Champlain Wine Company thinks local

By Olivia Cahill


PLATTSBUGH, NY. – While strolling through the downtown Plattsburgh area

there are many places to visit and spend an afternoon. Among the unique

establishments downtown would be the local wine tasting room, the Champlain

Wine Company. Located at 30 City Hall Place, local wine lovers can stop in and enjoy

several samples of the different wines and sorbets that has a depth of flavor all

created by the company.

Co-owners Natalie Peck and Colin Read didn’t always envision creating the

wine company. When they are not up at their vinyard or at the tasting room, you can

find Read in the economics and finance department and Peck in institutional

advancement at Plattsburgh State.

“When we started out, we really just wanted to develop a farm that my

husband owned up in Mooers, NY. He had purchased the property mainly because of

the configuration of the land as he wanted to build a landing strip for his small four-

seater airplane.” Peck said. “We began talking about other ways that we could

develop the land and were looking into a range of options. We saw a few small

vineyards on Route 9 North and I began looking into planting grapes.”

Most people think of vineyards as being located in the warmth of Tuscany,

Italy or Sonoma, Cali. Because of the harsh climates Plattsburgh, Peck had to do her

research before diving deeper into the idea. “I found out that we could plant cold-

hardy hybrids that would withstand the cold temperatures and started talking to

other growers about the prospect of that. We planted our first vines without any

notion of becoming a commercial small farm winery.” Peck said. “We were only

going to sell the grapes. Then as looking more into the winery aspect of the business

and the emerging wine trail, we decided that we wanted to get into that area. So, I

trained with a winemaker for about a year to learn the basic skills of winemaking

and we opened our tasting room in downtown Plattsburgh.”

After planting their first vines in 2008, they currently have over four

thousand vines, making them the largest winery in the North Country. But they

don’t just sit on their success as a wine company; they also reach out into the

community and partner with other local business.

While some businesses seek to compete against one another, the Champlain

Wine Company has a rather different approach. As president of Plattsburgh

Downtown Association, Read believes that if the business in downtown Plattsburgh

work together, they will revitalize the downtown area. In order to help promote

other businesses, the Champlain Wine Company collaborates and sells many

different items from local business owners and artists.

Ashley Clark, co-owner of Sacred Roots Maple, agrees with Read. “We believe

in relationship building and connecting with local businesses in Plattsburgh. That is

the key to seeing our community grow and prosper. It's such a blessing to be able to

connect with like minded people in this community like the Champlain Wine

Company.” Clark said. Some of the different syrups are used in the tastings provided

by the wine company.

Karen Parker has worked with the company since they had their original

tasting room at 8 City Hall Place. “In 2015, they invited me to sell my hand bead

woven jewelry there on consignment. This year, I began a collaboration with Natalie

to teach a series of glass painting workshops.” Parker said. “As an artist, I benefit

from the exposure and it's great to have a local venue where people can buy my

jewelry.”

Michelle Doorey of Essential Oils collaborated several times through

workshops and selling essentials oils through the company. “When the Champlain

Wine Company moved and expanded, Natalie suggested I teach an oils class there,

and it was a hit. It has definitely helped my business and has also helped me to

overcome some obstacles I used to have with public speaking.” Doorey said. “Their

relentless vision and expansion breathes new life into downtown, especially for

those of us who have lived here most of our lives.”

The North Country Creamery also enjoyed working with the wine company.

Co-owner Ashlee Kleinhammer  said, “Our favorite event with Champlain Wine

Company was a wine a cheese pairing last spring. Attendants indulged in their

deeper understanding and observation of flavors and terroir.” Terroir meaning the

environmental factors that give a crop it’s taste.

Each month the wine company features a local artist’s work. In addition, they

sell many other local crafts like hand beaded jewelry or baskets. They also are

planning a jazz festival in the summer where their costmers can mill around the

tasting room as well as listen to local jazz artists preform.

The many businesses that collaborate with Peck and Read also reap the

benefit of the different community events they hold. “My husband, friends and I all

love to attend community events at the Champlain Wine Company regularly.

Concerts, art shows, educational workshops, craft markets, we've done it all. In the

fall, our family was part of a day of harvest at Natalie and Colin's vineyard in

Mooers. I never realized what hard work it takes to get that beautiful finished

product! We are so thankful for Natalie and Colin.” Doorey said.

As for the future of the company, “I am looking forward to our vineyard

maturing and producing more grapes as well as experimenting with different types

of wine both grape and non-grape.” Peck said.