Events Calendar

Of note year-round

Clinton Vineyards & Winery

This picturesque 15-acre farm vineyard/winery, owned by Ben and Phyllis Feder, is noteworthy for its Seyval Blanc (still and sparkling) as well as dessert wines. Tours and tastings can be arranged.
Hours: Fri.-Sun., 11am-5:30pm or by appt.
Location: 212 Schultzville Rd., Clinton Corners
Contact: 845 266 5372
website: ClintonVineyards.com

Millbrook Vineyards & Winery

Farm vineyard/winery is set on high enough ground to offer panoramic vistas of the Hudson Valley; the view westward toward the Catskills at sunset is particularly lovely. Millbrook Vineyards produces excellent vinifera wines made with grapes from this property , some blended with fruit from owner John Dyson's Pebble Ridge Vineyard in California's Central Coast region. Also on sale here are wines from Williams Selyem, another Dyson property, in Healdsburg, California, and a good green cold-pressed olive oil from the owner's Villa Pillo in Tuscany. Tours and tastings (standard and riserva) are on offer seven days a week, and are complimentary to MCH guests.
Hours: noon - 5 pm
Location: 26 Wing Rd., Millbrook
Contact: 800 662 WINE or 845 677 8383
website: MillbrookWine.com
Notes: Handicapped accessible

Culinary Institute of America (CIA)

General information, 845 471 9600; or www.ciachef.edu.
Located in a former Jesuit seminary overlooking the Hudson River at Hyde Park, today's CIA enrolls more than 2,000 students from every state and 30 foreign countries in its degree programs. In addition, many food-industry professionals attend Continuing Education classes, and about 1,600 food enthusiasts take adult education weekend courses.

January till April 2007 is a great time to dine at the CIA, where specially priced 3-course prix-fixe menus are offered Monday through Thursday in any of its four award-winning restaurants: American Bounty, Escoffier, Ristorante Caterina de' Medici, and St. Andrew's Café. Reservations are recommended. Lunches are $20, and dinners $30. Make reservations online or call 845 471 6608 Monday - Friday (8:30 am ø 6 pm) For a complete schedule please consult www.ciachef.edu/restaurants/events/

This winter series aside, the four main restaurants are also open year-round, excepting student vacation periods; and the Apple Pie Bakery (no reservations necessary) serves lunch and sells fresh baked goods.

Finally, for a fascinating look behind the scenes, student-led tours can be arranged by calling 845 451 1588, and there is also a good book and kitchen-supply store in the main building.

Dia Beacon

Modern art (mostly paintings and large-scale sculptures) are amassed in this vast former factory overlooking the Hudson River. Visit www.diaart.org or call 845-400-0100 for news of current and planned exhibitions.

Vassar College, Poughkeepsie

A rich resource for the community as well as its students, Vassar offers a roster of music and art events, from exhibitions at the Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center to performances by the college's Opera Workshop, Madrigal Singers, and the Powerhouse Theater's players. For specific information about events that will enrich any weekend stay, go to www.vassar.edu.

Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson

Another wonderful cultural resource, Bard's Conservatory of Music, dance program, music festival (in summer and fall 2007 Elgar will be highlighted in a series of lectures and concerts), Summerscape, and the recently inaugurated 17,000-square-foot Hessel Museum of Art offer a constant stream of superb events. Many of the musical performances take place at the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts (see photo on our Area Sites page), designed by architect Frank Gehry. For the calendar of events and much more see www.bard.edu.