Sunday, June 17, 2018

Day 17 - Brotherhood Winery & Camping



Saturday, June 16, 2018
Posted From: Black Bear Campground - Florida, NY
Miles Driven: 30
Total Miles: 2307

We were DONE with the city. Our last day in the New York area was spent hanging out at the campground with a trip over to the oldest continually operating winery in the United States, Brotherhood Winery.

It was explained to us on the tour that they have this claim because they were (and still are) one of the biggest suppliers of "church" wine for communion. During prohibition the Catholics ensured there was a loophole in the law that allowed for the making of communion wine during the prohibition years.

Here we are in one of the original cellars from the 1800’s. Behind us is a large barrel. It is no longer in use. There was a little door and Caleb was pretty sure he could live in it.



I don’t even remember what we were doing here, but we were having fun. 



Spooky hallway into another old cellar. 


The family’s private wine cellar was kept under lock and key. There was a special tunnel to access it. They said all the wine is undrinkable at this point.


The Family cellar



The walls were thick and well underground, so the cellars are used as fallout shelters. She said the last time they were used was about 10 years ago during a hurricane.


Current wine in American and French oak barrels.


The buildings in this picture look newer because there was a large fire that destroyed the original buildings. Again it was a beautiful day and the patio was perfect. 



After the tour they had a tasting. Our tour guide set the kids up with an unlimited supply of oyster crackers and they played cards at a table near by. We tried a few wines, met a few people and generally enjoyed our time here.

After we returned to the camper, we made Dutch oven chili over the campfire and hung out. Caleb had made a friend earlier this morning, so he just wanted to play with him all night. This campground had basketball and mini golf.

We finally brought them in for the night. Tomorrow will be a travel day to the Boston area.

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