Legacy Members

Legacy Members are wineries within the Hudson River Region (HRR) AVA that produce Cabernet Franc wine to the high standards set by the Coalition. Most importantly, the wine must be composed of 75% or more Cabernet Franc grown in the Hudson River Region. A minimum of 85% of grapes must be grown in the HRR; 15% (maximum) is allowable from grapes grown outside the region (must be from New York State); the wine must be produced within the Hudson River Region and aged for at least 12 months.

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Benmarl Winery

156 Highland Avenue • Marlboro, NY 12542 • 845-236-4265 • Website

Nestled in the lush green hills of Marlboro is Benmarl Winery, a 37-acre estate overlooking the historic Hudson River Valley. The winery lays claim to being the oldest vineyard in America, and has the distinction of holding New York Farm Winery License No.1. Since 2006, the Spaccarelli family has revived the spirit of Hudson Valley viticulture at the estate while maintaining the history and tradition that sets it apart. Along with a three-acre planting of Cabernet Franc in 2016, the vineyard has been refurbished with varietals as unique as Blaufrankish, Saperavi and Muscat Ottonel. Benmarl is known for it award-winning Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Seyval Blanc. The first estate-grown Cabernet Franc was released in 2019.

Fjord Vineyards

251 Ridge Road, Milton, NY 12547 • 914-874-4537 • Website

Flanked by Storm King Mountain to the west and Mt. Beacon to the east, the Hudson River flows through one of the oldest Fjords in North America. Acting as a gateway to the Hudson Highlands, this geological attribute helps create the unique micro-climate that allows Fjord to grow high-quality wines. Founded in 2013 by Matthew Spaccarelli and Casey Erdmann, Fjord Vineyards strives to craft wines that reflect the terroir. For nearly a decade, Matthew has been sustainably growing world-class wines at Benmarl Winery, including tending acres of Cabernet Franc, which he considers the workhorse of their grape portfolio. In 2013, Matthew’s Ridge Road Cabernet Franc was awarded 90 pts by Wine Enthusiast.

Milea Estate Vineyard

40 Hollow Circle, Staatsburg, NY 12580 • 845-389-0313 / 845-264-0403 • Website

The 98-acre Milea Estate Vineyard is dedicated to capturing the unique, natural environmental benefits of soil, climate, and sunlight to produce outstanding, award-winning wines. The Milea Estate Vineyard’s winemaking approach is firmly grounded in Old World traditions, using estate-grown or locally sourced grapes that thrive in the area’s unique soil and climate conditions. From its first crush in 2015 that resulted in awards from the Hudson Valley Wine & Spirits Competition, the vineyard has maintained its high wine making standards to produce premium varietals from vinifera and hybrid grapes. The estate boasts 3.25 acres of newly planted Cabernet Franc vines.

Millbrook Winery

26 Wing Road, Millbrook, NY 12545 • 845-677-8383 • Website

In 1982, after some successful plantings of vinifera grapes on his father’s farm in Millbrook, New York, John Dyson purchased the 130-acre Wing Dairy Farm for his first vineyard and winemaking venture. The southwest facing slopes of the former dairy farm with its gravelly soil proved excellent for viticulture, and in 1983 the first plantings of Cabernet Franc and other vinifera grapes were made at the site of what is today Millbrook Vineyards & Winery. In 1984, John Graziano was brought on board as the winemaker. Millbrook Vineyards & Winery’s 35 acres of vines include seven acres of Cabernet Franc plantings. They produce several varieties of medal-winning Hudson Valley Cabernet Franc, including a vineyard designate Block Three East Cabernet Franc, and a Proprietor’s Special Reserve.

Quartz Rock Vineyard

40 Mountain Road, Marlboro, NY 12542 • 845-236-3265 • Website

Quartz Rock Vineyard focuses on making high-quality, hand-crafted small batch wines from high-quality estate fruit, and sharing them in a welcoming and beautiful environment.  Their mission is to work with kindness and respect for the land, their team, their community, and each other. The winery resides on beautiful Nightingale Farm, which offers a spectacular panoramic view of the Hudson Valley. There are five Cabernet Franc clones grown on-site. The estate 2019 Cabernet Franc won Best in Show at the Hudson Valley Wine and Spirits Competition.

Robibero Winery

714 Albany Post Road, New Paltz, NY 12561 • 845-255-9463 • Website

Established in 2010, Robibero Winery is set on a 42-acre property nestled in and around the breathtaking Shawangunk Ridge in New Paltz, NY. The estate vineyard is comprised of Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc, two varieties that grow best in their soil. Together with Hudson Valley winemaker Kristop Brown, the Robibero Family produces handcrafted, premium artisan wines that are distinctive to their terroir and limited in production. In 2016 and 2017, Robibero Winery was awarded “Best Red Wine in the Hudson Valley” for their 2013 Estate Cabernet Franc at the Hudson Valley Wine & Grape Competition. This award recognizes the winery’s commitment both in the vineyard and in the cellar.

Whitecliff Vineyard & Winery

331 Mckinstry Road, Gardiner, NY 12525 • 845-255-4613 • Website
Hudson Tasting Room: 4150 Route 23, Hudson, NY 12534

Whitecliff Vineyard is an artisanal, family-run winery created from the ground up by owners and founders, Michael Migliore and Yancey Stanforth-Migliore, who are now joined by the next generation, their son Tristan Migliore. Whitecliff has dedicated more than 30 years to finding and planting grape varieties that succeed on its site at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains, and on a new site overlooking the Hudson River in Hudson, NY. The couple is dedicated to sustainability, environmentalism and producing vegan wines from more than 20 varieties of grapes grown on their vineyards, among the largest in the Hudson Valley. With nearly five acres dedicated to growing Cabernet Franc, including new plantings in 2016, Whitecliff produces its award-winning single varietal Cabernet Franc wines and blends. The 2016 Cabernet Franc won a Double Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition.

Become an Industry Supporter

INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS may be growers, wineries, wine shops, restaurants, and suppliers who support the Coalition’s mission and want to be a part of this historic journey.
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