Centuries Of Wine-making: A Brief Viniferous History Of The Hudson Valley

Casual wine drinkers often associate great American-made wine with the Napa Valley region of California. Although the jury is still out on which region produces "the" best wine, connoisseurs might attribute the California grape's fame to clever marketing rather than to superior quality. The truth is: the oldest and most revered wine-growing region in the country is in the Hudson River Valley in upstate New York. Today, there are over 25 Hudson Valley wineries continuing the tradition of fine New York winemaking. Here is a little bit of history about how this remarkable area became iconic in the world of fine wine.

It should come as no surprise that it was the French who planted the first vineyard in the Hudson Valley in 1677, more than a century before vines were planted in California. They discovered that the unique geographical and climatological conditions in the Valley were ideal for growing grapes: the free flowing waters of the Hudson River kept the temperatures moderate, while the valley's shape provided a natural entryway for gentle southern breezes. The sides of the valley are composed of gently rolling hills, not cliffs: a perfect venue for viniferous endeavors indeed.

The earliest wine-making endeavors were strictly for personal use, and small clusters of vines sprang up in communities all along the Valley. Ambitious 19th century wine enthusiasts imported hardy European vines and cross-bred them with existing plants, creating extraordinarily hardy varieties that made commercial wineries possible.

In 1845, Andrew Caywood started experimenting with his own hybrid vines, and ultimately developed what became known as the Dutchess grape. Amazingly, this delicious grape is still grown in the valley today, and Caywood's original vines are still being tended under the loving care of Benmarl Vineyards.

The Jacques Brothers Winery was established in 1837, and its primary product was altar wines. It is now called Brotherhood, and it has the distinction of being America's oldest continuously operated winery. Over the years, various wineries were started and discontinued, as hearty souls weathered the trials of wars, contrary weather conditions, and even Prohibition!

It wasn't until the 1970's that the Hudson Valley wine industry really began to take off. Before then, expensive licensing fees had prohibited significant growth for the New York winemaking industry. However, when laws were loosened and fees reduced by 90 percent, the doors were opened to some of the most successful viniferous enterprises in the United States.

Today, wineries large and small tend the vineyards that line the Hudson River Region. Wine-tasting tours are a popular year-round attraction for visitors and locals alike. The long history of wine-making in this area is a significant part of our Americana, and something to truly be proud of.