Before reaching the Hudson Valley, Matt was spending his days in Chile. Knowledge and interest compounded through personal consumption, connections, and an inspirational mastery of resourcefulness. Matt came to the Hudson Valley to seize the opportunity of working at Rosehill when the farm needed a head winemaker. Luckily for them (and us as consumers) they struck gold in finding someone passionate and loyal to the sincerity of the Rose Hill operation.
What is one thing you’d like people to know when consuming your product?
“Consideration of integrity” was Matt’s (paraphrased) reply. Any Rose Hill bottle that you find yourself in the company of has been given the opportunity to become naturally stabilized as a living, unaltered beverage. Every drop is a product of patience, diligence, reflection, and the honest expression of the fruit from which it is fermented.
Flexibility and honesty are two major forward moving forces of this operation. Releases are contingent on when the wines have matured into versions of themselves that are balanced and secure. This means listening to cuvees when they say they need more time and attention; here is where patience and reflection comes in. This model of production asks the producer to be transparent with themselves and what the wines are telling them each step of the way. When things go awry, discerning what factors influenced such a result is a valuable lesson - now it's known! Retaining patience even when things seem to pan out successfully is just as valuable, and will ensure triumph.
Creativity and resourcefulness are not skills that Matt Sanford lacks, which means
little gets wasted at Rose Hill Farm. Fermentations have the potential to self correct or be recycled when things veer from an imagined outcome. The ability to adapt the plan to the reality of where wines are in their composure is a major advantage in the natural wine world. This kind of flexibility warrants honest winemaking and consistent products. However, as discussed earlier, flexibility and integrity require support and time which do not come easily. Rose Hill is a multifaceted operation, from growing and selling produce to hosting events and operating as a space for the community, and wine production - the farm has created a strong foundation on many legs. Matt expresses his gratitude for Rose Hill’s ability to maintain values of honest production through the secure foundation of their project.
What is one thing you’re looking forward to?
There is a glowing excitement radiating around growing grapes locally and producing wines that are more concentrated in fruit that has been cultivated by Rose Hill hands. A shared vision for producers in this area is utilizing what we have close to us for gastronomic purposes. It is the reality though, that grapes face challenges in the cool, damp climate of NY. The Finger Lakes promote healthy drainage in soil and warmer temperatures surrounding the water. Vast vineyards are cultivated here, supplying winemakers all over the state with grapes. The Hudson River provides a similar setting of drainage and temperature control along that Valley that is hospitable for grapes, and some of our favorite local producers are getting involved. The future holds cuvees from grapes coming out of a vineyard collaboration between Rose Hill, Wild Arc, and Dewey’s Wines. This alliance is nurturing 10 acres of vines including Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay in Greenport just outside of Hudson on the South Side of the RIP Van Winkle Bridge. Stay tuned for more expressions of Hudson Valley terroir!
