Herald Record: Shawangunk Pasta Primo Vino April 11 & 12, 2015

A Taste of Hudson Valley Wine Country

For the Times Herald-Record

by Beth Kalet

Posted Apr. 10, 2015 at 2:01 AM

It’s time again for Pasta Primo Vino, a tradition of the Shawangunk Wine Trail that marries local wines with pasta dishes and invites tasters to visit any or all of the 14 vineyards this weekend for a sampling and a snack.

“It’s always fun to see how people receive our wine,” says MaryEllen Glorie. She and her husband, Doug, are the Glories behind Glorie Farm Winery in Marlboro. She’s also president of the Shawangunk Wine Trail, the organization that supports the collection of Hudson Valley wineries, large and small, that make up the trail.

While winery owners are busy with the typical chores of their trade – Glorie says her winery is currently bottling its 2014 Peach Wine – they’re also preparing for this first-of-the-season event. Vineyard owners have selected their pasta recipes and there’ll be a lot of cooking going on for the 400 to 600 or more visitors who will stop by during Pasta Primo Vino. At Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, they’re putting on extra staff to assist visitors for this event, says Jeremy Kidde, co-owner. At his location, like the others, the winery will remain open to all visitors during the weekend. “We set up a table separately from the rest of the dining area” to accommodate Pasta Primo Vino visitors, Kidde says. It can get quite busy.

It’s a tasty two-way street. For wine enthusiasts and for those who love knowing about all that the region has to offer, it’s an exploration. “It’s a good time to learn a little bit about how each wine differs,” says Tiffany Robibero Selby. She’s vice president of the Wine Trail and an owner of the Robibero Family Winery.

“It’s great for us,” says Glorie. “My winery is closed January, February and March, (as are some of the others on the trail) so one of the intents of having Pasta Primo Vino in April is that it gets people out and back to the wineries. Wakes everybody back up. It’s a great day out in the Hudson Valley, when things are starting to green up (and) it’s starting to get a little warmer.”

How it works

A two-day pass for Pasta Primo Vino permits a leisurely trek from vineyard to vineyard. One-day passes are available too. There’s a special rate for the designated driver, who can expect pasta and a non-alcoholic beverage at the wineries. Ticket holders will sample four wines at each vineyard, including one that has been pre-selected and paired with a pasta dish. At least one site, Adair Winery in New Paltz, is serving a gluten-free pasta.

Advanced ticket sales are closed now but tickets can be purchased at the wineries. The event can begin at any of the 14 vineyards on the tour, where a souvenir Wine Trail glass comes with ticket purchase.

What’s new

Besides tasting some of the region’s top local vintages, it’s also a chance to be among the very first to sample the new releases. “These feature grapes harvested from local vines as recently as last October, and highlight the bright, fresh flavors of the Hudson Valley’s whites which, unlike the reds, do not require time in the barrel to age and soften,” according to the folks at Shawangunk Wine Trail.

At Glorie Farm, they’re currently bottling their newest vintage, Peach Wine, which will be available for tasting this weekend. It includes a mixture of 75 percent New York state peaches and 25 percent from beyond. “Most everything in our bottles was grown here on our farm,” says MaryEllen Glorie.

In New Paltz, the Robibero family also has been busy bottling. “We usually release our 87 North during this event, which is our most popular wine.” Named after the New York State Thruway, this wine won best white in the Hudson Valley in September at the Hudson Valley Wine Competition, says Tiffany Robibero Selby.

But they are not the only area winemakers whose vintages have won and continue to win awards. Check the Wine Trail website for more information or visit the individual wineries to sample for yourself.

Shawangunk Wine Trail wineries

Adair Vineyards, 52 Allhusen Road, New Paltz, adairwine.com

Applewood Winery, 82 Four Corners Road, Warwick, applewoodwinery.com

Baldwin Vineyards, 176 Hardenburgh Road, Pine Bush, baldwinvineyards.com

Benmarl Winery, 156 Highland Ave., Marlboro, benmarl.com

Brimstone Hill Vineyard, 61 Brimstone Hill Road, Pine Bush, brimstonehillwinery.com

Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery, 100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive, Washingtonville, brotherhood-winery.com

Clearview Vineyard, 35 Clearview Lane, Warwick, clearviewvineyard.com

Demarest Hill Winery & Distillery, 81 Pine Island Turnpike, Warwick, demaresthillwinery.com

Glorie Farm Winery, 40 Mountain Road, Marlboro, gloriewine.com

Palaia Vineyards & Winery, 10 Sweet Clover Road, Highland Mills, palaiavineyards.com

Robibero Winery, 714 Albany Post Road, New Paltz, robiberofamilyvineyards.com

Stoutridge Vineyard, 10 Ann Kaley Lane, Marlboro, stoutridge.com

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, 114 Little York Road, Warwick, wvwinery.com

Whitecliff Vineyard, 331 McKinstry Road, Gardiner, whitecliffwine.com

Read more at:

http://www.recordonline.com/article/20150410/ENTERTAINMENTLIFE/150419988