Think of wine growing regions, and the great vineyards of France and Italy come to mind.  Here in the US, California is a favorite viniculture region, producing the spicy Zinfandels and Syrah, and buttery Chardonnays.  Closer to home, New York’s Finger Lakes, Hudson Valley and Long Island regions are gaining in popularity and reputation.  Once you get north of Catskill, however, the colder climate of the north pretty much means that growing grapes is a foolish proposition.  Defying the odds, the DiCrescenzo family of Altamont is proving the naysayers wrong, by not only growing grapes at their 1000 foot elevation vineyard, but by producing some very good wine as well!

It all started back in 1981 when the previous owner of the hillside property, Larry Grossi, decided to retire from his career as a diesel mechanic.  Like many first generation Italian immigrants, Grossi felt the call to return to the land and rekindle his family tradition of wine making back in the old country.  Grossi first became inspired when he stumbled upon the unique property, its sun-drenched slopes and views of the Helderberg Escarpment reminding him of landscape of his youth, growing up in the Lazio province of Italy (this region has a vinicultural history that dates back to the tales of Homer’s Odyssey…referred to in the sirens’ song episode).