For breathtaking views with top-rated vino, food, and even live music, head to these Hudson Valley wineries in the region.
By Raphael Beretta and Olivia Cambalik
The Hudson Valley is a wine lover’s paradise, and some of the most praised New York vinos are produced at wineries across this bountiful region. Visiting vintners for a sampling of their latest releases and rarest vintages is always a pleasant experience. Of course, even the most memorable tastings are elevated with a view.
These local vineyards boast gorgeous outdoor seating for small bites and big glasses. Soak in the sun, marvel at summer greenery and fall foliage, and gaze out at rows and rows of vinifera at these open-air wine destinations.
Wineries With Outdoor Seating in Dutchess County
Millbrook Winery
Millbrook
If you’re a connoisseur of Hudson Valley wines, chances are you’ve explored the iconic Millbrook Winery. Visitors to one of the region’s main tourist attractions enjoy exploring the 130 acres of rolling hills and Catskill Mountain views. Though the Dutchess destination serves a wide variety of award-winning wines, the Tocai Friuliano is a must-try. Guests can relax at the vineyard terrace or take a bottle to a pristine picnicking spot on the property. Shimmering bodies of water and 30 acres of French vines provide perfect visual accoutrements to the delectable New York wines. Check the website for scheduling winery tours and visiting during food truck weekends.
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Milea Estate Vineyards
Staatsburg
Located atop a hillside in Dutchess County, Milea Estate Vineyards packs a punch with unbelievable views and unique connections to traditional winemaking. Joining a burgeoning group of bucolic beverage destinations in Staatsburg, Milea governs a massive 102-acre estate. Arrive during the changing of the seasons for incredible vistas of vibrant colors. Reserve an experience to enjoy a tasting or tour. Grab a seat on the patio for an stellar open-air wine experience (note outdoor seating is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed). For warm days, the Reserve Chardonnay and rosé bring plenty of bright tasting notes and gorgeous color. Book a wine experience online to enjoy this Dutchess County haven.
Wineries With Outdoor Seating in Ulster County
Maganinni Winery
Wallkill
Family-owned since 1983, Maganinni Winery offers outdoor seating, live music, and a calendar packed with exciting events. The property also features a tasting room and restaurant, with a wine list that includes a pleasing range of rosés, reds, and whites. The restaurant delights with an extensive menu that entices with salads, pasta, chicken dishes, seafood, and more. Looking for the perfect place to host an event? The winery hosts private events and weddings, in addition to family-style dinners throughout the year.
Nostrano Vineyards
Milton
Milton’s Nostrano Vineyards was established in 2010 on a four-generation family farm. It is one of the newer additions to the Hudson Valley wine scene and quietly has one of the most unique and enjoyable views in the region. Frequently a venue for smaller weddings, Nostrano features a large barn with outdoor seating and a hilltop taproom with a rustic-lodge-meets-SoHo-wine-bar aesthetic. Live music from talented local musicians completes a picture-perfect weekend hang. Like many New York wine producers, Nostrano’s specialty is the world of Riesling. It also happens to have refreshing and fruity frosés to keep guests cool on even the most scorching days.
Outdoor seating at Nostrano. Photo by Olivia Cambalik
Wineries With Outdoor Seating in Orange County
Brotherhood Winery
Washingtonville
America’s oldest winery is the perfect spot to enjoy a tour or tasting or host an event. Offering a large selection of wines, from Riesling to wine seltzers, the vino hotspot ensures there is something for every palate. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon in the wine garden, or sip and savor outdoors at the winery’s 1839 Restaurant. At the eatery, order a wine, cocktail or flight to pair perfectly with lunch or dinner. Bites on the menu include charcuterie, spicy Brussels sprouts, roasted lemon chicken, seared salmon, and more.
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City Winery Hudson Valley
Montgomery
The word “city” is a misnomer for this Montgomery Mills site. The first non-urban setting for the esteemed winery chain, City Winery Hudson Valley boasts glorious views of the Wallkill River. Visitors to the Orange County destination can sip more than a dozen vinos outside. The former knitting factory’s spaces ooze atmosphere and, though The Barrel Room restaurant is the perfect place for a cozy meal in the wintertime, warmer months are all about the patios. Two separate outdoor dining areas showcase the magnificence of this historic property and the river’s beauty. String lights, heat lamps, and outdoor fireplaces keep things comfortable as temperatures drop. The venue also hosts a variety of live music, parties, and events. Grab a glass of the winery’s “Strawberry Fields Rose,” a perfect drink for warm weather with notes of strawberries and raspberries or, for a darker flavor, try “Spring Street,” a pinot noir with aromas of baking spice and smoked pork.
Photo courtesy of City Winery Hudson Valley.
Clearview Vineyard
Warwick
With a tasting room, kitchen, covered porch, and umbrella-covered seating on a patio, Clearview Vineyard is a place where guests can sip and relax. Outdoor seating can hold up to 130 people, so grab some friends and family to enjoy a wine experience. A wine tasting for $15 allows guests to taste four different wines in addition to receiving a souvenir in the form of a 12.75 oz wine glass with the winery logo. The vineyard produces a variety of red and white wines, including pinot noir, merlot, and Estate Cayuga White. It also hosts live music and food vendors on the weekends.
Wineries With Outdoor Seating in Columbia County
Hudson Chatham Winery
Ghent
Columbia County’s first winery, started in 2006, continues its legacy with current owners Steven Rosario and Justen Nickell, who purchased the property in 2020. Both Culinary Institute of America grads, the partners operate the vineyard with a focus on hybrid grapes that thrive in upstate New York. The wine selection includes rosé cider, Estate Seyval Blanc, Marquette, and more. The winery offers intimate outdoor seating among beautiful scenery, including seating by a fire pit to keep visitors warm as fall approaches. Book a wine flight experience to be guided through a flight of five wines from the cellar (parties limited to groups of one to eight people).
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