Art in the Loft at the Millbrook Winery

Art in the Loft at the Millbrook Winery
Art in the Loft first-place winner Linda Lavin with her painting “Starry Night.” Photo by Judith O’Hara Balfe

Whether you’re there for the art, the wine, the ambiance, or for all three, Art in the Loft at the Millbrook Winery is always a good place to be, and this year, the 23rd since it began, was no exception. 

On Sunday, Nov. 12, the air was too chilly to spend time in the vineyard or on the patio, but inside, it was warm and friendly — the food by Simply Gourmet was grand and music by The Swing Vipers was swinging!

A collaboration between Millbrook Winery and Arts Mid-Hudson, a number of art pieces are chosen each spring and judged by a juried panel to hang on the walls of the gallery at the winery. Visitors not only enjoy seeing the artworks, but they vote on them, as well.

With a point system of three points for first, two points for second and one point for third, the votes are tallied in November and the winners are announced at the Art in the Loft reception held at the winery. On that day, 20% of all wine sales purchased by reception guests is donated to Arts Mid-Hudson, a nonprofit group that has been active since 1964.

David Bova, general manager and vice president of the winery, recalled the history of the Chateau Mouton Rothschild, the celebrated French vineyard, and its tradition of having leading artists design its labels, starting with Jean Carlu in 1924. In 1945 it resurrected the idea and had young, unknown artist Phillipe Jullian design a label celebrating the Allied victory and the return of peace. Miro, Chagall, Braque, Picasso, Dali, Francis Bacon, Jeff Koons and King Charles of England among others are some of the artists who have since designed labels for the French winery.

Bova said that it was this Rothschild tradition that inspired him, along with marketing director Stacy Hudson, to form the partnership with Art in the Loft. Art in many forms can be submitted, although the majority are paintings in different mediums as well as photographs. 

There were 16 artworks hanging in the exhibit. Bova said that over 20,000 people had visited the winery this year and a total of 2,400 votes made. Hudson added that seven out of the 16 paintings were sold prior to the judging, to be picked up after the winners were announced.

The winner not only gets the recognition, but the winning artwork is made into a label for a special wine, and for each bottle of wine bearing that label, the artist will receive 10% and Arts Mid-Hudson will get 10% of the sale.

This year’s winner was Linda Lavin of Rhinebeck for “Starry Night,” a print on giclee canvas. She is an occupational therapist who has been painting for about 10 years, and is inspired by color. Not always certain about what her subject will be, she is inspired by color and shape, and said her work is an appropriation — it has been a real process. Her work received 759 votes.

Second place went to Arquimedes Mejia for “Winery Lake,” an oil on canvas, with 615 votes. Third place, with 470, went to Maureen Lohan-Bremer for an archival pigment print titled “The Mighty Hudson.”

The Millbrook Vineyards and Winery is located at 26 Wing Road. For more information about Arts Mid-Hudson go to www.artsmidhudson.org

Latest News

Pine Plains Planning Board approves waiver for proposed dispensary

Planning Board members granted a waiver to the proposed cannabis dispensary located in the historic weigh station on Route 82 allowing the business to operate within 300 feet of the firehouse and the Post Office in contradiction with Pine Plains's local law. Town attorney Warren Replansky explained the town's codes would likely be unenforceable following legal decisions handed down by the Office of Cannabis Management on Monday, Oct. 6.

Photo by Nathan Miller

PINE PLAINS — Members of the Planning Board voted unanimously to grant a waiver to Upstate Pines allowing the cannabis dispensary to operate within 300 feet of the firehouse and the Post Office at their regular meeting Wednesday, Oct. 8.

That vote came after Planning Board attorney Warren Replansky explained recent state guidance superceded the town’s ability to restrict the business on the grounds of its proximity to the Post Office and the firehouse.

Keep ReadingShow less
Packed house hears Hitchcock estate golf course pre-application

Dozens of people crowded into the courthouse at the Washington Town Hall on Reservoir Drive in Millbrook on Tuesday, Oct. 7, to watch a pre-application meeting between Planning Board members and representatives of Centaur Properties LLC. David Blatt and Henry Hay of Centaur Properties LLC described their plan to build an 18-hole golf course with limited membership and residences on the historic 2,000-acre Hitchcock estate.

Photo by Nathan Miller
"This is nothing like Silo Ridge," said Centaur Properties co-founder Henry Hay. "This is Buckingham Palace to a craphouse. It's completely different. It's much higher quality."

MILLBROOK — Dozens of residents of the Town of Washington packed into the courtroom in Town Hall on Reservoir Drive for a standing-room-only regular meeting of the Planning Board on Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Well over three-quarters of the crowd were there to listen in to a pre-application meeting between Planning Board members and representatives of Centaur Properties LLC, a New York City-based development company that’s proposing an 18-hole golf course, equestrian facilities and luxury residential development on the 2,000-acre Hitchcock estate.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stanford home market sees nine sales in July and August

Built in 1820, 1168 Bangall Amenia Road sold for $875,000 on July 31 with the transfer recorded in August. It has a Millbrook post office and is located in the Webutuck school district.

Christine Bates

STANFORD — The Town of Stanford with nine transfers in two months reached a median price in August of $573,000 for single family homes, still below Stanford’s all-time median high in August 2024 of $640,000.

At the beginning of October there is a large inventory of single-family homes listed for sale with only six of the 18 homes listed for below the median price of $573,000 and seven above $1 million.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dutchess County Sheriff’s Report
Village of Millerton offices on Route 22
John Coston

Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office Harlem Valley area activity reportSept. 18 to Sept. 30.

Sept. 23 — Deputies responded to 1542 State Route 292 in the Town of Pawling for the report of a suspicious vehicle at that location. Investigation resulted in the arrest of Sebastian Quiroga, age 26, for aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle in the third degree. Quiroga to appear in the Town of Pawling court at a later date.

Keep ReadingShow less