Rolling hills, majestic mountains and a rich culinary heritage, New York’s Hudson Valley is dotted with scenic and historic towns ready for exploration. Discover the region by engaging farmers, artisans and restaurateurs who are eager to share their crafts. Just a short hop from New York City, the valley’s finest vineyards, farms and local institutions offer a cornucopia of culinary delights. Here are some worth a visit:
Culinary Institute of America: Game Birds & Burgundies
Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018 | Hyde Park, New York
While the Hudson Valley is famous for its fall foliage, food enthusiasts flock to the Hyde Park, New York, campus of the world-renowned Culinary Institute of America, specializing in culinary, baking and pastry arts education. The school offers visitors an array of experiences, from cooking classes to food preparation and culinary boot camps. Visitors may also dine in the campus’ unique family of restaurants, which offer American, modern French and authentic Italian fare, farm-to-table ingredients and new global flavors. Sited on the east bank of the Hudson River, the school’s casually elegant American Bounty Restaurant takes full advantage of its home with a focus on the seasons and products of the region’s abundant farms and vineyards. This fall, guests can enjoy a seasonal, all-inclusive Game Birds & Burgundies dining event featuring exquisitely prepared wild game such as squab, pheasant and quail as well as autumn-inspired desserts paired with favorite New York State red wines.
Millbrook Vineyards & Winery: Grand Portfolio Tasting
Saturday, December 1, 2018 | Millbrook, New York
Called “the Hudson Valley’s flagship winery” by The New York Times and “a great place to visit” by the Wall Street Journal, Millbrook Vineyards & Winery is a glorious place to visit any time of year for an educational tour and wine-tasting. Award-winning chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet franc, tocai friulano and riesling selections have garnered Millbrook Winery recognition as “Best Winery” in the Hudson Valley for the last 20 consecutive years. It’s not too early to plan for the ninth annual Grand Portfolio Tasting to kick off the holiday season, when the winery will open its entire wine portfolio and special reserves to guests. The winery is open daily, year-round.
Red Hook & The Chocolate Festival
Saturday, November 3, 2018 | Red Hook, New York
Now in its fifth year, Red Hook & The Chocolate Festival offers a daylong, free festival throughout the quaint village of Red Hook and includes chocolate tastings, chocolate vendors, a wandering Wonka – the fictional character from the children’s novel, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” – live music in the streets and special events such as cooking demos, chocolate wars and a cake-decorating competition. New this year: the festival’s first ever Hot Chocolate 5K Run/Walk, with hot cocoa provided. The village also will recall its history of producing chocolate. The Chocolate Factory, built by William H. Baker of Baker Chocolate fame, moved operations from New York City to Red Hook in 1902. The former factory manufactured 20,000 pounds of chocolate daily in its heyday.