Strawberry Season Near At Historic Rose Hill Farm

RED HOOK, NY — Rose Hill Farm has been a Dutchess County landmark for generations. Still family-owned, the farm established in 1798 thrives with a combination of tradition and innovation.

For the latter, look no further than the farm's Ferments Club or its Roseanity Fest on Mother's Day weekend.

For the former, just put strawberry-picking time on your calendar (it starts in early June). While you're at it, dream of the 18+ varieties of sweet and sour cherries you can start picking in late June.

Pick your own blueberries, apricots and plums in July, peaches in August and 20 varieties of apples from September till mid-November.

A letter on the website from former proprietors Dave and Karen Fraleigh describes history and change.

"The Fraleigh family owned and operated Rose Hill Farm since 1798 when Peter Fraleigh first purchased land in Red Hook, NY. They started as subsistence farmers and as the world grew and changed, so did Rose Hill Farm," they said.

The Fraleighs retired in 2015 and Holly and Bruce Brittain and their uncle, Chris Belardi, took over operations. "It was a bittersweet departure. On the one hand, we were sad to leave behind our family farm, on the other hand, we were incredibly thankful that the new family running Rose Hill Farm shared our vision and that they planned to continue the pick-your-own business that enables many to share in experiencing what a special place Rose Hill is."

The Fraleighs highlighted the Brittains' project to rebuild the obsolete main barn into a wine and cider production facility and tasting room. "Their updates have consistently focused on maintaining the character of Rose Hill Farm. Karen and I would have loved to do all these things had we been able," Dave Fraleigh said.

Now the farm has 50+ varieties of cider specific apple varieties, planted on high density trellis.

They branched out into low intervention winemaking as a reflection of their holistic orchard practices. They ferment cider and co-ferment fruit wine with grape wines from their estate vineyard 20 minutes north in Hudson and in collaboration with other grape growers throughout the state. The ferments are served in the taproom, situated above the winery, and housed in a restored 1900 barn.

Members of the Ferments Club get a first look at the farm's limited production wines and ciders, discounts and special access to events.

"We also have an orchard we refer to as Wonderland where we graft obscure crab apples, rare apples gifted to us and wild varieties found in the region," Holly Brittain told Patch.

They host many events, which are becoming local traditions:

• Wassail Celebration in January.
• Blossom Fest in April (this year included a Shakespeare Tempest performance)
• Roséanity Fest during Mother's Day weekend
• Hudson Valley Sustainable Fashion week (autumn in the peach orchard)
• Hudson Valley Cider Symposium
• Prohibition lecture by the local Dutchess County historian
• annual Fall Foliage Field Run
• Maker's Market (~3x/yr)

"In recent years, we've been focused on expanding foot traffic beyond the PYO season. While we don't have fruit to pick in April and May, it's the prettiest time of year to enjoy the farm," Brittain said. "In the spring/summer/fall we partner with other locals to host children's storytimes and art activities, yoga classes, foraging tours and workshops. In winter, we always have our outdoor fire pits lit so folks can enjoy the outdoors with sledding, s'mores and lunch alfresco."

On the weekends, food popups feature various vendors year-round.

Check out the events calendar, learn more about the taproom and cidery, and the PYO schedule at Rose Hill Farm's website.