In West Park, Red Maple Vineyard is a family-owned and -operated venue and winery that sits on a 143-acre former dairy farm. Along with crafting exceptional wines, the vineyard hosts a number of extravagant weddings each year on its diverse and vibrant Hudson Valley property. Now, the Ulster County venue is also tapping into the craft beverage scene as it launches its new collaboration with Esopus-based Great Life Brewing in a unique brewery-winery setting.
The two-in-one craft drink destination is housed in a building that is new to the Red Maple Vineyard property and was built using mostly wood that was milled onsite. Along with a tasting room, RMV Cellars features a restaurant with next-level food made by graduates of the Culinary Institute of America.
For the two Ulster County operations, the RMV Cellars collaboration was a no-brainer. Red Maple Vineyard has kept a close relationship with its neighbor and founder of Great Life Brewing, Patrick Clancy, ever since he would help out the family-owned venue in the garden prior to the launch of his craft beer brand in Kingston. From serving Clancy’s beer at the vineyard’s weddings to visiting his brewery to learn about the crafting process, Red Maple Vineyard has been there all along the way.
Before working together to create RMV Cellars, the two brands had collaborated on the Sap Sucker Saison – a beer made using the sap from Red Maple Vineyard’s maple trees. An experiment that turned out to be a fan favorite, this beer is most responsible for the relationship that Great Life Brewing and Red Maple Vineyard have today.
Just as Gary Stone, the owner of Red Maple Vineyard, was looking to expand his winemaking operation, Patrick Clancy was interested in selling Great Life Brewing if he found the right candidate to take over his brews. For lifelong beer lover Stone, acquiring Great Life and moving it to his property in West Park couldn’t have been a more natural fit.
Head winemaker Madi Marshall had the opportunity to witness Red Maple Vineyard as it evolved into the award-winning winery that it is today, after starting out as a small wine cellar in the basement of an 1800s hay barn. “Now, alongside Brewmaster Cody, we’re producing wines, ciders, and beer in our brand-new facility. The future is bright at RMV Cellars,” Marshall affirms.
For head brewer Cody Lynch, brewing has always been a passion, even before he was skilled at it. Lynch started off as a home brewer who had a lot to learn from Patrick Clancy when he got involved with Great Life Brewing. Lynch says, “Almost seven years later, I have to say I absolutely love what I get to do every day and it’s truly a privilege to brew delicious beer for incredible people.”
Since opening its doors in November 2023, RMV Cellars has served up quite a few brews, and Lynch is always coming out with new twists and styles of beer. So far, the Juicy Joy IPA has been a house favorite beer for its flavor combination of Citra, Mosaic, and El Dorado hops that lends to a tropical, citrusy ale. On the wine side of things, the cellar’s own Sauvignon Blanc and Ethos have been top sellers at the tasting room.
“The special thing about cellars is we have a winemaker, a brewer, and a chef in the same room all of the time, and that gives a really exceptional opportunity to do things that we couldn’t do anywhere else, and you can see that on our menu,” says head chef Sara, who oversees the RMV Cellars restaurant. This sentiment is reflected in dishes like charcuterie boards with wine jelly and Bavarian pretzels with Great Life Brewing beer cheese.
Patrons can also expect live music at the venue on Fridays and Saturdays, with a mix of styles ranging from local bands to solo acts across all genres. Art lovers can check out the onsite sculpture garden that features the work of local artists with two exhibitions per year.
With beer, wine, food, music, art, and more under one roof, RMV Cellars is quickly becoming a community hub for creatives, neighbors, and craft beverage lovers alike. The casual and comfortable setting makes it easy for anyone who visits to feel at home.
RMV Cellars is located on the Red Maple Vineyard property at 103 Burroughs Drive in West Park.
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