WHITECLIFF VINEYARD

RECOGNIZED BY HUDSON VALLEY Magazine as “one of the Valley’s most ambitious wineries,” Whitecliff produces fine, complex wines that are serious fun, and a vivid reflection of the region. Whitecliff has a gorgeous site, with spectacular cliff views of the Shawangunk Ridge near New Paltz. And we place great emphasis on offering a wonderful wine tasting experience: our friendly staff is happy to guide visitors through our wines, and to share their knowledge of winemaking and grape growing.

We just received a truly prestigious award this summer, a Double Gold Medal and Best White Wine in Show, for our 2009 Riesling at the San Francisco International Wine Competition—huge for a small East Coast family winery. In addition to receiving a wide range of medals over time, accolades for Whitecliff notably include the November 2009 Wall Street Journal. Wine writers Gaiter and Brecher said Whitecliff ’s “estate-grown reds really rang our bells.” They recognized us for a “consistent vision” in the wines, as well as for the quality of the tasting room experience.

The Wall Street Journal also pointed out that “Wines often taste better at the winery for many reasons, including the scenery, but these were even more impressive with food.” Perhaps for that reason, Whitecliff wines are served at some of the best restaurants in the area, including the DePuy Canal House, the Culinary Institute of America, The Gramercy Tavern, and Peter Kelly’s Xavier’s, Restaurant X and X20.

We have dedicated more than 30 years to finding and planting grape varieties that succeed on our Hudson Valley site and will produce wines we are proud of. The driveway approach to our Tasting Room brings visitors through the heart of our vineyard. In the fall the vines will be covered with grapes, and draped with netting for protection from birds and deer. In spring the drive is past tiny soft green leaves and buds. Summer brings full foliage, and winter bare canes and pruning. Whatever the season, visitors will see what’s going on in one of the biggest vineyards in the Hudson Valley, and by the time they reach the Tasting Room will understand our serious commitment to viticulture.

Won Double Gold and Best White Wine in Show at the 2010 San Francisco International Wine Competition!

San Francisco is the oldest, biggest and most prestigious wine competition in America, and it attracts top wines from all over the world. In 2010, 1,290 wineries submitted wines from 27 countries, and 28 states. In a blind tasting by 45 respected judges, our Riesling was unanimously judged Gold (the definition of a Double Gold), and went on to be judged the very Best White Wine In Show, winning over some amazing wines from around the world. This says that Whitecliff—and Hudson Valley winemaking —have truly arrived on the world wine stage!