A tradition rediscovered.

The Hudson Valley has deep roots to grape growing and wine making in America.

America’s oldest vineyard, located at Benmarl is here, as is Brotherhood, America’s oldest winery.

During the mid-1800’s, river communities in Westchester and Rockland (like Ossining & Nyack) were among the most significant centers for grape growing in the United States, providing fresh grapes to nearby markets in New York City, as indicated in an April 2020 article entitled “When Nyack Had More Vineyards by Than Napa Valley,” Mike Hays in the “Nyack News & Views” online publication.

Of particular significance was the grape development efforts that took place around the same time in Rockland County on Iona Island near Bear Mountain by Dr. C.W. Grant. It was here in the spring of 1864, that Dr. Grant held a famous “Fruit Growers Convention.” Some of the leading names of that era, including Horace Greeley, gave presentations on fruit growing.

As a result, the Iona Fruit Growers Convention was said to have receive more media coverage than General Sherman’s march into Atlanta just months earlier, as reported on November 24, 1864, in The New York Times.

Now about 4-acres in size and within sight of the New York City skyline, High Tor Vineyards is currently in the process of renovating several buildings including an adjoining property acquired in August 2024. We anticipate a “soft open” opening for small “Private Events” beginning sometime in 2026 and opening a tasting room later that year or in 2027.

High Tor Vineyards is proud