CEREGHINO SMITH

LOCATED IN THE HAMLET of Bloomington, there is a small commercial winery in New York’s Hudson Valley, perhaps the smallest in the state. There is no vineyard at Cereghino Smith and in the tradition of Old World négociants, the winemakers select and source their grapes from small growers in California and New York.

Although small, Cereghino Smith wines are usually quite robust, inspired by classic European winemakers and their ‘garagistes’ counterparts. As a working winery in a 1,000 square foot, 150-year-old renovated barn, Cereghino Smith keeps no tasting room hours although barrel tastings can be arranged by appointment.

Emphasis is on quality rather than quantity…grapes being hand-sorted and the vinification being more artisanal than scientific. To preserve the true character and richness of our wine, we filter only by time and gravity.

When it comes to varietals, Petite Sirah will always be there. This grape provides the character and ballast for our blends and stands alone as a single varietal bottling year after year. Cereghino Smith believes that Cabernet Franc is the most important red varietal in New York. It adds acidity to our California grapes, and as a single varietal bottling stands alongside some of our favorite red wines of the Loire. Our “Little House” blends Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot for a bi-coastal story that celebrates the French Huguenot families who first brought vinifera grapes to the historic Hudson Valley, and to this country.

Cereghino Smith started on Houston Street in NYC in 1999 in a Lower East Side ground floor apartment. After a family trip to Liguria and Piemonte, Paula Cereghino excitedly showed Fred Smith pictures of herself posing next to giant barrels in Barbaresco. Two days later, he presented her with a book on winemaking inscribed, “If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere…Bon Chance.” Knowing that Paula’s grandfather, Joseph Cereghino, was a winemaker/farmer in Tacoma, Washington via Genoa, Fred saw this as an opportunity to carry on the family tradition and guarantee a steady supply of wine. After honing their winemaking skills in the city, it was off to the Hudson Valley to start a winery where their dream became a reality.

Our “Beardeaux” blend has been included on restaurant wines lists at the Culinary Institute of America. The label features the work of William Beard 1825–1900. Our friend Bernie Mooney said, “you’ll get eaten by bears” when we moved Upstate, hence the name.

Our ‘Super Tuscan’ blend. The label features our friends Tish and Snooky Bellomo…sisters, singers and creators of Manic Panic.

References the white wines of Bordeaux and the Rhone, a winemaker’s blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier.

Inspired by the Spanish wines of Jumilla & Monsant.