Fjord Vineyards Crafts Sustainable Wines in the Hudson Valley

Photos courtesy of Fjord Vineyards

A husband-wife team make balanced, sustainable wines that reflect the Hudson Valley’s distinctive landscape.

For the past 10 years Matthew Spaccarelli (winner of the 2023 New York State Unity Award as winegrower of the year) and Casey Erdmann have produced top-notch wine in Ulster County’s hamlet of Milton. “It’s our unique microclimate, on a site overlooking one of the oldest fjords in the country, that allows us to grow a number of varieties of high-quality grapes here in the Hudson Valley,” says Spaccarelli. The couple endeavors to craft wines based on a terroir that is a gateway to the Hudson Highlands with Storm King Mountain to the west and Mount Beacon to the east.

White

2021 Fjord Albarino ($22)

Akin to wines made from this varietal grown in Portugal and northeastern Spain, it has a lemony-pineapple bouquet and taste with a dry, smooth finish that marries well with garlicky fare, like pasta with pesto.

2020 Fjord Estate Riesling ($22)

This wine shows a bouquet and taste of ripe peaches and pears with hints of apricots in its finish and makes an excellent accompaniment for sushi and shrimp.

2021 Fjord Chardonnay ($25)

Fans of oaky, lemony chardonnay will love this wine (made from grapes grown on the North Fork of Long Island) that has just enough taste of crisp apples and vanilla to mate perfectly with grilled grouper, halibut, and branzino.

Rosé

2021 Fjord Rosé of Cabernet Franc ($22)

This wine shows a bouquet and taste of ripe peaches and apricots, with a bit of spritz on its finish. Serve it well-chilled with hors d’oeuvres, like hummus with chips, crudite with dip, and pretzels with mustard.

Matthew Spaccarelli has sustainably grown world-class wines in his native Hudson Valley for 10 years. Fjord Vineyards is located near where the Hudson River flows through one of the oldest fjords in North America. This position helps create a microclimate that promotes the development of high-quality wines.

Red

2021 Fjord Cabernet Franc ($30)

Usually a blending grape, this light, fruity wine needs some time after opening to develop its full flavor of raspberries and herbs that pair well with spicy Thai and Chinese fare.

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In addition to the winery, Fjord Vineyards wines are offered to taste and buy at the Pleasantville Farmers Market and for purchase at several retailers, including Westchester Wine Warehouse in White Plains and Uncorked Wines & Spirits in Somers.

Fjord Vineyards
Milton