A Glance at the Number-One Vineyard in New York

This Warwick winery wins the popular vote.

Standing on the grounds of Clearview Vineyard and Winery, it’s easy to see — literally — why it recently placed 14th on Travel & Leisure’s list of best vineyards in the US and number one in the state (based on Yelp reviews).

The 7-year-old winery is set in an intimate, hilly neighborhood in Warwick, where the Hudson Valley spreads out as far as the eye can see in undulating shades of green. Bear Mountain and Harriman State Park jut skyward on the horizon, while two acres of grapes — Seyval blanc, Cabernet Franc, and six others — trail down a steep hill.

The winery’s main room is home to a long tasting-room bar, behind which the staff pours samples of the estate Seyval blanc, the Divinity white blend, and Cabernet Franc, as well as tastes of Clearview’s wines made using grapes from other vineyards across the state. In total, Clearview has 11 wines; all are produced dry.

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The winemaking facilities themselves fill out the full downstairs of the tasting room. Talk nice to winemaker Frank Graessle, who founded the winery with wife Karen, and he may even grant you a tour. He and his wife regularly host lectures and group tours for just $2 a guest.

On a cool day, couples, groups, and friends can be found at any of a handful of tables in the tasting room, lingering over glasses of Cayuga and Merlot, or grazing on cheese and fruit boards, sliced baguettes with deconstructed Caprese salads, or a range of other small-plate options. In warmer weather, visitors of all ages can be found playing cornhole out on the lawn, and the winery’s deck — which extends the length of the building and accommodates live music — gets all the action.

Are the Yelpers right? Let us know what you think at edit@hvmag.com.


Open Fri, Sat, and Sun, noon–5 p.m., April through mid-December or by appointment. Live music Sat and Sun, 2–5 p.m.
35 Clearview Lane, Warwick; 845.651.2838
www.clearviewvineyard.com

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