Uncork and unwind with a pleasant drive to scenic City Winery and enjoy fresh air and fine food with a glass of your favorite varietal
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By Karen Holly Berliner
Located in mid-Hudson Valley in upstate New York, at the historic Montgomery Mills property on Factory Street, City Winery Hudson Valley is part of a successful chain and the very the first non-urban site for City Winery (its other current locations include New York City, Chicago, Nashville, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington D.C.).
Helmed by Michael Dorf, the founder of New York City’s popular Knitting Factory nightclub, the chain is a favorite for wine lovers who are seeking the feel, sights, scents, and sounds of a traditional winery in the heart of a big city. This unexpected upstate location delights, with 22 acres along a sparkling river with a waterfall, generating electricity with hydropower, with acreage dedicated to grapevine grapes. Formerly a longstanding industrial grist mill erected in 1813, this winery is the perfect one-stop setting as a mixed-use development, including a restaurant, a tasting room, and a sprawling venue for weddings and events. Be charmed by the historic details from the property’s industrial past, as the property is adorned with hanging framed photos made from repurposed wood planks from the mill’s frames and aged hardwood from bare sand-blasted joists to tan-brown lacquered floors. Old yarn processing machines decorate the winery as well as other whimsical details, paying homage to its past with dignity and restored themes.
Fifteen wines are available by the glass via the winery’s custom and eco-conscious tap system, developed by Chief Winemaker David Lecomte. At the Barrel Room restaurant, multi-level outdoor patios overlook the Wallkill River. Its menu features Mediterranean-influenced foods, such as flatbreads, charcuterie, and cheese, with signature dishes like risotto balls, duck tacos, and gourmet burgers. Sunday brunch is also served. Guests can order wine on tap or from a thoughtfully curated wine list as well as four to five reserve wines.
Through double doors from the restaurant and tasting room, the main event space opens to 6,800 square feet. It’s located near the gallery, which treats guests to views of the fermentation tanks on the grounds, keeping to the historical ambiance.
In addition to dining and drinking, City Winery plans to become a one-stop venue for musical performances in the Hudson Valley. Like its other locations throughout the country, it looks forward to welcoming live music to both its indoor main stage and an outdoor amphitheater. The vines border a big green field, beside the Wallkill River, where musical acts, such as folk and indie rock bands, will play free concerts on a fully wired stone stage.
A bridal barn allows for a romantic post-nuptial; a 1920s barn converted to a bridal loft with two guest room apartments on the bottom floor.
In 2021, the winery finalized its all-in-one experience with a 13-room conference center and hotel.
Open Wednesday-Thursday 4 – 9 p.m., Friday 4 – 10 p.m., Sunday Noon – 10 p.m., and Sunday 11:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday. City Winery Hudson Valley 23 Factory St Montgomery 845.424.0222 www.citywinery.com
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