Marguerite Barrett
Contributing Writer
Well I’m finally back on the win(e)ding roads… Once again life has a way of interfering with fun, although to be fair it is life – or more strictly work – that pays for all of these wonderful jaunts. So I suppose I can’t complain too much.
Truth be told, though, I haven’t actually hit the wine trail in almost two months; a fact I was bemoaning to Jean, one of my fellow SOTS, just yesterday. But we hope to rectify that soon. In the meantime, I still have notes, pictures and wine from the last two wineries I visited this past summer.
I finished up the month of August with a second visit over to the Hudson River Valley and the Shawangunk Wine Trail. My first, and unfortunately only, stop of the day – Adair Vineyards in New Paltz, New York.
Producing wines since 1987, Adair Vineyards is located a few minutes off the thruway just outside the small downtown area of New Paltz. The vineyards encompass 10 acres, growing Seyval, Vignoles, Marechal Foch and Millot grapes, and the winery produces approximately 20,000 bottles a year.
The winery is housed in an historic old barn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Dating back to 1800, the building is beautifully preserved both inside and out. I fully admit I’m a sucker for red barns; there’s something about them that just calls to me. Particularly if they feel like they’ve been there forever – a sense of connection to the past.
Outside, the barn, which sits just off the road, fits perfectly with the surrounding fields and vineyards and welcomes visitors to stop and linger at one of the several picnic tables that dot the yard. Inside, the Adair has capitalized on both the charm and history of the barn. Inside the main door a small foyer with whitewashed walls opens up onto a stairway leading to the converted hay loft which now serves as the winery’s Tasting Room. 3/4 of the way up the stairs a small landing houses an antique victrola, above which hangs a lovely tapestry.
As you reach the top of the stairs, the space opens up into a large open room flanked by alcoves on the left featuring wine-themed gifts and accessories and the tasting bar running along the back and right walls. The A-line roof is supported by large exposed oak beams, likely original to the space. Antique farm implements are positioned around the room and the back walls are lined with pictures and advertisements from the early part of the 20th century. Centering the room, both literally and figuratively, is a lovely wagon wheel chandelier. The overall effect is both roomy and cozy, and despite the lack of chairs, guests are made to feel comfortable, welcome and encouraged to linger.
On the afternoon I stopped by in late August, Adair’s menu included five wines, three whites, a beaujolais style rose and a dessert wine, a blackberry kir. Tastings are $5 and include all five wines. Adair is open from May through December, Friday-Sunday 11:00 – 6:00, with additional hours added during the harvest months of September and October. A member of the Shawangunk Wine Trail, Adair participates in the trail’s special events, including the current Wreath Fineries Event, but restrict trail events to groups of 10 or fewer only.
Coming next Tuesday, the Wines of Adair Vineyards
Adair Vineyards
52 Allhusen Road
New Paltz, NY 12561
845.255.1377
www.adairwines.com