RiverWind Vineyard: A Love Story From Rockland County

Some places reveal their purpose slowly, the way a vine takes seasons to bear fruit. RiverWind Vineyard began as an experiment in landscaping, a way to add character to a beautiful home perched above the Hudson River. Yet buried beneath the cultivated soil, waiting for the first bud break, was a mission far greater than anyone imagined.

From Landscaping Experiment to Living Mission

When Dr. Joanne Clemente first planted grapes on their hillside acres in Valley Cottage, New York, she was not chasing a business plan. She was tending the land. Slowly, five varieties of grapes took root: Vidal Blanc, Chardonnel, Sauvignon Blanc, Chambourcin, and Cabernet Franc.

As the vines matured, something remarkable happened. As Joanne was also nurturing a charity she had founded to help Ugandan children receive a better education, two visions, once separate, began to merge. The vineyard found its true purpose, and it was never about wine alone.

RiverWind exists to serve. It serves the needy, the illiterate, the uneducated, and the underserved. Proceeds from the vineyard support Ventures for Good, the nonprofit that provides educational opportunities and technology to students both locally and in Africa. Every bottle carries a simple truth, printed for all to read: "A Love Story from Rockland County."

The Hidden Oasis Near Manhattan

Most people do not even know RiverWind exists. That is what visitors tell Joanne again and again. Tucked into the Hudson Valley, it may be the closest vineyard to New York City, yet it feels a world away from the noise of Manhattan.

The setting is quietly extraordinary. Rows of lush green vines stretch across the hillside, leading the eye toward a sweeping view of the Hudson River. Guests are invited to walk the rows, notice the difference a local vineyard makes to the environment, and then stroll to the overlook. There, they can sit and sip a while, chat with friends, or simply enjoy the great outdoors.

This is the boutique experience RiverWind offers. It is intimate, personal, and rooted in place. The vineyard has been described, more than once, as the best house in Rockland County. Once you stand on that hillside, it is easy to understand why.

Wines With Character, Crafted With Care

RiverWind wines are unique and delicious, and that is no accident. Joanne works closely with very experienced vintners to bring out the full flavor of each harvest. The result is a collection of estate wines that reflect both the land and the labor behind them.

When you taste the richness of these wines, you are reminded of two things at once. First, the richness of the Hudson Valley soil that produced them. Second, the poverty they help to alleviate abroad. It is a rare and beautiful pairing. To drink happily here is also to care and to share.

Estate wines are available for tasting or purchase in the shop, and shipping is available for those who wish to bring a piece of Rockland County home with them.

A Community Gathered Around the Harvest

Harvest time at RiverWind is a true community affair. Locals gather to collect the grapes together, then stay to enjoy a full day at the vineyard, complete with lunch and wine tasting. It is work, yes, but it is also celebration. Neighbors become friends, and friends become part of the story.

The vineyard hosts a lively calendar of experiences throughout the year. Recent gatherings have included an Italian feast, a senior club outing,  a bridal shower, a birthday celebration and a date is in place for a Down Home Country Harvest Event (Oct 3): Down Home Country Harvest Event Ticketing all designed to bring people together for a purpose. Beyond the harvest, guests can enjoy vineyard tours, winemaking sessions, yoga among the vines, and lectures that deepen the connection to the land.

There is even a bit of local legend. Regulars know the tale of Monty, a boundary-breaking grape thief whose antics have become part of RiverWind lore. It is these small, human details that make the place feel less like a business and more like a family you are welcomed into.

The Perfect Setting for Your Next Gathering

RiverWind is not open to the public in the usual sense. Instead, it welcomes guests by appointment, which makes every visit feel personal and unhurried. This approach also makes the vineyard an ideal venue for private events.

Imagine hosting a vineyard tour, a dinner party, or a supper club against the backdrop of the Hudson River. Picture a birthday, an anniversary, or a small wedding celebrated among the vines. Business meetings take on new energy in this setting, far from fluorescent lights and crowded rooms. RiverWind is happy to cater to your needs, and the team encourages groups of twenty-five or more to plan their next celebration on the hillside.

Whatever the occasion, the experience is the same at its heart. You gather with people you love, in a setting that stirs the soul, while supporting a mission that reaches across the world.

More Than Wine, a Way of Caring

What sets RiverWind apart is not simply the beauty of the land or the quality of the wine, though both are considerable. It is the purpose woven through everything. Few vineyards can say that each pour helps a child learn to read, gain access to technology, or step toward a brighter future.

This is the promise that makes RiverWind unforgettable. When you choose to visit, taste, or celebrate here, you are choosing to be part of something larger than yourself. You are joining a love story that began on a Hudson Valley hillside and now stretches all the way to Uganda.

Come Sit and Sip a While

RiverWind Vineyard invites you to discover the hidden oasis of Rockland County for yourself. Book a private tour, plan a supper club, or reserve the vineyard for your next celebration of twenty-five or more. Walk the rows, take in the river view, and taste wines crafted with care and conscience.

To arrange your visit, reach out by appointment and let the team know how they can make your gathering unforgettable. Every glass you raise here helps educate a child and honors the richness of the Hudson Valley. Come and be part of the love story from Rockland County. Connect with RiverWind Vineyard, Ventures for Good, and Instagram.