Savor a Sip at These Wondrous Wine Bars in the Hudson Valley
Article by Megan Wilson, Sabrina Sucato, and Kayla Sexton via HV Mag
Here's where to go in the Hudson Valley when you want to enjoy a glass (or two), sourced from local vineyards and around the world.
While the Valley offers a fruitful selection of cocktail bars and craft beer joints, those of us who live by the “wine all the time” motto may find that wine bars are more scarcely scattered. Below are some of the Valley’s best spots to spend Wine Wednesday, or really any day of the week. Cheers!
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1915 Wine Cellar
Poughkeepsie
A family business within Poughkeepsie’s thriving 40 Cannon complex, 1915 leans heavily on European influence for its wine and charcuterie menus. With a wonderfully moody interior, the wine bar is an ideal place for after-work glasses of cabernet sauvignon or Chianti. Craving something besides wine? 1915 has an ample selection of brews available, too.
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Bar Bene
Hudson
This speakeasy-inspired spot (it’s only accessible through the Sisters Hudson storefront or a narrow alleyway) sports a colorful, mid-century modern style, an extensive wine list, cheese plates from local dairy farms, and caviar for those seeking an elevated culinary experience.
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BarVino Bar & Lounge
Fishkill
Born in the summer of 2022, BarVino is already a Best of Hudson Valley award winner and features a chic bar and lounge with a wide selection of wines from around the world. The menu is separated into cold and hot plates to pair perfectly with reds, whites, and rosés, and featured events include trivia, brunches, or themed nights.
Brunette
Kingston
Taking residency on the Rondout since 2015, bright and chic Brunette focuses on filling its bottle menu with organic and biodynamic wines from around the world. The by-the-glass options change weekly, encouraging customers to taste something new at every visit. On weekends, the hotspot serves up eclectic bites like trout roe nachos and mushroom toast; check out the calendar for special events.
Chleo
Kingston
Husband-and-wife duo Charles Mathews and Hope Troup Mathews—formerly of Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Westchester—brought a new wine bar to the Stockade District. Take a seat at the stone-top bar or settle into a plush booth to enjoy a variety of wines and seasonal tapas like the burrata with pea shoot pesto or the scallop and squash blossom dumplings.
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Cro’ Nest
Cold Spring
The boutique wine bar named after the mountain across the river, Cro’ Nest prides itself on its curated menu. Serving up small cheese or hummus plates, this intimate bar attracts a mix of locals, hikers, and boaters fresh off the Hudson looking for a place to sip wine and beer while listening to live music or the buzz from Main Street.
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di’Vine Wine Bar
Wappingers Falls
With a direct view of the Wappingers Creek falls—and a selection of international wines, small plates, and flatbreads—it’s no wonder that di’Vine has several Best of Hudson Valley awards. Sit at the bar, in the upstairs lounge, or on the outdoor deck. Plus, there’s live music every weekend!
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Dyad Wine Bar
Kinderhook
With a name that means something that contains two elements, Dyad supplies the best of food and drink. Carrying the high-caliber wines of a typical wine bar, but serving full entrees on top of a selection of tapas, Dyad is both a stop for a quick glass or a sit-down dinner.
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Jar’d Wine Pub
New Paltz
This funky little college town joint offers both a hip, yet inviting interior and a dog-friendly outdoor space. Combine that with locally sourced wines and ingredients, not to mention a substantial beer and cocktail list, and you may have just found your new go-to bar.
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Lawrence Park
Hudson
Lawrence Park has cozy wine bar vibes down pat in Hudson. It describes itself as an “oenophilic sanctuary,” and we have to agree. The Columbia County hotspot features an ethically curated natural wine program with a variety of vinos by the glass or the bottle, along with a number of bottle-only offerings. During a daily happy hour, the venue serves draft wines, which pair beautifully with thoughtfully reimagined comfort foods. P.S. Don’t sleep on the cocktails here, either. They’re ever-changing and incredibly delicious.
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Reserva Wine Bar
Beacon
Main Street has its fair share of taverns, but far fewer wine-centric spots. Luckily, Reserva Wine Bar is here to fill the void. Opened in 2021, the uber-cool Reserva (in the former Chill Wine space) offers up unique wines, Brazilian-American fusion small plates, and live entertainment.
Sonder
Kingston
Sonder is right on Broadway in Midtown Kingston and maintains its mission as a “vegetable-focused natural wine bar” with an emphasis on eliminating food waste. When you step inside you may feel like you’ve entered a Parisian bistro—and that’s precisely the point. The space is lovely, the food is locally sourced, the wine is naturally made, and a good time is guaranteed.
Ze Windham Wine Bar
Windham
Named one of the best wine bars in the U.S. by Travel & Leisure, this location carries over 100 different wines from around the world. Sip on a glass in one of the Victorian sitting parlors, or outside in the Sommelier’s Secret Garden where dogs are also welcome.
Our Wine Country
The Valley is ideal for growing grapes because of the variation in soil and the microclimates created by the Hudson River. The terroir is similar to the banks of the Rhine River in Germany. The mixed nutrients and substrata found here—including limestone, shale, and clay—mimics famous grape regions like Burgundy, France, says J. Stephen Casscles, grower and winemaker at Milea’s Heritage Grape Project. “Our vineyards are especially fertile because of our maritime climate: warmth from the Atlantic Ocean travels up the Hudson to regulate the temperature, allowing grapes to survive harsh New York winters and thrive in the spring and summer.”