New York's stunning Hudson Valley is home to the oldest winery in the United States. The Brotherhood Winery is located in Washington, New York, and first produced its commercial vintage in 1839. Discovering the wineries of the Hudson Valley is one of the unmissable parts of discovering the best small towns in the Hudson Valley.

The Brotherhood Winery is a historic winery and one of the few that managed to survive the Prohibition (learn about the period within the secret speakeasy tunnels of Los Angeles). Those traveling to Colorado should also take the time to visit Coors Brewery in Golden by Denver and tour the largest beer brewery in the United States.

The History Of America's Oldest Operational Winery

The Brotherhood Winery in New York was founded by John Jacques, who bequeathed it to his sons in 1858, and they later renamed it "Jaques Brother's Winery." But this was later adjusted to "Brotherhood."

• First Wine: 1839

The Brotherhood Winery managed to produce its vintage throughout - including during the difficult years of the Prohibition. During the Prohibition, alcohol wasn't 100% banned. There were exemptions on the sale of alcohol for medicinal and cosmetic purposes as well as for religious purposes (specifically sacramental wine).

The Brotherhood Winery survived these years by producing sacramental wine for the Catholic Church as well as 'medicinal wines.' But things got more difficult during the economically difficult years of the Great Depression. When the Prohibition finally ended in 1933, the winery released its impressive stock of 1915 champagne that had been cellared during the Prohibition. That stock was almost half a million bottles.

While the Prohibition is long over, there are still bans on the sale of alcohol in a number of conservative countries around the world today. Knowing what is forbidden in different countries is just one of many things one should be aware of before traveling.

Related: 10 Unique Hotels With Wineries In Some Of The Most Surprising Destinations Around The World

What To Know Of The Brotherhood Winery & Its Wines Today

Today the Brotherhood Winery is generally recognized as the oldest operating winery in the country. Its slogan is "America's Oldest Winery." The Brotherhood Winery is famous for its Vitis labrusca-based wines (some of which are seasoned with fresh herbs and spices with old 19th-century formulas). Wines produced include pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, white zinfandel, riesling, and chardonnay. The wines are mostly affordable and are priced between around $7.99 and $29.99 per bottle.

The appeal of visiting the winery is not only just its selection of excellent wines but also its underground cellars (as well as seeing some of the oldest vintages in the nation). People can also order their wines online (there is free shipping for the region - New York, Massachusetts, Maryland, and D.C.). Their top wine is called "Holiday." It is a tradition of mulled wine that goes back to before the Revolution. It is a great way to really savor the heritage of the winery, having a colonial wine from the country's oldest winery. Go back to the Revolutionary period, and one would have seen it served in the taverns, inns, and homes of the time. It has a secret blend of herbs and spices and is ideal for the winter holiday season.

The Brotherhood Winery offers tours on certain days, and visitors get to choose five wines out of a catalog of ten wines (with a one-ounce serving for each wine). The catalog of ten wines is routinely updated with an assortment of traditional and varietal selections.

Related: Everything You Should Know About Visiting The Most Popular Finger Lakes Winery, Wagner Vineyards

Planning A Visit To The Brotherhood Winery Today

The Brotherhood Winery hosts a number of events throughout the year. As of the time of writing (February 2023), upcoming examples of events include Murder Mystery Dinner and Brotherhood Winery at The Marshal. Check their calendar when planning a visit to the Brotherhood Winery.

Address: 100 Brotherhood Plaza Dr. Washingtonville, NY 10992

Opening Hours:

• January to March: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm (Thursday to Sunday)
• April to December: 11.00 am to 5.00-6.00 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

Take A Tour of The Brotherhood Winery

The Brotherhood Winery offers tours around the heritage winery. Reservations are recommended for their Public Tour & Tasting. On the tour, visitors enjoy a leisurely stroll through their network of underground cellars (which were excavated by hand during the late 19th century). See over 200 oak barrels in the dimly lit cellars and a crested vault storing some of the oldest vintages to be found in the United States.

Public Tour & Tasting:

• Cost: $25 Per Person
• Available: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
• Group Sizes: Min. 2, Max 12
• Reservation: Recommended (otherwise first-come, first-served basis)

On the tours, visitors can learn all about the secrets and tales of the vaults together with "tales of folly and tragedy." Naturally, visitors get to test their wine-tasting skills in their modern showroom.