Nostrano Vineyards is located in Milton, NY producing Estate wines. Their boutique winery and vineyard is the perfect spot in the Hudson Valley to enjoy wine while taking in the valley views. You can sit on the deck and look out over the vineyard and orchards! Nostrano is a fourth generation family owned and operated 75-acre farm located in Milton, NY. Grape and tree-fruit growing has been a tradition of the Trapani family since 1943. Seventy years after the Trapani family moved from Brooklyn, the farming tradition is continuing to the fourth generation as Joseph Trapani Sr.’s grandson, Nicolas Bozzo, established Nostrano Vineyards on the family farm in 2010. He and his wife Kayleigh run the winery. They are fantastic people.
I arrived with good friend Diane Letulle. She is a major wine journalist. She has traveled to major wine regions in the U.S., Canada, Italy, Spain, France, Portugal, Hungary, Austria, and the Republic of Georgia, South Africa, and Australia. She earned the Advanced Certificate with Distinction from the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and teach wine classes and present wine-pairing dinners at the South Orange-Maplewood Adult School in New Jersey. She's spoken internationally on wine tourism at conferences in Croatia, Italy, and Portugal and was a featured speaker at the Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference in Dublin in 2013. Her blog is Wine Lover's Journal. And she is always wonderful company. I have had a massive crush on her for years. She's the coolest.
Nic Bozzo is the farmer and winemaker at Nostrano. Nic was born and raised on his family’s farm in Milton, NY; attended SUNY ESF at Syracuse University acquiring his Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture. During his Senior year of college he traveled to New Zealand to further his knowledge in Eco-Agricultural Tourism and Winery Design. Interested in Sustainability, Land Management and the shear beauty of a working landscape such as a vineyard, Nic saw potential back in the Hudson Valley at his families 75 acre fruit-farm. Nic has been utilizing his knowledge to design and establish a modern and rural family style vineyard and boutique winery reflecting his family’s heritage.
Kayleigh was there, but I failed to take a photo of her....OMG! LOL She's a terrific person. A natural born hostess. Nic and Kayligh are among my favorite people in the valley.
When necessary, Nic is called upon to put his pizza making skills to the test. He is a very accomplished pie maker. And our wood fired pizza, with fresh arugula, was spectacular. And a perfect accompaniment to the tasting.
First was the Nostrano Ava Rosé 2021 which is produced entirely from Nostrano Vineyards Pinot Noir and is the namesake of the Winemakers daughter, Ava Rose. A complex and balanced Rosé with aromas of strawberry and honeysuckle. There were additional notes of peach and citrus zest with bright acidity. This was one of our favorite wines of the tasting! Bright. Fun. Tart! But fruity and easy drinking. Tremendous!
The Nostrano Rieslign 2019 was a lovely. dry Riesling with notes of Granny Smith green apple and notes of lemon zest and cucumber. A lovely, lovely wine, perfect with food.
The Nostrano Riesling Semi-Sweet 2019 was wonderful. Big, big fruit up front. Green apple,. tropical notes, tangerine, pineapple. Lovely, only slightly sweet, but tremendous acidity, and terrific mouthwatering ending. A fabulous wine!
The Nostrano Baco Noir 2019 was a revelation! Big notes of dark and bright cherry. Bramble notes. Hints of leather and smoke. Rich and layered, this is easily one of the best reds wines Nic has produced. Super, super impressive!
The Nostrano Cabernet Franc 2016 exploded with notes of cherry, raspberry, violet, and black pepper on the nose. On the palate there was juicy strawberry and raspberry with a white pepper finish. The wine was aged in American oak for 12 months. Delicious!
We had a terrific time. The vineyard was beautiful. The wines were gorgeous. And the pizza was tremendous. Go and visit Nic and Kayleigh. You'll be happy you did!!!