Shawangunk Wine Trail

Scenic country roads, beautiful landscapes, rich history – oh, and a diverse collection of award-winning wineries to explore and experience. And this is all just a little over an hour’s drive from New York City? Take us there; we’re ready.

We’re talking about the scenic Hudson Valley and its rich winemaking roots which date back to the 17th century when French Huguenots first planted grapevines. And the best way to experience this wonderful wine destination is by traveling the Shawangunk Wine Trail.

Wine in “The Gunks”
Established in 1984 to celebrate the distinct character of the land and the region’s rich history of winemaking, the Shawangunk Wine Trail has become a premier wine destination. This area of the Hudson Valley is home to some of oldest vineyards in the country. The Wine Trail’s founding members believed that a wine trail is best established if it can focus on a specific geographic area (like the Finger Lakes in NY and Napa Valley in California). The focus for this Hudson Valley Region wine trail is the Shawangunk Mountains. Affectionately known as “The Gunks,” the mountains are a ridge of bedrock extending from the northernmost point of New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains. Shawangunk comes from an old Lenape word meaning “smoky place.”

The Shawangunk Wine Trail, located between the magnificent Shawangunk Mountains and the majestic Hudson River in Ulster, Sullivan, and Orange Counties, is a collective of 13 member wineries offering award-winning wines, hard ciders, and crafted spirits, along with cozy tasting rooms, vineyard picnics, unforgettable views and some creative, enjoyable special events.  

Special events along the Wine Trail
After a long winter you’ll be eager to celebrate the coming of spring in the Hudson Valley with a day of wine tasting, scenic views, and seasonal vibes. The weekend of April 18-19 features Earth Day at the Wineries.

As the weather heats up and summer is in full swing, take the whole family to Summer Sip, the Wine Trail’s great family-friendly event at City Winery in Montgomery, NY. It’s a fun-loving summer afternoon featuring live music, lawn games, great food, laid-back summer vibes, and, of course, some great wine. All of the Trail’s member wineries will be there for sampling. Admission is free for all – and wine lovers can upgrade with a VIP Wine Tasting Ticket. Advance discount tickets go on sale March 2026.

September 14-30 the Trail’s member wineries celebrate the fall harvest with their Harvest the Hudson event. This 17-day event invites you to truly taste the harvest. From bold Cabernet Franc to crisp Riesling, refreshing Seyval Blanc, and more, every tasting showcases the flavors that shine in the cool-climate vineyards of the Hudson Valley

At the year’s end everyone is looking for festive ways to get them into the Holiday mood. So, the Wine Trail has two events to get you ready for the holidays. The always popular Holiday Fineries at the Wineries will be held on November 21 & 22 and December 5, 6, & 12. All of the wineries are decked out in their most festive décor and twinkling lights, and they’re ready to serve their holiday wine and cider flights.

Then on Sunday, December 13, the Wine Trail’s Sip & Shop Holiday Market returns to City Winery Hudson Valley. Browse through the craft tables of local artisans and find some great holiday gift ideas. Food will be available for purchase from City Winery, and once again, wine lovers can upgrade to a VIP Wine Tasting Experience. Enjoy the sounds of some great local artists with live music all day.

From January through August you can enjoy a tasting flight at each of the Shawangunk Wine Trail’s 13 member wineries at your own pace. The Hudson Valley Wine Tasting Passport gives you a chance to explore new releases, rare vintages and award-winning favorites anytime – one visit to each member winery. (It’s a good idea to call ahead in case reservations are needed.)

The wineries and their offerings
Travelers on the Shawangunk Wine Trail will find a variety of wines - and a variety of wineries. A recurring theme at a number of the wineries is history, such as Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, which boasts the distinction of being America’s oldest winery. Benmarl Winery in Marlboro lays claim to the oldest vineyard in America. Stoutridge Distillery & Vineyard in Marlboro was built on the historical foundations of a turn of the century winery and prohibition era distillery.

Many of the wineries feature live music, usually on weekends. Applewood Winery, Warwick Valley Winery and Distillery, and Clearview Vineyard, all located in Warwick, and Magnanini Farm Winery in Wallkill feature live music. City Winery Hudson Valley in Montgomery presents a full calendar of live music, comedy and entertainment throughout the year. A number of other member wineries have live music during their special events

A perfect complement to good wine is good food, and a number of the Trail’s wineries feature full service restaurants, such as City Winery, Magnanini Winery, and Brotherhood Winery. Many of the other wineries offer a more limited selection of food choices.

Some of the wineries distill spirits, such as Warwick Valley and Applewood. Magnanini produces a line of grappas. And Stoutridge crafts its own brandies and a single-malt whiskey using a traditional Scottish style kilning floor, the only one of its kind in the U.S. In addition to wine and spirits, some of the wineries produce hard cider. Angry Orchard in Walden crafts the #1 hard cider in America – its Crisp Apple brew – in addition to a variety of other styles. Quartz Rock Vineyard in Marlboro offers a hard cider crafted from its own estate-grown apples. Applewood and Warwick Valley, the oldest cidery in New York State, also feature hard ciders. 

Many of the wineries are proud to say they are family-owned and operated, including Whitecliff Vineyard in Gardiner, Robibero Winery in New Paltz, and a newcomer to the Wine Trail, Christopher Jacobs Winery at Pennings Vineyards in Pine Bush.

The individual wineries of the Shawangunk Wine Trail are as diverse as the wines themselves. Many offer spectacular vistas. All provide a friendly welcome and an enjoyable, informative tasting experience designed to introduce visitors to the unique wines of the Hudson River Region.  

For more information on the Shawangunk Wine Trail, visit: www.shawangunkwinetrail.com