Construction Continues at Clermont Vineyards in Columbia County

Tony Trigo is one of the most ubiquitous characters in ll the Hudson Valley. He's at the grape growing sessions. He's at the winemakers dinners. He's everywhere. And he is well liked. He is building Clermont Vineyards, down on Route 9G and Route 6, at the opposite end of Route 6 from Tousey Vineyards.

I stopped in the other day to see how the growing season had treated them, and how construction was growing.

This is Vasco and Antonia Meireles. Tony is the man with the plan, but Tony's "Man in Havana" is his cousin Vasco. Tony is an engineer. Vasco knows the many different aspects of construction. And Vasco is the winemaker. He knows grape growing. They work together building the winery, tending the vines, making the vines. Together they make a dynamic team. Up to now I have been remiss not to mention Vasco, even though he has been to my house. That stops now. Vasco is an important part of this operation. He and Tony are a team.


Here's Tony displaying fruit from last year's harvest. Soon, the wine they make, which is now used for family consumption, will be made for public consumption. They are aiming for Fall 2011. Sounds like a long way off, but it's closer than you think.

Together this duo, with the help of friends form all over the east coast, are building what will be one of the most exciting wineries in years, up in Columbia County. It bears watching.