Under The Tent: Farm Market Doings!

Hello Everyone! Even though the official date of summer is in the third week of June, Memorial Day Weekend was the kick-off of yet another season of setting up the Millbrook Vineyards & Winery tent at local farmer’s markets in Westchester County and Brooklyn. I came on board with Millbrook to help with this venture last year, after much planning had already been done by the great team at Millbrook. They basically set me up with the usual "farm market necessities" and my husband Joe and I managed to fit it all into our Honda Civic and set out on a new adventure touting Millbrook's wares at five markets.

Well, thanks to all of you "market-shoppers" out there who came and tasted and bought wine, we've now tripled the operation! You can find Stephanie at Park Slope on Sundays, and Eric or Kellen rotating in Westchester County, and I'm making the rounds in Mount Kisco, Pelham, Croton, and sometimes Hartsdale.

It seems more important than ever to support one's own community and local growers, so shopping at a market is not only good for your health (eating locally has been said to improve overall well-being) it's also good for your local farmer, who depends on your patronage to keep delivering amazing products. In my time out there in the market community, I have found these hard-working folks to be friendly, warm, earth-loving people who would welcome you to chat them up about anything from growing conditions to recipes. In the Millbrook tent, we set up a "mini tasting bar" for you to sample four of our phenomenal New York State wines. We can answer questions for you about how to serve it, what to serve it with, directions to the winery, and more. It's good to be able to taste what you're buying, so find your way to the Millbrook Farm Market tent and come say hello! Visit, taste, laugh, enjoy, and buy some great wine!

-Marika Becz

LET THE SUMMER SEASON BEGIN, by Stacy Hudson

I am still reeling over the fact that it has already been over 2 months since my last blog entry. The last several weeks seem to have been a whirlwind of activity here at the winery. Of course, most of that activity was ‘behind-the scenes’ as our busy season in the Tasting Room isn’t quite here yet.

Our many planning sessions have resulted in a summer and fall season filled with several new events. The upcoming month of June features three of these: the first of our Yoga in the Vineyard series , our first-ever Summer Solstice Lobster Bake (complete with dining out in the vineyard), and a fun afternoon on Father’s Day with fly-fishing instructors from the neighboring Orvis Sandanona.

With the Memorial Day weekend upon us and our first winery event of the season (our Tocai Friulano Release Party) under our belts, it is time to transition from brain-storming (although that never really stops!) to planning and organizing the events we have scheduled. As I consider myself a well-organized person, I take great satisfaction in knowing that we plan each of our events to the finest detail. This doesn’t say that I don’t feel anxiety when these events roll around…because I do! The thing that balances that anxiety is knowing what a great team I work with. This was once again clearly illustrated to me at our recent Tocai party. Everyone just chipped in and helped wherever or however was needed and the day went off without a hitch. It is a thoroughly gratifying feeling to experience that at the end of the day.

On a less ‘task-driven’ focus, I have to just say a few words about what a peaceful place this property is. While we get a majority of our visitors on weekends (because, hey, if I didn’t work here that would be the only time I could come for a visit!) if you ever have the opportunity to visit during the week you will be in for such a tranquil treat. I just enjoyed a picnic lunch with dear friends of mine (publishers of The Valley Table). Just being able to sit and enjoy some time at our newly tented picnic site was so relaxing. Other than our conversation, the only notable noise was the sound of a mourning dove off in the distance. Combine that with the pastoral views of the ponds, vineyards and hillsides, and I am once again reminded of what a beautiful place I work.

Building A Brand, by Tim Krause

When I was given the assignment to start selling wine in the state of Connecticut, I assumed that it would be similar to selling wine in the Tasting Room. The truth is that selling wine into the wholesale market is really quite different. However, the single constant must be that the wine is good. When selling wine to a retail store or restaurant you are actually selling a brand that fits a niche.So what is the niche that is Millbrook? Yes, it is regional/local. Yes, it has been around for 25 years. But why Millbrook instead of some other winery from Long Island or the Finger Lakes?

The answer comes in the taste. Millbrook wines are of exceptional quality and each restaurant and retail store I have been to are always quite surprised. They are always pleasantly surprised that such good wine can come from a local source.But getting the initial placement out of sympathy for a good local wine is only half the battle. While it is important to get the initial placement, what good is it, if it only sits next to the other local wines collecting dust on the shelves?This is where you must build the brand. The only way to get fan loyalty is to do in-store tastings. It is imperative to get to the consumers directly. They must try the wine and create a buzz in the their local communities. It is like a band that has to go on tour and perform 150 dates throughout the country. You have to take the wine to the consumer to build a brand.So the next time you are in a Connecticut wine store ask for your favorite Millbrook wine or better yet ask if they will be doing a tasting of Millbrook wines. It is only a matter of time before Millbrook becomes the New England wine of choice!!

Cheers

Notes From The Winemaker

Hi folks,

After a long pleasant winter with plenty of cold (but not too cold for the wines) crisp air, spring has returned. It has been a spring with some unusually warm temperatures – leading to the earliest bud break our vines have ever had. Normally, and without much variation, bud break begins the first week of May. This year the vines are two and a half weeks early.
Spring is an exciting time in the vineyard. Our pruning crew returns and outdoor work begins – ending the winter days spent solely working in the cellar. Each vine is pruned, it’s desired starting structure restored and readied for a new season. As the ground warms, the sap begins to flow in the vines, buds swell and open and the cycle of growth and renewal begins again.
The pruning process is healthy and therapeutic for the vines. If left unpruned they would grow too extensively and produce far more fruit than they could ripen. The process though, is also beneficial for the pruner. Trimming away old growth and selecting the healthiest canes to give the vine a desirable shape and balance is a very satisfying and complete feeling. The anticipation for the new season can be felt throughout this initial journey of vine tending.
We are lucky here at Millbrook Winery to have a crew that has returned for many growing seasons. One couple has been working with us since 1991. The crew knows how to work with vines and different varieties. They know the tasks to be accomplished and the rhythm of the season. This all adds to the health of the vineyard and the grapes that will become our wines.
Another season is underway and we will do our best, both in the vineyard and the winery, to make it a good one!

As Spring Unfolds, by Cellar Master, Tim Welly

“Wine in moderation, not in excess for that makes men weak. It brightens the smile, lightens the eye, and gives a certain vivacity to ones thoughts and conversations.” -Mark Twain

When spring time rolls around a world of new life emerges. The new year offers fresh opportunities and outcomes. Our late winter discussions and early spring planning has put into motion the creative brainstorms and ideas passed around at meetings. Warming spring afternoons inspire the winery staff to start dreaming up new ideas, and exciting events that the winery will participate in for the upcoming “season.”
Spring time means the vineyard is in full swing as last years plants need to be pruned up, and tied before the buds begin pushing out this upcoming years’ undeveloped fruit. Every vine is cut and tied by experienced vineyard workers with many years of experience. This is the time of year bees start helping the blooming flowers; by passing along their pollen. Watching bees as they cover a flower means that more flowers, and maybe some honey are soon ahead. However, don’t get too close while watching or the bee might sting you!

Being stung by the wine bug, now that’s another story. Like Mark Twain says wine has the ability to excite someone, inspire another and make complete strangers relate their sensations and feelings to each other. Isn’t the idea of wine just that: an expression? An expression of who, what, where, why and how? Many people take for granted the hard work; both that of the plant, and of the winemaker who works towards expressing where that wine comes from.

The French call it terrior, an expression of: this grape, from: this climate created in this style. They are so serious it’s the law, and it is well regulated. The determination and devotion towards expressing the best qualities from that region make the wine, and the region special. But, a current style many wines seem to be taking on is blurring the line between individuality. A wine should express itself, what the weather was like, what the soil was like, and how much rain it got. But once that wine is blended to taste like something else it looses its individuality. So my suggestion and opinion is that people should look away from that discount bin of mass produced wine in search of something particular and unique. Drink local or drink specific. If wine isn’t a regular choice when choosing something to drink, then make the times you do have it special, by drinking something that is special because it is unique.

All The Little Things, by Stacey Held

Being the Assistant Marketing Manager and now the Assistant Tasting Room Manager as well, I get the rare opportunity to see everything that goes on at the winery from start to finish. In today’s hard economic times we are often left to wonder, “How do we master retention and continue to grow when times are tough?”

What are people looking for when they come to our winery? The answer I believe is in all the little things, in the details of what we do and how we do it. People want to remember their experience, they want to remember the staff but most of all they want to be remembered. In a society of high tech, digital relationships, people are hungry for real connections. When they go to dinner, when they go on vacation and especially when they come to a winery, they want personal, real and impressionable interactions. That is the essence of what Millbrook Winery is all about. This is what drives us and ignites our creative engines. The concept of making that connection with our guests and continually trying to build that relationship with our Case Club members is what we focus on.

So, this year as Millbrook emerges from its annual “think-tank like” sessions, we’re focusing on all the little things from launching this very blog to enhancing our Case Club benefits, to a million other little and not so little changes that will impact every guest both new and returning.

What I find most rewarding about being both in the Marketing Department and in the Tasting Room, is that I get to see it all unfold. This year will be full of exciting changes and new events. We’re gearing up for another great season and hopefully raising the bar while we’re at it too. Hey, we haven’t been the Hudson Valley’s Best Winery for 13 consecutive years for nothing!

A Tasting Room Manager Wears Many Hats, by Barbara Best

As I stood in the big box store contemplating light bulbs, not grapes, I realized how diversified my day can truly be. My name is Barbara Best and I have the privilege of being the Tasting Room manager at Millbrook Vineyards & Winery.
As the Tasting Room manager, I enjoy a wide spectrum of daily jobs which include the mundane (picking out light bulbs that will illuminate our winery,) to hiring and training tour guides, buying and laying out retail displays, booking bus tours and constantly reading, reading, reading, in order to stay “up” on every aspect of the wine industry.

During our “off-season”, or winter, I can be found conducting tours and tastings and manning the cash register. I also have the opportunity to attend workshops and trade shows that pertain to wine/food and marketing. It is in the “off-season” that the managers at Millbrook are mad at work developing what we hope to be, the best “season” yet to come. I find that I am able to accomplish a lot of projects that would usually get placed on the back burner during the very busy late summer/autumn harvest season. Hopefully, when next you visit, you will take stock of a newly painted wall, tasting bars that were moved or displays that help to bring our wines/products into greater focus. I will be most appreciative, as will the great team here at the winery, of those who find that our creative minds were in overdrive while in the vineyard the vines lay dormant.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention how wonderful it is to work in such a beautiful place. Last week as I left my work day behind, I drove through the vineyard just as a majestic bald eagle took flight over the vineyard. At that moment, I wished everyone who has ever visited Millbrook Vineyards & Winery could have been present. The vineyard is more than its sum, just as the people we meet here are more than just oenophiles enjoying a wine tour and tasting. I am pleased to meet and greet you all on any given day!