Hudson Chatham Winery — Wine Worth the Road Trip

A bottle of Hudson Chatham wine and a food spread. Photo from Instagram @hudsonchathamwinery

New York is home to some remarkable wineries, but most are clustered in the Finger Lakes and North Fork regions. Finding good wines elsewhere is like finding an oasis in the desert; You pass one or find one on Google that looks promising, but it often just ends up being a mirage.

Visit Hudson Chatham Winery

Enter Hudson Chatham Winery, a refreshing retreat about 100 miles north of NYC that defies expectations in the best possible way. Nothing about this winery should work as well as it does. Once a struggling vineyard, it was revitalized in 2020 by two guys with a mix of culinary, hospitality, and sommelier backgrounds...and some home winemaking and fermenting experience. That's to say, they weren't the winemaking stars you would expect to open a winery as good as this. With a small team of just four or five staff, they've transformed this place into a thriving winery where everyone pitches in—from nurturing the vines to crafting the wine and warmly welcoming guests into the tasting room.

Quench Your Thirst

You won't find the usual suspects here—no Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay (at least not yet). If that's your comfort zone, prepare to be nudged out of it. Instead, you'll be delighted by distinctive varietals like the crisp, floral Traminette and the vibrant, juicy Marquette. These wines are generally on the lighter and refreshing side but still flavorful. They are perfect for whiling away a lazy afternoon in the winery's serene outdoor space, complete with tents, fire pits, and twinkling lights. Even the hum of nearby traffic fades into the background of this little utopia.

Chickens!!!

Hudson Chatham Winery has blossomed from 4 to 8 acres in just a few short years, now cultivating around 18 unique varietals. They've also welcomed some new residents—a buzzing apiary and 40 charming French Maran chickens, who might just wander over to say hello as you sip your wine.

Verdict: Go

Address: 1900 State Route 66, Ghent, NY 12075

Website: https://hudsonchathamwinery.com/