Rivendell Winery was established in 1987 by the Ransom Family in the quaint Hudson Valley town of New Paltz, on the west side of the Hudson River, on a property originally established as a winery in the 1970's. Over the years it has become one of New York's most awarded labels, receiving considerable national attention for its wine quality. With a wine growing philosophy that utilizes only the finest grapes grown in the best regions of New York, and an emphasis on high quality wines made in unique and proprietary styles, Rivendell has grown to a dominant position in its immediate market, winning many regional polls for "Best Winery", an alchemist's horde of medals from regional, national and international competitions and a number of marketing "firsts" for the New York industry. Indeed, in 2004 Rivendell was awarded the Governor's Cup, for the "Best New York Wine" at the annual New York Wine Competition.

In 1998, the winery tasting room was expanded to offer the wines of many other quality New York wineries under the name Vintage New York™. Currently there are over 75 wines available for tasting from more than a dozen New York wineries. From Finger Lakes Riesling to Long Island Merlot to Hudson Valley fruit wines, Rivendell has become the place to discover the finest in New York wines in the Hudson Valley!

In the Summer of 2000, Rivendell expanded its Vintage New York™ brand and opened a unique "micro-winery" location in SoHo, New York City. There visitors can sample more than 200 wines from around the state in what the New York Times has said is a "part standard issue Soho ... and part Mendocino modern" architecturally designed Tasting Room and Wine Cellar venue.

In the Fall of 2002, Rivendell opened its second Vintage New York™ venue at Broadway and 93rd Street on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

Summer 2005 saw the opening of WineBar Restaurant contiguous to the Soho location with a menu of New York wine-friendly foods and a winelist of over 200 wines by the glass.

In late 2008, Rivendell's NYC operations were closed. At the end of 2008, the Rivendell Winery was closed as a result of the arbitrary and capricious actions of the New Paltz Building Department and the Zoning Board. See the full story here.