BWW Reviews: BROTHERHOOD WINERY in the Hudson Valley

Visit Brotherhood Winery and enjoy a real adventure in the art of winemaking. As the oldest winery in North America, their history is as rich as the wonderful wines they produce. Located in the town of Washingtonville in the heart of the Hudson Valley, Brotherhood Winery is a perfect day trip from the city.

Whether you are a wine connoisseur, wish to learn about wine and champagne or just want to enjoy the beautiful area, Brotherhood Winery is an incredibly pleasing venue. We visited on a Monday afternoon and enjoyed a tour with our knowledgeable guide, Glenn Yanow who told us a great deal about the winery and the history of the area.

We toured the grounds and visited the vast network of underground cellars that were excavated by hand in the late 19th Century. These dimly lit cellars house over two hundred oak barrels and feature a crested vault containing some of the oldest vintages in America.

Brotherhood has had its years of glamour and also struggle. It all started with John Jaques who planted grapes in Orange County, New York and produced his first commercial wines in 1839. Brotherhood established a remarkable network of prominent customers and their close ties to churches allowed them to make sacramental and medicinal wines in the late 19th century. In fact, it is the production of wines for church communities that allowed Brotherhood to continue to be a viable business through both the Prohibition era and the Great Depression.

Brotherhood Winery has been owned by several families over the centuries including the Emersons and the Farrells. It was the Farrell family that turned the winery into a popular tourist attraction in the 1960's bringing thousands of visitors to the venue annually. Brotherhood has always maintained its integrity and excellent reputation for fine wines. Their foray into premium vinifera wine production and private label contract packaging began in the mid-1980s.

Today, Brotherhood Winery continues to increase its production and gain prominence in worldwide markets through a process of modernization, restoration and expansion that began in 2005. When you visit, you can also sample a selection of Brotherhood's fine wines in their spacious and charming tasting room and shop for a vast selection of vintages in their lovely showroom. Brotherhood produces an amazing selection of red, white, rose, champagne and sparkling. Whether you prefer wines that are dry, fruity, subtle or bold, Brotherhood has something for everyone.

The grounds of Brotherhood Winery are beautiful and they have the facilities available to special events from small intimate gatherings to corporate events and weddings. Their Grand Monarque Hall is beautifully appointed and it was restored in 2011 to its former grandeur. There are also popular special events on the grounds annually that are available to visitors including their Pig Roast, Grape Stomp and Halloween Ball.

Brotherhood Winery is located at 100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive, Washingtonville, New York, 10992. For more information on tours, tasting or to book a special event, you can visit their web site at www.brotherhood-winery.com or call them at (845) 496-3661.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Brotherhood Winery