Heritage Wines of the Hudson Valley
Jim Meyers, Viticulture Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
American viticulture and wine culture is rooted in the 19th century northeast. New York, in particular, produced the first commercial wines in the United States at a time when several grape breeding programs were active in the Hudson Valley. Despite this history, your local wine shop is not selling wines made from the old cultivars of New England and New York. Today, most of the products found in the wine shop are made from traditional European cultivars (e.g. Cabernet Franc and Riesling is readily found on shelves), even when grown and produced in New York.
Heritage Wines of the Hudson Valley (pdf; 281KB)

Upcoming Events
Leading the Farm Team: Supervisory Skills for New Managers
April 14, 2026 : Session 1: Becoming a Supervisor
The transition from working alongside employees to supervising them can be challenging. This session explores the shift from individual contributor to supervisor and the mindset and skills needed to lead a team effectively. Participants will learn about the role of a supervisor, key leadership behaviors, and how to build trust and credibility with employees.
April 21, 2026 : Session 2: Improving Performance
This session will introduce the performance triad—clear expectations, training, and feedback—to support employee success. We will discuss practical communication strategies, how to give constructive feedback, and how supervisors can help employees improve their performance over time.
April 28, 2026 : Session 3: Managing Conflict
Supervisors are responsible for maintaining a professional and respectful workplace. This session covers some of the legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and the responsibilities managers have in addressing workplace concerns.
Participants will also explore common sources of workplace conflict, learn to recognize potential biases that can influence management decisions, and discuss practical approaches for addressing difficult situations and resolving conflicts at work.
