Yes Thomas Jefferson may have made wine in America earlier than 1839, but the oldest operating winery, one that has survived Prohibition and many other challenges, is Brotherhood, right here in our own Hudson Valley, New York State.
The Wine: New York State, Hudson Valley, a Tasting of 12 by Brotherhood Winery
The Food: That was later, although there is a great restaurant here, Vinum.
The Place: Brotherhood Winery, founded in 1839 by Jean Jaque, a French Huguenot emigre, Washingtonville, Hudson Valley, NY
When we received a press release announcing the 175th anniversary of a local winery we were intrigued. So we decided to include a visit to the Brotherhood in a Lower Hudson Valley day trip that took us to Warwick, Sugar Loaf, Washingtonville and Pearl River. More about that later.
The Brotherhood Winery is a modern facility with roots deep in history. The complex is a property of historic buildings and underground cellars, as well as a modern winery.
There are halls for events, a magnificent tasting room and noted French chef Christian Pierrel's Vinum, restaurant and Cafe. Here you can try Brotherhood wines after a thrilling tour of the underground cellars, or with a very good meal.
We took the cellar tour and learned the storied history of Brotherhood that began as the Jean Jaques winery in 1839 and then when his sons John Jr., Oren, and Charles, came of age renamed it "Jacques Brothers' Winery." A very interesting story goes on from there, but you will have to visit Brotherhood Winery to find out for yourself.
The Brotherhood name came later after the winery passed through other owners. Today the winery is owned by three Chilean wine families and has a totally modern facility for production.
This is one of the old rooms were the Brotherhood award wining Champagne was made, it is called Hudson River Valley Champagne to avoid the wrath of the French. Original Methode Champenoise is used to produce their top end sparkling wine, Grand Monarque Champagne Classic, an award winning wine that has been enjoyed in the White House.
During the tasting we enjoyed Brotherhood’s Riesling, done in a New York State style, a delicious May Wine, and a wonderful Muscat sparkling wine called Carpe Diem. We were not thrilled by the reds we tried, but friends of mine have liked them. The “Sacramental” wine called Rosario made for churches, was fun to sip. Sweet and rich, it helped carry the winery through the Prohibition years, during which I hear their were many “religious” events in the cellars.
All wines are offered in the tasting room as well as wines from sister winery Casa Patronalas in Chile, I would love to taste these wines sometime.
Brotherhood Winery
100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive
Washingtonville, NY 10992
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Things to do, places to see, with food and booze
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