fbpx Skip to content

Make Your Journey To Wine Country More Sustainable

The Hudson Valley’s diversity is well-established. Encompassing 11 counties (Putnam, Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan, Ulster, Albany, Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer) within its bounds, the Hudson Valley sprawls across 7,228 square miles.

Within that vast space, which extends from the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson rivers to the northernmost edge of New York City, visitors will find the Hudson Highlands, Catskill Mountains, portions of the great Adirondack Trail, rolling farms, copious vineyards, picture-perfect villages, and bustling mini-cities.

Condé Nast Traveler has dubbed the Hudson Valley one of the top 24 places to visit in world this year, alongside Budapest, Hungary, and Kobe, Japan.

The magazine notes that in addition to “exceptional lodgings” and multiple aesthetic delights, one reason to visit this year is to take part in the celebrations surrounding the New York state park system’s centennial. Events and performances are filling calendars, with discounts on park admissions, to boot.

Plus, this year, there are new facilities and ADA-accessible pathways to explore at Storm King Art Center in New Windsor, and the much-anticipated 160-acre Klocke Estate in Hudson will debut, with views of the Catskills to admire while sipping artisanal brandy.

“The region has gone from being a New Yorker-favorite to a top draw for travelers from further afield,” the magazine concludes.

But how to travel chicly and responsibly? The trick to going green while exploring in the Hudson Valley is traveling with intention and a plan. You can do all the things—wine, dine, walk, and shop—without traversing the map. Here are a few itineraries to get you started.


Farm-to-Table Fun in Marlboro

If you’re looking to get your agri-culture on, head to Marlboro, just 70 miles north of New York City.

Head to Benmarl Winery for the historic property (the oldest vineyard in the U.S.), the award-winning wines, Hudson River views, and fun events, like the legendary Harvest Grape Stomping Festival in September.

Benmarl Winery entrance to tasting room
Benmarl Winery offers stellar views of the Hudson River from its historic property. Photo: Benmarl Winery

Nearby Quartz Rock Vineyard serves up 100% estate-grown fruit in its cider and wine, along with live music every Saturday and Sunday, a kid-friendly welcome, stunning views, and a rotating roster of food trucks.

If you’re ready to wet your whistle with wine and maybe something a little harder, hit Stoutridge Distillery & Winery for spirits made from locally-sourced fruit and grain growers—all produced and bottled onsite.

Planning to stay for a night or two? Danskammer House offers an elegant space for visitors. Set in an 1870 mansion, they offer delicious food and wine and impeccable (dog-friendly) service. Nature lovers will want to explore the Marlboro Mountains, a 25-mile-long ridge extending from Newburgh to Kingston, with stunning hikes in and around the town itself.

The burger’s at Raccoon Saloon, housed in a pre-Revolutionary War saloon, are so good they have a following of their own; and the famed music venue The Falcon features killer cocktails and diverse performances by local musicians and national acts.

For a gourmet farm-to-table experience, scoot over to the Buttermilk Falls Inn & Spa in nearby Milton—the 75-acre estate also offers beautiful lodging and a world-class spa. Many of the ingredients incorporated at Henry’s at the Farm are sourced from local farms, if not from their own organic Millstone Farm. The classics are unbeatable—but the sourdough, hand-tossed pizza is pretty outstanding, too. Work up an appetite for dessert or a nightcap by walking the tranquil riverside grounds.


Embrace the Funk in New Paltz

There’s a little something for everyone in New Paltz, from a hopping live music scene to eco-friendly, farm-fresh fare, a bustling historic downtown, and the Mohonk Preserve.

Stroll acres of preserved 17th-century homes, buildings, and artifacts on Historic Huguenot Street. There are guided tours, reenactments and storytelling, with seasonal events like candlelit ghost tours in October.

If you want to get a little holiday shopping in ahead of time, head over to Water Street Market, with an open-air collection of boutiques, art galleries, and cafes.
Explore more than 40 miles of trails in the Mohonk Preserve. You can hike, bike, or ride horses in more than 8,000 acres of forests, fields and streams. The Shawangunk Ridge draws world-class rock climbers from across the globe.

Robibero Winery is a family-owned, family-friendly winery that produces premium wine while also offering a generous welcome to all. Set on 42 acres not far from bustling downtown, you can taste through award-winning flights, savor their wood-fired pizzas (weekends), or spread out with a picnic on the sprawling property.

view of vineyard with building in distance
Robibero Winery welcomes visitors with premium wine and plenty of space to spread out on its sprawling property. Photo: Robibero Winery

Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery is a short drive away in Gardiner, well-worth a visit for its longstanding history in the local wine scene, as well as its expansive selection of vegan wines and views of the Shawangunk Ridge. Tastings are relaxed and various, and pop-up food trucks make regular appearances.

Wind down with a memorable meal at Garvan’s Gastropub, a relaxed restaurant with a communal vibe set in an historic home amid locust trees. Built in 1759, the preserved space offers a range of fun and well-executed, shareable platters. Save room for Guinness Crème Brulee, which is as unexpected as it sounds.