upstatecreative

Five Fantastic Capital Region Wineries to Visit This Fall

September 13, 2021 By upstatecreative

Fall is a fabulous time to visit the Capital Region’s wineries. Drive the gorgeous rural routes and take in the scenery. And, you’ll be rewarded with seeing the makers in the throes of harvesting and making the 2021 vintage. It’s a thrilling yet tiring time at a winery, and they’ll appreciate your visit.

Of course, you’ll find terrific local wines. But there are also the personal stories, and the lovely locations, and the exploration of your “back yard” that can yield such delights and surprises. Truly, you can’t go wrong visiting any of the wineries in the Capital Region. And make sure to explore the rest of the Hudson Valley, and all of New York’s world-class wine regions.

Here are my top recommendations (in alphabetical order):

Altamont Winery, Altamont

Altamont Winery Owner Mike DeCrescenzo (photo courtesy Edible Capital District)

I first met Mike DeCrescenzo, owner of Altamont Winery, at the Schenectady Farmer’s Market, about ten years ago. Intrigued with what was growing on his family’s large farm west of Albany, I took a visit. Knowing nothing about the area, I was skeptical about what kind of grapes could be growing in Altamont. Happily, my expectations were shattered – the vineyard is huge! It was originally planted by Larry Grossi, who passed in 1999. In 2006, Mike’s dad, Louis, decided to take it on, equally trusting what the 26-acre piece of land could yield.

There are many varieties thriving on the site, and the DeCrescenzos are passionate about their craft. Visiting Altamont is like reconnecting with a family member. The experience is friendly, welcoming, casual. The wines are home-grown and homemade. Be sure to try the Sirius, a dry white made with St. Pepin and Cayuga; the Leon Millot – a dry red made from this French-American hybrid; the semi-sweet Rose made from a blend of the grapes; and the others, too! Make a day of it. Learn more at www.altamontwinery.com, follow and like them on Facebook and Instagram, and visit at 3001 Furbeck Road, Altamont, NY.

Galway Rock Vineyard and Winery, Ballston Lake

Galway Rock Founder Kate Soldani, processing the harvest

Kate Soldani is the brains – and the brawn – behind Galway Rock Vineyard & Winery in Galway, New York. She started the winery in 2014, inspired by the garagiste movement of fine wine making (small-scale entrepreneurial wine-makers, who do not adhere to the traditions of wine-making). In under a decade, Kate has launched three signature brands with dedicated followers -– Galway Rock, Robinia Hill, and Saratoga Sparkling. The result is a range of white, red, rose, and sparkling wines to please any palate.

Galway Rock Wine selection — Galway Rock Winery produces a wide selection of wines under three separate brand names

A visit to the tasting room is as creative and uplifting as Kate’s wines, offering a flight of six wines, or a signature “mimosa tower” tasting. What’s better than a tower of bubbles?? Hang out on the tasting room’s sunny patio with a specially prepared cheese board. Try the beautifully balanced Galway Rock Merlot-Malbec blend that’s full of delicious dark fruit notes. The Robinia Hill Riesling unfolds with apple and pear notes. And, don’t miss the Saratoga Sparkling Moscato that tickles the palate and turns on the pleasure. Learn more at www.galwayrockwines.com, follow and like them on Facebook and Instagram, and visit at 988 Saratoga Road, Ballston Lake, NY.

Home Range Winery, Canaan

Inspired by Cape Cod (of all places!) wine making, Peter Bartlett and Susan Powell reconsidered what was possible on their farm in rural Canaan, New York. The 30-acre Flatbrook Farm – in the Bartlett family for generations — was already planted with Concord grapes, as well as raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. All are fruits that are suitable for wines. Susan was an amateur (and now a full-time) winemaker. Peter is a farmer who raised his three children on Flatbrook Farm. Why not follow their passions for growing and wine making and start a winery?

Thankfully for the rest of us, they did it. Their goal? To grow grapes suitable for a colder climate, and to make wines they would be proud to serve to friends and strangers alike. They planted Marquette and Baco for red wines, and Traminette and Cayuga for white wines. An old barn on the property was cleaned out and converted to the tasting room and winery. Guests are welcome to explore the farm and to bring a picnic.

The wines have names that reflect the couple’s connections to nature, too. There’s Calm After the Storm, an easy-drinking Cayuga; Big Buck, a signature red made with Marquette; Cold Snap, a luscious blueberry wine; and several others offering a range from dry whites and reds to sweeter wines. Learn more at www.homerangewinery.com, follow and like them on Facebook and Instagram, and visit at 146 Flints Crossing Rd., Canaan, NY.

Nine Lamb Farm Winery, Cambridge

A relative newcomer on the scene is Nine Lamb Winery in Cambridge, NY, about 45 minutes northeast of Albany in some truly breathtaking countryside in Washington County. In 2016, the Bateman family planted six varieties of cold-hardy grapes on land that has been farmed for over 200 years. They’ve created two lovely, distinct brands. For the father/son Bateman team, South Dominion Vineyard represents tradition and heritage. And, their Nine Lamb Farm brand expands their inspiring vision. The Batemans say that Nine Lamb “intersects the realms of art, design, agriculture, and community so as to carry us forward into new life and a shared abundance born out of patience and forgiveness.”

South Dominion Winery, sister brand of Nine Lamb

Take a ride and visit the Cambridge tasting room this fall, when colors are at their peak. Or, try the wines at the Troy Farmer’s Market on Saturdays between 9 am and 2 pm (which is where I discovered them). Their enthusiasm is as inspiring as their wines. The Dionné (South Dominion brand) is a big, dry, oak-aged red with ripe berry notes and some spice on the finish. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/ninelambfarm, follow and like them on Facebook and Instagram, and visit at 166 Brownell Road, Cambridge, NY.

Tousey Winery, Germantown

Ben and Kimberly Peacock of Tousey Winery (photo credit: Hudson Valley Magazine)

Everything about Tousey Winery is quirky and cool, from the unusual tasting room along Route 9 between Columbia and Dutchess Counties, to the names of the wines. That’s because the owners, Ben and Kimberly Peacock, are quirky and cool themselves. Ben is English and Kimberly is Scandinavian, and they share a deep love of fine wine. When they decided to settle in Germantown and start a winery, they went all in. That was back in 2008. Today, over a decade later, their wines are trend setters in the region and the state.

Tousey offers traditional wines like Riesling and Cabernet Franc. Additionally, they have blends like their off-dry Queen of Clermont, and the fun and friendly red blend, Riot. They make a Sauvignon Blanc called Hygge that is as clean and beautiful as any SB out there. Plus, they’ve recently added sparklers to their line-up, including Naughtiness, a rose sparkler. And we all know that bubbles make everything better!

Tousey is also renowned for their cassis, a wine made from black currants. Tangy and sweet at the same time, it’s delicious on its own but is best when topped with sparkling wine to make a Kir Royale. That they do it all with three young children is even more impressive. Learn more at www.touseywinery.com, follow and like them on Facebook and Instagram, and visit at 1774 Route 9, Germantown, NY.

Other Don’t-Miss Spots

I would be remiss to not mention a couple of others that are near and dear to me. Hudson-Chatham Winery, Columbia County’s first winery, is alive and well and making wonderful wines under the ownership of Steven Rosario and Justin Nickell. See where the Columbia County winery experience all started. (1900 State Rte 66, Ghent, NY). Another don’t-miss spot is Stable Gate Winery (12 Linda Way, Castleton-on-Hudson, NY). This female owned and operated vineyard was founded by Valerie Feldman. Her young and forward-thinking perspective on land and relationships shines through everything she does.

Dominique DeVito started Hudson-Chatham Winery with Carlo DeVito and their boys, Dawson and Dylan, in 2007. Today Dominique is a Wine Manager at Exit 9 Wine & Liquor Warehouse in Clifton Park, where she has a world of wines to play with. She writes a monthly feature for Main Street magazine as well as a “wine of the week” for the magazine’s website and social media. Find it at www.mainstreetmag.com.

Photo Gallery: Our First Creative Economy Mixer of 2021, “Glimpsing the Gilded Age”

August 4, 2021 By upstatecreative

ACE Creative Economy Survey: Income/Employment Loss 2020/21

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Create your own user feedback survey

Creative Economy Jobs Losses As High As 64% Last Summer in Capital Region

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Performing Arts, Food & Drink, Film & Recording Among Hardest Hit Sectors

ALBANY – Creative Industries sectors suffered some of the highest percentage of job loss in New York’s Capital Region by the end of summer, according to new statistics from the New York Department of Labor. In the third quarter, the Performing Arts and Spectator Sports sector saw a 64% decline in jobs over the year – the highest percentage lost out of any other sector in the eight-county region.

“This industry has been devastated,” said Philip Morris, President and CEO of Proctors Collaborative. Proctors laid off 160 full-time and 53 part-time workers, plus has hired no stage hands for a year, the equivalent of 3 million dollars of annual payroll. There are now 32 full-time staff, representing an 80% loss in full-time staff positions at Proctors.

The Food and Drink sector suffered $43 million in lost wages – more wage loss than any other employment sector. Heidi Knoblauch, owner of Plumb Oyster Bar in Troy, had to lay off 100% of her workforce. “We employ people from all walks of life. Restaurants give people an opportunity to enter and re-enter the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for us – it has cut off our ability to contribute to our community,” she said. “The effect of losing restaurants will reverberate through our downtowns.”

Other hard-hit Creative sectors include Motion Picture & Sound Recording with 59% of jobs lost – the second highest percentage of jobs lost in the region. Apparel Manufacturing saw 41% of jobs lost, and Museums / Parks / Historic Sites saw 29% of jobs lost.

“The losses in the Creative Industries has been overwhelming,” said Maureen Sager, Executive Director of the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE), a not-for-profit organization organizing and advocating for Creative workers, businesses and venues. “In 2018, the Creative Industries were the fourth largest employment sector in the Capital Region, with over 36,000 workers. Thousands of those jobs have been lost. It’s unthinkable.”

Morris added that the recovery will be extremely difficult. “The supply chain for so much of it, like theater, is months long. That means a recovery will be years. Federal support will help enormously, but more importantly we need artists back working and audiences back in seats.” When asked about the April 2^nd limited reopenings, Morris said, “Vaccines and social distance reopenings are just the beginning. We can’t really return until we can welcome full houses again.”

Additionally, over half of those working in the Creative Industries are freelance workers, who, statistically, have experienced more COVID-19-related financial hardship than traditionally-employed workers. “Musicians, actors, dancers, filmmakers, waiters, cooks…so many people have been cut off from their livelihoods,” said Sager. “Their employment options slammed shut in March 2020, and it has yet to be seen if they will eke back in 2021, if at all.”

Film director / producer Michelle Polacinski “had a full-time salary job at Branch VFX, a visual effects production company in Albany, before it shut down permanently in June. “Branch VFX laid off its entire staff of 15,” says its former Executive Producer, Sam Margolius. “The company had hired just over half of its workforce from local talent while attracting the other 50% to move here. These workers – and Branch VFX – were great for the local economy. So much related business activity is lost.” Branch VFX provided services for major motion pictures and series, including The Joker, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Jessica Jones.

“The film industry completely shut down for longer than many other industries, so it’s been especially hard for us,” Polacinski said. “I have since returned to freelance work out of necessity, but I only get about one gig a month if I’m lucky, which is never enough to pay the bills. It’s also harder having to commute to New York City or drive for hours in other directions just to work.” Freelance director Micah Khan estimated that he lost 60% of his paid work in 2020. “I had work lined up for the entire year of 2020,” he said.

Policinski and Khan have started a 518 Film Network group on Facebook, to connect and promote the Capital Region’s independent film community, which has seen the disproportionate job loss associated with both freelance workers and the Film / Sound sectors.

ACE has a survey to help understand services needed and other concerns for the Creative community. The survey can be found at: https://www.upstatecreative.org/ace-creative-economy-survey-income-employment-loss-2020-21/

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Contact:

Maureen Sager, Maureen.sager@gmail.com, 518-248-9348

Heidi Knoblauch, Plumb Oyster Bar, heidi.knoblauch@gmail.com

Sam Margolius, sam.margolius@gmail.com

Philip Morris, Proctors Collaborative, pmorris@proctors.org

Michelle Polacinski, michellepolacinski@gmail.com

This report was prepared with data assistance from the Center for Economic Growth (CEG).

In the Heart of Cohoes: Harmony CoWorks

December 16, 2020 By upstatecreative

By: Lauren Halligan

The Neighborhood

Set at the edge of the downtown Cohoes Historic District, an area that’s experiencing a remarkable revitalization, Harmony CoWorks is a brand new coworking facility. Situated within walking distance of the majestic Cohoes Falls and nearby trails as well as the shops and restaurants of downtown Cohoes, “It’s a great, walkable area,” said Dion, who recommends checking out the new Cafe Monocle or local favorite sandwich shop Subs-ta-toot.

Additionally, just a few steps away is Cohoes Music Hall, one of the oldest still-operating music halls in the nation and a cultural treasure among the region. Entertainment is also right outside the door when the City of Cohoes hosts its Rock the Block free summer concert series.

The Space

The 3,500-square-foot coworking space is set in a former bank building that’s been fully renovated. iTech Valley Office Interiors has fully outfitted the place with on-trend, top quality furnishings that are both aesthetically pleasing and ergonomically designed. (Harmony CoWorks and Tech Valley Office Interiors are both owned by local native Rod Dion, and co-located at the Mohawk Street address.)

Harmony CoWorks offers inexpensive daily and monthly passes, along with dedicated desks and private offices. A kitchen space, meeting room and conference room are available for use as well. Amenities include high speed wifi, 24-hour access, card door entry, mail and address service, printer service, secure storage and a private, well-lit 50-car parking lot with security cameras.

Vibe & Community

The vibe at Harmony CoWorks is good for getting work done – which is one of the most important factors when choosing a coworking spot. With far fewer distractions than home and the motivation of being in a beautifully designed professional setting, this space is conducive to productivity. Whether you want to hunker down in solitude, have a constructive meeting, or be social with others, there’s a comfortable place for that at Harmony CoWorks.

In the future, Dion and the Harmony CoWorks team hope to host social events that will help establish and build a sense of community at this new small city coworking space.

The Location

Harmony CoWorks is conveniently located off of I-787 at 50 Mohawk St. in Cohoes, and a short walk to The Lofts at Harmony Mills, a residential community in the historic former Harmony Mills cotton mill complex. More information about Harmony CoWorks is available online at harmonycoworks.com or by calling (518) 874-1017. Connect with them on Facebook.

Check out last week’s coworking spotlight: Urban Co-Works in downtown Schenectady!