NYC's first rooftop winery is coming

Started on a Brooklyn apartment rooftop, and helped off the ground by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Rooftop Reds (started by Devin Shoemaker) is hoping to become the first commercially viable rooftop winery in the United States and possibly... THE WORLD.

Andrew Zimmer

For now it's located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he claimed some space after being inspired by the Brooklyn Grange (a rooftop farm that 1) is awesome, and 2) holds events). There, 240 vines are strengthening their roots before an eventual move across the Navy Yard to a bigger space and a full harvest in 2016.

Rooftop Winery
Andrew Zimmer

There're four people on the team right now helping Devin grow the grapes for what will be the traditional varietals of Bordeaux (which he decided on after significant climate evaluation), including Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Petit Verdot.

Rooftop Winery
Andrew Zimmer

The vines will eventually end up in these much bigger containers for growing, after which they'll be harvested, with production tentatively going down at Red Hook Winery. They also have plans for a cafe and tasting room in the future. Go ahead, just try to not get excited about tasting wines on a rooftop vineyard overlooking Manhattan, JUST TRY.

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Andrew Zimmer is Thrillist's New York Editor and he is very excited at the prospect of hanging out in a rooftop winery. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram.