Millbrook Vineyards and Winery

Millbrook is probably the best known winery in the Hudson River Valley AVA. Millbrook Vineyard is just outside of the town of Millbrook in Dutchess County about ten miles east of the Hudson River. Founded in 1982 when John Dyson and Kathe purchased the old Wing Dairy Farm, situated in the midst of the region's rolling hills, and converted it into a winery and vineyard. The vineyards are on the slopes facing south west to maximize the sun exposure and heat. The winery itself is in the style of an old Dutch barn common in the area. The farm is 130 acres with thirty under vine. There are a few artificial lakes situated close to the vineyards to provide some additional water moderation to the cold climate beyond what the river provides. The soil is rocky gneiss and slate giving the distinctive earthy and mineral characteristics to the wines they produce. Vines are planted closely to help enrich the flavors of the grapes. They employ the Smart-Dyson trellis system, which founder John Dyson helped to develop, to spread out the vine canes to increase air circulation, serving to keep the grapes dry. These techniques assist the fruit in more fully ripening while reducing disease and mildew pressures.

John Dyson was New York State commissioner of agriculture from 1975 to 1979. His tenure saw the passage of the historic New York Farm Winery Act of 1976. Dyson and another Hudson Valley resident, Mark Miller, were instrumental in the crafting and passage of this important law. This legislation was critical to the survival and growth of New York as a wine producing state. Dyson has wineries in California in the Russian River region as well as a vineyard in Tuscany.

Because of the local climate and regional winemaking traditions most of the wine grows in the valley grow only hybrid or native grape varietals. Cold winters and a short growing season make it hard on European grapes which are better suited for more gentle climates. Even Burgundy, which is much farther north than the Mid-Hudson has warmer winters and a longer growing season. Millbrook bucks the trend as one of the very few wine growers producing exclusively vinifera based wines. They are also one of the few vintners producing estate wine only. The visitor will not find a Vidal, Iona, Diamond, or even a Seyval Blanc in the vineyards. This makes for quite a challenge for the farm not just to be able to ripen the grapes but to make the excellent vintages they produce.