Northern Cross Vineyard

12/03/2023

Northern Cross will be closed today due to an area power outage. See you again next weekend!

07/27/2023

We will be closed for the weekend of July 29 and 30.

07/20/2023

Craving pesto? Gorgeous basil, $5 per bunch!

05/03/2023

Springtime in the Vineyard.

Springtime is always a collision of crucial work in the vineyard. It is essential to ensure that the vines have everything they need to grow and produce the best quality grapes possible. This is the time of year when we set the vineyard up for success.

With good planning the winter pruning is done with a short break before growth starts. Trellis work, herbicide, boron spray, fertilizing and the beginning of disease control now all compete for time. Plus, if it is rainy that does not help and there is always the concern for a late frost.

For the trellis work, every year the wires need to be tightened and posts straightened or replaced.

The vines do not compete so well with weeds, so herbicide goes down to knock back the weeds and ensure that as much fertilizer is available for the vines as possible. The herbicide can also be used as sucker control for unwanted shoots.

Boron spray is needed to help with pollination and fruit set. If it is not used, we get underdeveloped berries in the clusters. Boron is sprayed three times that are two weeks apart. Many fruit tree farmers also use boron spray for the same reason. With a good fertilization program, the vines stay healthy and most importantly winter hardy well in the fall.

The vineyard is the hardest part about making wine. With care and caution, we will again make award winning wines from the work all summer.

Stop by Northern Cross to see the magic happening.

04/27/2023

Why our Red Wines are so red.

Red wine gets its color from the skins and pulp of the grapes used to make it. The grapes we grow at Northern Cross Vineyard are all cold climate grapes and also a type of grape called "Teinturier." The word "teinturier" comes from the French word for "dyer." This means the pulp and skins are colored. Merlot grapes for example have a white pulp and can be used to make a white wine.

Teinturier grapes are prized by winemakers for their ability to produce wines with intense color and high levels of tannins. This adds structure and depth to our wines.

Stop by and have a glass of Marquette, Frontenac or St. Croix!

04/18/2023

What do Northeastern University, SUNY Adirondack, and Siena College all have in common?

Northern Cross Vineyard has engaged with nearly 70 students from all three. The students were able to get hands on experience solving real world problems or enjoy a few hours in the vineyards.

At Northeastern, we supported four classes with the Experiential Learning program. The students worked on projects ranging from demographics to corporate culture to website engagement.

With SUNY Adirondack we have hosted four continuing education classes as well as a Collaborative Cuisine. The 2-hour continuing education classes are available in the spring (April) and fall (Sept), with the spring class generally being filled.

For Siena we worked with students from the Wines of the World class who picked at Ives Hollow Vineyard and pruned at Northern Cross. Additionally, Siena marketing students and the Siena Beverage Institute supported development of a three-year marketing plan with the Capital Craft Beverage Trail.

Working with the students has been a bonus that we never expected, and we are looking forward to more!

We are a family owned farm winery that produces wines created from northern climate grapes.

04/12/2023

Come try our 2019 Marquette 6-row! I opened a bottle earlier in the week and was delighted with how it has aged. It was great. We only have 10 cases or so left so I would like to get them out while they are at peak.
This Marquette is medium-bodied with flavors of black cherry, raspberry. It also has notes of spice, maybe to***co. With Pinot Noir as a grandparent, it has that smoothness but with more body and complexity. Marquette wines are best enjoyed young, within 3-5 years of release and can be paired with a variety of foods, including grilled meats and pasta dishes.

We are a family owned farm winery that produces wines created from northern climate grapes.

04/09/2023

Just like that vine trimming is finished. Thanks to Isaac, Krysta Dennis and the Siena students who spent a few hours on a Saturday.

Vine trimming is a slow peaceful process listening to the outdoors, crows, trains, noon sirens and the birds sweeping by. You can see how well the vines winter hardied and imagine the fruit for this coming season. Over the years my affection for the vineyard has changed, I have a lot of respect for it now. Every year it wakes up and starts again. From now on I worry that I can get the fruit to harvest and keep the vine healthy. We produce some of the best local wines from this fruit and it is a continual learning process.

Here's to 2023!

10/27/2022

Washington County Flannel Fall Crawl!

10/23/2022

Don't miss Washington County Flannel Fall Crawl!

09/17/2022

We will be closed Saturday September 17 for a family event.

09/06/2022

Northern Cross Vineyard is one of 14 vineyards on The Upper Hudson Wine Trail that extends 120 miles through east-central New York. It grows cold-hardy grapes and makes them into wine that is both new and delicious. Join owner Andy Weber for a tour of the vineyard on Friday, September 16 and learn about wine grapes and winemaking, and experience a retreat from daily life while enjoying wine of your choice. Wine tasting is your experience, so embrace it!

Read more about the tour under "Local Tours & Trips" in our catalog at https://www.sunyacc.edu/continuing-education-catalog. Register today with the online form at https://form.jotform.com/93365150689163.