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Balderdash Cellars

4.9 (118 reviews)
ModerateWineries
Closed • 12:00 pm - 5:00 PM
Updated 1 week ago

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What a great location . Had a wine flight ; my favorite was the Syrah . Tori was awesome . My brother spent some time chatting with the owner , what a great way to spend an afternoon,

One of the shirts you can buy
Tina S.

We stopped in while we were visiting the area. We happened to stop up on a day they had entertainment and a food truck. It was nice place lots of seats to accommodate everyone without being on top of each other. You can bring food in from outside if you do not like the food truck that is there. We did a flight of wine. The wines were ok. Our favorite ended up being the frozen wine drink they had . Definitely, worth the stop.

Aashna K.

I've been to this winery a few times now and it never disappoints. This is one of my favorite wineries I've ever been to! I love the view here. Last time, we came on a Saturday afternoon and it was crowded inside, but there's plenty of seating outside. There was also live music and it was a great vibe. You can bring your own food, but they also have a food truck outside usually. The staff is always friendly and helpful. The person helping us this time let us try the wine before we bought it which was nice. I have gotten the flight once before, but the amount they give you to try for each wine is very small and for the price, I recommend just getting a glass of wine. My favorite is the truth serum rose blend.

Cara E.

While on a road trip to the northeast, we stopped by Balderdash Cellars for a wine flight. It is on a beautiful property, with plenty of seating inside and outside. The wine was delicious, and also the flight was served in the cutest vials. The staff working were wonderful and patient, helping us make decisions on what to try. They have games to play while you're enjoying your wine, which is fun! Definitely worth stopping if you're looking for a beautiful winery to visit.

Kristen W.

Honestly the best winery experience we have had! Absolutely beautiful setting - large grassy areas, gravel area with tables and chairs, cool indoor area overlooking to wine making process. The "take a chair" policy is such a novel and ideal way for set up - it was great to grab chairs, a folding table, and set up wherever we wanted to for the day. They had amazing wines and the flights were a very cute set up. You can bring your own food and they had a delicious food truck on site.

Cindy G.

Great spot to relax with a beautiful view, Adirondack chairs, picnic tables, and indoor seating. Live music inside and amazing! Wine is $11 a glass. Children and dog friendly. Gets very busy.

Halloween decor
Sarah A.

Great wines with amazing views! Highly recommend the Pinot Noir! They do flights of five pours. Great seating outside facing Richmond Pond. When we visited this weekend they also had a number of cute Halloween decorations and a selection of pumpkins and gourds.

Inside; the bar is to the right
Paula E.

I visited here in late August while visiting the Berkshires. It was on a Wednesday, and it was the only Vineyard open in the area. The drive up was very pretty and I was very grateful for Google maps because it is kind of out there (at least for me). We were able to do a tasting of five wines - you're actually just getting a flight, and not a traditional tasting where they would tell you about the wine. Four were their choice and the final one was our choice. My favorite was their dessert wine and I bought a bottle, since I am not from the area and will not visit again unless I go to the Berkshires again. The tasting was $11. The people working there were very friendly and helpful with their suggestions. The views are beautiful! We went pretty early (around 1pm) and I didn't see a food truck. We only stayed one hour because we had a two hour ride back home and I wanted to beat traffic. If I am ever in the area again I will definitely return. I would also recommend this winery to others.

MacKenna C.

A must visit while you're in town!! Balderdash exceeded our expectations on all fronts. We came on a hopping Saturday afternoon and enjoyed live music, board games, tasty food, a bustling crowd, a beautiful view, and INCREDIBLE wine (the Cab Sav is divine). More than that, we experienced the most memorable hospitality we've had in decades. When we were stuck without a ride after close, the amazingly generous owner (Donna), insisted on driving 5 strangers to different hotels in separate directions. Ubers wouldn't connect and cab services were unavailable. Donna picked up on the stress of two groups instantly and brought her car around to take us home. We are eternally grateful for her generosity and spirit. She made us feel like family which is a rarity these days. This act of kindness speaks volumes to the passion and care the Hansons put into their craft. Please, add Balderdash to your list!

Nicole D.

This is one of my favorite day trips from the Capital District. Plan to arrive close to opening time at noon because it is packed by 1. During the winter months seating is scarce, lines for the bathroom and wine service are long and it is very loud. Summer time, same issue with lines but you can snag adirondack chairs and tables outside and enjoy the scenery. The winery provides some board and card games and also live music. You can also bring your own snacks if there is not a food truck that strikes your fancy. The majority of grapes are imported from Cali and also some from the Finger Lakes. I recommend a bottle of Truth Serum to bring back home. It is my favorite at the winery.

The Barn at Balderdash is a perfect event space!! Donna and Christian are so helpful and accommodating!!! Balderdash is a magical place
Pamela C.

We had a coed baby shower for our daughter and our son in law it was a fabulous day!! Donna and Christian are super accommodating, full of energy. Balderdash has incredible karma and make everyone feel special!! Such a great place for a party or just a glass of wine and relax!!!

Al Fresco under the tent
Trace V.

5 Star Experience! Lovely setting on top of a hill with a view of the lake -- The winery (that also serves a beer or two) is open during Covid Times with limits on reservations and outside seating only. We chose the covered patio over the lawn seating as we didn't want to bring out own chairs, etc. We shared a bottle of their Cab which was quite good -- and gulped down some lobster rolls 'n chips. They had a guy playing acoustic guitar on the lawn (which is HUGE) and it's a doggie friendly place too. We will make this a regular stop during our visits to The Berkshires (from California). And that's no Balderdash!

Menu
Courtney L.

Great views and venue. The wine tastings come in chemical flasks. This was cool because I am a science nerd. The food truck on site was very tasty. This is where the good news stops. The wine was not good. We tried all of them plus had a beer. We left without purchase. This is unusual for us considering we love to buy wine from different parts of our travels. It was an experience but nothing special. If you want good wine you need to go elsewhere.

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1 year ago

This is a beautiful setting with ample seating and delicious wine! A perfect place to spend a weekend

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1 year ago

Great place to hang out, listen to music and enjoy a glass of wine. They had a food truck the day we visited but you can bring your own food

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Business owner information

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Christian H.

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1 year ago

Great place went there on a whim while in Lenox for a concert highly recommend service ambiance were great good wine Too

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The grounds are gorgeous and the weekend events are fun with yummy food trucks - especially the Oysters

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2 years ago

Very enjoyable ambiance with good selection of wines, live music, and most important, good service n hosts. Perfect for a sunday afternoon.

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Christian H.

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Beautiful, beautiful location. Servers always willing to help you pick a wine that you'll like.

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3 years ago

This was such a cute winery with a great selection of wines and the atmosphere is super chill. We will definitely be visiting again.

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Ask the Community - Balderdash Cellars

Is it dog friendly?

Hi Darlene, we are dog friendly for friendly dogs. They just need to be on a leash at all times. -Christian

View All 2 Questions

Review Highlights - Balderdash Cellars

“As soon as you walk in, the owners, Christian and Donna, make you feel at home and treat you like old friends.”

Mentioned in 24 reviews

Read more highlights

Hilltop Orchards

Hilltop Orchards

4.5(187 reviews)
2.9 mi
•$$

This small cider/winery is an excellent stop on your tour through the Berkshires. They have some…read moreinventive ciders and wines that don't follow the "rules" of flavor profiles. Using grapes shipped from CA and mixing with apples crown on site, this small batch operation is a delightful stop. Specifically, I want to shout out our wine guide who took us through several of their wines. She made our experience there memorable with her amazing personality, charm, and humor. The space is small but offers a variety of options to hang out and enjoy their wines and ciders - inside by the fireplace, outside on the screen porch, or outdoors on the patio. We loved our time at Hilltop and hope to return.

The place is rundown and I think the people writing positive reviews must have been too intoxicated…read moreto notice the unfortunate state or affairs and the people who run the place are neglecting the orchards. The "vineyards" were sad and disheveled, and the apple orchard looked worse very seriously neglected. The apple trees were very old, untended to and rotting, the trails were poorly maintained, the parking was a disorganized, and the grounds looked like nobody was taking care of them. The amount of junk round the building is staggering, not a place you want to buy food or drink from. The "food" is not fresh or made onsite it's just overpriced groceries. We only stayed here because my daughter had been so excited and we had traveled out of our way to get here. We made the best of it, but I could hardly find enough decent apples to fill the bag we had already purchased. Many of the apples had dark, greenish spots all over them: a fungus that you can see my photos. When I asked, "Do you still have pick-your-own?" it was because the trees looked practically empty from where we were standing. Walking through the orchard confirmed that impression: there was very little worth picking. We were there during prime apple season where all other orchards are overflowing with apples; even so we went to the very farthest trees at the back of the orchard; rotten, fungus, and very few trees producing fruit. I should have read past all the drinking reviews to the heart of the matter: unkept place absolutely do not go here. Looking around, the whole place is run-down and neglected. Honestly, I felt sad for the trees and grape vines. This was an overpriced, incredibly disappointing experience. If you're looking for somewhere to drink wine, maybe you'll have a different experience. But for apple picking, I wouldn't recommend this place to anybody. An absolute mess, and I won't be back, it was the worst orchard experience I've ever had.

Photos
Hilltop Orchards
Hilltop Orchards - Apples

Apples

Hilltop Orchards

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SABBA Vineyard - Decor for sale, elegant punch serving set

SABBA Vineyard

4.9(13 reviews)
12.5 mi

We had the most wonderful experience here last night! We were trying to find something to do near…read moreGhent and my friend found this vineyard that offered wine tasting, an activity none of us have ever done before and thought it would be a relaxing way to spend the evening. We were hosted by the most knowledgeable and gracious couple (Lisa and Francis) who were welcoming and made our first experience a memorable one. We learned about the history behind the vineyard, the amazing artwork that decorates it (inside and out) and left feeling more well versed with wine. I am normally not a Chardonnay fan but since their Chardonnay is made in a steel barrel, it doesn't have the same buttery taste that an oak barrel would.. and I LOVED IT! (if y'all read this review, I hope that's correct). I also was surprised that I really liked their Sherry, which is one of the highest proofs spirits that they serve. It was strong but it was something enjoyable to sip on! (Def went home with a bottle of each) We happened to arrive in a night where us wasn't busy so if you arrive and it looks quiet, do not leave! We ended up receiving VIP one-on-one service that may have been different if the place was packed (which they mentioned it was the night before) The couple who spent time with us were so friendly, and after noticing a gift basket assembly on the table, even let me purchase it since I live in the city and wouldn't be back up this way for a while. Our only regret was not getting there earlier in the day so that we could enjoy the outdoor experience of the venue, since the property is covered in beautiful grassy fields and sculptures that are even on some of the bottle labels. This is a highly recommended place! Ask about their cute gift baskets and make sure to go before the middle of December before they close for winter. They will reopen in April... and I will def be back!

Sabba Vineyard is absolutely charming. The owner, Abby, is passionate about this wonderful winery…read morehe's created. The vineyard, located in Old Chatham is gorgeous and adorned by pieces of Abby's own metal art sculptures. Recently visited on a Saturday when they have live music as delightful background for sipping wine and enjoying a cheeseboard. Great to have another beautiful winery in the Capital District.

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SABBA Vineyard - Painted wine bottles by the owner and cute wine bottle decor

Painted wine bottles by the owner and cute wine bottle decor

SABBA Vineyard - Awards and recognition

Awards and recognition

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Wine tasting, fruit and cheese platter

Balderdash Cellars - wineries - Updated November 2026

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