Shawangunk Wine Trail ideal journey in any season

By Lori Pierce Abendschein
For the Poughkeepsie Journal

There are plenty of diversions along the way, including lodgings, B&Bs, restaurants, horse farms, nature trails, antique shops, art galleries and roadside markets.

Why not begin your trip early in New Paltz, a brief 25-minute ride from Poughkeepsie, with breakfast at The Bakery on North Front Street, Main Street Bistro, or Harvest Cafe and Restaurant located at Water Street Market. If you make Main Street Bistro your first stop, you'll find the morning crowd lively and your senses awakened by wafts of macadamia nut coffee. A hearty breakfast there can include whole-wheat banana pancakes, crispy home fries and mugs of freshly squeezed orange juice.

A brief drive down Huguenot Street, the oldest street in America, can set the mood for the trail drive with a lovely view of the old stone houses, many of which date between 1692 and 1894.

Nine different wineries compose the Shawangunk Wine Trail. You will find sparkling wines, vinifera and French/American varietals and blends and even some beautifully made fruit wines. All of the wineries offer tours and tastings and many feature special events throughout the year.

Take Route 32 south out of New Paltz and follow the grape cluster signs to Adair Vineyards. Estate wines since 1987 are at this registered landmark winery that offers tastings, tours, a retail shop and picnic area around an historic Dutch-style barn, dating back 200 years.

Travel about 100 yards further to Red Pump Studios to view local art. On your way back to New Paltz, slow down around the curve to view the federal-style mansion known as Locust Lawn, a designated historic site that was built in 1814 by Colonel Josiah Hasbrouck in 1814 and designed by local architect Cromwell of Newburgh. Adjacent to this home is the Terwilleger House, a stone structure dating back to 1738. Before your reach the village, stop at the Apple Hill Farm stand to take in aromas of warm cider doughnuts and apple cider. You can pick your own pumpkin or choose from those in the crates.

Once in town, cross Wallkill River's small bridge and travel one mile to Libertyville Road, which leads to Rivendell Winery. The winery has been in operation since 1987. Chardonnay, Sarabande, Seyval and Riesling are just some of the wines that have garnered attention under the Rivendell and Libertyville Cellars labels. Like many of our valley's wineries, Rivendell also hosts an annual calendar of events. Visitors this month can plan to attend the Great American Picnic and Hallowine Festival.

Stay on Brunswick Road, Route 7, which leads to Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery in Gardiner, an easy 15 minutes from New Paltz. Whitecliff is the newest addition to the Shawangunk Wine Trail. Complete with views of the Shawangunk cliffs, this 70-acre property grows Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. Before you leave Gardiner, check out Tuthilltown Grist Mill, a 1788 stone-grinding flour mill and store featuring a small museum and gift shop.

A short detour from Route 7 brings you to Brimstone Hill Vineyards in Pine Bush, which is family operated and dedicated to producing high-quality wines in the French tradition, prompting it motto, "the local wine with the French touch."

Also in Pine Bush, Baldwin Vineyards produces more than a dozen different wines, including a gold medal-winning Chardonnay, Riesling and strawberry wine.

Plan in advance and make a reservation at Magnanini Vineyard and Restaurant in Wallkill for a six-course, Northern Italian meal, complete with live accordion music and dancing on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons.

If you haven't tired from tripping and tasting, then continue along to Route 52 to Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville.

"America's Oldest Winery," Brotherhood offers beautifully landscaped premises, tours of the underground cellars and tastings. There is also a "History of Brotherhood" exhibit, boutique shops, an art gallery and a European-style cafe where guests can enjoy wines by the glass, cheese, pastries, or bring their selections out to picnic on the grounds. Special events are held throughout the year.

The final three wineries are yours to explore if you decide to venture a bit further. Applewood Winery in Warwick, owned by the Hull family since 1994, is known for its wines and hard cider. Located on a 120-acre farm known as Applewood Orchards in the historic town of Warwick, the winery offers tours, a retail shop and ongoing special events.

Winemakers and owners Francesco and Orietta Ciumno, of Demarest Hill Winery in Warwick, are a new addition to the wine trail. Wine making and hospitality are intertwined as they welcome guests to taste Chardonnay, Zinfandel and Chenin Blanc.

By now, your lips may be in a perpetual pucker, but consider stopping to renew your strength before driving to the final winery. Warwick Valley Farmers Market, just off Main Street, is open Sundays until Oct. 29. You may be a bit on the weary side by the time you reach Warwick Valley Winery, but make a point to sample fine apple, pear and grape wines at the handcrafted copper bar. Visitors can also browse the country store for fresh honey, local homemade jams and custom-made gift baskets for the holiday season. Take in the foliage and a glass of Doc's Draft, the winery's popular hard cider.

Complete your journey with a stopover in Sugar Loaf Craft Village, a delightful hamlet with more than 50 shops, art galleries and restaurants.

Though fall is one of the prime times to visit area vineyards, consider spending a weekend in December to visit the wineries when the Shawangunk Wine Trail celebrates "Wreath Fineries at 9 Wineries." Reservations must be made for this unique, fun-filled event that begins with a handmade grapevine wreath at Rivendell, followed by a handmade ornament at each of the remaining wineries.