CITY WINERY HUDSON VALLEY
The Hills Are Alive With Food, Wine & Music
By Jeff & Stephanie Sylva
In 2008, intending to bring a wine country experience to an urban setting, City Winery became Manhattan’s first fully-functional winery, restaurant, music venue, and private event space. Guided by the philosophy of “Indulge Your Senses,” the forum beckons a sophisticated, wine-centric clientele that is passionate about food, wine, and music.
It was CEO Michael Dorf’s strong love for music (he founded NYC’s prominent independent music venue, The Knitting Factory) and his passion for making and enjoying wine that sparked his conception for City Winery. Dorf envisioned a market for “serving wine to music fans who wanted to sit for a concert and sip out of a real glass–not a plastic cup.”
Following its success in Manhattan, City Winery expanded its urban wine country experience to seven other locations. Its newest venue, City Winery Hudson Valley, opened in July of 2020. Located in Montgomery, NY—a 1.5-hour drive from midtown—it is the first City Winery outside of a major city. Sure, the ominous pandemic added a few wrinkles to the operation. But it did nothing to diminish Dorf’s vision of pairing the culinary with a cultural experience and thus offering a signature blend of music, food, and wine.
Dorf says it was definitely “a bit of Karma” when he chose his newest location. City Winery Hudson Valley is housed in the historic Montgomery Worsted Mills, situated on 22 acres overlooking the Wallkill River. The old mill was on “Factory” Street, and a posted sign read “Montgomery Mills, Knitting Wear.” The connection was serendipitous. Dorf had found his second “Knitting Factory.”
PRESERVING THE ENVIRONMENT
The beautifully renovated facility focuses on historical preservation and renewable energy. The winery and vineyard are currently the only operating winery in New York strictly run by a hydro generator. Like all of City Winery’s locations, the Hudson Valley location has implemented “wine on tap” to reduce wine production in bottles significantly. Seventy percent of wine produced goes to tap, saving almost 300,000 bottles per year.
Many preserved items from the mill are cleverly integrated throughout the property. The tasting room and restaurant feature a sizeable multi-level deck for outside dining surrounded by historical artifacts. These include an antique wooden coal conveyor and an architecturally unique chimney. Much of the décor feature machine parts and milling equipment displayed on walls, suspended from ceilings, and integrated into the furniture. Enjoy the historic atmosphere as you sit by one of the outdoor fire pits. Sip one of Winemaker Travis Van Caster’s superb wines on tap fresh from the wine cellar while enjoying some of Chef Tony Moustakas’ excellent menu choices.
EVENTS & MUSIC
Several Food and Beverage events are offered throughout the year. Some examples have included the Farm to Table Vegetarian Dinner, the Wine and BBQ experience, and wine tastings such as the Ultimate Red Experience and Wine Geek 101: American wine.
Several other City Winery offerings include Virtual Wine Tastings with a City Winery Winemaker; a Wine Club, which provides for various perks for special pricing, tickets, invitation-only events, and more; winery tours; wine tasting flights; personalized wine labeling; and even the opportunity to become a “barrel member” and create your private barrel of wine.
Music is integral to the City Winery brand, and at the Hudson Valley outpost it boasts a unique setting for its featured performances. An outdoor amphitheater with a vintage stone stage surrounded by vineyards and overlooking the Wallkill River provides music lovers a great experience. The acoustics are designed for intimate concerts. The venue continues to add big names to its 2021 outdoor concert series, Concerts in the Vineyard. Top names including Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes, 10,000 Maniacs, Amy Helm, and Jorma Kaukonen are just some of the headliners along with a wide variety of Livestream concerts. In addition, Wine-Down Wednesdays feature local musical artists on the patio.
WINE & DINE
City Winery typically produces about 20 different wines in its on-site wineries. Grapes are sourced from some of the finest vineyards worldwide under the expert guidance of Chief Winemaker David Lecomte. As a result, Moustakas’ menu is often locally sourced, featuring signature City Winery items and rustic, seasonal food. The classic, Mediterranean-inspired menu includes wild mushroom goat cheese risotto balls, flatbreads like the delicious burrata & prosciutto with red onion and fresh arugula, and the CW Burger. The Barrel Room Restaurant, a rustic and charming space, was the original entrance to the mill. A beautiful central fireplace welcomes guests.
OVERNIGHT IT
To amplify your experience, stay a night in The Barn. The renovated 1920’s barn features three beautifully furnished suites with windows overlooking the 130-year-old historic mill and the Wallkill River. The barn’s second-floor houses The Nest, which features soaring cathedral ceilings complete with original hand-hewn beams. The cavernous open living space includes an entire living room, kitchenette, king bed, and full bath. Two additional guest suites, The Vineyard and The Winemaker are available on the main level of the barn.
City Winery Hudson Valley opened under some difficult circumstances in 2020. But it has adapted well and is an exciting venue for lovers of food and wine. And look for more to come—a boutique hotel and a spirit’s distillery are in the works for late 2022
For more information about City Winery Hudson Valley, visit citywinery.com/hudsonvalley
