If you’re a connoisseur of fine wines and spirits, you’ll find a lot to love about the Albany, New York, region. To help you get started, we’ve put together this short list of the area’s best wineries and distilleries — as well as the can’t-miss specialties of each.
Saratoga Winery and Tasting Room
Visit Saratoga Springs to begin your wine-tasting odyssey. This charming winery is sure to satisfy your taste buds with a variety of options, including Chardonnay, Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.
But don’t miss out on what makes the Saratoga Winery special. Try a sample of the signature Melomel wine, which is made with 12 percent honey. Examples of the Melomel wine on offer here include Hillbilly Mountain Mash (a sweet red), Bloodroot (a red with black cherry and currant flavors), and Blackberry Melomel (made with locally sourced fruits).
Adirondack Winery
Check out this great winery just an hour outside of Albany for some truly memorable vintages. Like many New York wineries, you can choose from a full list of fruity wines, red wines, white wines, dessert wines, and blush wines.
We recommend starting with the Pinot Gris, which was awarded 86 points by Wine Enthusiast Magazine and 90 points by Planet Grape. This dry wine sports a crisp floral flavor and pairs well with seafood, chicken, and pork.
Albany Distilling Company
This craft distillery lies right in the heart of Albany on Livingston Avenue. Visit the bar to try their carefully crafted spirits for yourself, or stop by the bottle shop to pick up your favorite product to go. The distillery is primarily known for its craft vodka, including an orange-flavored variety, but they also produce several different types of whiskey and rum. Ironweed Whiskey is a real standout; it’s sourced from grain grown right here in New York and aged in charred oak without any artificial flavors.
Altamont Vineyard and Winery
Just half an hour west of Albany, you’ll find one of our favorite local wine destinations. Altamont Vineyard and Winery is a great place to see how wine is made. You can book a tour of the vineyard for just $30 per person, and you can finish up by tasting five different premium wines for only $15 per person.
Every visitor will have a particular favorite, of course, but we’re especially partial to the St. Pepin Ice Wine. This is a sweet dessert wine produced entirely from frozen grapes, and it’s the perfect accompaniment to any special occasion.
Amorici Vineyard
Learn how sustainable farming techniques can generate delicious wines at this vineyard in Valley Falls, New York. Amorici uses chickens instead of pesticides for insect control, and its wines are made with all-natural ingredients. You can’t go wrong with their Chardonnay or Cabernet Franc, but try the Marquette NOR if you’re looking for something unique. This is a smooth red wine made from grapes grown exclusively in the Upper Hudson Valley.
You’ll need some time to truly explore the Albany region and discover all of the great wines and spirits produced here. With any luck, you might even find your new personal favorite.
