In 1777, during the Revolutionary War, Kingston was briefly named the first capital of New York. Ninety miles north of New York City, at the base of the Catskills, Kingston is once again an up-and-coming Hudson Valley town, luring people from the city with its mix of antique stores, live music venues, restaurants and bars. This year, Kingston also became home to one of the Hudson Valley’s most carefully curated wine stores, the Kingston Wine Co. Owners Michael and Theresa Drapkin set their store in the historic Rondout district, right on the Hudson riverbank, and have filled the shelves with wines that fit what Michael calls “historic normalcy,” where less is more and winemaking is mostly hands-off. Recent recommendations have included Domaine de la Pépière’s Muscadets, Grosjean Gamay from the Vallée d’Aoste and Jean Bourdy Crémant du Jura Rosé.
This review appears in the print edition of the October 2014 issue. Like what you just read? Subscribe now.