While the Hudson Valley offers a fruitful selection of cocktail bars and craft beer joints, those of us who live by the “wine all the time” motto may find that wine bars are more scarcely scattered. Below are some of the Valley’s best spots to spend Wine Wednesday, or really any day of the week. Cheers!
1915 Wine Cellar
Poughkeepsie
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A family business within Poughkeepsie’s thriving 40 Cannon complex, 1915 leans heavily on European influence for its wine and charcuterie menus. With a wonderfully moody interior, the wine bar is an ideal place for after-work glasses of cabernet sauvignon or Chianti.
Bar Bene
Hudson
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This speakeasy-inspired spot (it’s only accessible through the Sisters Hudson storefront or a narrow alleyway) sports a colorful, mid-century modern style, an extensive wine list, cheese plates from local dairy farms, and caviar for those seeking an elevated culinary experience.
Brunette
Kingston
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Taking residency on the Rondout since 2015, bright and chic Brunette focuses on filling its bottle menu with organic and biodynamic wines from around the world. The by-the-glass options change weekly, encouraging customers to taste something new at every visit. On weekends, the hotspot serves up eclectic bites like trout roe nachos and mushroom toast; check out the calendar for special events.
Chleo
Kingston
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Husband-and-wife duo Charles Mathews and Hope Troup Mathews—formerly of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester—brought a new wine bar to the Stockade District. Take a seat at the stone-top bar or settle into a plush booth to enjoy a variety of wines and seasonal tapas like whipped ricotta with honey or grilled swordfish with summer squash.
Cro’ Nest
Cold Spring
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The boutique wine bar named after the mountain across the river, Cro’ Nest prides itself on its curated menu. Serving up small cheese or hummus plates, this intimate bar attracts a mix of locals, hikers, and boaters fresh off the Hudson looking for a place to sip wine and beer while listening to live music or the buzz from Main Street.
di’Vine Wine Bar
Wappingers Falls
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With a direct view of the Wappingers Creek falls—and a selection of international wines, small plates, and flatbreads—it’s no wonder that di’Vine has several Best of Hudson Valley awards, including one for 2024. Sit at the bar, in the upstairs lounge, or on the outdoor deck. Plus, there’s live music every weekend!
Iron & Wine
Patterson
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If you like your wine paired with Mediterranean tapas, Putnam County’s Iron & Wine is the place to be. With a verdant view of the nearby golf course and a colorful garden, the wine bar’s menu includes hummus spreads, octopus, paella, and the largest gluten-free menu in the area. Of course, enjoy every bite with a perfectly paired wine.
Jar’d Wine Pub
New Paltz
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This funky little college town joint offers both a hip, yet inviting interior and a dog-friendly outdoor space. Combine that with locally sourced wines and ingredients, not to mention a substantial beer and cocktail list, and you may have just found your new go-to bar.
Knaus Gallery & Wine Bar
Highland
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More than just a wine bar, Knaus is also a gallery that displays art from local creatives in its Ulster County space; it even has a permanent collection of works from George and Lisa Knaus. Experience fine wines by the glass, beer, and even charcuterie as you browse new installations.
Reserva Wine Bar
Beacon
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Main Street has its fair share of taverns, but far fewer wine-centric spots. Luckily, Reserva Wine Bar is here to fill the void. Opened in 2021, the uber-cool Reserva (in the former Chill Wine space) offers up unique wines, Brazilian-American fusion small plates, and live entertainment.
Sonder
Kingston
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Sonder is right on Broadway in Midtown Kingston and maintains its mission as a seasonally focused natural wine bar with an emphasis on eliminating food waste. When you step inside you may feel like you’ve entered a Parisian bistro—and that’s precisely the point. The space is lovely, the food is locally sourced, the wine is naturally made, and a good time is guaranteed.
Ze Wine Bar
Hunter
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Moving from its charming spot in Windham to its new location in Hunter, the mountainside spot expanded to welcome even more wine lovers inside. The menu at Ze Wine Bar boasts full dinners with an extensive wine list that might seem too good to be true, and everything is served in an alpine-themed interior that’s big on German cuisine.
Our Wine Country
The Valley is ideal for growing grapes because of the variation in soil and the microclimates created by the Hudson River. The terroir is similar to the banks of the Rhine River in Germany. The mixed nutrients and substrata found here—including limestone, shale, and clay—mimics famous grape regions like Burgundy, France, says J. Stephen Casscles, grower and winemaker at Milea’s Heritage Grape Project. “Our vineyards are especially fertile because of our maritime climate: warmth from the Atlantic Ocean travels up the Hudson to regulate the temperature, allowing grapes to survive harsh New York winters and thrive in the spring and summer.”
Related: 14 Hudson Valley Breweries With Outdoor Seating for Sunny Days
