Business & Tech
America's Oldest Vineyard Comes To Piermont
Crossbreeding grapes for better tasting wine is commonplace at Belmarl Winery in Marlboro.
At last week's Piermont farmers' market, I stopped at the Benmarl Winery booth, where the host boasted being America's oldest continually-producing vineyard.
Want proof? Benmarl Winery holds the New York State Farm Winery License #1!
There was a lovely display of bottles at their table, including a variety of reds, whites and sweets—but the one that caught my eye was the Sangria.
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The host, Dan, gave me a sample. He explained that if you add fresh fruit, it ups the flavor and taste of the Sangria.
Dan also provided a quick history lesson:
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Andrew Jackson Caywood originally started growing grapes on his Marlboro land in 1772. Over the years, he became an amazing viticulturalist, crossbreeding new grape varieties made to withstand the problems European winemakers were encountering at the time.
In 1957, the Caywood property was bought by the Miller family, and renamed Benmarl Winery. The Miller's did a lot of revamping of the land to prepare for their winemaking—but they decided to keep up the experimenting started by the Caywoods by creating the Société des Vignerons, a group of like-minded and adventurous vintners.
The Société des Vignerons was successful in producing all sorts of new varieties. And a fun fact: Société members were paid in wine.
The current owner, Victor Spaccarelli, Jr., purchased the winery seven years ago. Spaccarelli brought in fresh ideas, but all the while strived to keep the old-world charm. And it worked: Benmarl Winery was voted "Best US Red Wine" in the 2000 Atlanta Wine Summit International Competition.
Benmarl's wines are made in both oak and stainless steel casks, where they are aged with great care until ready for the bottling. They produce fifteen varieties, depending on the season. The winery in Marlboro offers many events throughout the year, too, and daily tastings.
Eleven other famers' markets and nine liquor stores throughout the region also have the pleasure of hosting Benmarl Winery.
Lastly, a tip to future-buyers: the most sold wine they offer is the Riesling, according to Dan (I also enjoyed it, and brought a bottle home).
