Wineries in Westport, NY

“Rolling Hills Estate Winery is the sort of place that leaves you dreaming about it for months and years after your visit. Nestled in the heart of the Champlain Valley of New York AVA, on the shores of Lake Champlain and just across from Vermont, Rolling Hills is the perfect place to slow down and spend time with friends and family.

My wife and I had the good fortune of attending one of the seasonal group dinners. With weather in our favor, we sat outside the tasting barn at long decorated tables, the campfire flickering and crackling across the path, the lake breeze gently cooling our necks. We were served beautiful and delicious courses prepared by a delightful chef, whose dedication to detail and exuberance for craftmanship were evident both in the meals he and the staff served as well as his descriptions of what we were about to eat and drink.

Perhaps it is what we drank that shined the brightest. The wine was produced just a few feet from where we sat, with most if not all of the grapes grown on Rolling Hills' vineyards. La Crescent, St. Croix, and Marquette Appasimento were my favorites, and I walked away having purchased several bottles. Drinking them at that dinner, surrounded by cheerful people and the forest, was like savoring a love letter penned by the Adirondacks.

We had the opportunity to learn more about Rolling Hills' wine and its winemaking process. The winemaker, Dan, happily showed us around the winery. We learned about the AVA (American Viticultural Area) and the grapes and terroir that represent it. We were impressed by his passion for and knowledge of winemaking, which seemed inspired by ancient practices. Growing grapes and making wine in an environment like the Adirondacks must be brutally challenging, but Dan's pioneering spirit and pursuit of excellence seem like the right combination to succeed.

Missy and her team have done such an incredible job with Rolling Hills. From the moment we arrived, we felt welcome like family. My only regret is that we left too soon. Thankfully, though, we have these memories and a few bottles of wine to soothe us and remind us that truly happy moments in life do exist.“