60 HUDSON VALLEY WINE Summer 2014

z
z
z
z
Basic Checklist:
Before you even start scouting for the setting, get
back to basics. Here are some questions you will
need to answer before hitting the road:
How many people will be invited
Budget
Ideal wedding date and an alternate date
Overall vision
Winery contacts:
BENMARL WINERY | Marlboro
Casey 845.236.4265
www.benmarl.com
BROTHERHOOD, AMERICAS
OLDEST WINERY | Washingtonville
www.brotherhood-winery.com
Donny 845.496.3661
MILLBROOK VINEYARDS & WINERY
Millbrook | www.Millbrookwine.com
Tedi 845.677.8383
WARWICK VALLEY WINERY | Warwick
www.wvwinery.com
845.258.4858
WHITECLIFF VINEYARD | Gardiner
www.whitecliffwine.com
Yancey 845.255.4613
Warwick Valley Winery
W
eddings
in Hudson Valley Wine Country
Getting Started
There are many wineries in wine
country, but not all of them offer their
property for weddings. Its important
that you drive through Hudson Valley
wine country to scout the different
venues and locales and get an idea of
where you want your wedding. And
dont forget other options that serve
local wines and provide the fantastic
backdrop that wineries do as well.
Take into consideration:
Winery or venue size
The view
Amenities at the facility
If a winery, the wine
Photo ops!
Wine has been a central part
of weddings for centuries, making it
(almost) as integral to the ceremony
and celebration as the couple being
toasted! (Wine even, arguably, created
the honeymoon: the word itself hails
from the ancient Nordic tradition of a
family feeding a newly married couple
honey wine for a period of 30 days,
or a moons waxing and waning, to
commemorate and start their new life
together).
These days, wine is often seen as
symbol of a couples joy at finding a
partner to share their lifes adventures
with, and a vehicle they and their loved
ones utilize to toast their coming journey.
For many contemporary couples with
an epicurean flair, holding their reception
at an actual winery is the next logical
step in the evolution of wine and
weddings. The Hudson Valley, with its
ravishing scenery and easy accessibility
via train, plane or car, has seen an influx
of thirsty brides and grooms eager to
take their party to an entirely new level.
In addition to the obvious taste treats
that await, the photo options abound.
Most Hudson Valley wineries and similar
venues offer the backdrop of gnarled
vines, meandering creeks carrying clear
mountain water, fruit orchards and
uninterrupted vistas of green and blue in
every shot. There are also a growing
number of rustic barns to choose from,
like Apple Barn Farm and Owls Hoot
Barn, that embody the shabby chic
aesthetic the Hudson Valley is famous
for. Many wineries and barns in the
Hudson Valley welcome couples with
open arms, from rolling out special
toasts with local sparkling wine to giving
brides and grooms the opportunity to
seal their love in the vineyard where the
grapes were harvested or the fields
where animals frolic.
Here at the Hudson Valley Wine
Magazine, we have created a template
for brides and grooms who know they
want to get married here but dont
know where to start.
By Debbi e Gi oqui ndo, CTC, CSW, WLS
PHOTOS: Josyane Colwell, LeMoulinCatering.com;
(far left) Courtesy Warwick Valley Winery.
www.hvwinemag.com Summer 2014 61
W
I
N
E

C
O
U
N
T
R
Y

T
R
A
V
E
L
continued on page 63
BARN VENUES
Apple Barn Farm
564 County Route 10, Germantown, NY 12546
518-929-7801 | www.applebarnfarm.com
The Hudson Valleys Premier Wedding Venue
Thirteen years of making memories.
Owls Hoot Barn
386 Bronck Mill Road, West Coxsackie, NY 12192
518-755-1706 | www.owlshootbarnweddings.com
The Hudson Valleys newest barn wedding venue,
a little off the beaten path.
NEW YORK - HUDSON VALLEY - CONNECTICUT - NEW JERSEY
914.469.6762 FAX 914.591.4680
www.LeMoulinCatering.com
Event Planning - Fine Catering
Planning: making every clients unique
dream come true from beginning to end!
Food: from ingredients to concept, tastefully yours.
Design: texture and color and light.
Execution: perfection that ows from within.
Le Moulin
SEASONAL LOCAL
SUSTAINABLE
Restaurant Caf On & Off-Premise Catering
BANGALL,NY REDDEVONRESTAURANT.COM 845.868.3175
MARKET HOURS
THSUN 8A 4P
RESTAURANT
THSAT 6P9:30P
SUN 5P8:30P
z
z
z
On the Road
After youve set up a few appointments, analyze the results
(yes, some of these seem obvious, but its important to
build a basic plan upon which you can build your elaborate
vision):
Did you and the event coordinator click?
Will they work within your budget?
Do they provide a date timetable on what needs to be
completed and contracted by when? (The last thing you
want to hear a week before your wedding is you need
to rent a porta-potty or generator.)
Is there an emergency weather plan?
Are there restrictions on where you and your guests
can go on the property?
Honing in
Most wineries in the Hudson Valley can accommodate
between 150 and 300 people, but some, like Warwick Valley
Winery has alternatives if you are planning a smaller
wedding. They offer their tasting room and patio that can
hold between 80 and 145 guests.
The average site fee for a five to six hour wedding ranges
from $7,000$7,500. In most cases, it includes a tent.
(Warwick Valley Winery, Whitecliff Vineyard, as well as
Brotherhood, Americas Oldest Winery do not include the
tent rental). Some wineries offer more than the vineyard,
too: Brotherhoods site rental includes the Grand Hall at
Grand Monarque Hall which encompasses the patio and
an outdoor ceremony location.
At some wineries, the aesthetic is a bit more down to
earth (literally), with the reception being conducted in the
middle of the vines. Whitecliff includes a 40amp generator,
as do some other wineries (double-check ahead of time)
which may come in handy depending on your electricity
needs (a requirement if you want to hit the dance floor)!
Getting Closer
As important as the site and drink is, so is the food and
the logistical staging (including tent rental, set-up and
break-down if the site doesnt provide it). Choosing the right
PHOTOS: (top) Aaron Almendral, http://aaronalmendral.tumblr.com;
(bottom) Courtesy Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
Apple Barn Farm
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery
continued from page 61
PHOTO: Courtesy Brotherhood, Americas Oldest Winery
caterer will help make your event look and run well so
remember that its not just about the food when you begin
setting up appointments.
Start by consulting with the event coordinator at your site
their recommendations will help ensure your weddings
success, as theyll only recommend companies that theyve
worked with before. Look for a caterer with menus that
include local and seasonal farm-fresh foods so you and your
guests can experience the best the Hudson Valley has
to offer.
The wine at your wedding will be specific to the wine offered
at the winery several, like Whitecliff and Brotherhood also
produce the sparkling wines youll want to serve that day.
There is usually a 15% to 20% discount on wine, depending
on the winery. Brotherhood and Warwick Valley include wine
in their site rental cost. If you are looking for a full bar as
well, you will need to clear that with the winery, and the
caterer will need to have a full liquor license permit.
Although the tasting room will be open, wine tasting isnt
always included with your fee; if you want to offer the
tasting room experience to your guests, arrange it with the
winery ahead of time. And keep in mind that some wineries
offer custom labeling so you can personalize your wines too.
Youre There (Almost!)
Before you walk down the vineyard aisle, make sure you
have all of the more pedestrian details sorted out.
Wedding attire and the call of nature, for example. It typically
does not lend itself to maneuvering in a Johnny on the
Spot. Benmarl Winery offers a very nice private restroom
area for the bridal party only, and its worth discussing your
options ahead of time (some rental companies offer deluxe
porta potties). Many barn venues have facilities on-site.
Parking can also be an issue. Some venues are equipped
and have large areas for parking, and for those that dont,
you may want to explore having a local bus company
provide transportation to and from the reception (it will also
make happy hour much more gleeful).
Make sure all your vendors have the proper licenses and
permits and can furnish them to the winery at least 30 days
prior to the event. You may want to protect yourself and take
out wedding insurance against cancellation or other liability.
If you like the idea of including a winery in your nuptual
plans, but youre not quite ready to tie the knot, Benmarl,
Warwick, and Millbrook can also accommodate bridal
showers, rehearsal dinners, Sunday brunch, etc.
Whatever your choice, the Hudson Valley venues will be
happy to help you throw the kind of party you (and your
guests) will be telling your grandchildren about one day.

* Clink *Clink *
Brotherhood, Americas Oldest Winery
www.hvwinemag.com

Summer 2014 63