The Oldest Winery in America Lives in the Hudson Valley

History, wine, and a short drive from NYC? Yes, please.

When people think of American wine, California tends to hog the spotlight. And fair enough — with names like Napa, Sonoma, and Paso Robles, the Golden State has earned its grape-soaked reputation. But here’s a twist worthy of a plot in your favorite streaming drama: America’s oldest winery isn’t out west at all. It’s tucked away in the scenic Hudson Valley of New York, just an hour and change north of Manhattan.

Welcome to Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville, NY — where wine has been flowing since 1836. That’s before the Civil War, before the light bulb, and even before California was a state. In a country that’s only been around for about 250 years, this vineyard has been part of the story for nearly 75% of it.

And its origin? Not your typical wine fairytale. Brotherhood was started by a cobbler named John Jacques who, like many side-hustling entrepreneurs today, decided to pivot when the price of grapes dropped. He began making wine — originally for religious ceremonies — and the business soon took off. Eventually, it passed into the hands of professional winemakers and adopted the name Brotherhood, a nod to a spiritual community known as the Brotherhood of New Life.

The real magic, though, is in how it survived. During Prohibition, when so many wineries shuttered, Brotherhood adapted by producing medicinal and sacramental wines (legal loopholes for the win). When the dry years ended in 1933, they didn’t just reopen — they popped open half a million bottles of sparkling wine they’d been aging the whole time. Now that’s what we call a comeback.

Today, Brotherhood is more than just a winery — it’s a full-blown experience. Think: tastings, cellar tours, a buzzing on-site restaurant, and over 30 types of wine ranging from crisp rosé to rich dessert wine and even mead (yes, honey wine). And here’s the kicker — many of their bottles clock in under $20. Quality vino without the luxury markup? That’s the kind of content we’re here for.

Sure, Europe may have winemaking roots that go back over a thousand years — looking at you, Germany’s Staffelter Hof (est. 862) — but in the U.S., Brotherhood holds the crown. Through wars, economic downturns, fires, changing palates, and evolving trends, it’s kept the wine flowing.

So next time someone says “California or bust” for American wine, let them know there’s a rich glass of history just waiting in the Hudson Valley. It’s proof you don’t need to hop on a cross-country flight to sip something truly legendary — just a train ride, a tank of gas, and a taste for stories poured by the glass.