Road Trip CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8
While locals and visitors are relishing the renaissance of
beer in the northern region, wine is still the Hudson Valleys
signature beverage, as it has been since Colonists first set foot
on the shores of the Hudson River. Visiting any of the wineries
on the regions designated wine trails is a good way to tap
into the roots of New Yorks terroir, history, and culture.
Farmers have been experimenting with cold-weather viticulture
in the Hudson Valley for centuries, but one grape that shows
exciting promise is Cabernet Franc, the regions newly-
designated signature grape. A delicious way to explore the
regions wineries and compare winemaking on both sides
DESTINATION : Mid-Hudson Valley
BY DEBBIE GIOQUINDO
DAY ONE
see
A good place to jump start the day is the Crown Maple Estate
(47 McCourt Road, Dover Plains, crownmaple.com). Their doors
open at 10:00 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. A 60-minute
tour includes a behind-the-scenes look at the facility and the
intricate network that brings sap from the century-old sugar and
red maples on their 800-acre property to the barrel and into the
bottle. The tour ends with a 5-stage tasting of their luscious
maple syrups. Brunch at the Crown Maple Caf is deliciously
more than pancakes and waffles (they have those, too!), with the
Courtesy Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa
estate-produced maple syrup well integrated into their menu.
At The Farm Stand, syrup, sugar, and other artisanal products
are available for purchase to take home.
sip
A 20-minute drive through the countryside leads to the Hudson
Valleys flagship winery, Millbrook Vineyards and Winery
(26 Wing Road, Millbrook, millbrookwine.com), where acres of
Cabernet Franc vines are pristinely trellised in front of the
winerys Dutch-style barn. Both Cabernet Francs here are
excellent examples of winemaker John Grazianos dedication
to his craft (at Millbrook for more than 30 years) and the regions
signature grape, although both are distinctly different. The
Proprietors Special Reserve features red and black fruit with
hints of black currant that dances on your palate, while the
Block Three East is mature with black fruit, plum and more
defined tannins. A palate-pleasing lunch at the winerys
Vineyard Grille affords sweeping views of the vineyard.
Venturing over the river to Whitecliff Vineyard (331 McKinstry
Road, Gardiner, whitecliffwine.com) is about an hours drive
along a scenic route. At Whitecliff, Michael Migliore and
winemaker Brad Martz craft outstanding Cabernet Franc wines
that offer bright red cherry and blackberry notes with strong
tannins. Buy a bottle and settle in on the deck to enjoy the
serene views of the Shawangunk Ridge and the towering white
cliffs that inspired the winerys name.
The last Cabernet Franc stop of the day is just 10 minutes
away at Robibero Winery (714 Albany Post Road, New Paltz,
rnewyorkwine.com). Their 2015 Cabernet Franc, a blend of 92%
Cabernet Franc with 8% Petit Verdot, won a Double Gold Medal
and was awarded Best Red Wine at the 2016 Hudson Valley
Wine & Spirits Competition. Production of this sell-out wine
is limited with just 223 cases produced. Linger on it for a while
around their cozy outdoor fire pit.
10 HUDSON VALLEY WINE Summer 2017
of the Hudson mountain vineyards vs. valley vineyards is to
seek out producers on the Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc Trail.
Cabernet Franc is commonly found in Bordeaux blends, but
local Cabernet Franc wines have been piquing the palates of
more than one self-proclaimed wine geek wanting to learn more
about what makes this the regions signature grape.
Adventurous visitors can experience a range of flavors on an
itinerary that explores six of the top growers and producers of
estate-grown Cabernet Franc wine, with plenty of pauses for
palate cleansing and an overnight stay in-between. Tasting
begins in the mid-Hudson Valley on the east side of the River.
d
stay
Theres no better place to relax after a long day of wine
tasting than at Buttermilk Falls Inn (220 North Road, Milton,
buttermilkfallsinn.com), a 25-minute drive from Robibero. The
historic bed and breakfast sits on 75 acres with stunning views
and a working farm. The inn has
ten lovely rooms with eight
additional guest houses and
cottages, situated on grounds just
begging to be strolled. Plan ahead
and make an appointment for a
rejuvenating spa treatment or
soothing massage at Buttermilk
Spa, then cozy up for a dinner
on-site at Henrys at the Farm,
where the ingredients are fresh
from the farm or sourced from
local purveyors.
DAY TWO
taste
Fuel up before heading out to the wineries in nearby Marlboro
at Fridas Bakery (26 Main Street, Milton, fridasbakeryny. com)
a favorite spot for a savory breakfast and scratch-baked goods.
(The bakery samples by the cashier are not be passed up!)
Pick up a picnic lunch there to enjoy at one of the vineyards
later in the day.
sip
First sip of the day is at Glorie Farm Winery (40 Mountain
Road, Marlboro, gloriewine.com) which has one of the best
sites for growing Cabernet Franc in the Valley. The terroir
shines through in Glories complex Cabernet Franc wines,
with mouthwatering aromas of raspberry and cherry, and earthy
notes that combine with black tea and a dose of minerality in
the glass. The fresh red fruit flavor finishes with bursts of black
pepper. Perched at a high elevation, the tasting room has
expansive views of the valley from which to savor each sip.
Three miles down the road is Nostrano Vineyards (14 Gala
Lane, Milton, nostranovineyards.com), a fairly new winery that is
making great Cabernet Franc wine from the grapes that can be
viewed from their tasting room. Along with magnificent vistas
d
 of the Hudson Valley, there are tables for picnicking that overlook
Courtesy Nostrano Vineyards
the vineyard and apple orchards below. Relax and sip it all in.

By the time of this printing, the tasting room at Fjord Vineyards

(fjordvineyards.com) may be open and a great destination to end
the day. (Check website for address and hours.) Fjords mission
is to make small lot wines that reflect the terroir. Known for his
award-winning winemaking at Benmarl Winery, Matt Spaccarelli
produces Fjords Cabernet Franc from grapes grown on the property
using wild fermentation, aging it for 14 months in two-year-old
French oak barrels. Well-worth waiting for.

sup
Dinner on your way out of town is local-eclectic at Perch
(1 King Street, Marlboro, perchmarlboro.com). Their wine list is
tops, with a good selection from the neighboring wineries. In the
mood for a good burger? Just cross the street for a rough-
and-ready experience at the Raccoon Saloon, where juicy burgers
are served up with homemade ketchup. Request a table by the
window overlooking the ravine to reflect on the day and start
planning your next road trip.

Wherever your GPS takes you in the Hudson Valley, something

delicious and edifying awaits. What are you waiting for?

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www.hvwinemag.com Summer 2017 11