HOLIDAY LIGHTS AT

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

Despite frigid temperatures and foul weather, including one of the worst ice-storms in recent memory, three weeks of wiring did not go unused.

Last week we proceeded with the light fest. Here's a few shots. Some video should be on the way. Apologize for the technical difficulties.

PHOTOS FROM THE ICE STORM AT

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

Last week Columbia County, and the capital metro region of New York state, were hit by an unrelenting ice storm. A state of emergency is still in effect for some parts of the region. Schools were closed for several days, and power was lost by upwards of 20,000 households in the region. Indeed, many local roads, especially back roads, were littered with downed tree trunks and limbs, as well as crisscrossed by downed power lines which lay in the road like so much cold spaghetti.

The ice storm hit us hard. We lost at least half-a-dozen trees, and hundreds of limbs were felled. Luckly, nothing has yet hit the house nor the winery, but there are still numerous storms to be weathered.

The storm forced us to be closed that Friday. Most of our time was spent buying propane heaters and hooking up a wire to our car, in order to restore some semblence of warmth and electricity back to our home. Few generators for sale were to be found. Meanwhile, countless businesses were affected. Pi, a restaurant in Kinderhook, that was hosting a candlelight dinner Friday night, were stallwart, and hosted their dinner regardless. Countless folks cancelled their reservations, but the proud folks, hosting a charity fundraiser, went on with the show. Numerous people who showed up were rewarded with fabulous candlelit dinners. The atmosphere and the food were incredible.

All through Friday night I worried about the heat in the basment of the house, the barrel room, and the winery. Freezing might costs us a new set of pipes, or worse, the loss of product in bothe the storage room or the winery. I musy have gotten up three or four times to check them or rearrange them for maximum but safe use.

Our power was only regained in the early hours of Saturday morning, and we were able to open in our normal fashion. Business was slow, and many in the area struggled with the necessicities. We perservered, and were surprised to see so many people on the open road...some looking for wine, some looking for warmth. By Sunday, we even happily hosted a few folks who needed showers.

Here are a few of the wonderous photos from that awfully dangerous weekend.

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

FEATURED ON LENNDEAVOURS

Lenndevours is one of my favorite wine blogs, and is one of the best wine blogs out there. Len Thompson really knows how to do things right. He's an excellent writer, has other excellent writers who appear on his site, as well as knows tons of people in the industry.

I was very, very flattered when he decided he wanted to interview me for his blog Q&A...and it was fun to do.

http://lennthompson.typepad.com/lenndevours/2008/12/quick-qa-with-carlo-devito-owner-hudsonchatham-winery.html

Thanks alot Len!

HUDSON-CHATHAM
HOLIDAY LIGHT SHOW

Saturday, December 13, 5pm - 8pm

Sunday, December 14, 11am - 5pm

There is nothing more magical at this dark time of year than a display of holiday lights, so we invite you to come to the winery and see ours. The light show will go on after dark, and we will be open for our regular weekend hours.

ALL KINDS OF FUN STUFF

AT THE HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

The holidays are here and we have all kinds of fun foods and wine for your gift giving needs. We have LOCAL pancake mixes, jams, syrups, cookies, and more.....and of course, wines.

Come visit us and tatse our full line of wines made from local fruit, and local artisinal cheeses.

See you at the winery!