Whitecliff Vineyard

Whitecliff is on the west side of the Hudson about 15 miles from the river in Gardiner. The winery was founded by Michael and Yancey Migliore in 1979. While a graduate student of organic chemistry at SUNY New Paltz, Michael lived on a dairy farm just down the road from the campus. Upon earning his degree he went off to work for Big Blue and having secured a regular day job, decided to purchase the farm he had been living on. Intrigued by viticulture, he and his now wife planted vines with the intent of becoming winemakers. Although the winery has been officially open and licensed for only the last ten years, the Migliores' have been growing grapes on the farm for thirty years. Their efforts had little financial support and the farm was primarily an experimental vineyard. Even with nearly thirty years under their belt as wine growers they continue to experiment to find the best grapes and methods for making wines in the region. Their attitude is that science and research are critical to producing good wines. Within a transforming wine growing region the only way to find what works it to keep trying new things. They currently have approximately twenty-five different varietals planted in this pursuit of improving their wines. All of Whitecliff's wines are estate bottled making it a member of a very exclusive club in the Hudson.

Currently they have a mix of both hybrid and vinifera based wines. Their most interesting wine, from the hybrid Traminette, is complex, alluring, and shows a remarkable bouquet from its Gewurztraminer parentage. The winemakers are very encouraged by their hybrids and believe that given the local growing conditions, hybrids will have an important part in the future of the region. Whitecliff is also very good with vinifera; their Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc received excellent ratings. They are one of the few vintners in the state to produce the purple Beaujolais grape, Gamay Noir. Aged in oak prior to bottling, their Gamay, unlike the Beaujolais Nouveau incarnation, is styled more like a Cru. Although still a comparatively lighter red, the Cru style gives the wine greater complexity and body while maintaining the very fruit forward characteristic of the Gamay grape.

Whitecliff is one of the more beautiful wineries in the region. The farm is seventy-five acres with twenty-five acres under vine. The land is fairly flat with slight rises. It is planted in fields of vine with alternating swards of rich green grass evincing its heritage as a dairy farm. The Shawangunk ridge is only a few miles away and provides a striking background to the winery. The vineyard and facilities have a very family feel to it. Not surprising as the family does indeed still live on the land. There is a real sense of care and pride of home about Whitecliff that also shows in their wines.