinary InstituteLocal produce from these farms:
Pennings Orchard & Farm Market
Soon's Orchard

Music by:
E'lisa Jones - Saturday
Tim O’Donohue and the TMU Band - Sunday