Last week, I attended the opening of Fjord Vineyards tasting room and tasted some of their most recent vintages. Flanked by Storm King Mountain to the west and Mt. Beacon to the east the Hudson River flows through one of the oldest Fjords in North America. Acting as a gateway to the Hudson Highlands, this geological wonder helps create the unique micro climate that allows us to grow high quality wines here in the valley. Spoiler Alert: This tasting was fantastic!!!
Founded in 2013 by Matthew Spaccarelli and Casey Erdmann, Fjord Vineyards strives to craft wines that reflect where they are grown. For the better part of a decade, Matthew has been sustainably growing world class wines here in his native Hudson Valley.
Matt takes on the vineyard and winemaking, and Casey handles sales and marketing. Together, they are a formidable team, and have already achieved a status as one of the most forward thinking winemaking teams, not only in the Hudson Valley, but in New York state.
Fjord Vineyards wines have been rightfully celebrated for a while now, but they have been more-or-less homeless the last five years. Wine nomads. But now that has been rectified with a beautiful new building, and a lovely outdoor tasting area. A tremendous place to showcase their wines. For this year, the winery is only open Monday thru Friday. I am hoping they might be available weekends next year.
The seating is beautiful and comfortable. You can settle in for a nice tasting or to share a bottle.
The first thing I tried was the Fjord Estate Seyval Blanc 2020. Matt absolutely has a way with Seyval Blanc. This had the nicest nose I have ever smelled on a Seyval Blanc. Lots of green apple and lemon zest on the palate. One of the best Seyval Blanc (alongside Matt's Benmarl Seyval) I have ever had. Drinks almost like a Sauvignon Blanc.
I was there for the first tasting as an open, locally approved facility now open to the public. I tasted with Paige Flori and her husband from Boutique Wine, Spirts and Ciders Shop from Fishkill, NY.
The first wine Casey poured for us was the Fjord Rose of Cabernet Franc 2020 Hudson River Region. This is a 100% Estate Cabernet Franc wine. Tons of cherry and strawberry, and a big lime finish. A stellar, zippy wine with lots of fruit. Really something special!
Next was the Fjord Sauvignon Blanc 2017 from the North Fork of Long Island. This was an incredible wine bursting with citrus zest and a profusion of tropical fruits and a big lemon merengue finish. Lots of mineral notes. Grassy. Hints of guava and flint. Beautifully zingy. An incredibly full, luscious wine, with tremendous acidity. Absolutely loved it!
Then came the Fjord Estate Albarino 2019. This 100% estate grown Albarino was absolutely stunning. Aromas of white peach and a big floral notes of lilac and lavender explode out of the glass. There is a rich layering of fruit and acidity. Lots of big green, Granny Smith apple with a big burst of lemon zest on the palate. Tropical fruits abound. A fantastic wine. One of the better Albarinos on the east coast. Amazing.
Then there were three more whites! All of them wonderful!
Fjord Chardonnay 2019 North Fork of Long Island is 100% chardonnay. This is not your grandmother's flabby chardonnay. This is a medium bodied- subtly spiced wine with hints gala apple and pear. Notes of apricot, pineapple, tropical fruit and lemon curd. Creamy and textured with nice minerality and citrus to make it a bright lean chardonnay! Delicious!
Fjord Finger Lakes Riesling 2019 Tons of quince, key lime, acid and minerality. A lovely, lovely Riesling with notes of petrol and lovely tropical flavors. Slight hint of sweetness. Super, super drinkable.
We also tasted the as yet unreleased Fjord Hudson River Region Riesling 2020 which is grown at Baker Vineyards and is considered part of Fiord's estate fruit. Big notes of green apple and wet stone. Floral . Soft acidity. 100% ambient yeast ferment. An absolutely wonderful Riesling and showcases how well the fruit grows here in the valley. Wonderful!
The Fjord Cabernet Franc Estate Grown 2017 was spectacular. This is a medium bodied Cab Franc, cool climate. This is a delicate wine wine, but robust enough for grilled meats and rich pasta dishes. There were loads of Fresh fresh flowers, violets and rose pedals, with aromas of blueberries, blackberries, plums, and mocha. Velvety smooth. Rich. Absolutely wonderful. Loved this wine. One of the best Cab Francs in the state.
Congrats Matt and Casey!!!!