HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY 2005 MERLOT
SILVER MEDAL, BEST IN CATEGORY
2008 HUDSON VALLEY WINE COMPETITION

According to a post from the HUDSON VALLEY WINE GODDESS

http://hvwinegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/04/results-of-hudson-valley-wine.html

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Results of the 4th Hudson Valley Wine Competition 2008

The Hudson-Chatham Winery won three silver medals for his wines!

This competition highlights the Hudson Valley Regions wines and the growing interest the public has for them. The competition was open to all commercial wineries in the Hudson Valley AVA using New York State fruit, but more exclusively, Hudson Valley fruit. Seventy nine wines made in the Hudson Valley were entered in the competition. Overall the wines from the 18 wineries that entered scored higher than in the past three competitions, suggesting to all present, a continuing improvement in winemaking for the area.

(Native) Grape:

Hudson-Chatham Lindenwald White Niagara/Diamond—Silver Medal, Best in Class

Red Vinifera:

Hudson-Chatham 2005 Merlot—Silver Medal, Best in Category

Port:

Hudson Chatham Winery Paperbirch Raspberry Port—Silver Medal

WINE GODDESS DISHES ON HUDSON VALLEY WINE COMEPTITION

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Hudson Valley Wine Competition - Competition Day

BY Debbie Lessner-Gioquindo aka THE WINE GODDESS

Well yesterday was a long day. It all started Friday night with last minute changes to entries. Colleen and I were up until 2am making sure everything was correct. With 4 hours of sleep and a stop at the A&P for brown lunch bags (it's a blind tasting) we headed to Rhinebeck for the competition.While the results aren't official yet...there were some nice results for newcomers at Hudson-Chatham Winery, Baskhill and Palaia. Congratulations to them. I will keep you in suspense until the results become final.

GO TO HER WEBSITE AND SEE THE TASTING VIDEO!!!!http://hvwinegoddess.blogspot.com/2008/04/hudson-valley-wine-competition_27.html

SPRING HAS SPRUNG AT THE WINERY

At the farm, there are finally signs of life. After winter and what is locally known as "mud season" we are finally seeing things green up - which is quite breath taking. The buds in the vineyard are finally starting to show sings of life. The green buds of the seyval blanc, and the pink and reddish buds of the Muscat and DeChaunac.

We're also seeing our small number of fruit trees begin to blosom, as well as seeing the raspberry and blueberry bushes begin to fatten up with flowers and green tender leaves.

The vines have been pruned and we've been clearing away the dead vines and detritis that builds up over a winter. Weeding is an important process this year. Dominique is busy in the vineyards.

The winery never seems to stop. We're bottling syrup and vinegar and new wines. Lot's to do.

Lots to do when the earth finally wakes up from it's frozen slumber.

And of course there's wine to be sold and drunk!

NEW STAIRS AND HANDICAP ACCESS

As I described earlier, we were working hard in the off season. The most aggrivating and disheartening project as adding a handicap accessible path, and new stairs from the parking lot. Now, before anyone is offended, let me explain. Putting in a handicap accessible pathway is not a big deal and we're more than happy to do it - that is until it comes time to do actually do it.

We had found the spot closest to the winery and set out a marked path for the inspector's to approve. However, they said it was no good, and that we would have to regrade the property. In mid-March this seemed a bad idea, with the onset of rains and the up-coming winery re-opening. Also, the grading would have been maddening, since the ramp needs to have a foot of length for every inch it drops. The path would have had to zig-zag all through the front of the winery. Not something we especially wanted to do.

In the end, our architect, Bill Wallace, came up with a great solution. The handicap ramp was not abouit nearness, but a combination of drop, length, and proximity. He cleverly pointed out that the last parking spot in the parking lot was actually closer to the winery than the first we had originally designated. Also, the grade was less steep, and so required less excavation.

Needless to say, Ralph and I were releived after many days of pulling out our hair trying to make sense of all of the codes and applications. Once the parameters were set and agreed with the local building and zoning officers, Ralph finally went to work and set up a beautiful pathway, to state and local codes, and a new set of stairs from the parking lot. Great job, Ralph!

In the end it came out well, but Ralph and I lost about a 1/4 of our hairlines trying to work this one through.

WE'RE OPEN AGAIN!!!
CULINARY SALUTE TO SPRING EVENT

Sat. Apr 5, 2008 at 11:00am
The Hudson-Chatham Winery is reopening for the season on Saturday, April 5, 2008 with a culinary Salute to Spring. In addition to the regular tasting offerings, there will be a selection of complementary savory and sweet spring foods that pair beautifully with wine. 11am-5pm

It's been a rough couple of months, but the Hudson-Chatham Winery's opening it's doors again today, April 5, 2008. We'll be open all season Saturday 11-5pm and Sunday Noon-5pm.

It's been rough because in the off season (3 lousy winter months) we've been busy! We've improved the parking lot, added new stairs, and added new offerings of foods and wines.

We'll be announcing a new line of wines this spring, adding to our assortment by late fall again, and we'll be adding new syrups, cheeses, and other goodies. We've been attending trade shows, association meetings, and Cornell Extension classes. Whew!

Today we'll be offering Old Chatham Sheepherding Camembert, Coach Farm Fresh Goat Cheese Buttons, Coach Farm Triple Cream, and Sprout Creek Ouray.

And we have the first of our syrups in from this season's tappings. We have a Grade A Amber from only two mile behind our house. And we'll have Grade B Dark by next week.

It's been a busy time in the off season, and we're looking forward to seeing you again - or meeting you for the first time.

The room is filled with pink blossoms, yellow daffodils, and a glowing fireplace. Come on in!