High Tor Vineyards
High Tor Vineyards was a prominent winery located in Clarkstown, New York. The vineyard, which opened in 1950, played a significant role in the history of winemaking in the Hudson Valley region.
History change
Early Years change
High Tor Vineyards was established by Everett Crosby in 1950.[1] Crosby was influenced by the work of winemaker Philip Wagner.[2] High Tor Vineyards was the first winery to grow French-hybrid grapes in the Northeast.[3]
Operations and Challenges change
For over 40 years and across 4 different owners, High Tor Vineyards established itself as one of the prominent East Coast wineries.[4] Suburban economic pressures of increasing taxes and increasing land values made High Tor vulnerable to development. A controversial development proposal was combined with the controlled burning of a historic home on the property without any permits.[4] The technical problems, combined with the burning of the historic home, resulted in strong local opposition. The local opposition led to the ultimate acquisition of the entire 54-acre property by the Palisades Interstate Park Commission for incorporation into the neighboring 500-acre High Tor State Park.[2]
Legacy change
After Crosby sold the vineyard, he documented his trials and tribulations of being a vineyard owner in his book, The Vintage Years: The Saga of High Tor Vineyards.[4] Members of the public can still visit the site of the one-time winery and vineyard using a side trail in High Tor State Park off the Long Path, which is maintained by the NY-NJ Trail Conference.
References change
- ↑ Groff, Vernon (1971-01-24). "He Gave Up Writing for Winery on High Tor". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Hudson Valley Wineries History - Historic Hudson River Towns". 2022-04-08. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ↑ staff, a (2021-10-09). "Roaming Through Rockland: The Grand History of High Tor State Park". Nyack News & Views. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Crosby, Everett (1973). The Vintage Years; The Story of High Tor Vineyards. New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 0060109246.