Hudson Valley Wine and Chocolate Festival Offered More than a Sugar Rush
The Hudson Valley Wine and Chocolate Festival took place on May 5 and 6 in Patterson, N.Y. The Kentucky Derby themed event attracted shoppers and vendors from all over the Hudson Valley…and an interesting array of products.
While there were some wine and chocolate vendors, a majority of the tables were taken up by other local, artisan goods. The offerings ranged from Cutco Knives and wine glasses to makeup products to alligator jerky. Joe Shaffer of Shaffer Venison Farms offered tastes of shark, tuna, rabbit, and snapping turtle jerkies. “Anything you can think of, I’ll make. People love the alligator jerky because it’s not too strong,” says Shaffer. But gator wasn’t the only show stopper of the two day event. Shoppers and festival goers roamed the Patterson Recreational Center in colorful hats and pastels tasting desserts, cheeses, wines and other liquor. Upon arrival, guests were given a wine glass, and glass holder attached to a lanyard so their hands were free to sample products.
Some notable stands included Haven Coffee and Espresso Bar, Cardoso Cookies, and Cheesecake Heaven. Haven Coffee and Espresso Bar offered an interesting and delicious array of wine flavored jellies. Anthony Cardoso, a 2002 CIA graduate, offered samples of his now famous cookies. “It’s a great exposition of my products to the entire Hudson Valley. I graduated in 2002 so I want to keep my name out” said Cardoso of the event. Many of the vendors offered the service of shipping their products if purchased in bulk, which many people did for wines and liquers.
Aside from Carduso’s chocolate cookies, some of the other chocolate vendors included Emalyn Sweets, Oliver Kira Artisan Chocolatier, and a chocolate fondue fountain for guests to enjoy as they exited. Some of the wineries and alcohol vendors included Adirondack Winery which offered an array of sweet, berry flavored wines, and Hillrock Whisky.
Outside, food trucks offered an array of lunch options that included barbeque, gourmet french fries and sloppy joes. Guest plate’s were donned with anything from fried green plantains to lobster macaroni and cheese.
“I was surprised by how much they packed in here,” says first time festival goer Mikaela Pertzof. “It was much more than I expected. Everything was so good.” Pertzof, her friends, and other festival goers spent anywhere from an hour to the entire afternoon on the festival grounds.
Chocolate, wine, and anything your palette could desire is what filled bellies this Cinco de Mayo weekend — what more could the Hudson Valley want?
