It’s safe to say that just about whenever we’re traveling to a new area, I always try and pop in the local wine shop. I love seeing which wines catch the attention of various shop owners around the country and am always excited to try a new bottle (or four.) Of all the random wine shops I’ve visited on our travels, however, I’ve only really ever sought out one as a destination – Kingston Wine Co.

While driving north from New York City a few weeks ago to visit my friends in Hudson, I decided a stop in Kingston was an absolute must. I’d read about Kingston Wine Co. on the Ann Street Studio blog awhile back, and had always mentally bookmarked it as a place to visit on one of our trips to Hudson. The opening of our friends’ shop seemed like the perfect excuse for me to finally stop in and pick up a celebratory bottle!

Michael, who owns the shop with his wife, Theresa, a talented artist, was delightfully helpful. After listening to me describe our friends, their personalities, and their all-natural perfumery, he hand-selected a bottle of wine (from a case in the back) that he thought would be perfect for them. Michael was right, of course – a text last week from them let me know how much they enjoyed the wine as a part of their birthday celebration.

The bottles I grabbed for my Michael and I to enjoy at home were chosen thanks to the well-branded Kingston Wine Co. recommended tags. How could one ignore suggestions like “Sancerre + Goat Cheese + Baguette = Perfection?”

In the 30 minutes I spent in the shop, I saw a dozen or so people walk inside, all of whom were just as pleased to be chatting with Michael or selecting their own special bottle of wine. It became immediately apparent just how much of a community Michael and Theresa have created within Kingston Wine Co., a shop that is without a doubt worthy of planning your own detour to Kingston the next time you’re in the area.

All photos taken by Meredith Perdue for Map & Menu.