A Taste of the Hudson Valley Wineries
Haley Todd '22 and Olivia Farrell '22 enjoy the wine and scenery at Weed Orchards and Winery. Source: Haley Todd '22
The fall atmosphere in the Hudson Valley has Marist students venturing out to local wineries to enjoy the autumn scenery and sip delicious wines with their friends.
One of Marist students’ favorite spots is Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, a fixture in the local winery scene nestled in a gorgeous, secluded area just 30 minutes away from campus. It has become a staple in the Marist community for students to visit as a weekend getaway as the perfect spot for picnics and photo-ops.
“I really like to go there with my friends because it’s a nice place to picnic,” Alexandria Sanatore ‘22 said. Sanatore raved over the selection of wines available for tasting as well as the live music that sets the tone for a fun, relaxing afternoon escape. Millbrook also hosts food trucks offering all kinds of cuisines from wood fire pizza to fresh salads to hearty barbecue. “They always have a great selection,” Sanatore said.
Millbrook may be the classic spot for Marist, but students have begun to explore the rich offerings of other wineries in the Hudson Valley.
Milea Estate Vineyard is another local gem to stumble upon. Only a 20 minute drive from campus, Milea boasts a beautiful view of Mount Beacon paired with a New York City-style of tastings that sets it apart from other local wineries.
“We offer one of the best views of the Hudson Valley,” Milea employee TJ Byrnes said, “but we’re all about the wine here.” Milea takes a different approach to wine tastings, providing various flights of wines to try in a self-service fashion.
“I really enjoyed their selection of wine,” Sanatore said, who visited Milea a few weeks ago. Similar to Millbrook, Milea puts on live music on weekends, setting a tranquil scene for visitors to take in the stunning fall foliage while they wine and dine on the selection of locally sourced cheese, crackers and charcuterie.
Across the Hudson River, Marist students can find yet another option for fall festivities at Weed Orchards and Winery.
“You have a lot of freedom there,” Haley Todd ‘22 said, who visited the winery for a birthday celebration.
Weed Orchards provides a more family-friendly location with plenty of activities suitable for students who aren’t yet old enough to partake in the wine tasting. It includes opportunities for fruit-picking, lovely outdoor dining and an in-house bakery full of freshly made pastries and other baked goods. The vineyard even hosts outdoor yoga sessions on the weekends, so guests can get in a relaxing workout before they hit the tasting room.
“I would recommend Weeds,” Todd said. “It was really fun.”