May is National Small Business Month, and we sat down with Paige Flori, Owner and Founder of Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider in Fishkill, New York. The small, family-owned shop features a curated selection of products and one of the nation’s largest collections of hard cider.
Learn more about the specialty store redefining the beverage scene in the Hudson Valley!
What is your role at Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider and what drew you to the cider and/or broader beverage industry?
Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider, referred to as Boutique, is the only wine shop in New York State with 13 taps of hard cider for growler fills, including one tap in the trunk of our custom-made tree that we decorate seasonally. We also house over 70 mead options; several temperature-controlled cabinets of traditional, allocated wine from California to Europe; and a vast variety of everyday wines, featuring boutique and local brands, pétillant naturel (pét-nats), orange wines, and vegan and organic selections. Our spirits include a hand-picked assortment of agave spirits featuring tequila, mezcal, sotol, and bacanora, and of course, a huge array of whiskey and other spirits.
Our staff is well educated in the wine and spirits industry, including certifications with: Court of Master Sommeliers, American Cider Association Certified Cider Professionals and Certified Pommelier, Wine Education and Spirits Trust (WSET) Certified Sommeliers, MOOC Champagne certifications, School of Port Certifications, Council of Whiskey Masters Bourbon Certification, Edinburgh Whiskey Scotch Whiskey and Gin Certifications, and Consejo Regulador Tequila. We have graduates from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA) on staff and have had many students as employees, as well as staff with extensive bartending experience. Essentially, our staff is at the public’s disposal to help with food pairings, mixology questions, cooking with wine and spirits inquiries, and overall questions about categories, production, tradition, flavor profiles, and history. We focus on the customer experience with everyone who enters our shop.
For me personally, I discovered hard cider during college, and when I moved up to the Hudson Valley, I was surprised to find that there weren’t many places that sold cider or even knew much about the category. At the time, I was a wine representative so many of the retail stores in Dutchess County and the Hudson Valley were my clients. I loved hard cider and decided I wanted to learn more about it and open a shop that specialized in that category, rather than have a small section in the darkest section of the store. So, we built a tap system, featuring a sculpted apple tree, complete with a tap in its trunk.
What led you to found Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider in Dutchess County?
To us, location was key to the success of our shop. As a resident of Dutchess for over 20 years, I knew I wanted to support my community. But the choice of locating in Fishkill, where Route 9 and I-84 cross, was in anticipation of drawing customers from a greater geography because we specialized in something that no other store—8 years ago when we opened—was willing to take a chance on. We loved that Westage Plaza is surrounded by hotels and near a major interstate connecting us to the northeast corridor as well as New York City and beyond.
What is the landscape of the cider industry in Dutchess County?
The cider industry in Dutchess County is vibrant, diverse, and deeply rooted in both tradition and innovation. Dutchess is home to several standout producers that showcase the region’s agricultural richness coupled with craft beverage expertise. Including:
- Fishkill Farms, located closest to our shop, is known for its beautifully crafted ciders that appeal to both seasoned cider drinkers and even reaches wine drinkers! Their family-friendly farm and tasting room offer an immersive experience and their commitment to transparency—especially in their labels—is something customers truly value.
- In Red Hook, Rose Hill has emerged as a leading farm cidery with a striking new tasting room that boasts scenic views. They’re known for their innovative and distinctive cider styles, crafted under the direction of a world-renowned cidermaker, which has made them a favorite among those looking for something unique.
- Elizabeth Ryan, considered a pioneer in the American cider revival, is also based in Dutchess County with her Hudson Valley Farmhouse Cider brand. Her influence on the local cider scene is profound and her cider “God Speed the Plow” was a part of the inspiration for opening our shop.
- Other noteworthy producers include Shady Knoll, who makes a port-style cider called Pommeau; Dennings Point and Branchwater, which both specialize in distilled ciders like apple brandy; Milea, who has produced exceptional cider in the past; and Slate Point in Poughkeepsie, primarily a meadery, occasionally offers innovative mead-cider hybrids that are well worth exploring.
Overall, Dutchess County offers a rich and evolving cider landscape, marked by quality, craftsmanship and a deep connection to the land.
How does Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider support or engage with the local community?
We do lots of events and fundraisers, and provide support via donation to many non-profits within the community, including The ARC of the Greater Hudson Valley, local fire departments, Meals on Wheels, Blogett Library, United Way, Jewish Federation, Ronald McDonald House, Marie Ferrier Children’s Hospital, Sparrow’s Nest, Dutchess Chamber of Commerce, and many more. We also volunteer our pairing and wine expertise with Locust Grove several times per year in their Sunset Sensations fundraisers.
How does Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider contribute to the broader economic development of Dutchess County?
Because of our selection of over 350 hard ciders and expertise in the field, we attract a lot of tourists, especially at our Hardcore Grand Cider Tasting events in the spring and the end of September. But we also do other large, specialized events, including a whiskey experience at the end of January, an agave-focused tasting in the spring, and a mead tasting on National Mead Day, which is the first Saturday in August.
Specialized events like this draw tourists to the area from as far west as California and Nevada, as far north as Maine, and as far south as the Carolinas. We work closely with the local hotels and restaurants and Distinctly Dutchess (Dutchess Tourism) to create a positive experience for those discovering the county for the first time and encourage them to return. We have seen some success with a recurring annual meeting of an online whiskey group having members scattered across the U. S. meet and stay in Dutchess while visiting local distilleries.
Additionally, we are locally owned and operated, and we work hard to represent as many New York wine, mead, cider, and distilled products as possible. We encourage our customers and visitors to try products made locally to help keep the hard-earned dollars of our community within our local area.
Does Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider have any local initiatives or programs designed to support the Dutchess County community?
Each year, we proudly take part in a variety of community initiatives. We collaborate with the Fishkill Business Association to host a free Trunk-or-Treat event for local families during Halloween. During the holiday season, we team up with the Banx Group at Compass Realty to support the Dutchess Food Pantry and serve as a collection point with shopping incentives. We also partnered with the Hudson Valley Rewards program to promote shopping locally and were honored to provide a home-cooked Easter dinner during the pandemic for the 200 troops staying at nearby hotels, serving them a holiday meal at the Hilton, when local restaurants were closed.
Currently, we are working with Dutchess Tourism in support of their RevCon program, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the USA, on a cider-based event taking place at Fishkill Farms and Treasury Cider on June 28th. Learn more here: https://destinationdutchess.com/spotlights/rev250-cider-event
Does Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider have any programs focused on education or workforce development in Dutchess County?
We work closely with the CIA and over the years we have had several students complete their externship at our shop. We teach these students the nuances of the industry and work with them to earn their certifications in hard cider from the American Cider Association and Wine, Spirits Education Trust (WSET). Our most recent extern just passed his Certified Cider Guide Level 1 with the American Cider Association and his WSET Level 2 with distinction. He is only 21 years and will graduate with his bachelor’s degree and both certifications, setting him up to continue in the beverage industry. We encourage our CIA externs to work at the local wineries, cideries, and distilleries to get a better understanding of how things are made and perhaps consider staying in Dutchess to open up their own place after graduation.
Does Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider have any programs or initiatives coming up that the community should know about?
One initiative we’re especially proud of is our upcoming fundraiser for CCLT4VETS (CCLT4VETS.org), a veteran-founded, non-profit that supports current service members, veterans, first responders, and their families through creative arts therapy, outdoor excursions, advocacy, and other meaningful resources. We’re hosting the event at our shop on Saturday, June 7th, from 5 to 8pm. Guests will be able to enjoy a tasting of 20 different craft wines, spirits, ciders, and meads, along with delicious bites. It’s a great opportunity to bring the community together for a good cause and we are suggesting a $10 donation to support the organization’s important work.
Also, we facilitated a single barrel bourbon pick for The ARC of the Greater Hudson Valley and are assisting them with the launch of the whiskey via a “meet the distiller” fundraising dinner on Thursday, October 30. We partnered The ARC with Beyond Distilling, whose distiller is from the Hudson Valley, for this special whiskey release because we knew these two companies are united by a shared commitment to supporting individuals with disabilities. Tickets are available at https://arcghvny.org/bourbon/the-arc-ghv-bourbon-tasting.html.
What is the current trend or development you’re following that’s shaping the cider and/or broader beverage industry?
The beverage industry is seeing a significant shift toward lighter, more health-conscious choices, and hard cider is perfectly positioned to meet this demand. With its naturally lower ABV—typically 5-8%—compared to many wines, spirits, and even some beers, cider appeals to consumers looking for a refreshing option that aligns with mindful drinking habits. Many ciders are also gluten-free and made with simple, recognizable ingredients, enhancing their reputation as a “cleaner” alternative.
Another key trend shaping the market is flavor consistency across categories. Today’s consumers often gravitate toward a favorite flavor, like cherry, pineapple, or blood orange, and seek it in multiple formats: cider, hard seltzer, flavored vodkas and whiskeys, ready-to-drink cocktails, and even wines. This cross-category flavor loyalty presents an opportunity for cider makers and others to innovate and expand their offerings to reflect the flavors customers already love and are seeking.
Together, these trends reflect a broader consumer desire for better-for-you beverages that don’t compromise on taste, along with a growing interest in personalization and flavor exploration across all alcohol categories. Hard cider, with its versatility and modern appeal, has the potential to ride the wave of both.
How does Boutique Wines, Spirits & Cider take advantage of local education resources, including community colleges, universities, and training programs?
Many of our employees have taken advantage of Distinctly Dutchess (Dutchess Tourism)’s Certified Tourism Ambassador program. We hold industry tastings with staff at the CIA and some of the local restaurants from time to time to help expand our collective palates and knowledge.
Personally, I successfully completed the Small Business Administration Thrive program in 2024, which is an executive level training series designed to accelerate the growth of high potential small businesses across the U.S. I highly recommend applying and taking the time to complete this program, which is free, you just have to be accepted into it.
What advice would you give to another business professional in Dutchess County?
Make a plan but be prepared to pivot. The landscape can change in the blink of an eye, whether it is a pandemic, changes in regulations, price fluctuations, competition, or even geographic or traffic pattern changes. Always be prepared!
What advice would you give to a business looking to move to Dutchess County?
Take the time to get to know the community where you plan to establish your business. Attend town, zoning, and planning board meetings to understand the local vision and priorities. Look for signs that the town supports and values local businesses and consider how your business can complement and contribute to that landscape. Most importantly, explore how the community’s expansion plans align with your long-term goals.
Keep an open mind when it comes to customers. There are so many different types of people that live and work in Dutchess, and we have found that they are loyal and kind. These are the best kinds of customers. The people in this community are really amazing.
What do you see as the biggest opportunities for growth in Dutchess County?
Dutchess County offers tremendous opportunities for growth. Home to some of the nation’s top colleges, the region provides access to a well-educated and expanding workforce. Residential development is on the rise, with new housing and thoughtfully planned communities emerging across the county. The area also boasts a vibrant lifestyle scene with exceptional restaurants, museums, historic landmarks, hiking trails, and countless recreational activities.
Inspired by the incredible impact of these local businesses? Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or community partner, we’d love to hear from you. Connect with our team at info@thinkdutchess.com to learn how we can support your business, collaborate on economic development initiatives, or help you grow right here in Dutchess County.