When most people think of wine country in the US, regions like Napa, the Willamette Valley, and the Finger Lakes often come to mind. Thanks to a long history of winemaking and a resurgence of interest in minimal intervention and maximum character, the Hudson Valley is quietly yet increasingly lauded as a hidden gem of the wine world. In Ulster and Orange Counties, the Shawangunk Wine Trail offers an easy map to navigate many of the region’s producers.
“Our mission is to support the terroir of Hudson River Region wineries and cideries, which not only allows people to experience our vineyards and orchards in a farm-to-table way but also helps support local jobs in viticulture and agriculture,” says Marygiulia Capobianco, president of the Shawangunk Wine Trail.
While the number of vineyards, orchards, and farms along the Trail have varied over time, there are currently 13 highlights along the west side of the Hudson River. Members range from nationally known names like City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery and Angry Orchard in Walden to those steeped in the nation’s history like Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery in Washingtonville and Benmarl in Marlboro, which lays claim to the oldest vines in the US. One thing they all have in common: the arduous growing conditions of rocky or silty soil here, combined with the notoriously fussy nature of grapes grown in the Northeast bring more risk—yet, more reward.
“We have a very unique sense of terroir; our soils may feature clay, silt, glacial rock, and quartz, plus the river draws varying temperatures in different ways than other New York growing regions,” Capobianco says. “This means that our vines need to work hard, so we might produce less yield, but we make up for it in character.”
Established in 1984, the Shawangunk Wine Trail used to appeal to those whose goal was to hit as many wineries as possible in a day. But as wineries and cideries have evolved to experiential destinations, and as drinking culture has changed, Capobianco says that more people are interested in slowing down and making their visits more intentional.
“In the past, it was pretty rock ‘n roll, but these days people are seeking smaller, more high-level wine and food experiences,” she explains. “Instead of doing as much as possible once a year, make it an experience you can enjoy throughout the season. Many of these spots are family-friendly, with live music and food trucks. You can spend an afternoon sipping wine outside with a blanket spread out enjoying mountain views during our region’s most beautiful seasons.”
One way to enjoy this approach is by purchasing a Wine Tasting Passport, available through their website. The passport provides one prepaid tasting flight at each location between January and August. “The passport is a great way to get to know each place and its offerings, but it also makes a really great gift,” Capobianco says.
In addition to the Passport, members also participate in Trail-wide special events including Earth Day at the Wineries in April and Holiday Fineries at the Wineries during November and December.
“Part of the joy of being on the Wine Trail is that by supporting one, you support them all,” says Capobianco. “The people making wine and cider here are so dedicated and passionate about their craft. When you stop in for a tasting, you’re sampling a season and a moment that was steeped in careful cultivation of the land. Then you can take home a bottle to remember that moment.”
To learn more about the Shawangunk Wine Trail’s member wineries and cideries, special events, or to purchase a Wine Tasting Passport, visit Shawangunkwinetrail.com.
This article appears in May 2025.
