The tasting menu changes approximately once a month. In the spring, Red Hook added wine flights. You can choose by winemaker, region, color or a la carte. Sometimes, a staff member gets excited about a particular region and that can be a good guide. The options are a three-wine sampler with one-ounce pours. “Usually not reserve,” Nicholson says, “but we’re loosy-goosy with that.” Ask nicely, and you may be rewarded with an ounce of something special. “Reserve is six wines for $12.00.”

Nicholson uses the term “informed flights”. With your selection, you get information about everything from who made your wine to what kinds of barrels were used in aging. There’s a lot of technical jargon. If something is over your head, just ask. Red Hook Winery people love to talk about wine.

One thing you should make sure to ask is who’s behind your wines: Foley or Schoener. If you discover a winemaker who’s style you like, then your future selections and gift-giving become much easier, and you’ll find yourself with the opportunity to invest, year after year, in a bottle or case of liquid talent.

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