Palaia Vineyards - Beautiful Reds from the Hudson Valley

 

Located in a 200-year-old barn on land once owned by Aaron Burr, Palaia Vineyards is right in the middle of a richly historic area of the Hudson Valley. History is a main theme in all the operations here, from our land to our labels, which feature different photos of our relatives on each variety.

Joe an Jan Palaggi purchased the land in 2000 and began restoring the barn and converting it to a winery and tasting room. It has expanded since then to include the “Treehouse” and the “Sweet Clover Room” for music and private parties. The vines were planted in 2001 and they now have 10 acres of vineyard within view of the picnic grove and outside stage. They grow Cabernet Franc, Lemberger, Traminette, Seyval Blanc and Pinot Noir. In addition to what they grow here, they use New York State Grapes to produce a variety of other award winning wines from dry to sweet.

 

I am a big fan of Palaia Vineyards. Jan and Joe Palaggi, together with Operations Manager, Craig Cowton, make wines of great intensity and beauty. Their whites are confident and varied. Their reds are of a Burgundian or Italian-styled inspiration - nice fruit and very good acidity. Great food wines.

 

Palaia Vineyards Cabernet Franc 2008 is a beautifully balanced red, with bright cherries and black cherries, with a hint of plum, and a finish of black pepper. Light-to-medium bodied. A beautifully balanced wine, like a fine Loire red or light Italian. Fabulous!!!!!!!

Palaia Vineyards Merlot 2007 is classic Palaia. This is a light-to-medium bodied wine of unique beauty - a lovely claret - a garnet colored wine with intense fruit up front. Bright and dark raspberries, spice, vanilla, and a hint of graphite and minerality. Nice acidity and low tannins makes this an easy wine to drink, and an exceptional food wine. Delicate and gorgeous.

Palaia continues to be one of my favorite red producers in the Hudson Valley!