Disneyworld, The Catskills, Busch Gardens, Sea World – ah, the memories of childhood. Well, not my childhood. I’m Italian-American and proud of it. My childhood memories revolve around food and wine and family get togethers. Yes, Italians give their kids alcohol……..ooooooooh, get out the kid patrols! It’s been going on for generations and we are not a culture of raging alcoholics; so get over it! Everything in moderation is a good thing and so it is with that idea in mind that I recently returned to the site of many childhood weekend trips – New York’s Brotherhood Winery.
I know, you are probably thinking that it is chardonnay made by robe-wearing monks with tonsures who ferment grapes for religious observances. Well, the history of America’s oldest winery is not quite so altrusitic. The Brotherhood Winery was started by Frenchman Jean Jacques in the early 1800s and his family made wine in the historic Hudson Valley for 60 years before selling the vineyards to Jesse and Edward Emerson,. The Emersons were two New Your City wine merchants, who just happened to be brothers, and lo and behold the “brotherhood” of New York wine was borne. The first underground cellars, which were dug out in 1839, are still in use today and still provide a cool respite on hot summer days.
Brotherhood's old Cuvee casks in the underground cellar
Yes, the winery is open for tours all year long………..and tastings. At the end of every tour you may sample five or six wines, either the traditional or varietal flight. You get the story of each wine and suggested menu choices from your tour guide, along with a keepsake souvenir glass. It’s a great way to make new friends even if you’re visiting on your own. The wine is then available for purchase in the winery’s shop. There is also an on-site gift shop and they are planning to open a gourmet restaurant this year as well.
Long gone are the days of Brotherhood barbecues and unlimited invites to the tent-tastings which lasted all evening. (They used to send out postcards and tell you to bring up to TEN friends) They even provided grape juice for the kids. Ahhhh, how I miss those days! Yet, the Brotherhood is still a great day trip out of and/or around Manhattan and during the summer, check the events calendar – you can even participate in a grape-stomping contest. As we say in Italy, “cin cin!“
