Rip Van Winkle Wine & Cheese Fest Fun

I was lucky enough to have a few days off (in a row) so I got out and about this weekend and wanted to share some of the fun with you.

My first stop was a family outing to the Rip Van Winkle Wine and Cheese Festival in Catskill. There was a huge turn out for the 10th anniversary, even my feathered friends were out enjoying the event rain or shine.

There was live music, plenty of food (including these amazing pecan tart things from Catskill Mountain Bakery. Oh My God! To die for), some kick butt olive oil and balsamics from Gusto Della Vita and, oh, of course plenty to wet your whistle!

With over 50 vendors from across the valley there was something for everyone to taste and enjoy. In fact, one of my favorite things about the festival is that even if you come year after year you still get to experience something new each time. Below I have a little recap of my findings and some fun, funky family photos. There is also just random photos which is the only way I can remember what I like to drink. I mean, come on. When you're "tasting" that much how else can you remember. Write it down?!? No! Either way I hope it will guide you to some delicious treats or at the very least give you a nice belly laugh!

Breweries 

This year my favorite new additions were thanks to the obvious boom in craft beer vendors. Enjoying some places I'm getting to know better like Chatham Brewing and Rip Van Winkle Brewing Company (and trust me I like what I know) and also getting to know more about some new players in the craft brew game like Hudson Brewery, open less than 6 months. Good start guys, can't wait to sample more!

Wineries/Cideries

There were some great wineries (DUH!) and a couple cideries as well. A few of my favorites included Cascade Mountain Winery, Oliva Winery, Tousey Winery, Joe-Daddy's Hard Cider and of course the tried and true, always yummy Doc's Hard Cider. P.S. Doc's has some great new additions in flavors to check out. They're all great so try them all!

Spirits

Now, I'll be honest I am not a connoisseur of spirits but I did take a little sampling from a few places and was pretty impressed by a few. Noteworthy (in my non-expert opinion) was Hillrock Estate Distillers, Harvest Spirits  and Yankee Distillers. If you're looking for more of an expert opinion on spirits be sure to check out the newly formed WRRV Spirit Society. A brand new addition to the WRRV extracurricular activities list join Deuce and Brandi each month at a secret location to meet, sip cocktails, relax and maybe learn a little something, something. Or heck just use it as an excuse to drink. More info here.

So there ya have it folks. That is my abbreviated recommendations (a.k.a what I can actually recall) from the 10th Annual Rip Van Winkle Wine and Cheese Festival. And remember friends there is more to see, taste and enjoy in the Hudson Valley than you think so get out and explore!

P.S. Check back here soon for more on my weekend off. Next up, 28 hours in Boston. Oh, the humanity!