Brotherhood America's Oldest Winery

Brotherhood Team Pictured L-R: Hernan Donoso, Bob Barrow, Daniel Alcorso, Philip Dunsmore & Mark Daigle. Written By Allison Levine inemaking in the United States dates native grapes in 1809 in the backyard of his Emerson continued to sell wines branded Wback to the early 1800s. Today, almost shoe store. Under the label “Blooming Grove as the “Finest Medicinal and Sacramental 175 years later, located in Washingtonville, Winery,” he produced wine for sacramental Wines in America.” During the thirteen New York (an hour north of Manhattan), use. In 1863 Jaques passed the winery on to years of Prohibition, Brotherhood contin- Brotherhood Winery, America’s oldest win- his sons who renamed it the “Jaques Brothers’ ued operation, maintaining its vineyards and ery, is still producing wine. From sacramental Winery.” A few years later, wine merchant coast-to-coast distribution. After Prohibition, wines to commercial production, Brother- J.M. Emerson & Son purchased the winery the Farrell family took over the winery and hood Winery is the oldest continuing winery and renamed it “Brotherhood Wine Com- ran it until 1987. During the period between in the United States. pany.” Prohibition and 1987, Brotherhood also Brotherhood Winery was ﬁrst established Prohibition was enacted in 1919 and became a tourist destination, drawing thou- in 1839 by Jean Jaques who began growing while most American wineries shut down, sands of guests annually to visit the under- 18 BIN 2013 ground cellars, the wine production and the Brotherhood continues to produce the Grand Monarque catering hall, to the mod- picturesque site. traditional wines, such as Holiday Spice, May ern wine production facility, Brotherhood is a In 1987, Brotherhood Winery was pur- wine and Rosario, but their main focus is journey from the past to the present. chased by a partnership of businessmen, in- their commitment to producing high quality Brotherhood is in a period of growth. cluding winemaker Cesar Baeza who focused New York varietal wines. Sourcing fruit from According to Philip Dunsmore, “With all on producing single varietal wines, including the three main wine regions in New York – the technology and other investments made, Pinot Noir, Cabernet, Merlot, Chardonnay the Hudson Valley, Long Island and the Fin- we see ourselves expanding so that everyone and Riesling but also maintained Broth- ger Lakes – Brotherhood maintains long term has a piece of this history. We are growing erhood’s legacy of specialty wines such as contracts with the best vineyards. “Being through exports as well. There is a big inter- Holiday Spiced Wine, Carroll’s Mead, Cream able to source and select from various regions est for wines from the United States and New Sherry and Port. Brotherhood remains a pre- – Riesling and Pinot Noir from the cooler York is coming at full speed.” mier New York State destination with tradi- Finger Lakes, Cabernet from the North Fork Next year marks the 175th anniversary tional events, such as daily Historical Tours, on Long Island - means that each wine we of Brotherhood Winery. “We are the oldest Christmas Tree Lighting and Harvest Grape produce gets the best available grapes,” ex- winery in the United States with the young- Stomping, continuing to take place each year. plained Vice President Philip Dunsmore. est spirit,” Philip continued. “I have been Then in 2005, the Castro family and Brotherhood wines are currently distrib- with the winery for two years and before that the Chadwick family, two Chilean families uted across New York, New Jersey, Connecti- I was with a Chilean winery. I came to New involved in the Chilean wine industry, part- cut, Pennsylvania and throughout the East York speciﬁcally for this job. Coming from nered with the Baeza family and purchased Coast. Currently in 15 states, they are ex- Chile, we have nice weather and nature isn’t 90% of Brotherhood. Today’s Brotherhood panding across the US and are actively look- as harsh. Wine production in New York, as a management team is: President Hernan ing for new partners. The wines are focused region, is very challenging due to the envi- Donoso (who has been with the company on quality; the wines are fruit forward, easy to ronment, the weather and wildlife. But, the for 8 years), Vice President Philip Dunsmore, drink and have been recognized in local wine history and tradition of winemaking in New Production Manager Mark Daigle (who has competitions. With an installed capacity to York is very long, old and respectable and the been with the company for 37 years), Wine- produce over 1 million cases of wine per year, spirit here is very tremendous. We are focused maker Bob Barrow (who has been with the Brotherhood also makes private label blends on doing things better and better and it is an company for 14 years) and Winemaker Dan- for customers. honor to be in this market coming from such iel Alcorso. For the past seven years, the Due to its proximity to Manhattan, a different world as Chile.” I team has been investing in the winery with Brotherhood Winery is a tourist destination. state-of-the-art technology: new equipment, Visitors are invited to tour the historical prop- Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery a new bottling line, stainless steel tanks and erty in Washingtonville, New York. Guests is located at: oak barrels. Brotherhood Winery is also a can tour the property and enjoy lunch, paired 100 Brotherhood Plaza Drive sustainable facility, producing part of their with wines, at Vinum Café, the on-site res- PO Box 190 usable energy through a solar panel system, taurant. From the hand-dug underground Washingtonville, NY 10992 maintaining low energy consumption and cellars to the old stone building dating from (845) 496-3661 overall green consciousness. the 1800s, which is the current site of the www.brotherhood-winery.com 2013 BIN 19 .

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