Just a 45-minute drive from Manhattan in New York is the glorious Hudson Valley, a region containing some of the oldest wineries in the United States.
Filled with natural beauty and many attractions, including historic sites, dainty villages, mansions, mountain ranges, and wineries, it’s no wonder Hudson Valley is such a popular vacation destination.
So, if you’re thinking of heading down to Hudson Valley for a getaway packed with magnificent wine drinking, here are the best Hudson Valley wineries and vineyards you need to visit.
What Wine Is Hudson Valley Known For?
Like most of New York, Hudson Valley is home to many grape varieties, including Cabernet Franc, Gamay, Syrah, and Albariño. Hybrid varieties like Noiret, Chelois, Seyval, and Baco Noir are also popularly grown throughout the area.
The unique climate and soil are particularly beneficial for Native American, French American, and European grape varieties.
10 Best Hudson Valley Wineries
Without further ado, here are the best wineries you need to visit on your trip.
Hudson Valley Wineries & Vineyards Map:
Benmarl Winery: Delicious Baco Noir
- Address: 156 Highland Ave, Marlboro, NY 12542
- Contact Number: (845) 236-4265
- Website: https://benmarl.com/
With sweeping views of the Hudson River Valley, Benmarl Winery is a gorgeous historic estate that makes small-batch wines. The winery is committed to producing consistently high-quality wines, ensuring they represent the essence of where they are sourced.
They hand-craft a wide range of wines, from estate-grown Baco Noir and Cabernet Franc to Riesling sourced on Seneca Lake and Merlot from the north fork of Long Island. Each one captures the characteristics and soul of its roots.
Tastings cost $15 per person and include a flight of four wines of your choice. The outside deck area is a sight to behold, giving you a slice of nature as you sip on sumptuous wines. Groups larger than 4 people (up to a maximum of 10) will get to relax in their stunning courtyard under a huge tent.
The winery currently only accepts reservations, so be sure to book ahead of time to guarantee a spot. It’s open from 11am to 6pm Sunday to Thursday, extended to 8pm on Friday and Saturday.
Benmarl Winery is both family and dog-friendly too!
Editor’s Note: Try the winery’s estate-grown Baco Noir, with strong flavors of Bing cherry and herbal notes of thyme. It’s even more delicious when paired with venison, lamb, or wild mushroom risotto.
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery: Gorgeous and Expansive Grounds
- Address: 114 Little York Road, Warwick, NY 10990
- Contact Number: (845) 258-4858
- Website: https://wvwinery.com/
Nestled in the foothills of Hudson Valley, Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is a family-run estate that spans over 120 acres. It boasts scenic grounds, orchards, and gardens, providing a peaceful retreat and charming backdrop for sipping wine.
The winery offers critically acclaimed wines, ciders, spirits, and gourmet farm-to-table cuisine. Tastings for wines, ciders, spirits, and cheeses are done in their rustic tasting room. There is also seasonal apple picking!
Wine tastings cost $7 per person and include seven samples of their tasty wines, as well as a souvenir wine glass. Tours of their Black Dirt Distillery are also available by reservation if you’re interested in learning more about their spirits and how they make them.
The winery is open from 11am to 6pm, with live music every weekend from 2pm to 5pm and 12pm to 5pm on festival weekends. Throughout apple season (from Labor Day weekend through Halloween) and during festivals, there is a $5 admission fee.
Warwick Winery & Distillery don’t offer reservations, so you’ll need to make sure you drop by earlier enough to secure a seat. Alternatively, you can bring your own chairs and blankets to enjoy wine and food on the lawn, which offers some truly magnificent views of the estate.
The winery can accommodate private events like birthday parties from November to August, but they are unable to host weddings on their property.
Editor’s Note: Why not try the winery’s Black Dirt Rush, made from Vincent and Delaware grapes. It has a vibrant ruby-blush color and mouthwatering aromas of peach, apricot, and strawberry jam.
Brotherhood Winery: America’s Oldest Winery
- Address: 100 Brotherhood Plaza Dr, Washingtonville, NY 10992
- Contact Number: (845) 496-3661
- Website: https://brotherhood-winery.com/
Brotherhood Winery lays claim to being the oldest winery in America, having first been established in 1839. Their stunning estate is situated in the small town of Washingtonville in Hudson Valley.
It’s home to a variety of delectable wines, including red, white, sparkling, rosé, and dessert wines.
The winery offers tours, tastings, and private events, live music, and even scrumptious food at their on-site restaurant. Tastings take place in their modern and sophisticated tasting room, priced at $15 per person.
You’ll get to sample five wines that you can select from a catalog of 10. If you want to experience wine tasting and a tour of their beautiful estate, you can purchase tickets for their Private Tour & Tasting, costing $25 per person (minimum of 4 required).
Bear in mind these tickets are extremely limited, so you’ll have to be quick (and lucky!) to secure a reservation.
The winery is open Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11am to 6pm (April to December). On Friday, it’s open until 6pm, extended to 7pm on Sunday.
If you’re looking for the perfect venue for private events, look no further than Brotherhood Winery. Their majestic Grand Monarque Hall is an early 19th century stone building, complete with towering ceilings, hand-crafted wooden floors, exposed wooden beams, and antique wrought iron chandeliers.
Its charm and beauty provide an elegant setting for weddings, parties, charity balls, and corporate banquets. It can accommodate up to 220 seated guests, but tents can be set up on their English cobblestone patio to increase seating capacity.
The patio even has a huge stone fountain, which would be the perfect backdrop for photoshoots.
Editor’s Note: To celebrate their 175th Anniversary, the winery released a phenomenal Cabernet Sauvignon called 1839. It’s one to try on your visit, made with high-altitude grapes from the red hills of The Mayacamas Mountains. Delicious!
Magnanini Winery: Delectable Italian-style Food
- Address: 172 Strawridge Road, Wallkill, NY 12589
- Contact Number: (845) 895-2767
- Website: https://magwine.com/
Next up is the magnificent Magnanini Winery, well-known for their phenomenal wines, fantastic spirits, and delicious food.
The tasting room has a welcoming rustic atmosphere and is open Wednesday and Thursday from 12pm to 5pm, Friday from 12pm to 9pm, Saturday from 11am to 9pm, and Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Tastings cost $15 per person and include five samples of their estate-grown and bottled wines. They also offer grappa cocktails made from their estate distilled grappa, locally brewed craft beer, and house-made dry-cured meats.
On Fridays, the winery offers delicious Italian-style pasta dishes, which include a variety of pasta types and sauces. Weekend events like live music and brunches take place weekly too.
Magnanini Winery is also available for private events, including weddings. It can accommodate up to 190 guests who can rest on the covered deck or wander around the formal garden, complete with a fountain and grape-covered pergola.
Editor’s Note: The Bianco Amabile is one wine you certainly need to try at this winery. It’s a gentle blend of Seyval Blanc and Cayuga, and cold fermented to preserve fresh fruit flavors. It has notes of apricots and cantaloupe, pairing especially great with veal, poultry, and fish.
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery: Activities Galore
- Address: 26 Wing Road, Millbrook, NY 12545
- Contact Number: (800) 662-9463 | (845) 677-8383
- Website: https://www.millbrookwine.com/
Located in Millbrook, a small village in Hudson Valley, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery is a fantastic place to stop by for a break, featuring phenomenal views and a huge selection of wines.
The winery was called “Hudson Valley’s flagship winery” by The New York Times, as well as a “great place to visit” by the Wall Street Journal.
It’s not hard to see why, as not only does the vineyard offer some of the best wines in the region, but it also offers a range of fun activities and events to make for a fun-filled visit.
No matter your wine preferences, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery has you covered. Open from 12pm to 5pm, the estate offers an assortment of wine tastings, including Outdoor Portfolio Wine Tastings, Indoor Weekday Portfolio Wine Tastings, and Reserve Wine Tastings.
Outdoor wine tastings take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in a large tent with views of small lakes and the Lollipop Hill Vineyard Block. They cost $15 per person and include six samples of wines.
Indoor Weekday Portfolio Wine Tasting also costs $15 per person and includes six wines, but takes place Monday to Thursday in their modern tasting room.
For those looking for an even more luxurious experience, try the Reserve tastings, available on Saturday and Sunday. It costs $30 per person and includes five samples of their high tiered estate designates, as well as samples of their Villa Pillo Olive Oil.
You can also enjoy wine by the bottle or glass (the latter is only available on weekends) in this gorgeous taproom and terrace, which has picturesque views of the vineyard and the Catskill Mountains.
There are a lot of activities to do at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery, including frequent jazz concerts, picnics, delicious food served at food trucks, and even a seasonal art exhibit in their upstairs loft.
The loft, deck, tasting room, and outdoor terrace are available to hire out for private events, including weddings and parties. With such beautiful scenery and architecture, the estate is a wondrous place for all special occasions.
Editor’s Note: If you get the chance, grab some tickets for the winery’s summer outdoor jazz concert series. The concerts take place in their stunning vineyard on the lawn, with food trucks offering delicious snacks if you get hungry.
Glorie Farm Winery: Huge Variety of Wine Tasting Experiences
- Address: 40 Mountain Road, Marlboro, NY 12542
- Contact Number: (845) 236-3265
- Website: https://www.gloriewine.com/
Another one of the best wineries in Hudson Valley is the glorious Glorie Farm Winery, located in Marlboro in Hudson Valley. They offer a wide selection of wines and fresh produce, including juicy donut peaches.
They are open from 2pm to 8pm on Friday and 11am to 5.30pm on Saturday, Sunday, and holiday Mondays. There are plenty of tables and seats throughout their property, all of which have a magnificent panoramic view of the Hudson Valley.
Their wines are hand-crafted in small batches to ensure consistent quality throughout, with most made from their estate-grown grapes.
Wine tasting experiences include a dry white wine tasting, a sweet red and white tasting, a new fruit wine tasting, a premium dry red tasting, and a cider/perry tasting, so there’s plenty of options no matter your wine preference.
Every weekend and holiday Monday, live music takes place from 1:30pm to 4pm to complement their tremendous wine. Private walking tours of their vineyard are also available by reservation if you’re interested in learning and seeing more of the estate.
Other events like watercolor painting classes and peach crush parties also happen regularly, so there’s always something to do at Glorie Farm Winery.
Their 1913 post and beam barn, large canopies, and picnic tables are available to rent for private gatherings, whether it’s a corporate event or birthday party. They’ll even supply the wine, liquor, and beer!
Editor’s Note: For a juicy and fruity beverage, opt for the winery’s 2020 Seyval Blanc. It has dominating aromas of citrus blossom and white peach, followed by green apple, honeydew melon, and pineapple in the body.
Tousey Winery: Plenty of Indoor and Outdoor Seating
- Address: 1774 Rt 9, Germantown, NY 12562
- Contact Number: (518) 567-5462
- Website: https://www.touseywinery.com/
In the small but charming Germantown in Hudson Valley is the terrific Tousey Winery. They produce an assortment of high-quality wines, which can be enjoyed in their spacious indoor and outdoor seating areas.
Tastings are done in their cozy tasting room, and they have a portfolio of a dozen wines that you can sample, as well as different tasting experiences depending on the occasion.
The winery is open 4pm to 8pm on Wednesday/Thursday, 12pm to 8pm on Friday, 11am to 8pm on Saturday, and 11am to 6pm on Sunday.
You can also stop by their cafe for some tasty food, open Thursday to Sunday. From salads to flatbreads, your visit to Tousey Winery is sure to be as delicious as it is relaxing.
Editor’s Note: With a clean finish and blanched a city, the off-white sparkler, 2020 The Sparkling Queen is a fine choice on your visit to this winery. It has strong flavors of melon for a fruit-tastic beverage.
Palaia Winery & Meadery: Lively Live Music
- Address: 10 Sweet Clover Road, Highland Mills, NY 10930
- Contact Number: (845) 928-5384
- Website: https://www.palaiawinery.com/
Located in the heart of Hudson Valley, Palaia Winery & Meadery offers a versatile wine tasting experience, as well as a broad selection of local beer, spirits, hard ciders, and food.
Tastings are available from May to the end of September and cost $10 per person. They take place in the winery’s comfortable tasting bar and include a pre-set pour of six wines.
Their delicious wine and mead are also available by the glass and bottle. They even offer refreshing wine slushies, which would be perfect on a hot summer day.
Palaia Winery & Meadery is popular for its outstanding live music, which takes place every weekend. It provides the ultimate atmosphere for drinking wine with friends and family.
During the summer months, the winery is open on Friday and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm, extended to 10pm on Saturday. Throughout April, May, and June, the winery is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm.
Editor’s Note: You need to try Deadish Read on your trip to this winery, a semi-sweet red blend with notes of oak.
Baldwin Vineyards: Luxurious Dessert and Wine Pairings
- Address: 176 Hardenburgh Road, Pine Bush, NY 12556
- Contact Number: (845) 744-2226
- Website: https://www.baldwinvineyards.com/
Another excellent winery in the beautiful Hudson Valley is Baldwin Vineyards, well-known for their top-notch fruit wines. The delightful tasting room is open Monday to Thursday from 12pm to 5pm, extended to 8pm on Saturday.
Tasting flights cost $15 per person and include four samples of their wine, as well as a complimentary wine glass and oyster crackers to share with friends and family.
There is plenty of outdoor and indoor seating, but you can bring your own lawn chairs and pop-up chairs to relax on their expansive lawn area.
Baldwin Vineyards hosts a range of events regularly, including live music every Saturday. One of their most popular events is the Strawberry, Chocolate, and Wine Tasting – perfect for wine lovers and dessert lovers alike!
Editor’s Note: The winery’s Apple Wine is a fan favorite, made from 100% apples grown in the Hudson Valley. Apple-solutely delicious!
Nostrano Vineyards: Beautiful Views
- Address: 14 Gala Lane, Milton, NY
- Contact Number: (845) 795- 5473
- Website: https://nostranovineyards.com/
Last but not least is the idyllic Nostrano Vineyards, situated in Milton in Hudson Valley. The expansive estate has plantings of wine grapes, seedless table grapes, and apples.
The spectacular tasting room is perched atop a scenic hill that overlooks a picturesque farm and vineyard vista. It’s open from April to November from 2pm to 8pm on Friday and 11am to 5pm on Saturday/Sunday.
In December, it’s open Friday from 1pm to 7pm and 12pm to 4pm Saturday/Sunday. From February to March, the winery is open on Saturday from 12pm to 7pm.
Live music takes place regularly, as well as other events like wine and dessert pairings, fall festivals, and luxurious dinners.
You can hire out the estate for weddings, which is bound to be an unforgettable day thanks to the winery’s breathtaking views.
Wedding ceremonies can be conducted in their rustic pole barn or outside underneath an enchanting weeping willow tree, with the sound of a flowing stream in the background.
Editor’s Note: Aged in oak barrels for 12 months, the winery’s 2016 Estate Cabernet Franc is a must-try. It has full aromas of raspberry, violet, and black pepper, with flavors of strawberry and raspberry.
Final Thoughts
With so much splendor, wineries, and activities to do in Hudson Valley, it’s well worth a trip down when you fancy a relaxing retreat away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
From Baco Noir to Cabernet Franc, Hudson Valley is the perfect place for wine drinkers, being home to many different grape varieties.
All of the wineries and vineyards listed above have been picked for their charming grounds, peaceful atmospheres, and, of course, their high-quality and tasty wines!
Also Read: 12 Best Wineries & Vineyards in Connecticut