The History
In the 1850’s, Archibald Russell, a known philanthropist and founder of Ulster County Savings in Kingston, built a home for his family on an estate known as Glen Albyn. Archibald died in 1871 and his widow, Helen, sold the Glen Albyn estate to the Durkee family in 1885. The Durkee’s were proprietors of one of the country’s leading spice businesses and eventually condiment producers. They purchased the property as a wedding gift for their daughter and owned it until it was purchased in the 1920’s by the Christian Brotherhood and for the next 100+ years, the historic estate served as a working monastery known as the Santa Maria Novitiate.
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We are proud to be the 4th owner in over 170 years, and equally proud to introduce, The Hudson House & Distillery. We have committed to restore and maintain the property’s natural beauty in keeping with the original Italian Villa Revival style of architecture. We encourage you to explore the old buildings and truly experience this unique and special property in the heart of Hudson Valley.
Schedule a tour to learn more about how this incredible one of a kind distillery came to life and overcame enormous challenges over 6 years.
Mission
Our mission is to produce world class spirits and offer a one of a kind unique experience to our guests, while being true to our story and opening our property for all to enjoy.
Vision
Our vision is to share our story and experience through our world class spirits, and our breathtaking property and deliver what Hudson Valley has to offer, to the world. At every turn we support American manufacturing and will always source quality over price.
Respecting our past and embracing the future, The Hudson House & Distillery represents a beacon of hope that old world can be blended into the new world and still maintain authenticity to who we are as a craft distillery, event space and restaurant.