In the little over two decades since the passage of New York State’s Farm Distillery Act, the Hudson Valley craft distilling industry has gone from practically nonexistent to world-renowned. Today, there are over 180 distilleries in the state, many of which call this region home. With a focus on artisanal processes and sourcing their grains, fruits, botanicals, and other raw materials from local growers, Hudson Valley distillers have created a terroir all their own.
When visiting the area, a trip to a local distillery or two to learn about the process firsthand and, of course, to sample their delectable offerings has become a quintessential experience of the upstate bucket list. While trundling out to a distillery on your own is a fine way to spend a few hours, Visit Hudson NY’s new all-day Hudson Area Distillery Tours now offer visitors or locally-based spirits enthusiasts an immersive peek inside three notable Columbia County distilleries.
The tours are the brainchild of the Hudson Business Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to stimulating the city's business district, with support from the City of Hudson Tourism Committee and Columbia County Tourism. “We wanted to create an event series that provides visitors the opportunity to get out and experience what the area has to offer outside the borders of Hudson itself,” says Hudson Business Coalition president Alexandre Petraglia.
The day-long excursions on Sunday, September 18 and Sunday, October 2 will guide participants on tours and tastings at Cooper’s Daughter Spirits in Claverack, Hudson Valley Distillers in Clermont, and Harvest Spirits in Valatie—the latter of which is well-known for leading the distilling boom by receiving the state’s first Farm Distillery license and producing the first New York Applejack since Prohibition. To tie the experience together, a local industry expert will join each tour to provide insight into the regional distilling landscape and answer questions.
In addition to tours and tastings at each distillery, the $90 per person offering includes pick-up, drop-off, and all-day transportation in a luxury tour vehicle, complimentary snacks and beverages, and a BBQ lunch at Harvest Spirits’ farm restaurant, Harvest Smokehouse. Additionally, out-of-towners who book stays at The Wick, The Amelia, or Wm. Farmer and Sons in Hudson will receive a complimentary gift bag filled with wares from local makers and producers. “We wanted to encourage people to explore the different types of lodging experiences available in Hudson,” says Petraglia. “All three offer something unique to guests, and each business has been active in supporting our community.”
To learn more about the Hudson Area Distillery Tours or register for an upcoming tour, head to Visithudsonny.com/tours.
