creative economy

The Authentic 518: Can’t-Miss Farms to Visit This Fall

October 18, 2021 By Cabrina McGinn

Any Capital Region native knows that apple trees are as deeply rooted in our area’s history as they are in our soil. New York’s first known apple orchards were planted by Peter Stuyvestant in 1647 — long before New York was even a colony, let alone a state.

Today, Upstate New York is a reigning apple capital of the world, boasting orchards and farms that have operated by the same families for hundreds of years. And, our farms draw thousands of agritourists from all over the world.

We explored some of the region’s best farms to visit this Fall. Some offer family fun, others, farm brews and hard ciders. ALL are family owned and committed to keeping our autumn traditions in Upstate New York alive and well.

Indian Ladder Farms

Indian Ladder Farms has been owned and operated by the Ten Eyck Family for more than 100 years. Originally founded as a Dairy Farm in 1916, the land has seen many uses and iterations over the last century. Laurie Ten Eyck runs the farm today, along with her husband Dietrich, and her brother Peter Gansevoort Ten Eyck III.

The farm has always been known locally for their orchards, petting zoo, and farm store/cafe. In recent years, however, the opening of their Brewery & Cidery business has seen a tremendous uptick in visitors from far and wide. Dietrich, who manages the Cidery-Brewery business, tells us that their beer and cider have become so popular that they can’t make it fast enough to satisfy both the walk-in customers and their wholesale distributors. They’re rapidly expanding their brewery to be able to produce 600 gallons at a turn. And, they’re adding an additional event space that will be used for weddings and retreats.

With their animals, orchards, and biergarten, Indian Ladder Farms is great for families or an outing just for adults. They have fire pits for evening gatherings and their Brewery/Cidery now has indoor seating & a full menu, open year-round.

Offerings:

Pick your own apples
Farm Brewery & Cidery
Full Food Menu
Cider & Doughnuts
Pumpkin Patch
Farm Animals
Farm Store

Ellms Family Farms

The Ellms family have owned and operated this farm since the 1980’s, originally growing Christmas Trees. They’ve now expanded to pumpkins, corn, and more than 40 ‘agratainment’ activities for kids and adults alike. Garth Ellms, who runs the farm with his two elder sisters after having taken it over from their parents in 2005, tells us that the farm spans 240 acres of land, and draws anywhere from 1000-2000 people per day during the Fall Season.

Running the farm is a family affair for the Ellms. Currently there are eight grandchildren, many of whom have buildings named after them at the farm. Some even run ticket sales for the train rides all by themselves. They make around 1600 Cider Doughnuts per day. While I must say there was some razor-thin competition, they were my favorite of all of the cider doughnuts I tried while researching this article.

Ellms is perfectly geared towards children and families. They even do children’s birthday parties and offer an evening drive-through light show with cider doughnuts and kettle corn!

Offerings:

40 Children’s Activities
Cider & Doughnuts
Full Food Menu w/ alcoholic beverages
Pumpkin Patch
Farm Animals
Farm Store

Saratoga Apple

The Darrow family has been growing apples in Schuylerville for 5 generations, and their Farm Store might just be the busiest in all of Saratoga County – open 7 days a week. They stock all kinds of local products and produce, and make cider doughnuts year-round! In recent years they’ve also launched a hard cider business and tasting room, offering two of their own hard ciders among other local brews, meads, and spirits.

Perhaps their most unique and authentic product, however, is their old-school traditional cider called ‘Scrumpy,’ made using the natural yeast on the apples. There are no added sulfites, and no added sweeteners, resulting in a very dry hard cider (and my personal favorite).

Saratoga Apple offers some of the most beautiful views in the Capital Region, as well as some of the best selection of local products. Their tasting room has lots of options, making this a great destination for adults.

Offerings:

Hard Cider & Tasting Room
Pick your own apples
Cider & Doughnuts
Pumpkin Patch
Farm Store

Windy Hill Orchard East

Run by the Goold Family since 1910, Windy Hill Orchard East was purchased and expanded in 2019 by Scott and Todd Seeberger. Like the Goolds, this family aren’t new to the apple business. Since then, the Seeberger family have remodeled the Farm Store, added fire pits and Adirondack chairs throughout the orchard, and started doing wagon rides, corn mazes, and other children’s attractions.

Their orchards span 116 acres and offer around 12 different varietals of apples, while their farm store offers homemade fudge, cheese, and cider doughnuts among other local goods. On Saturdays and Sundays throughout October, Windy Hill East is hosting ‘Fall Family Days,’ with live music, food trucks, and a craft-vendor market. They’ve also recently added a Cidery & Winery business, and are renovating the 120-year-old barn on the property to house their tasting room someday.

Windy Hill East is great for both families or adults – their Fall Family Days offer free admission and are a perfect way to spend a fall afternoon with live music, food trucks, and local vendors!

Offerings:

Wine & Cider
Pick your own apples
Cider & Doughnuts
Pumpkin Patch
Farm Store

Golden Harvest

The orchards on route 9 in Valatie have existed since at least the 1870’s, long before Daniel and Madeline Zinke would purchase them and open the first Farm Stand on this spot in 1957, naming it ‘Golden Harvest’.

Today, their grandson Alan Grout and his sons own and operate the farm. Golden Harvest has now expanded to include a bakery, a distillery, and a smokehouse grill. The farmstand is one of the largest and most impressive in the area; with everything from eggs, to baked goods and local jams & honey, you could almost do a full grocery shop here! Their bakery offers fresh cider doughnuts, unique pastries and 9 types of pies. They also specialize in custom, large scale bakery orders – in fact they supplied the Presidential Inauguration in 2013. Their Distillery offers tastings and a full cocktail menu as well as full bottles for purchase.

We got a chance to speak with Derek Grout, who was the first to receive a NYS Farm Distillery license when he founded Harvest Spirits in 2007. They boast nine spirits, “never made with grain, never sweetened with sugar, never artificially flavored or colored, never charcoal filtered, and never blended with products distilled elsewhere.” Outdoors, they offer ample seating, a fire pit, and corn-hole. While Golden Harvest is not offering pick-your-own this year due to extensive re-planting and remodeling of their orchards, they are still offering over 20 varietals of apples for purchase.

This farm is a must-stop for their Distillery, Bakery, and Smokehouse! A great spot to spend the day shopping an extensive offering of local produce/products, or spend an evening with a BBQ dinner, sipping craft spirits and cocktails in their garden.

Offerings:

Farm Distillery & Tasting room
Harvest Smokehouse – Full Menu
Cider & Doughnuts
Pumpkin Patch
Farm Store

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

This article is the first of our The Authentic 518 Series done in collaboration with Cabrina McGinn and Straight Upstate.

Born and raised in the Capital Region, Cabrina McGinn started her blog in 2019 to highlight the exceptional bars and restaurants that the 518 has to offer. Prior to that, she had spent many years in the restaurant industry, bartending all over New York State. While the blog was started with the intention of focusing solely on cocktails and craft beverages, Cabrina has expanded the blog to feature food, events, hotels, and other unique and exceptional things that you can only find in Upstate New York. Cabrina lives in Saratoga Springs and enjoys exploring the Hudson Valley and Adirondacks on the weekends. Visit the blog on instagram @straightupstate or online at https://straightupstate.com

Stay tuned for more of our monthly The Authentic 518 articles – from hidden gems to Capital Region classics, we’re exploring all the spots that embody the authentic 518.

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.

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March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

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CapNY Relocation Stories: Chrissy and Ben Traore

July 8, 2020 By Maureen Sager Leave a Comment

Chrissy and Ben Traore met while working in a New York City restaurant. Soon, they were commuting upstate on weekends for a cooking gig. To their great surprise, they began dreading going back to Brooklyn during the week. “We’ve always worked 70 to 100 hours a week,” Chrissy said. “And the city and the expenses just added stress to all of that.” Something had to give. So, by 2017, they settled in Cairo, a small, rural town in Greene County, about ten miles outside of Catskill.

Together, they founded S ee and Be Kitchen and Cafe. Their funky, functional, multi-building “compound” met all of their dreams. There’s a prep kitchen inside of a storage container (they insulated it themselves) and outdoor wood-fired oven for baking bread. Plus, there’s a chicken house and pen, and café / retail shop. Additionally, outdoor seating plans are in the works, in the shaded, rustic grounds.

See and Be’s Breads and Business Plan

Ben began baking bread in Burkina Faso, a West African country near Ivory Coast and Ghana. He uses a sourdough base for all of his products, including gorgeous croissants, pastries, and a full line of breads. The starter is fermented for 48 hours, making a refined and gorgeous loaf that even gluten-sensitive customers can digest (yep, this writer can vouch for that — and it’s fantastic).

The baking life isn’t easy. Ben goes to bed by 6 or 7pm, in order to tend to the wood-burning oven by 2am every day. Chrissy has pivoted their baking and food businesses from farmers markets to wholesale distribution, and now to online ordering and curbside pickups during COVID. Oh, and did we mention that they’ve also got an 18-month-old son in the mix now? These bakers are BUSY!

Chrissy utilizes Ben’s breads in all of her food creations, including a weekend sandwich selection. You can place online orders here, and pick them up at See and Be from Wednesdays through Saturdays.

“We’ve always taken things one step at a time,” said Chrissy. “We have room to grow here, and space to breathe. I want to let people know that they should not be afraid to try something new. We’re building something that is ours.”

Connect with See and Be Kitchen

Address:
512 New York 145
Cairo, NY 12413, US
Phone: (518) 719-9229
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Website
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Freelancing in Portugal with ACE Executive Director Maureen Sager

February 24, 2020 By upstatecreative

I did not exactly plan to have a working vacation during Freelancing February. I’d booked this trip to Portugal last year, long before I knew that I’d be up to my elbows in the Regional Brand project (it’s a new initiative that we’re launching in the fall — more about that soon!). I also didn’t know at that time that I’d be traveling alone (I’d had the trip planned with a friend). I was tempted to cancel. I’d never taken a major trip by myself, let alone a two-week excursion to a foreign country. But here’s what I thought about:

I’m in no position to go on a two-week vacation right now because of work commitments, but what if I worked part-time from Portugal? My official contract is for 7 hours a day. If I worked two hours in the morning and 90 minutes at night, that would still leave me plenty of time for touring.
In my ACE (and now the additional Regional Brand role), I sometimes spend more than 20 hours a week driving to and from meetings. What if I didn’t drive for two weeks?? I’d potentially have more “desk time” in Portugal than I have in the Capital Region!
The price was right – plus, my Airbnbs were all booked and my flight was paid for, so I’d lose over $800 if I canceled this trip. Off-season prices in Portugal are fantastic – wonderful apartments in perfect locations for less than $30 per night. I could swing that.

So, should I stay or should I go?

The answer is, I decided to go. I’d freelance, on a part-time schedule for two weeks, from Portugal. Crazy? For sure. But, why not give it a try.

I started my trip in Lisbon on a Sunday, after a super-easy, five-and-a-half-hour flight from JFK. It took less than five minutes to know that my month of studying Portuguese had not done much good at all, because they speak way too fast, and it’s a notoriously difficult language to begin with. It all worked, though. I got a $15 Uber to my apartment, and within an hour of landing, I jumped onto email, just to make sure I was set. Everything worked. I spent the day walking up the ridiculously hilly streets, and took an “Airbnb Experience” tour, where local people show you their city. It’s much more personal than a corporate tour. I’ve become quite enamored of them.

Monday was the moment of truth – would I be able to work? I woke at 8 a.m. and worked for two hours as planned, making cappuccino in my lovely apartment. By the time I finished my “shift”, it was 10 a.m. in Lisbon, and 5 a.m. in New York. I headed out for an amazing day, then came back after supper and worked 90 minutes til 9 p.m. By the time I finished, it was 4 p.m. in New York. I’d spent about the same amount of time working as I do on a normal work day, if I’d had two meetings that were 30 minutes from my home.

While working and doing email, I rarely mentioned that I was in Portugal unless it was pertinent to the conversation – it actually didn’t matter where I was. I scheduled phone calls at mutually convenient times, and used WhatsApp when it was someone who knew I was away.

I’m on Day 11 of my working vacation. The usual things go “wrong” and need to be worked out, same as any other work week, AND I’m in my fourth Portuguese city — it’s in the south, called Evora. I’ve also been to Lisbon, Coimbra, and Porto. All have been wonderful.

Like I said, I did not plan this as a working vacation, or my first big solo trip. Life just happened that way. It’s been a life-changing experience. I feel brave and competent and bad-ass, because there have been some damn challenging moments – like driving the wrong way down ridiculously narrow, cobbled streets — that totally worked out.

This working vacation NEVER would have happened if I’d not become a freelancer. I wouldn’t have had the imagination and gumption for it. It’s been fifteen years since my last traditional job. Fifteen years without health insurance, paid vacation, or 401K. And it’s been the best fifteen years of my working life, AND my personal life. Here’s to Freelancer February! Freelance forever. That’s my goal and motto.

I’m very happy to share travel tips on Portugal – it’s been absolutely gorgeous, stunning and affordable! Hit me up, and share your travel stories with us! maureen@upstatecreative.org