America’s oldest winery dates back to 1839 and found a way to stay open during Prohibition – it even has a cave

AMERICA’S oldest winery survived the Civil War, two World Wars and found a way to stay open during Prohibition.

Brotherhood Winery in Hudson Valley, New York, began operating in 1839 in the remote town of Washingtonville – about 30 miles south of Poughkeepsie.

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Shoemaker John Jaques grew grapes behind his store, which turned into a large vineyard and soon began producing wineaccording to the winery’s website.

Jaques donated the property to his three sons, John Jr., Oren and Carlosin 1858 and the winery was named Vinícola dos Irmãos Jaques.

James M. Emerson and his son, Edward, purchased the winery from Carlosthe last surviving brother of Jaques, in 1886 and renamed it Brotherhood.

Edward detailed his experience as winery owner in his 1901 book, The Story of the Vine.

In the mid-1800s, demand was so great that the winery had to store thousands of gallons of wine, port and brandy in an artificial cave underground.

The winery’s ownership has changed over its nearly 200 years of operation, with production shifting to compete with neighboring wineries and changing consumer tastes.

Today, Brotherhood produces several red and white wines such as Chardonnay, Merlot, Cabernet and ciders.

To this day, it hosts events with a bar, restaurant and 6,000-square-foot catering hall.

Guests can take a tour of the underground caves and enjoy many wine.

In 2000, the winery was listed as a historic landmark and is also on the new York State and National Registers of Historic Places.

SURVIVE THE PROHIBITION

The winery was one of the few establishments that remained open during Prohibition, a time when the manufacture, storage, possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages were prohibited.

Protestants in the 1920s aimed to heal American society by introducing alcohol prohibition in law.

Prohibition lasted until the ratification of the 21st Amendment in 1933, however, the era led to the large-scale closure of industries plants and taverns, causing an economic downturn in the industry.

Brotherhood Winery was able to stay afloat during this time due to a legal loophole.

The sale of sacramental wine priests were permitted under the law and rabbis could also approve kosher food sales wine for the end of Saturday.

The winery produced sacramentals wine to the Catholic Church and when prohibition ended, the Brotherhood brought over 500,000 bottles of vintage champagne which were kept stored in their cellar.

The Brotherhood was sold to Louis Farrell and his son, Louis Jr., in 1921, however, ownership passed to three Farrell cousins ​​when father and son died close together in 1947.

Francis Farrell managed the vineyard during World War II, after which the winery underwent several dramatic changes, including the creation of a tour guide operation for visitors.

The winery remained family business until January 1987, when Cesar Baeza purchased the property, establishing vineyards on Long Island in the 1990s.

FAMOUS WINE CAVES

The Brotherhood is perhaps best known for its hand-dug underground cellars from the late 19th century.

The winery offers tours of its vast network of cellars, which house more than two hundred oak barrels containing some of the oldest vintages in the country.

Inside the cellars there is original winemaking equipment, including wine presses and cork machines.

The cellars are kept at a cool temperature between 55 and 59 degrees, it said. Business Internal.

Public tours and tastings are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, without Pets can come in, but are welcome in the open-air wine cellar.

Tours are available Thursday through Sunday for $25 per person, no reservations required.

Each guest can choose five wines to taste from a catalog of 10, with a 30-gram portion for each wine.

The wine catalog is constantly updated, according to the winery’s website.

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