If you've never visited New York wine country, what are you waiting for? New York state has several wine regions that all produce unique wines. As a resident of the beautiful Hudson Valley, I love to promote our local wineries, and the 2007 harvest was a great one here. There will be events on the Shawangunk Wine Trail starting in April, and you can get your first taste of some of these local wines.

From PR Web:

The season begins on April 19th & 20th with the "Pasta Primo-Vino" a wine and pasta event that benefits the Hudson Valley Food Bank. Enjoy traveling the wine trail as the vines begin to bud. At each winery enjoy a pasta dish paired with a variety of wines including releases from the 2007 harvest.

Father's Day Weekend, June 14 & 15 treat the father in your life to a trip "Around the World" on the Shawangunk Wine Trail. Each of the wine trail member wineries evolves into a different wine producing country. At each winery you will savor the foods and atmosphere of that country paired with the wines produced by each winery.

July marks the summer celebration with the "Bounty of the Hudson" July 26th & 27th. This two day event rotates each year to a different trail member's winery. The event is host to ALL Hudson Valley AVA Wineries. Last year 19 Hudson Valley AVA winerieswere present at the Bounty. In addition to wines, there is local farm produce, top food purveyors and restaurants along with regional products for sale and tasting.

The season concludes with Wreath Fineries at the Wineries the three weekends in December. December 6th &7th; 13th &14th; 20th &21st. Debbie Gioquindo, Marketing Manger for the Trail says "This is a great holiday event to gather friends and travel the wine trail. You will receive a grapevine wreath and souvenir wine glass at your starting winery along with a holiday ornament. At each additional winery you will receive an ornament for your wreath. There will be holiday food samplings and wine tasting at all wine trail wineries. This is a great event to shop for unique gifts and Hudson Valley Wines for the holiday season."

Member wineries along the Shawangunk Trail include: Adair Vineyards & Rivendell Winery, New Paltz NY; Whitecliff Vineyards, Gardiner NY; Benmarl Winery, Glorie Farm Winery & Stoutridge Vineyards, Marlboro NY; Baldwin Vineyards, Pine Bush NY; Brotherhood "America's Oldest" Winery, Washingtonville NY; Applewood Winery & Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, Warwick NY.