Daniel Heavens Jacqueline Ferrari Heavens Megan Lamb (Assistant Winemaker) Kevin Lockhart (Farm Foreman)
Quartz Rock Vineyard produces high-quality estate wine and serves it in a beautiful, welcoming environment—high on a mountain with spectacular panoramic views of the Hudson Valley from every table. One hundred percent of the fruit used in Quartz Rock wines is grown on the property, on their newly renamed Nightingale Farm.
Quartz Rock’s mission is to conduct their work with kindness and respect for the land, their team and communities, and each other. They give their customers the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of the land while basking in its beauty.
Savor This
Guided Tasting Experiences! To give you a welcoming, knowledgeable experience with a personal connection, Quartz Rock Vineyard exclusively serves guided tastings instead of flights. Your server will guide you through a tasting by individually pouring and discussing each of the wines with you, and will be there to answer any of your questions.
It has been nearly three years since Dan and Jacqui Heavens purchased the farm and winery, and in that time they have worked to continue the tradition of high quality farming and winemaking while making changes to express their individual dreams. One important step was a name change to Quartz Rock Vineyard to solidify the brand and its core mission and values.
The vibe at Quartz Rock is easy-going and friendly, but the team is hard-working and knowledgeable without being pretentious. To complement their wine, a visit to the winery can include live music, a variety of pop-up food options, classes, and shows—most recently a fire dance performance and world-record sword balancing act. In 2021 Quartz Rock won “Winery of the Year” from the Hudson Valley Wine and Spirits Competition.
Doing good in the world is at the heart of Quartz Rock Vineyard’s identity. In the last two years, they have held fundraisers and events to support LGBTQ+ school-aged kids and teens, mental and physical healthcare and housing for US Military Veterans, the 9/11 families fund, and victims and survivors of domestic violence. They have donated thousands of pounds of fruit to food pantries in Ulster, Orange, and Westchester counties, and made numerous other donations to local organizations.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Iced Wines
Quartz Rock is excited to be debuting two iced wines this year: Cabernet Franc Iced Wine 2021, and Chambourcin Vidal Iced Wine 2021.
These wines are special because freezing prior to fermentation concentrates the sugars and creates a lush texture and intense flavor. At the time of this writing, both iced wines are still fermenting, but they are progressing beautifully, and will be ready to release in the coming months.
Heavens Ice Cider 2020, which is made using a similar process but with apples, won Best Dessert Wine at the Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits Competition.
Dan and Jacqui are not your typical vineyard proprietors—both are under forty without a family history in wine. Dan grew up on a small family farm in Connecticut, and Jacqui in the Bronx and lower Westchester.
Dan and Jacqui’s goal at Quartz Rock is to produce outstanding wines while staying true to their core values of compassion, dedication, and innovation. They use these values to inform every decision they make.
The couple is grateful to have family who encourage and help them, and they have surrounded themselves with talented, exceptional workers on the farm and at the winery. They are appreciative of everyone on their team.