Cheers along the Hudson!

Get ready for two days celebrating Hudson Valley wines at the Shawangunk Wine Trail’s Bounty of the Hudson Food and Wine Festival July 26 & 27. The host is Benmarl Winery in Marlboro, which is up on a hill with lovely views overlooking the Hudson River and is known as “home to America’s oldest vineyard.”

According to its organizers, this event is the largest festival that features only Hudson Valley wines. There will also be great food, fresh local produce, and live music by The Bernstein Bard Quartet on Saturday and Andrew Holtz on Sunday.

Here is more info:

Wines being tasted this year come from the banner crop that was achieved during the 2007 growing season. The 2007 growing season was the best growing season the Hudson Valley vineyards have seen in many years. Visitors will enjoy side-by side tastings of the region’s array of wines. Dry, complex, locally grown Seyval, Chardonnay or Pinot Noir, to sweeter apple and strawberry wines. This is the best opportunity to experience the range and quality now achieved by the wines of Hudson River Region.

Event tickets are $25 plus tax in advance and $35 at the door. Event hours are noon to 5 p.m. each day. This year there will be transfers available from the Poughkeepsie Metro North Station, with bus service between the train station and the festival on the following schedule: Will meet arriving trains at 12:37, 1:38 and 2:38 p.m.; Will depart festival at 4 and 5 p.m. to catch the 4:31 and 5:31 trains back to NYC. Transfer cost is $10 round trip and must be purchased in advance.

Directions and more information are at www.gunkswine.com

Shawangunk Wine Trail members include: Adair Vineyards & Rivendell Winery, New Paltz NY; Whitecliff Vineyards, Gardiner NY; Benmarl Vineyards, Glorie Farm Winery & Stoutridge Winery, Marlboro NY; Baldwin Vineyards, Pine Bush NY; Brotherhood Winery, Washingtonville NY; Applewood Winery & Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Warwick NY.