This was our first time at Iron Plow Vineyards. This is a newer winery to our area, and they have some really different tasting wines.
We enjoyed a wine tasting, then a glass of wine…and Rita enjoyed the air conditioning!
Home » Posts tagged 'vineyard'
Tag Archives: vineyard
Brimstone Hill Vineyard: Pine Bush, NY
Our last stop on the Shawangunk Wine Trail – – Brimstone Hill Vineyard, located in Pine Bush, NY.
Brimstone Hill has been in operation for 30 years, and has a great list of wines to choose from. We did a wine tasting here.
The vineyard is 13 acres, and the small winery building houses a cozy dog-friendly 2nd-floor tasting room overlooking the vines.
Overall, we had wonderful experiences at each of the wineries we visited on the Shawangunk Wine Trail!
Whitecliff Vineyard: Gardiner, NY
Our next-to-last visit at White Cliff Vineyard on the Shawangunk Wine Trail was yet another great experience. 
Whitecliff is an artisanal, family run winery fashioned by the current owners and founders from the ground up, in what was an empty field thirty years ago.
The view of the White Cliffs from the tasting room patio was magnificent!
Arriving at the winery, there was a driveway lined with artistically painted doors – really cool! This driveway leads you right through the heart of the vineyard.
They had a great list of wines to choose from here! The dogs were allowed in the tasting room – but with this view, who wants to sit INside?!
Check out the storm drain!
Currently, White Cliff Vineyard is one of the largest vineyards in the Hudson Valley, with over 20 varieties of grapes planted in their vineyard.
We enjoyed the wine, the dog-friendly atmosphere, and the view at this vineyard!
Adair Vineyards: New Paltz, NY
The wineries along the Shawangunk Wine Trail just keep getting cooler!
Adair Vineyards, located in New Paltz, New York, is housed in a 200+ year old barn, once occupied by cows and horses.
The winery has a stream running by with the Shawangunk Mountains in the background.
The winery also supports several animal related charities including:
- Pets Alive Animal Sanctuary: a no-kill animal rescue, located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, This organization’s mission is to improve the lives of companion animals everywhere by any means possible, including rescue, adoption, advocacy, collaboration, intervention and education.
- The Sato Project: dedicated to rescuing abandoned & abused dogs from Puerto Rico. They have rescued and rehabilitated over 1,200 dogs, and are working towards systemic change through education and partnerships on the Island.
The tasting room and gift shop are located in the loft of the barn and the wine making area is below – and dogs are allowed inside!
We decided to do a wine tasting here, as this winery had many interesting wines to choose from! 
The loft of the barn – the tasting room – was really neat!
This winery was truly a unique experience!
Stoutridge Vineyard: Marlboro, NY
Continuing along the Shawangunk Wine Trail, we came across Stoutridge Vineyard. This winery is located in Marlboro, New York, which is about 70 miles north of Manhattan, and located in the Hudson Valley.
Stoutridge Vineyards is built on the historical foundations of vineyards planted in the late 1700’s. The old winery’s foundation wall is all that remains of the historic structure. You can see it in the above picture, as it is now the beautiful front wall for the Stoutridge tasting room patio.
This is a very unique winery!
Many of the wines and spirits at Stoutridge are locally grown, and all are from New York State sourced fruits and grains. The winery is built into a hillside, and the wine cellars are underground. This establishment uses entirely solar generated electricity, and utilizes the heat off of their stills to heat the building in the winter through a radiant system built into the floor. How cool is that?!
Stoutridge is also what’s known as a “gravity winery,” meaning the never use pumps or filters in their wine making. In addition, they do minimal chemical processing to their wines. Stoutridge does not not “fine” their wines with gelatins, tannins or clays, doesn’t add water or sugar, or chemically adjust the acidity of their wines. They also do not add sulfites or sorbates to the wines after they are made. All of this means that the wines are pretty much unprocessed, and in a very natural state. All Stoutridge wines are sold exclusively at the winery, so that they can make their wines using less processing, and retain higher levels of naturally occurring antioxidants in the wines.
We enjoyed a glass of wine on the great tasting room patio with the pups, although the dogs were allowed inside the tasting room at Stoutridge.
Benmarl Winery: Marlboro, NY
After our awesome beer sampling at Rushing Duck Brewery, we continued along the Shawangunk Wine Trail to Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, NY.
The setting is a 37 acre estate that overlooks the historic Hudson River Valley. The grounds were stunning!
This winery had delicious wines, also was very dog friendly. The allowed Cello and Hooch to come inside to the tasting room – this was Hooch’s very first time INside of a winery’s tasting room!
The inside of the winery was really unique as well!
This winery was SO neat! So far, we are very much enjoying the Shawangunk Wine Trail!
Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery: Washingtonville, NY
Continuing along the Shawangunk Wine Trail during our anniversary camping trip, we were sure to stop at Brotherhood.
Established in 1839, this winery is located in the village of Washingtonville, in Orange County, New York. This winery really has some great history behind it!
Palaia Vineyards and Winery: Highland Mills, NY
We visited some great wineries on our Anniversary Camping Trip. The first winery we stopped at was Palaia Vineyards.
This winery is located along the Shawangunk Wine Trail in Highlandland Mills, NY. The setting is a 200 year old former dairy farm.
The winery and tasting room are located inside the 200 year old barn, which is really cool!
We enjoyed a tasting of their Traminette during our visit.
What a great sign:
This winery offers a menu of light bites and live music every weekend. Definitely worth the stop if you are ever in the Hudson Valley area!
Cream Ridge Winery, Cream Ridge, NJ
After our wonderful experience at The Green Leaf Pet Resort and Hotel, we decided to enjoy a glass of wine at Cream Ridge Winery, which was only 10 minutes down the road.
Dogs are allowed inside the tasting room!
Cello and Hooch did well on their “Place” mats, and we enjoyed a tasty glass of Sauvignon Blanc !
The wine was great, and the staff couldn’t have been more friendly to both us – and the dogs.
Each person working stopped what they were doing to come over to say hello to Cello and Hooch!
Margarita visited here on July 24, 2016
Costa Ventosa Winery and Vineyard, Whaleyville, MD
During our Thanksgiving camping stay at Island Resort Campground, we visited Costa Ventosa Winery and Vineyard.
Why? You guessed it – they are dog friendly, and the pups are allowed inside the tasting room!
Cello is a regular wino and was not shy about heading to the bar with her Pop!
We very much enjoyed the wine here!
Hooch was so well-behaved at his first winery tasting room visit!
Detour Vineyard and Winery
Hooch now has his first winery visit under his belt! Cello’s dock diving practice was held at Detour Vineyard and Winery in Keymar, MD. Cello had already been to this winery when she participated in the PuppyPalooza dock diving event earlier this season.
Hooch enjoyed his first winery visit!
Detour Winery has some really unique-tasting wines! They also stock many local stores with their wines.
Jessie Creek Winery, Cape May Courthouse, NJ
Jessie Creek Winery was such a pleasant surprise! A couple who we ran into at a winery earlier in the day had told us that they did not like the wine here, nor was the staff friendly. Luckily, we decided to form our own opinion, and stop at this winery for a tasting. At Jessie Creek, the vineyard is harvested and processed on site by hand.
Not only was the girl presenting the tasting extremely nice, but the owner (seen far right in the above picture) was super friendly, and very interesting to speak with. He gave us lots of information on all of the wines we were tasting, and was a joy to converse with. The wine tasting was only $5, and included a taste of all of their wines, and a souvenir Jessie Creek wine glass to take home!
After our tasting, we enjoyed a glass of our favorite wine from the tasting on their porch with friends, Brandi and Stan.
The property also has a beautiful farm house built in 1846 that has been converted into a bed and breakfast.
I am so glad we all decided to stop at this vineyard despite what we were told!
Again, a recommended winery to stop at while in the Cape May area!
Natali Vineyards, Cape May Courthouse, NJ
Cello visited Natali Vineyards during our stay in Cape May.
The winery was setting up for a festival when we were arriving.
Even through they were getting ready for a big event later that day, everyone at the winery was helpful, friendly, and laid-back! The people here are super-friendly (very dog-friendly too!), and very knowledgeable about their wines and what foods to pair them with. Natali offers a variety of wines – some really unique, such as strawberry, plum, cherry, peach, blueberry, cranberry, and banana wine!
We learned a lot about their wines as we participated in their wine tasting, before enjoying a glass of wine on their outdoor patio with friends, Brandi and Stan.
We would definitely recommend a visit to this winery if you are ever in the Cape May area!
CHEERS!
Willow Creek Winery, Cape May, NJ
Willow Creek Winery is a 50 acre vineyard located in Cape May, NJ. They offer a variety of wines, including red and white sangria.
The grounds are gorgeous!
We enjoyed a glass of the sangria with friends, Brandi and Stan, out on the patio at Willow Creek.
Light fare and tapas are offered here for purchasing and enjoying either in the tasting room, or out on the patio. An outdoor bar at the patio is almost completed, where they plan to serve wine slushies… YUM!
Working Dog Winery, Hair of the Dog 5k and Chesterfest Wine Festival, East Windsor, NJ
We made it out this Sunday to Working Dog Winery in East Windsor, NJ, for the Hair of the Dog 5k / Chesterfest Wine Festival!
Proceeds from the 5k race benefit local animal rescues. The Chesterfest Wine Festival immediately followed the race. $10 got us entrance to the festival, and a souvenir wine glass. Award winning wines from Working Dog Winery were available to buy by the glass or bottle. Flying Fish Beer had a tent set up to purchase their beer as well. Food carts from Nomad Pizza, and Zinna’s Bistro provided yummy food choices. Live music was also provided by Vic Della Pello.
Everyone brings blankets and chairs, and spends the day enjoying delicious wine and good music…all while supporting local shelters!
Located in Mercer County, NJ, and formerly known as Silver Decoy Winery, Working Dog Winery recently changed their name in honor of their hard-working good-natured dogs!
Originally our schedule did not allow us to make this event, but when plans changed, we jumped in the car and headed to the Festival! We missed the 5k by the time we got there, but Cello was able to volunteer as a donation dog to help raise funds for the GSP Rescue of NJ.
The owners of the winery have a German Shorthaired Pointer as well. We just love the winery’s name – and the wine labels!
It was a beautiful day, and we got to meet some fellow volunteers of the GSP Rescue of NJ that we have only known at this point through email. It was great to meet the other volunteers in person…and to meet their rescued GSPs.
While we were at the festival, Brian noticed that there was a woman selling some jewelry. I am not a big jewelry person, so I hadn’t even noticed the table of jewelry – but Brian told me that I “HAD” to go look at this woman’s jewelry. What I didn’t realize, is that this lady was selling jewelry made from sea glass. Brian knew that as a child, I would collect sea glass at the beach each year my family stayed at the Jersey Shore. Brian spotted this, and knew I would just love it! He bought me a necklace made from sea glass, with a charm attached that was shaped like a heart with paw prints on it. Brian is such a thoughtful husband…and I’m a lucky gal. 🙂
Visit Phyllis at PK’s Kreations to see some of her really cool jewelry made from sea glass!
Margarita visited this winery on July 24, 2016!
Lager visited here on November 11, 2017
Bellview Winery, Landisville, NJ
We had the pleasure of discovering Bellview Winery in Landisville, NJ this weekend.
Bellview Winery is located on a 100 yr old 150 acre Farm in Southern NJ. This winery not only had delicious wines (wine tasting is only $5 for 8 selections of your choice), but they were extremely dog friendly. Cello was allowed inside in the tasting room, and anywhere on the grounds.
For the wine tasting, we chose the following wines: Chardonnay, Jersey Devil White, Pinot Grigio, Traminette, Nana’s White, Fiesta, Black Currant, and Cristallina.
After completing our wine tasting, we enjoyed a glass of wine on the grounds of the winery.
Cello hammed-it-up while playing with her ball on the grounds of the winery!
This winery also offers a free Vintner’s Club – a chance to earn rewards while enjoying Bellview’s wine!
We enjoyed the wine so much, we bought several bottles to bring home!
Margarita visited here on July 23, 2016
If you are ever in the area, this winery is a must-do stop along your way! Be sure to check out the many events they host at the winery as well!
Cheers!
Veritas Vineyard, Afton, Va
Located at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Verita’s Vineyard offers a variety of delicious wines. The vineyard grounds are dog friendly, and the setting offers a gorgeous view of the mountains!
The tasting room was really nice and had a cool display of wine corks over the bar:
Rockbridge Vineyard, Raphine, Va
Rockbridge Vineyard sits on a hill at 2,000 ft in elevation in Raphine, Va. The wine maker has worked in wineries in Germany, California, and Virginia, before buying the land to have his own vineyard. The tasting room is actually inside the barn!
The wines here have won many medals including Best in Show in the Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition, Best in Show in Town Point Competition, and has also won the Virginia’s Governor’s Cup twice.
We did the white wine tasting list – and each one was delicious.
Cello is waiting patiently for an oyster cracker – or maybe her own glass of wine? She is the “legal” human-age of 21 now 😉
After the wine tasting, we enjoyed a glass of wine before heading out to our next adventure!
This tasting room had a neat concept for the ceiling too…
Ox-Eye Vineyards, Staunton, Va
Ox-Eye Vineyards is located in the historic Wharf District of Staunton, Va. The Vineyard was named after the Ox-Eye flower that grows in abundance on the owners’ farm.
The tasting room is in a building that was originally built in 1904 and used as an office for a local coal and lumber business. The building also served as a scale house for horse drawn coal wagons. The loaded wagons would pull up under the building’s archway to be weighed by the Fairbanks scale.
Barren Ridge Vineyards, Fishersville, VA
While camping in Staunton, Va, we visited Barren Ridge Vineyards right after we did some
“spelunking” at Natural Chimneys in Mt. Solon, Va.
Barren Ridge Vineyards is located in Fishersville, Va on a former apple orchard. The winery makes 14 different wines, many of them award-winning. The tasting room is a converted 1890’s apple barn. The owners preserved the original structure of the barn, and it’s wooden beams. The ceiling in the tasting room is constructed of the original barn’s wood…it was really neat!
We enjoyed doing their wine tasting, and being able to have Cello in the tasting room with us:
The tasting room was really nice:
Our friends Brandi and Stan, and their dog, Guinness, also enjoyed the wine tasting:
After the tasting, we enjoyed a glass of wine overlooking the vineyard:
