The Hudson-Berkshire Wine & Food Festival in Chatham, New York by Philip S. Kampe and Maria Reveley

                                                

We remember attending the first edition of this hometown country festival.

Now, in its 'Seventh Year', the small country festival has not changed much from its roots. What has changed is the high quality of the vendors products. From pickles to artisan cheese, the food vendors have risen to 'gourmet 'levels of quality.

On the beverage end, many products merit national attention. From Bourbon to vodka to wine, new companies with high goals fill the pavilion with generous samples for the thousands that attend each day.

Admission is $25 for tasting admission and $10 for general admission.
There is no greater bargain in the country.

As a yearly event, plan on attending in the future, on either Saturday or Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
The 11am to 5pm event takes place at the Columbia County Fairgrounds in Chatham, New York. Chatham is located less then an hour to Albany, N.Y. or the Berkshires of western Massachusetts.

Its a fun, family day that includes music, food vendors, tons of wine and spirit samples, kids activities and the feel of the country.

Hudson-Berkshire Wine & Food Festival (May 28th & May 29th) by Philip S. Kampe

This Memorial Day weekend is expected to be sunny and unusually warm, upper 80’s. To me, that means summer. And what is summer about in the Hudson-Berkshire region? Festivals, farmer markets  and country fairs.

Well, the first Festival of the season is this weekend, Saturday, May 28^th and Sunday, May29^th.  It is time for the 4^th Annual Hudson-Berkshire Wine and Food Festival, Activities take place at the Columbia County Fairgrounds on Route 66 in Chatham, New York.

Hours are 11-6pm on Saturday and 11-5pm on Sunday.

Purchase tickets with a savings in advance at www.hudsonberkshirewinefestival.com .

Or buy tickets on the day of the event for $25, which includes one day of admission, a tasting glass and all ‘all the wine you care to drink’. 
Children under 12 are free.
Non-tasting admission is $10 and includes a souvenir glass on exiting the festival.

The line-up for local wineries and distilleries includes:

Tousey Winery
Les Trois Emme
Hillrock Estate Distillery
Clermont Vineyards & Winery
Hudson Valley Distillers
Hudson-Chatham Winery
Harvest Spirits

Furnace Brook Winery
Berkshire Mountain Distillers
Brookview Station Winery

A partial list of other participants include:
Whitecliff Winery
Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery
Sun Dog Cider
Pazdar Winery
Montezuma Winery
Hummingbird Hills Winery
Adirondack Winery
Cascade Mountain.Winery
Cereghino Smith Winery
Gravity Ciders
Yankee Distillers
The Olive Table

Smokin Oak

Ioka Valley Farm

Grandpa Pete’s Gourmet Sauces

Goats and Gourmets
Highland Farms


The Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail extends from southeast of Albany to Hudson, NY The trail features handcrafted, award-winning wines, beers and spirits.

I love this festival and eagerly await Memorial Day weekend each year. I cherish the idea that all of the wine, food and spirits are local products from both New York and Massachusetts. The opportunity to visit the producer of your favorite product, whether wine, spirits or food, is a reality. Use the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail map as a guide for your tasting adventure.

                                                  

Philip S. Kampe

philip.kampe@thewinehub.com