Wassaic wine shop celebrates first birthday

WASSAIC — More than two dozen residents and wine aficionados came together Saturday, July 25, to celebrate a local wine shop’s first anniversary.

Ten Mile Table, a wine shop founded by Erika DaSilva that occupies Wassaic’s historic candy store, celebrated its first anniversary on Saturday with a bonafide birthday bash complete with chocolate cake, wine tastings, charcuterie and a DJ.

The shop has been a labor of love for DaSilva, who decided to renovate the dilapidated old candy shop located on Wassaic’s Main Street between The Lantern and the Post Office. She said the past year has been about introducing customers to wines they might not otherwise try.

“There are people who come in that don’t like wine or don’t think they do,” DaSilva said. “They’ve been gracious enough to give me the space to give them something to try or walk them through.”

One of DaSilva’s current passions is showcasing New York wine producers. She said the state’s wine industry has become far more diverse in recent years, and she enjoys introducing customers to in-state producers making distinctive wines.

“Most people have had New York wine and thought that it was only riesling or that it was sweet dessert wine or something you would taste at an orchard,” DaSilva said. “No shade to riesling, but I think people have this idea that New York wine is only this one thing and it’s definitely not.”

DaSilva keeps bottles of her New York favorites uncorked and ready for a taste in the shop for curious buyers. Notable producers include Metal House Cidery in Esopus, New York, Dutchess Hill Wines based in Millerton, Dewey’s Wines from the finger lakes in western New York, and Hudson, New York -based winery Neverstill.

Looking forward, DaSilva said she plans to renovate the second floor in the aging building to serve as a tasting room, space for more wine tasting classes or other events. DaSilva hosts weekly wine tasting classes on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

DaSilva is also planning an upcoming wine forum at the shop. The talk will center New York producers of ciders and wine to make the case for drinks made instate and explain their processes.

Members of the public are invited to join the talk on Saturday, Aug. 8, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Ten Mile Table, located at Main Street near the Wassaic Project campus.