MARGARET CRENSON'S "THE ARTFUL DOG"

ON WARREN STREET IN HUDSON, NY

SPONSORED BY

THE HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

This summer the City of Hudson hosts its first ever public art exhibition. Sponsored by the Columbia County Council on the Arts and the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, Best in Show 2008 features over 60 artist decorated fiberglass dogs displayed on steel pedestals throughout the Hudson Business District. The Best in Show exhibition opens during the “dog days” of summer, July 4th weekend and runs until October 8th, 2008.

Margaret Crenson is a resident of Pleasant Valley, just adjacent to Poughkeepsie. She and her husband Dick enjoy driving up and down the Hudson Valley admiring the architecture and candor of the small towns. Her paintings are like endearing postcards of the places she has visited, says Kathi Norklun, "They have that instant-recognition factor… because Crenson sees just what we see, stops at just the visual incident that would have stopped us." Crenson paints with a palette knife, wedging shapes of facades and rooflines into smaller canvasses, applying thick slabs of paint across the skies and sides of buildings to create a picture where even the "…mundane can be lifted to the level of the aesthetic," notes Mary Cassal. Margaret Crenson is currently working on a series of cityscapes, still lifes, and landscapes based in and around her Pleasant Valley home.

Recent Exhibitions: Merritt Bookstore, Millbrook, NY; Albert Shahinian Fine Arts; "Food for Thought" Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park; Tivoli Artists CO-OP invitational, Tivoli; Mid Hudson Arts & Science Center, Poughkeepsie, NY; Donskoj & Co., Kingston; Star Gallery, Orleans, MA; Lorraine Kessler Gallery, Poughkeepsie, NY; Carrie Haddad Gallery, Hudson, NY; Barrett House Galleries, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Education: Cooper Union, New York City; Art Students League, New York City

If you'd like to see more of Ms. Crenson's work, please go to: http://www.carriehaddadgallery.com/artists/margaret_crenson/m.crenson1.htm

You should also make a point of going to Catskill and seeing Cat-n'-Around Catskill. Their url is at: http://www.cat-n-around.com/

A nicer photo of THE ARTFUL DOG can be found at:
http://www.hudsonbestinshow.com/Galleries/BIS_Gallery_3/BIS_Gallery_3/index.html
The Hudson Best In Show website is at:
http://www.hudsonbestinshow.com/index.html

Come on down to Warren Street on any Saturday this summer and walk Warren and then end your morning at the Hudson Farmers Market, and do a wine tasting at our tent!

The Artful Dog can be found at 314 Hudson Street, 1/2 a block north of the intersection of 3rd Street and Warren Street.
















This is an incredibly fun piece of art. They all are. Come on down and see them. And we'll see you at the Farmers Market or at the winery!

And congrats to Margaret Crenson

wwHUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

NOW AVAILABLE AT

KINDERHOOK WINES AND SPIRITS

Michael and Jill Castellano, of Kinderhook Wines & Spirts, brought us in last week. Just last night, we did an in-store tasting, and sold a number of cases. Michael is a really interesting guy. He was a chef at many top restaurants in New York, before moving up-state. He is also a practicing real estate agent.

Mike and Jill's store is a big carrier of New York State Wines. Kinderhook Wines & Spirits can be found on the Uncork New York website as an avid NY State wine supporter. But of course, they carry a full selection of wines and spirits from around the world.

Mike and Jill know many of their customers. And they have a friendly staff. We did a raffle for a gift certificate and a few hats. Michael wore one of our Hudson-Chatham Winery hats all night - thanks Mike! It was a lot of fun, and a great place, filled with great people.

Great night! Great folks! Thank you Michael and Jill!

PAPERBIRCH RASPBERRY FINE RUBY

WINS GOLD AT NY STATE FAIR

Our Paperbirch Raspberry Fine Ruby, a mixture of two-thirds port wine and one-third raspberry dessert wine, won a Gold Medal this week at the 2008 New York State Fair Commercial Wine Competition.

That's the second medal for this small batch dessert wine from Hudson-Chatham Winery. Earlier in the year it won a Silver Medal at the 2008 HVWGA Awards.

Hudson-Chatham Winery also scored two Silver Medals from the 2008 NY State Fair Commercial Wine Competition, for their Paperbirch Bannerman's Castle Amber Cream, a sweet cream sherry-styled dessert wine, and their 2005 Merlot, which earned it's second Silver Medal.

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
NOW AVAILABLE AT
THE RIVESIDE CATSKILL POINT FARMERS MARKET



We are proud to announce that Hudson-Catham Winery wines and syrups are now avilable at the Riverside Catskill Point Farmers Market.



Dominique and our son Dawson hit the road early Saturday morning. They set up their stand and Dominique went to work selling wines. Dawson went to work sampling and buying cookies, necklaces, bread, and other things. He was also this posting's photographer.


The barn that holds the farmer's market has been refurbished, and the views of the Hudson fromjust outside are beautiful!

The cats of Catskill are prominently displayed this year. Here's one of them.

We'll be back!

FATHER'S DAY BBQ A HIT!


So, we had been planning this Fathers Day Weekend for a while. Everyone at the winery was stressed out about it. Danni and Keri were great at helping with prepping the winery, and Danni and Dominique worked the farmers markets the night before and the morning of. John made sure the grounds were manicured, and Ralph helped prep the grounds and parking areas.

Grazin Acres Angus, the 4-H Club, and the Digits were the main attraction at our 2008 Father's Day event. Cars lined the winery drive as people sipped on wine, ate suasages, burgers, dogs and whatever else, and listened to the Digits play their exceptional brand of accoustic rock'n'roll.

Dan Gibson and his wife Susan grilled meat all day. Grazin' Angus Acres is committed to raising the finest quality registered Black Angus in a sustainable 800 acre eco-friendly environment. Our registered Black Angus enjoy the rolling lush hills of northern Columbia County, NY as they graze large pastures of high protein grasses. Grazin' is the first in the region ("The farm with the windmill") to harness the area's natural wind power for a large percentage of electrical needs and Grazin's grass fed chickens provide the farm's nitrogen needs in addition to the best eggs available. Furthering our eco-friendly efforts, Grazin's offerings are locally raised exclusively for our local NY market.

To boot, Dan brought a restored antique Chevrolet truck that was beautiful, and was a great thrill to our visitors.

Visit thier website at: http://www.grazinangusacres.com/

The 4-H Club was also a welcomed guest. They brought a calf, a goat, a lamb, chickens, and other animals. It was a wonderful petting zoo, and many children enjoyed their comapny. A great many thanks to the folks from 4-H.

Of course the day would have been incomplete without The Digits, posing here for the camera in the tastingroom. Their sound was awesome, and we hope to have them back for another visit beofre the end of the year. They have a great sense of humor and they are great entertainers. Many people complimented us on their performance. Great job guys! If you want to se where they are playing next, go to:

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=51303980

or

http://www.digitrock.com/Page14.html

All in all, a great weekend at the winery! Thanks to everyone who helped make it happen.

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY NAMED

MOST PROMISING NEW BUSINESS OF 2008

BY COLUMBIA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Chamber Announces Award Recipients for Excellence in Business Awards and Showcase

Hudson, NY, June 13, 2008 – The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce announced the award recipients of the 2008 Excellence in Business Awards and Showcase on Thursday, June 12, 2008 at Columbia-Greene Community College . The Business Showcase and Awards Ceremony was attended by over 80 local business people and recognized all of the nominees and award recipients.


The following are the 2008 Award Recipients:

Business Person of the Year:
David Crawford – Crawford and Associates

Most Promising New Business:
Hudson-Chatham Winery

Small Company of the Year:
Metzwood Harder Insurance

Large Company of the Year:
Richmor Aviation, Inc.

Community Service Award:
Chatham Business Alliance

The event celebrates the many accomplishments that businesses make to Columbia County each year. The Chamber is proud to celebrate business excellence in Columbia County and recognize businesses for their efforts. In addition to the awards ceremony attendees were able to sample wonderful hors d'oeuvres and beverages provided by the college during the business showcase.

First Niagara Bank, Kinderhook Bank and Taconic Farms, Inc. were Major Sponsors of the event. Midhudsonmedia and The Register-Star/Chatham Courier were Media Sponsors. Columbia Hudson Partnership and EP Nevins Insurance Agency were Contributing Sponsors. The Bank of Greene County, Chatham Properties and Shallo, Galluscio, Bianchi & Fucito, CPAs, PC, were Supporting Sponsors.

The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce, with its 850 members, is the leading voice of business in Columbia County , providing advocacy, promotional and benefit solutions for its members. Those seeking more information concerning the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce and membership can contact the Chamber at (518) 828-4417 or visit the website at http://www.columbiachamber-ny.com/.

read it live at:

http://www.columbiachamber-ny.com/ExcellenceinBusinessAwardsRecipients08.htm

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY
NOW CARRIES
AMAZING REAL LIVE FOOD COMAPNY CHEESE



We are proud to announce the arrival of yet another artisnal cheese at the Hudson-Chatham Winery. At the Amazing Real Live Food Co., they are committed to producing restorative food and drink in their home… in the Hudson Valley. Their goal is to make vital products that honor the body as a living organism and promote its good health.

"Our philosophy is to make delicious, wholesome ‘vittles’ (foods) & ‘elixirs’ (drinks) for our friends and neighbors. Products containing essential probiotic beasties, dense nutritional values, and key digestive enzymes, which the human body naturally thrives on, so we might be able to feed our dear ones well, while helping their bodies become healthier."

They call their products ‘vittles’ & ‘elixirs.’ It's all very cool.


This is Rory of Amazing Real Live Food Company. He's a really guy and you'll see him at many farmers markets throughout the Hudson Valley.

This is the packaging. But of course, it's what inside this package that counts. We will have starting Sunday, June 8, the Roasted Garlic cheese.

Amazing Real Live Food cheeses are made with milk from Ronnybrook Farm and Dairy in Ancramville, NY. Come on down and try it and our wines together.

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY AND
CASSCLES VINEYARDS OF ATHENS, NEW YORK





Casscles Vineyards is a small, family owned vineyard in Athens, New York, located near the banks of the Hudson River. They have a whole section of Baco Noir with vines that are fifteen years old, the perfect age to produce quality red wines. Casscles grows other grapes too, Foch, Noiret, and numerous other red clones. But these old Baco Vines, coupled with another set of 20 year old vines they own on another plot, will be the back bone in the future of our Baco Noir Reserve.



We love the idea of working with as many local grape growers as possible. Especially with those that are as dedicated to fine grape growing and care as Casscles Vineyards. Local is what we are all about at Hudson-Chatham Winery. It's an important part of who we are. To us, wine is all about place. And working with small family vineyards is why we dedcided to do this in the first place.


Small local farming is important to Columbia and Greene counties, and we're dedicated to working toward creating more green spaces and more agrabusinesses.

Enjoy these pictures of the vineyards in early spring, with the leaves still bright green. Better yet, come down to the Hudson-Chatham Winery in the fall, and you'll have even more fun tasting the Hudson-Chatham Baco Noir 2007 Reserve, Casscles Vineyards. It's all beautiful.

LET THE FESTIVALS BEGIN!

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

2008 WORLD TOUR

We're taking our act on the road! This is the first year for us on the wine circuit. We're going to be at many of the major festivals around the state. This is when all the fun starts. We're booking hotel rooms, paying fees, starting files on each of the venues, and assembling our road teams.

We're coming to your town....check us out at a festival near you!

Finger Lakes Wine Festival
Watkins Glen, NY
July 19 & 20

Bounty of the Hudson

Benmarl Winery
Marlboro, NY
July 26 & 27

Harvest Wine Festival

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel, NY

August 24

HudsonValley Food and Wine Fest

Dutchess County Fair Grounds

Rhinebeck, NY

September 6 & 7

Microbrew and Wine Festival
Hunter Mountain Ski Resort

Hunter, NY
September 27 & 28

20th Annual Apple Festival & Craft Show at Goold Orchards
Castleton, NY
October 11 & 12

Pride of New York Harvest Festival
Desmond Hotel
Albany, NY
November 8 & 9

A SPRING RITE OF PASSAGE

REPLANTING VINES IN THE VINEYARD

Winter kill. Winter is a tough time for northeast vineyards, and this one just past was not the worst one. But between a few nights below zero and a herd of hungry deer, we had to buy new vines to replace the ones which hadn't made it. We ordered about 70 vines, which is approximately 7% loss over two years. Actually not too bad, considering.

Dominique worked the vineyard with the help of some local state approved farm larborers. The vines come wrapped in bundles inside large boxes, and need to be keep in a cool, moist place for no more than a week or two. Before planting, we have to soak them for 2-4 hours, get their roots working again, and then it's out to the vineyards, in big deep holes. It's hard, frustrating work. The rocky soil is difficult to dig into, especially since there's been little rain in Columbia County in May. And it's frustrating because most of the damage wan't winter kill - it was deer (which has been remedied by a large, electrified deer fence).

It was the first time that we'd had a real need to replace vines, and it was best to d it nw, sicne many of plants will need a trellis system in place before the end of the summer. So its easier to dig holes when there's no trellis in the way. But now the vineyard is starting to green up after a cool and gray May. Here's comes the sun.