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FeedHudson Valley Wine Bars: Paula’s Stone Cottage Wine Bar, Fishkill, NY
Fishkill goes for the grape as a new wine bar, Paula’s Stone Cottage Wine Bar, opens up on Main Street
Old wine, Young sommelier: Paula Young of Paula’s Stone Cottage Wine Bar
Photograph by Teresa Horgan
It seems that Paula Young was born to own Paula’s Stone Cottage Wine Bar on the corner of Broad and Main: “the address is my birthday,” she remarks of the tiny, charming cottage (which, since 1940, has housed Fishkill’s original library, an architect’s office, and a spa). Two lounges boast exposed beams, a fireplace, and enough fluffy couches and chairs to seat 40; local art and fun inscriptions like “Wine Flies When You’re Having Fun” adorn the walls.
But most impressive here is the wine list; since opening in April, Young has accumulated more than 82 wines that are served by the glass, including a petite sirah from Sonoma dubbed the Crusher. “I’m really excited about it,” she says. “It’s just crushed and then put into bottles — they don’t mess with it too much.”
In fact, “not messing with it too much” seems to be the theme here. Guests sip vino while picking from a modest menu of charcuterie, panini, and chocolate cake; listening to jazz music; logging in to the bar’s Wi-Fi; or simply enjoying a chat with friends. You’ll find the famous Italian generosity here, too: Young (who is of Italian heritage) once served more than a dozen half-ounce samples of various wines to help an indecisive guest find the perfect glass. “This is what I do at home,” she says. “I try to make people feel comfortable as if they were in my own house. And here, you immediately feel like you’re at a house party.”
The wines: 82 ($8/glass, $30/bottle)
The nosh: Ceviche, marinated calamari, chocolate cake
Signature events: Tightwad Tuesdays (6 whites/6 reds for $6 each), tarot card readings on Sundays
