(Thank you to Dutchess Tourism and Milbrook Vineyards & Winery for hosting NY Foodie Family. As always, all opinions are our own.)
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery is one of four wineries in Dutchess County. This was the only winery stop on our recent Craft Beverage Trail visit. I have to be honest, my husband and I are not regularly wine drinkers and have not visited many wineries. However, I can see why the Millbrook Vineyards & Winery has been voted “Best Winery” in the Hudson Valley.
As you drive up to the winery, you pass some of the 30-acres of vineyards, as Millbrook grows most of their own grapes. You can even take a tour of the vineyard and learn all about their grape growing and wine making process.
Because we had so many stops that day, we were limited on time and visited the winery for a tasting only. I was impressed by the elegance of the tasting room. The tastings are held in a restored 1940’s Dutch style barn, which is bright with two different bar areas.
Millbrook offers two tasting options. The portfolio tasting, which we enjoyed, includes a cross-section of six wines as well as an olive oil tasting at the end. Reservations are not required, but space is limited. The winery also offers a reserve tasting, which includes the “upper tier” of their wine portfolio. Reservations are required for the reserve tasting.
We arrived at the 12 PM opening and, during our tasting, the entire bar was filled with approximately 12 guests. Since I was the designated driver for the day, only my husband participated in the wine tasting. The tasting started with white wines and ended with red. The first wine was a 2017 Hunt Country White. This is a table wine and the lightest and sweetest they offer. It is also one of Millbrook’s most popular wines and was my husband’s favorite as well. The next wine was a 2017 Tocai Fritulano Proprietor’s Special Reserve.
We then sampled a 2017 Dry Riesling Proprietor’s Special Reserve. This is produced Mosel-style, in a green bottle. Keeping wine in green bottles helps prevent oxidation, which can make wine taste dull or vinegary.
A 2016 Chardonnay was next. Several restaurants in the Hudson Valley serve this wine. Then the reds were served which included a 2016 Pinot Noir. Of the two red wines sampled, this one was my husband’s favorite.
The tasting ended with the Hunt County Red. All of the featured wines are available to purchase by the glass, bottle and/or case.
The winery has made many award-winning wines and the ribbons and medals are proudly on display in the wine shop area. There are also other locally made products available for purchase.
The winery is beautiful and is set up for guests to stay and enjoy the afternoon. There is an approximately one mile vineyard walking trail. The route leads through the vineyards up to the top of the estate.
The vineyard also has a volleyball net and corn hole boards set up in the front of the winery as well as plenty of seats for those that just want to sit back and relax.
The Vineyard Grille is located next to the winery. The tented outdoor space is open on the weekends and serves burgers, sandwiches, salads and more from local catering and gourmet shop, Slammin’ Salmon. Everything is reasonably priced from $8-$15 dollars.
There are several ponds on the property as well, which help create a tranquil environment. Throughout the summer, the winery hosts several different events including Friday Night Food Trucks and Jazz at the Grille Concerts on Saturday evenings. Millbrook Vineyards & Winery is a beautiful location here in the Hudson Valley. If you are looking to visit a local winery, we highly recommend stopping here.
The Details:
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
26 Wing Road
Millbrook, NY 12545
(800) 662-WINE or (845) 677-8383
Website: www.Millbrookwine.com
Hours: Open daily 12 PM – 6 PM, Saturdays 12 PM – 7 PM
Prices: Portfolio Tasting – $12.50/person (includes a souvenir wine glass)
Portfolio Tasting and Tour – $15.00/person
Reserve Tasting – $25.00/person (includes souvenir wine glass)
Reserve Tasting and Tour – $27.50/person
