THE STORY OF BROTHERHOOD, AMERICA’S OLDEST WINERY

Is Brotherhood really the oldest winery in the United States? Who was the founder, and was he a Scottish emigrant, a French Huguenot, or a cloistered monk? Where did the name “Brotherhood” actually come from? How did the winery survive Prohibition? Did Brotherhood truly invent “wine tourism?” And how did it become the premium winery it is today?

The book celebrates nearly 175 years of captivating history, and commemorates its owners and stakeholders who contributed to the winery’s longevity through loyalty, perseverance, innovation, and sheer imagination.

A remarkable collection of rare images vividly illustrate the evocative text, stories and anecdotes—as well as the facts—with over 350 photographs, labels, documents, memorabilia, and advertisements. Culled from private and public collections, and carefully restored by the author, most of the images and documents have never been published before, or seen outside of Brotherhood Winery.

With this combination of insight and imagery, THE STORY OF BROTHERHOOD, AMERICA’S OLDEST WINERY unfolds through eras of grit and glamour. It is as comprehensive as it is pioneering; a major contribution to the history of winemaking and wine production in New York and the United States.

THE AUTHOR

ROBERT BEDFORD is the co-founder and executive editor of Flint Mine Press and Hudson Valley Wine Magazine, and has written and edited widely on the history of viticulture and viniculture in the Hudson Valley. A longtime historian and archivist with additional expertise in archival photograph restoration, he has curated and produced photographic exhibitions with accompanying published works and catalogs for non-profit organizations and museums.

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PRAISE

“Through the photos, documents, and writings in this book we can place Brotherhood not only in the context of American viticulture and the country’s ever-changing tastes in wines, but also in the broader landscape of American history. We can also look ahead, to what it means to preserve and restore this rich history, and what it will forecast for the next centuries to come.” – from the Foreword by Adam Strum, Editor and Publisher, Wine Enthusiast Magazine

“It is a privilege to recognize the historical importance of the Brotherhood Winery as told through THE STORY OF BROTHERHOOD, AMERICA’S OLDEST WINERY.” – Kirsten Gillibrand, United States Senator, New York

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