Ulster County

Itineraries to help you explore Hudson Valley wine country.


Photo courtesy of Robibero Family Winery

 

The New Paltz area is home to many wonderful wineries and views. Begin your day at Robibero Family Winery, in New Paltz. This is the dream of Harry Robibero, who always wanted to follow in the footsteps of his Grandpa Tony — a winemaker himself — by making outstanding wines. At this family-owned-and-operated establishment, you’ll find a deck where you can enjoy the view and live music, pizza made in a wood-burning stove, and a Robibero family member behind the tasting bar. And in the fall, you can sit by the firepit. If you have a puppy, bring him or her, too, as our domestic companions are more than welcome. Many of R obibero’s wines’ names are personal. Try the HARO, a blend of Petit Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc, named after Harry. The Stray, a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec, was named after a stray dog that co-owner Tiffany (Harry’s daughter) found on her doorstep and took in. There is also 87 North, a white blend, and 87 South, a red blend. Sit on their deck and enjoy the view and the music on the weekends.

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Side Trips

 

Yard Owl Craft Brewery

Gardiner

Stop in to see the talented brewmasters Kristop Brown and James Walsh brewing up beer that is dry and not overly hoppy.

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Bad Seed Cider

Highland

This is what happens when you grow up on an apple farm: You create your own cider. Albert Wilklow, a sixth-generation apple farmer at Wilklow Orchards, has been brewing and fermenting — with business partners Devin Britton and Bram Kincheloe — since 2011.

 

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Wilklow Orchards

Highland

Why not visit the farm, pick some apples, and see where the cider comes from? There’s also pumpkin picking in the fall, along with children’s activities.

 

Gunk Haus

Highland

A great place to stop and grab some German fare. Sit outside and drink in the sunset while you’re at it.

 


Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery
Photo by Tom Ligamari

 

Just down the road is Whitecliff Vineyard and Winery, where you will often see Michael Migliore on the grounds of the 70-acre farm winery he started in 1975 with co-founder Yancey Stanforth-Migliore. If you’re going to take a winery tour, this is one to do, as Whitecliff is the Valley’s first geo-thermal winery; learn about that during tours at designated times during the fall or by appointment. In the tasting room, enjoy wines for all palates, from dry to semi-sweet to port-style and sparkling. Last but certainly not least, the views of the Gunks and the sunsets are breathtaking.

 

How About Some Apps With That Wine?

 

Wine Trail Adventures

The social network for wine connoisseurs. Discover and explore wineries and wine trails. Review wineries and share your experience with your friends.

 

Delectable

Take a picture of the wine and write your tasting notes. You can keep track of your favorite wines and see what others have to say.

 

Cellar Tracker

Another app where you can keep a record of your tastings and see what others have to say. In addition, you can keep track of your purchases and manage your wine collection.

 


Grapes of Glorie: Doug Glorie, proprietor of Glorie Farm Winery, planted the first grape vineyard on Glorie Farms in 1983.
Photo by Maryellen Glorie

 

Take a 20-minute ride east over to Marlboro and visit Glorie Farm Winery, housed in a 1913 barn near the top of Mt. Zion. This is one of the best sites in the area for growing Cabernet Franc — and that’s just what owners Doug and MaryEllen Glorie are doing. They are also co-founders, with Bob Bedford and Linda Pierro, of the Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc Coalition. If you have time, head to the top of the vineyard, where stunning vistas await. The kinetic wind sculpture named Wind Shear, located east of the tasting room, is easy on both the eye and the mind. Needless to say, try their Cabernet Franc; in the fall, don’t miss their Mutiny hard apple cider and their Rumple Pumpkin, a semi-dry white wine infused with pumpkin spice.


 

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