The Capital Apple & Wine Festival: Chatham’s Sweetest & Newest Fall Tradition
- Hudson Valley Happenings
- Aug 28
- 2 min read
There are festivals—and then there are the ones that capture the very soul of a season.
The Capital Apple & Wine Festival is exactly that: crisp early autumn air filled with the scent of cider donuts, glasses clinking with New York’s finest pours, and the hum of live music spilling across the Columbia County fairgrounds. If you’ve been searching for the perfect way to celebrate fall, consider this your invitation.
Sip the Best of New York
For $25, a tasting ticket unlocks unlimited samples from more than 25 wineries, cideries, and distilleries. Picture a swirl of bold reds, sparkling ciders, and smooth small-batch spirits—all poured by the producers themselves. It’s more than a tasting, it’s a journey through New York’s craft beverage scene, sip by sip. And when you discover that one bottle you can’t stop thinking about? Take it home. Every pour here is for sale, often at festival-only prices—making it the best kind of stock-up weekend.
Feast, Shop, and Stroll
Of course, no festival is complete without the flavors that define fall. The legendary Golden Harvest Orchard is serving up cider donuts hot from the fryer, crisp orchard apples, and their own handcrafted spirits that pair perfectly with the season. Hungry for more? Food vendors dish out wood-fired pizzas, BBQ, and all the classics that make you want to linger with a plate in hand.
Beyond the bites, there’s plenty to explore—three full buildings of arts and crafts filled with unique finds, from hand-thrown ceramics to artisan textiles and jewelry. It’s the kind of shopping that feels more like treasure hunting, where every booth tells a story.
More Than Just a Festival
What sets Capital Apple & Wine apart is how much it offers for everyone. Designated drivers are welcomed with $10 entry, families can soak in the live music and festive energy, and on Sunday, the show kicks into gear with a classic car show from 10–2 that draws collectors and admirers alike. With free parking and a rain-or-shine guarantee, planning couldn’t be easier.
Why You’ll Fall in Love
This isn’t a quick stop—it’s a day you’ll want to stretch out, with glass in hand and friends by your side. Between the tastings, the food, the shopping, and the crisp Chatham, NY air, it’s the kind of experience that feels indulgent yet grounded, festive yet intimate. The Capital Apple & Wine Festival doesn’t just celebrate the season—it bottles it up, pours it out, and invites you to savor every drop.
The Details
📍 Where:
Columbia County Fairgrounds
Chatham, NY
🎟 Tasting Ticket:
$25 (unlimited pours)
DD Entry: $10
🚗 Parking: Free
🌧 Rain or Shine
✨ Don’t Miss:
Golden Harvest cider donuts, the Sunday car show 10am - 2pm,
and stocking up on bottles straight from producers
The Capital Apple & Wine Festival isn’t just a weekend in Chatham — it’s the taste of fall, bottled, baked, and brought to life. Between the unlimited tastings, fresh apples, cider donuts, live music, and the Sunday car show, it’s the kind of event that only comes once a year and lingers long after it’s over. Grab your glass, gather your crew, and make this September tradition part of your story — because autumn in New York doesn’t get any sweeter.
Never Stop Exploring!
