Sloop Brewing Opens in East Fishkill’s Old IBM Campus

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In mid-September Sloop Brewing Co. officially opened its new 25,000-square-foot facility in the East Fishkill iPark campus, formerly an IBM semiconductor plant. The company launched in 2011 in Poughkeepsie and has been based in Elizaville for the past three years. In recent years, it has made a name for itself in the Hudson Valley and beyond thanks in large part to its unfiltered, juicy and hazy New England-style IPAs.

The new facility will give fans the chance to enjoy these beers alongside pizza, burgers, and other food in a sprawling space with a fun, throwback arcade vibe. It will also enable Sloop to produce more beer — a lot more.

“We finished all of last year producing a little over 4,000 barrels on the year out of Elizaville,” says Joe Turco, Sloop’s sales and marketing director. “Our projected cap off at the new spot will be 28,000 barrels on the year.”

Turco adds, “We named both places and gave each place its individual social media page. We’re calling Elizaville ‘The Barn’ and we’re calling the new location ‘The Factory.’”

All the company’s brewing will now take place at the East Fishkill brewery, but “The Barn” in Elizaville will remain open as a tasting room and barrel aging facility for the brewery’s sour program.

Word has gotten out quickly about the East Fishkill brewery. Just two weeks after it opened there were only a few open seats in the taproom, which has capacity for 250 people. The on-tap offerings included special releases like the No Pumpkin IPA and the Spritzer Bomb made in collaboration with Sixpoint Brewery in Brooklyn, as well as Juice Bomb, the brewery’s signature hazy New England-style IPA. Juice Bomb has a huge amount of hop aromas but low bitterness, and after a few sips of this easy-drinking, fruit-forward beer it is easy to see why this is such a strong seller.

The taproom is open and roomy, with TVs, free arcades games and a PA system that pumped out ‘50s and ‘60s doo-wop classics. There were frequent reminders of the location’s history as a manufacturing plant, including a machine converted to a water fountain, and a former locker left at the site that now houses ketchup and other condiments visitors can grab to top their food.

Speaking of food, Sloop offers burgers, pizza, hand-cut fries and other beer-friendly cuisine. The kitchen is run by executive chef Adam Slamon who is a veteran of the New York City restaurant world. Most recently Slamon worked in the kitchen at Uncle Boons.

The pizzas are prepared on a hybrid gas- and wood-fired oven custom made for Sloop by Forza Forni in nearby Brewster. One outside-the-box menu item, the peanut butter burger, has been a surprise hit says Turco.

“It is absolutely phenomenal,” he says. “It’s not overpowering, you hear peanut butter, you’re like, ‘Oh, that’s going to be really intense.’ Not at all it’s just a very subtle flavor.”

When ordered during our visit, Turco’s description holds true. The burger is topped with peanut butter and bacon, but instead of clashing with the burger and bacon, the peanut butter complements them adding richness to the meat flavors.

Turco says they plan on utilizing the brewery kitchen for special events in the coming months.

“We’re very excited in the future to start doing beer dinners at the location with other breweries and other local chefs,” he says.

Sloop Brewing Co. was founded seven years ago in Poughkeepsie by Adam Watson and Justin Taylor. It was named in honor of the ships that once traversed the Hudson River, and initially the brewery’s beer was sold at various farmers’ markets.

Sloop Brewing’s new site was funded in part by two state grants totaling $565,000. It is one of several new business that have opened up within iPark, a $300 million project to redevelop the former IBM campus. The project was announced last fall by the development company National Resources. Sloop is joined by More Good, an artisan soda, syrup and bitters company with a storefront in Beacon, and Cozzini Brothers, a knife company.

The East Fishkill brewery and Elizaville taproom will have special can releases of limited run beers each week. Turco says each space will draw a different crowd and have a different vibe.

“They’re both going to be very unique,” Turco says. “The new location will service the lower Hudson Valley and then Connecticut and New York City and Westchester County. It’s a lot closer of a drive than Elizaville.”

He adds, “We’re super excited to be back in Dutchess County that’s where we started in 2011.”

 

Sloop @The Factory
Open Thu. 4-9 p.m.; Fri. 4-10 p.m.; Sat. noon-10 p.m.; Sun. 12-9 p.m.
755 East Drive, Suite 106
Hopewell Junction

Explore These Wonderful Waterfalls

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Niagara Falls

Sure, it’s a bit far, but seriously: How do you write about New York State and gloss over majestic Niagara Falls? For centuries, these famed falls have been a prime destination for nature-lovers, honeymooners, and daredevils the world over. Actually three falls — Horseshoe Falls, American Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls — with a peak vertical drop of 188 feet, Niagara spills as much as six million cubic feet of water over its crest each minute. Brave the raw power and mighty roar of the falls from an iconic Maid of the Mist cruise, the Hurricane Deck, or Cave of the Winds, at the foot of Bridal Veil Falls, then assuage your unbridled exhilaration at any of the nearby wineries, historic forts, or the region’s other plentiful attractions.

 

Kaaterskill Falls

Hunter

Captured by painters and novelists for centuries, this ethereal scape features two cascades, rising to a height of 260 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in the eastern US.

 


Photo by David Ramage

Vernooy Kill Falls

Kerhonkson

In Ulster County, Vernooy Kill Falls is an enchanting series of little waterfalls that drop 30 feet in four stages with a memory-making view from the footbridge crossing the base.

 


Photo by Mike Todd/HiketheHudsonValley.com

Indian Brook Falls

Garrison

This little trickling beauty features a picturesque waterfall and flat-water pool ensconced in an increasingly not-so-secret gorge. (It’s just as stunning when it freezes in wintertime.)


 

Cold Spring's Summer Film Series: What You Need to Know

 

Summer in the Hudson Valley is a great time to make the most of the long days and the beautiful scenery — there’s a never ending list of hiking trails, swimming holes, and kayak paths. But after a long day of exerting yourself on the terrain, it’s nice to have an option that lets you sit for a few hours. Fortunately, the Cold Spring Film Society’s summer film series kicks off this Saturday. Every other Saturday through September 1, head to Cold Spring’s Dockside Park at sunset to catch a free film. We spoke to CSFS Operating Committee member John Wayland to learn more about the society’s development and what to expect this season.

 

For those new to the series, what is the Cold Spring Film Society?

The CSFS is very much a local organization run by a small group of very dedicated volunteers, and we appreciate all the support that we get from our local businesses and community members who help us put on these free screenings in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the world. We look forward to seeing everyone down by the river this summer, starting this Saturday night with our premiere screening, Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl (2003).

 

Are there any new developments this year within the society?

With the help of our supporting members and business sponsors, this year we were able to purchase a trailer to house all of our equipment and hopefully make our set up and break down a little bit faster and a little bit easier. Seven years ago when the film society first started, we were hauling our giant screen and speakers and projector, etc. all around in a tiny Toyota Prius, which got pretty beat up by all the metal pipes and equipment jostling around in it. So, this new trailer is something new you’ll see down by the river this summer that we’re all very excited about.

 

The lineup is very diverse this year. How did you choose the films for this year’s series?

Each year we try and program a diverse lineup for our Summer Film Series, so hopefully for everyone there’s at least one film they really want to go see down by the river. We’ll do a family adventure, a thriller, a romance, something from classical Hollywood, a comedy, etc. Personally, I’m looking forward to watching Hitchcock’s Notorious (1946) and the Coen brothers’ screwball comedy Raising Arizona (1987), which I think will be fun to see with a crowd. This year we’re screening our first musical, The Sound of Music (1965), which already seems to be generating a lot of interest in the community and I’m sure will have an audience.

 


Related: What to Catch at Vassar’s Powerhouse Theater This Summer

6 All-in-One Wedding Venues in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

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Mohonk Mountain House. Photo by Samantha Photographie, courtesy Mohonk Mountain House

One-stop venues with ceremony sites, reception halls, overnight accommodations, and more make for easy planning and a worry-free wedding.

When planning a wedding, there’s a lot to think about: The dress, the food, the ceremony, the guests, the reception, the transportation, the hotels, the … need I go on? Sometimes, the so-called “best day of your life” can seem more like a marathon sprint—in stilettos! But what if you could find a venue that covered all the bases for you? (Well, maybe not the dress.) Here are six “one-stop shops” that have a place for all your wedding weekend events. Your guests just have to show up and start having a good time.

Mohonk Mountain House

New Paltz | 845.256.2053

Before Katherine Roark even had a ring on her finger, she knew two things: that she wanted to marry Jeremy Dievendorf, and that Mohonk Mountain House was the ideal spot. Having celebrated many of her grandparents’ anniversaries there, as well as a few family reunions, it had always had a special place in her heart. And she wasn’t the only one who remarked—while strolling the grounds early on in their courtship—how it would be “the perfect place for a wedding.”

When the ring finally came out and the official planning had begun, the “natural beauty of the grounds,” the “romance and class” of the Mountain House made this venue stand head and shoulders above the rest. In addition to majestic views of the Catskills and Lake Mohonk, it offers 259 hotel rooms, a world-class spa, and access to numerous outdoor activities such as hiking, seasonal ice skating, and boating. Its award-winning formal gardens, with mountain views, flowering vine arbors, and an evergreen maze, can accommodate alfresco wedding ceremonies for up to 175 guests. Indoor ceremonies take place in the Victorian Parlor, which looks out on the cliffs and the lake.

Mohonk mountain house
Photo courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House

For their early May ceremony, the Dievendorfs decided to take their vows among the flowers before kicking off cocktail hour on a balcony overlooking Lake Mohonk. Dinner and dancing took place in the East Dining Room, which was the perfect size for their 75-guest wedding, though larger parties would be better suited dancing the night away in the West Dining Room, which accommodates up to 175.

At the end of the day, Katherine couldn’t have been happier with the location, the food, or the staff, who even crafted an entirely gluten-free menu at the couple’s request. “Everything at Mohonk was wonderful,” she says, praising the stress-free experience. “They took care of everything and made it very easy to let go and enjoy the weekend. I was able to trust that everything would turn out perfectly in their very capable hands.”

Mohonk offers many wedding packages, which start at $125 a person, as well as several unique add-ons like a campfire by the lake, Sunday brunch, or rehearsal dinners at the Granary. Weddings are held year-round.

Photo courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House
Photo courtesy of Mohonk Mountain House

Tarrytown House Estate 

Tarrytown | 914.591.3105

In order to have the elegant but vintage-style wedding she’d always wanted, Irvington native Emily Mills initially thought she’d have to look miles away in upstate New York. But when her mother suggested she and fiancé Micah Johnson take a peek around her own backyard, she discovered the Tarrytown House Estate—and fell in love.

Located in what Forbes magazine recently named one of America’s top 10 prettiest towns, the estate has been hosting weddings for more than a century.  Overlooking the Hudson River Valley, the 26-acre property contains two stone-façades19th-century buildings—King House and Biddle Mansion—a retired carriage house, a cottage, lots of conference space, and 212 guestrooms—perfect for partied-out wedding guests looking to hit the hay. With more than 30,000 square feet of private space (including the Winter Palace, Mary Duke Ballroom, West Terrace, and Statue Garden), the venue can accommodate parties of up to 350 guests.

Tarrytown photos courtesy of Tarrytown House Estate
Tarrytown photos courtesy of Tarrytown House Estate

Emily and Micah, however, needed only enough space to accommodate 26—and they found Biddle Mansion’s numerous rooms to be the perfect fit. From the moment she first saw her groom at the base of the grand staircase, to their sunset photo shoot on the patio, to the last kiss of the evening, every moment was picture-perfect—literally. Between the easy flow from room to room, the dark wood décor, the cozy fireplace nooks, and a plethora of windows, Tarrytown House provided a beautiful backdrop for their photographer at every turn.

“When I look at the pictures or go back to visit, I feel the charm and warmth of my wedding all over again,” says Emily, praising the helpful staff, “stunning” atmosphere, and delicious food. “When I tell people about my experience with the Tarrytown House Estate, they can’t believe how quick, helpful, accommodating and simple the planning process was. It’s memorable because I actually enjoyed ‘the hard part.’”

Tarrytown House Estate hosts weddings year-round, with custom packages starting at $100 a person.

Tarrytown photos courtesy of Tarrytown House Estate
Tarrytown photos courtesy of Tarrytown House Estate

Bear Mountain Inn and Overlook Lodge

Highland Falls | 845.786.2731

For nature lovers Tracey Robinson and Jeremy Schneider, what could have been better than tying the knot in the middle of a state park? How about marrying in a building that is over 100 years old and located within that state park? Add to that a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and an abundance of rustic charm, and you have the formula for Hudson Valley wedding success.

“We looked at a lot of different venues to avoid your typical catering hall,” says Tracey, raving about the facility’s exposed wood beams, stone facades, and “enormous fireplaces” that made decorating a cinch. Its easy access from Rockland, Orange, and Westchester Counties was also a plus, and the couple “loved that we could keep all of the festivities in one location.”

Bear Mountain Inn photos courtesy of Bear Mountain Inn
Bear Mountain Inn photos courtesy of Bear Mountain Inn
Bear Mountain Inn photos courtesy of Bear Mountain Inn
Bear Mountain Inn photos courtesy of Bear Mountain Inn

Because it was March, the couple declined the option to exchange vows on the outdoor patio overlooking Hessian Lake, and instead did so in the inn’s Appalachian Room. Afterward, they moved on to cocktail hour and then into Perkins Ballroom, which they decorated with secondhand lace doilies, milk-glass vases, DIY birch candleholders, and homemade lantern centerpieces. “The venue allowed us to bring in whatever piece of decor I imagined,” she says, completing their woodland theme by burning table numbers into white birch logs and giving out daffodil plants as favors.

When they were all danced out, guests were able to choose from three different lodging options on the site: the “rustic and luxurious” Bear Mountain Inn, with 15 newly renovated guestrooms; the more affordable Overlook Lodge, which has 24 rooms; or any of the four Stone Cottages, each of which has six guestrooms, a common living room, and a front porch overlooking Hessian Lake. Two of the Stone Cottages doubled as both the after-party location and sleeping quarters for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Although the distance between each venue is less than a mile, the couple did hire an outside shuttle to transport guests from their rooms to the party space.

Wedding packages start at $119 per person, and include a full bar, wedding cake, cocktail reception, three-course meal, and Champagne toast. The venue can accommodate up to 230 guests at Bear Mountain Inn, 130 guests at Overlook Lodge, up to 100 guests at the Merry-Go-Round Pavilion, or up to 60 guests at Cliff House, an intimate venue located on Hessian Lake.


Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa

Milton | 845.795.1310

When a couple meets at a wedding and then embarks on a courtship that ends in a wedding of their own, does it make their big day just a little bit more special? This is the sort of question one could pose to Katie and Sharmilan Rayer, who caught each other’s eyes during a friend’s nuptials in Karachi, Pakistan, and later jumped the broom across the pond at Milton’s Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa.

Courtesy of Buttermilk Falls Inn
Courtesy of Buttermilk Falls Inn

Situated on a sprawling river estate, the 75-acre Hudson Buttermilk Falls is all about living with and caring for the environment. In addition to its farm-to-table restaurant, organic gardens, aviary house, and livestock barns (complete with llamas, alpacas, and miniature donkeys), the farm operates a spa that uses organic products and geothermal energy. (Wedding couples are offered a complimentary 60-minute Swedish Massage!) A cooked-to-order breakfast and afternoon tea are included for all overnight guests, who have 18 individually decorated accommodations to choose from: 10 rooms in the 1764 main house, four pet-friendly carriage-house suites, and four pet-friendly guest houses.

Since many of Katie’s relatives were traveling from England and Sharmilan’s parents were coming in from Karachi, it was important to have everyone in the same place for more than just a few hours. The fact that Buttermilk Falls could house up to 54 of them on-site (including their beloved French bulldog and ring bearer) was a huge plus. From their rehearsal dinner on the riverfront patio, to the ceremony on Swan Pond, to the after-party in the renovated Barn, the newlyweds took advantage of as many offerings as they could.

Sarah Tew Photography
Sarah Tew Photography

“One of our favorite aspects of the ‘one-stop shop’ quality of Buttermilk Falls was that we knew that so many people we loved were all around us throughout the weekend,” says Katie. “And we loved that staying on-site facilitated our family and friends being able to get to know one another, too! It’s also such a beautiful location that we were thrilled that folks could enjoy it for the entire weekend.”

Site fees for Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa range from $2,500 to $9,000 and include full use of the grounds. Menu pricing starts at $89 per person, with an additional $25 to $45 for open bar. Tenting and rentals are not included. The riverfront patio (open for weddings mid-April through October) overlooks the Hudson River and accommodates events for up to 250 guests. The Barn (available year-round) has a maximum capacity of 90 guests.

Sarah Tew Photography
Sarah Tew Photography

The Rhinecliff

Rhinecliff | 845.876.0590

Having met while swing-dancing, fallen in love over cooking, and gotten engaged while camping, Michelle Falcetano and Robert Lauer knew they wanted their wedding day to revolve around jazz, food, and nature. But did they want a rustic barn wedding or a night at The Savoy? It was a mind-boggling conundrum—that is, until they found The Rhinecliff.

Rhinecliff photos by Cassi Claire Photography
Rhinecliff photos by Cassi Claire Photography

Built in 1854 and nestled on the banks of the Hudson River, The Rhinecliff features antique wood floors, historic beams, refinished doors, stone fireplaces hand-stacked by an English craftsman, and the original Victorian oak bar. Each of its nine guestrooms (where Michelle and Robert’s entire bridal party and immediate families stayed after the wedding) offers a private balcony overlooking the water. The hotel garden is ideal for ceremonies and cocktail hours, while dinner, dancing, and desserts can follow inside in the Riverview Banquet Room.

“It was just magical,” says Michelle. “With its views of the Hudson and the Catskills beyond, amazing menu, natural wood tones, eco-friendly architecture, incredible history, and amazing staff, we knew we had found just the right mix of rustic and elegant, of simple and stylish, of natural and industrial.”

Taking advantage of it all, the couple used The Rhinecliff for their rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception, after-party, and even the morning-after brunch. They particularly loved watching the sailboats breeze by along the river and the lighthouses glow from the other side, as well as the food, staff, and décor. “We didn’t have to do too much visually to make it our own because it was just so us as it was,” Michelle says.

Rhinecliff photos by Cassi Claire Photography
Rhinecliff photos by Cassi Claire Photography

“It was incredibly relaxing to have everything in one place,” she adds, noting that the hotel will leave the bar open “for as long as you like,” and late-night partiers can even order s’mores on the patio. “The hotel has enough space to let each event feel unique, but is small enough that the whole weekend felt intimate and cohesive, like it was all one party.”

Wedding packages range from $99 to $149 per person, including food and beverages, cocktail hour, dinner, dancing, equipment, and staff. On-site ceremonies require an additional fee of $500. The Rhinecliff is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.


Beekman Arms

Rhinebeck | 845.876.7077

For Maria Counts, getting married in Rhinebeck was all about showing off her roots. Now an urban landscape designer along with her husband, Christopher, she grew up on a 400-acre horse farm on Kinderhook’s Merwin Lake. The area is so “rich with beautiful landscapes, architecture, and history,” she says, she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to share it with her guests on her big day.

Beekman Arms photos by Jean Kallina Photography
Beekman Arms photos by Jean Kallina Photography

But truly appreciating a place is tough when you’re rushing from ceremony to reception to hotel. “I wanted to make sure that once people arrived, they could enjoy their stay and not have to worry about getting to and from the various events,” she explains. The 250-year-old Beekman Arms, with its lush gardens, multiple dining areas, and 23 guestrooms (plus an additional 57 at the Delamater Inn one block away), checked this box and more.

While many couples choose to tie the knot in the inn’s front gardens, Maria and Christopher wanted to take advantage of the 19th-century Episcopal Church of the Messiah. The church welcomes nonmembers, allows newlyweds to bring their own officiant, and sits directly across the street from the Delamater Inn. That means it’s also a two-minute walk from the Beekman Arms (or, if fairy-tale weddings are your thing, a quick, romantic jaunt in a horse and carriage).

Beekman Arms photos by Jean Kallina Photography
Beekman Arms photos by Jean Kallina Photography

Upon leaving the ceremony, Christopher and Maria walked through a shower of rose petals, hopped into their carriage, and sipped Champagne on the way to the reception. They then enjoyed dinner and dancing in the inn’s Wayfarer and Greenhouse Rooms, which combine to accommodate up to 120 guests with a dance floor. For more intimate gatherings, the Beekman Room accommodates weddings of up to 25, while extra-large parties may rent out the Tavern Restaurant, which can fit up to 170 guests and includes the other dining rooms and bar as well.

When the night began to wind down, those who had danced the night away and were still up for more ventured over to the historic Tavern Bar, where Christopher played the guitar and guests got to make a few more memories before heading up to bed. “Everyone had a great time,” says Maria, who would “absolutely” recommend this venue to other brides. “I will remember the day and night forever for all of the right reasons.”

Ranging from $75 to $145 per person, wedding packages include a one-hour open bar, cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, Champagne toast, four-course meal created under Executive Chef Eric Mann with ingredients from local farms, wedding cake, and overnight accommodations for the bride and groom. Guests may also choose to have a tented outdoor celebration at the Delamater Inn.


Related: 6 Hudson Valley Wedding Venues With a Vibe

Newburgh Illuminated Festival Unites Art, Music, and Food

 

Art, music, and vendors as far as the eye can see mae up Newburgh’s brightest day of the year. This month’s celebration was no exception, as the 6th annual Newburgh Illuminated Festival held on June 2 featured all of these things and more.

Food trucks from Jamaican to Mexican cuisine, crafts, and Hudson Valley organizations and businesses like Blacc Vanilla packed Broadway and Liberty Street from the festival’s start at noon to its end at 10 p.m. With nearly 130 vendors present, anyone would’ve been hard-pressed to not find something of interest.

For the artistic eye, a large stage on Safe Harbors Green hosted dance performances. A whopping 36 groups and individuals performed routines, from ballet to culturally specific dances to hybrids between the two. Inflatable couches sat front of the stage for comfortable viewing.

Just across Liberty Street, a large ring called a lyra, or a hoop trapeze, hung from the center of a huge tripod. Every half hour or so, one of two young women, or sometimes both, would climb, swing, and flip all over it, making shapes with their bodies that no average person could. The women, Alisha Mai McNamara and Lana Heintjes, are teachers at Hudson Valley Circus Arts, a fitness and yoga circus school based in Kingston.

Art also flowed from a gallery tent featuring work from Jill Sinclair, Daniel McQuade, and Nancy Layne. For local history buffs and casuals alike, little yellow school buses drove around the East End Historic District providing historic bus tours. In addition, the fest hosted a fashion show and a color fest—a messy event involving the carefree launching of colored powders at family and friends.

 

    

Finally, what would Newburgh Illuminated be without live music? Three large stages sat at opposing ends of Broadway and Liberty Street, and the Wherehouse also offered up its stage, and musicians played concurrently at all four locations. No matter where you went, the music lingered in the air. Notable acts included Living Colour’s lead vocalist Corey Glover, hometown hip-hop artist Decora, Ian Flanigan, and The Funk Junkies.


Related: See Shakespeare, Robin Hood, and More at This Epic Theater Festival

2018's Best Rosé Wines, Made by American Women

With the summer temps having arrived (and Westchester Magazine‘s annual Wine & Food Festival right around the corner), it’s time to take back up with rosé. Because it’s made largely from red grapes, but using a white wine method, rosé can be a perfect pairing for everything from fish to ribs, or from beach blanket to dinner party. While last year we focused on New York rosés, this year we blind-tasted nearly 30 roses made by American women. The competition was fierce and featured everything from taffy-like mass-market standards to bone-dry boutique winery beauties. They’re all American, not Provençal, but you won’t find sickly candied notes in any of these wines. Rather, what you’ll get is fruit and acidity, and sometimes a hint of earthy notes as well.

 

Six of the Best Rosé Wines Made by American Women in 2018

 


Photo courtesy of DAMA Wines

DAMA Wines, 2017 Rosé of Cabernet Franc

Mary Derby, founder and owner of Washington state winery Dama Wines, has nicknamed this wine “aromas of spring.” Pale salmon colored in the glass, the wine offers up a nose that just barely hints at a light watermelon Jolly Rancher, then delivers mandarin orange, floral notes, and a touch of salinity. On the palate, this rosé of Cabernet Franc has good fruit and the kind of bright acid that Washington wines can deliver. There’s light raspberry fruit here and even a hint of green almond, with a slightly silky finish.

$25 at www.DamaWines.com

 


Photo courtesy of CÔte Bonneville

Côte Bonneville, 2017 Cabernet Franc Rosé

In the glass, the wine is a pretty pale salmon. Dried flowers and herbs erupt initially on the nose, and then lead to white cherry — think Rainier cherries — and raspberry. On the palate, the wine is full of light raspberries, white strawberries, and spice notes that give it even more authenticity. Fresh and racy, yet with great length and structure, the wine can stand up to food, or a visit with the mother-in-law.

Winemaker Kerry Shiels got the fruit for this wine from Côte Bonneville’s estate DuBrul Vineyard, in Washington’s Yakima Valley, which her mother, Kathy, discovered and planted alongside dad Hush in 1992.

$30, available at www.cotebonneville.com, or ask Harrison Wine Vault to order it for you.

 

Lazy Creek Vineyards, 2016 Rosé of Pinot Noir

Color-wise the darkest in this group of best rosé wines by American women, the Lazy Creek rosé is a deep salmon to almost pink in the glass. At first, the nose seems almost candied — there’s a hint of creamsicle here and then tons of strawberry and wild honey. Wild strawberries and orange notes, plus good acid and length, come through on the palate, too. Winemaker Christy Ackerman made the wine out of California’s Anderson Valley.

$22, available at www.lazycreekvineyards.com


Photo courtesy of Chehalem Wines

 

Chehalem Wines, 2017 Three Vineyard Rosé of Pinot Noir

From the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley comes this elegant looking rosé of Pinot Noir. On the nose, there’s dried white cherry, strawberries, a hint of tree branch, and lots of white flower. In the glass, the wine is equally elegant and is lush with strawberry, peach, and just the barest hint of Oregon earthiness. Winemaker Wynne Peterson-Nedry originally crafted this wine, although associate winemaker Katie Santora has recently picked up the torch.

$25, available online at www.ChehalemWines.com or ask Harrison Wine Vault to order it for you.

 


Photo courtesy of Chateau Ste Michelle

 

Chateau Ste Michelle, 2017 Rosé

Young gun Leah Adint, an assistant winemaker was the driving for behind this year’s Chateau Ste Michelle rosé, which is made mostly of Syrah. Coming out of Washington’s Columbia Valley, the wine is fresh and lively. There’s watermelon, peach, raspberry and serious citrus on the nose, while on the palate, the wine has raspberry, strawberry, peach, and melon notes, plus bracingly good acidity.

$15, online but coming soon to a variety of stores in Westchester.

 

Meiomi, 2017 Rosé

The largest producer in this group of lady-made rosés delivers a blend — we know not of what grapes — from the Monterey, Sonoma, and Santa Barbara counties. Melissa Stackhouse makes this pale salmon-colored wine. On the nose, there’s light white strawberry and a hint of mushroom, which carries through on the palate as well.

$22.99 at Stew Leonard’s Wines & Spirits of Yonkers

 

Looking for tickets to our Wine & Food Festival? Click here for Salute! A Wine Tasting Tour of Italy: Enter promo code WINE to receive $5 off Salute tickets! Don’t wait, the code is only valid through Friday, June 1 at 5 p.m.

Meet the Award-Winning Students from the Future Filmmakers’ Film Festival

 

Westchester students, along with their family, friends, and the general public, attended the 11th annual Future Filmmakers’ Film Festival at The Picture House in Pelham on Sunday, April 29. Chester Awards were given to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as well as one for Creativity and an Audience Choice Award.

The Future Filmmakers’ Film Festival began as a tribute to Byram Hills’ student and filmmaker, Matthew Hisiger. To be part of the festival, Westchester students submit their short films, which are then screened at the festival and assessed by a panel of judges.

 

1st Place

Filmmakers: Evan Miller and Austin Duffy, Byram Hills

Film: Sam’s Bucket. 7 minutes. A teenager recently diagnosed with a critical illness completes the last four things on his bucket list. This film was written, filmed, directed, and edited, including an original musical score by Stefan Dinkel, in 48 hours for another film competition.

“I was always a huge film fan…but I never really worried about how to make a film until I took a film class junior year of high school. The second I got behind the camera I kind of fell in love with it.” — Austin Duffy

 

2nd Place

Filmmakers: Georgia Ferguson, Kate Murray, and Clementine Marcogliese, Sacred Heart

Film: Inside the Industry. 3 minutes and 29 seconds. A short documentary about Hervé Pierre, fashion designer for Dior, Carolina Herrera, and Balmain, and couturier to four first ladies. Along with this award, the film won first place at the Sacred Heart Film Festival, first place at the A9CC film festival, and Best Documentary at the Hotchkiss Film Festival.  

“We didn’t know that we were going to win or that we were going to place. We kind of just went into it thinking that we made a great film and if it didn’t place, then at least we put our care and effort in.”  — Georgia Ferguson

 

3rd Place

Filmmaker: Chloe Stafford, Mamaroneck

Film: Living as Myself. 4 minutes and 9 seconds. A look into living with ADHD from someone who has experienced it. Stafford made this film as part of an assignment to make a self-reflective video in her film elective course at Mamaroneck High School.

“Honestly what I was trying to do was make something different and something personal…It might be a little awkward to watch but in the end I’m going to be really thankful I made it and I want people to see it, people who have ADHD or a learning disability, so they can see someone like them.” — Chloe Stafford

 

Back row, left to right: Kate Murray, Chloe Stafford, Masana Morgan, Evan Miller, Clementine Marcogliese / Front row, left to right: Erika Totoro, Georgia Ferguson

 

Creativity Prize

Filmmaker: Erika Totoro, Dobbs Ferry

Film: Lonely. 2 minutes and 17 seconds. Claymation movie featuring a forlorn donut seeking a friend. Although she has experience working with clay, this was the first claymation film Totoro made. The film and pictures of her other claymation works can be viewed on www.ectcrafts.com.

“It took me about 2,500 photos to make…For each photo I have to slightly move the characters and if I move it too much I have to restart it.” — Erika Totoro

 

Audience Choice

Filmmaker: Masana Morgan, Mamaroneck

Film: Lose It. 4 minutes and 23 seconds. Inspired by the song “Swimming Pools” by Kendrick Lamar, the film follows a teen at a party as his life spins out of control. Morgan originally made this film for a visual poetry project in school.

“Kendrick Lamar’s song came on called ‘Swimming Pools,’ and it’s kind of about his alcohol addiction. I thought that could be turned into a really interesting film and I really wanted to convey that especially because a lot of teens can be involved in that kind of abuse.” — Masana Morgan

 

The Pelham Picture House, which has been in operation since 1921, was purchased in 2001 by the Pelham Picture House Preservation nonprofit to protect it from being torn down and to maintain it for future generations to enjoy. The Picture House holds special screenings, events with famous stars and directors, film productions, summer camp programs, and film classes for students (K-12) and adults. High school students can participate in a film club on Wednesday nights during the school year where they collaborate with professional filmmakers to create a short movie. Students in the film club have the opportunity to explore screenwriting, directing, cinematography, and video editing.


Related: See Shakespeare, Robin Hood, and More at This Epic Theater Fest

The Film Industry Is in Love With the Hudson Valley

Photo courtesy of the Hudson Valley Film Commission

 

When you think of movies, forget Hollywood. Forget New York City. Think about the Hudson Valley, where the film industry booms right in our own backyards.

“2017 was a great year, specifically because of John Krasinski’s A Quiet Place from Paramount,” says Laurent Rejto, Hudson Valley Film Commission founder and director. To date, A Quiet Place, which was filmed in Pawling, Beacon, and on the Wallkill Valley Rail Trail in New Paltz, has grossed more than $270 million worldwide.

“[Last year was also great] because of the TV show Big Dogs and small indie films like Nancy, starring John Leguizamo and Steve Buscemi, The Miseducation of Cameron Post, which won the grand jury prize at Sundance, and Diane, which recently won the top award at the Tribeca Film Festival,” adds Rejto.

The Hudson Valley Film Commission has been working with film productions since 2000. “We had the opportunity to work with Steven Spielberg’s War of the Worlds, Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock, The Night Listener starring Robin Williams, and many other films, both large and small,” says Rejto.

The Hudson Valley’s appeal as a prime filming location has led to the Hudson Valley Film Industry Conference, which will be held at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park on June 5. Twenty more film productions are currently happening in the Hudson Valley, including Last Vermont Christmas, which recently filmed in Rhinebeck and stars Erin Cahill.

Although there are currently no organized film tours in the Hudson Valley, fans can come and tour the areas where various movies were filmed. For example, Paul Newman fans can tour Beacon, where the actor shot scenes from Nobody’s Fool. George Clooney fans should visit Blooming Grove and Cornwall in Orange County, where scenes of Michael Clayton were shot.

Television fans can get in on the excitement, too. Many popular shows have filmed in and around Westchester County, including Law & Order SVU, Gotham, and Madame Secretary. For upstaters, Daredevil recently filmed at the Catskill’s Windham.

Doctor Who aficionados should head to The Pandorica in Beacon, a Doctor Who-themed restaurant that serves WHOmmus, Madame De Pompadour Cake, and the Bannakaffalatta pudding. The quirky eatery also has trivia nights and plays episodes of the show all day.

In the Catskills, film and television lovers will jump for The Roxbury Motel and its themed rooms. Are you a fan of I Dream of Jeannie, Star Trek, The Adams Family or The Flintstones? You’re in luck. At The Roxbury, you can stay in Jeannie’s bottle, a Star Trek vessel, a creepy and kooky Adams Family room, or a Flintstones caveman-inspired room, to name just a few. The motel is expanding to offer more selections in the next year.

Production in the Hudson Valley will continue to attract filmmakers and fans alike, so hopefully there will be more tours, destinations, and even museums to follow.

Lisa Iannucci is the author of On Location: A Film and TV Lover’s Travel Guide, which was published by Globe Pequot Press on March 1. It is available in local bookstores and online. 


Related: A Quiet Place Brings Revenue to the Valley

3 Chances to Catch Classical Music This Summer

 

This summer is chock full of great events in the Hudson Valley, many of which put the spotlight on all the music the area has to offer. No matter where you reside, there are so many things to see, and hear, this summer. Check out these classical music festivals as the weather gets warmer.

 

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts

With a diverse selection of styles and genres, Caramoor delivers world class music without the hassle of traveling into New York City. This summer, catch the Verona Quartet, which holds the position of Ernst Stiefel String Quartet in Residence. The group will perform on June 21, and tickets for students 18 and under are free! The program includes works by JanáÄek and Dvorak, along with a world premiere piece by Julia Adolphe. On June 29, see the Kronos Quartet perform works by Gershwin, Terry Riley, and Steve Reich. Not only do the concerts at Caramoor boast incredible performances, but they also have a stunning backdrop that makes audience members feel as though they are in a Venetian courtyard.

Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
149 Girdle Ridge Rd
Katonah, NY 10536

 

Bard SummerScape Festival

Hailed by The New York Times as a “hotbed of intellectual and aesthetic adventure,” SummerScape in Annandale on Hudson offers a rejuvenating night of fresh takes on beloved and newly commissioned works. Held from June 28 to August 19, Bard College’s annual festival focuses on Russian composer Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov and includes a staging of his powerhouse of an opera, The Tsar’s Bride. The festival also celebrates Leonard Bernstein’s centennial with a performance of Peter Pan from June 28 to July 22.  For a more contemporary experience, The Knights will perform the world premiere of Kaija Saariaho’s “Four Quartets,” with texts by T.S. Eliot, from July 6 to 8.

Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts
60 Manor Ave
Annandale On Hudson, NY 12504

 

Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle

During its June Concert Series, the Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle presents three diverse shows, which feature works by Brahms, Arensky, and Sorensen. Artists include the Trio con Brio Copenhagen, Joan Tower (piano), and an assorted collection of cellists and violists performing the Brahms sextets. For just $70, individuals can purchase a ticket package for all three concerts. For students, $5 tickets are available for individual concerts.

Hudson Valley Chamber Music Circle
​Olin Humanities Building
Campus Rd
Annandale-On-Hudson, NY 12504


Related: Jam Out at the Hudson Valley’s Summer Music Festivals

Do What Feels Right: Our Q&A With (Sandy) Alex G

 

In 2013, (Sandy) Alex G broke onto the music scene with his signature melancholic brand of jangly rock. His most recent release, Rocket, dropped in May 2017 to rave reviews from fans. Currently, the Philadelphia native is gearing up for a long summer of shows, including one on May 18 at BSP Kingston, where he will be joined by Trace Mountains and Decent. We spoke to frontman Alex Giannascoli about his summer plans, garbage plates, and making music for the right reasons.

 

Rocket was more folk influenced than your other albums. What led to that?

To be honest, I didn’t really have any guiding principle or anything when I started out. A couple of the songs ended up that way, but the album is kind of varied. There’s probably like three or four folky type songs and then the rest of them are kind of all over the place as far as genre goes. I don’t know if there’s any real reason other than I was just strumming the guitar and that’s kind of what came out.
 

That’s awesome! You can’t really put a genre on some types of music. I loved Rocket, by the way.

Thank you.
 

I saw you open for Girlpool a couple years ago. You probably don’t remember this, but someone in the audience kept asking you to play “Change” over and over again.

You know that happens a lot. People call out a lot but it’s so weird playing that one if we’re opening for another band because it’s not a downer but it’s so slow and conclusive. I feel like if we play that, then it feels like we’re trying to close the show or something but the show’s not over.
 

How do you practice self-care while you’re touring?

I wish I knew [laughs]. I don’t know, I’m getting pretty burned out sometimes, but Sam [Acchione], who is the guitar player in the band, he exercises a lot. He’s been bringing a jump rope on tour, he jump ropes in the morning. He’ll make time to exercise. I should do the same thing. I just have no discipline. One day maybe I can be like him and exercise or something, but just getting enough sleep, that’s really important.
 

I think sometimes sleep is more important than exercise in the long run.

Absolutely.
 

In terms of music, what are you looking forward to most this summer?

Well, we got a lot of shows this summer, a lot of festivals we’ve never played before, so that’ll be fun. I’m going to work on some recording — that’s something I really enjoy doing too. We’re playing this festival called Primavera again, in Barcelona, and that will be cool because Fever Ray are on the same day we are and the person who makes music as Feva Ray also makes music in this group called The Nice, and they are one of my favorite bands.
 

Is this your first time playing in the Hudson Valley?

We’ve played at Bard College and Vassar College
 

That area’s really nice.

How about Rochester?
 

 

Rochester’s great. Have you played the Bug Jar?

Yeah, the Bug Jar is where we always play. It’s great — I don’t know if you remember but the room with the stage had a kitchen nailed to the ceiling. It’s like all of the furniture is upside down.
 

They must’ve gotten rid of that by the time I got there. Did you get to try a garbage plate while you were in Rochester?

That sounds so familiar…
 

It’s this weird food thing where they pile hamburger meat, mac and cheese, and potato salad — everything onto one plate.

That sounds amazing [laughs]. That’s like what I cook for myself at home. I don’t know how to cook real recipes. I just make a bunch of stuff and pile it on. That sounds delicious.
 

You’ve done a wonderful job with your music and your career. Do you have any advice for aspiring musicians?

I feel like the older I get, the less advice I have as far as music goes. What I used to say is play a ton of shows or make a ton of recordings. That’s what I did and this is what resulted. I recorded all the time, not with a sense of dutifulness, it was just what I truly loved to do. I love to play shows. But plenty of people do the same exact thing and it doesn’t work. There’s so much luck involved. I would just say do what feels right, which for me was to keep making music because it was like an escape thing. Have you ever heard of Donna Tartt?
 

No, I haven’t.

Well I just started reading some of her books. I was watching an interview with her and she talks about how reading a book was kind of like an escape for her, and then an even greater level of escape was writing the book. I think that’s kind of what happened to me with music. I loved to listen to music so much that making music was almost like enjoying music on a deeper level. I got obsessed with it. If that feels right to you, then absolutely go for it because it’s fun and people should just explore it for the sake of exploring it. There’s no advice I can give you that will get you money or success.
 

Listen to (Sandy) Alex G here and purchase tickets to Kingston show here.


Related: Stream this Essential Hudson Valley Spotify Playlist

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