Accordion Wines is a one-woman operation (helped by many generous friends) located in Accord, NY, nestled between the Shawangunk Ridge and the Catskills.
We started out in 2021, sourcing grapes from the Finger Lakes and Long Island, and fermenting them with indigenous yeasts.
We harvest all the grapes by hand, and aim to be as gentle in the winery as possible. No harsh chemicals or invasive techniques here; we do everything with a small press, an even smaller pump, and a lot of time.
Sourcing as locally as possible, we strive to make wines that we would want to drink everyday, using a single ingredient: grapes.
Malou Despoux, Founder and Winemaker
Despite hailing from the Roussillon, land of vineyards and olive trees, I fell into the world of wine by chance when I started working at a small boutique wine shop in NY.
After a couple of years in wine retail, I got antsy to try my hand at making the delicious beverage. Over the next few years, I embarked on a winemaking journey that took me to Bordeaux, California, NY State, Chile, and (of course) back home to the South of France. I had the opportunity to work alongside amazing winemakers who were patient enough to teach me their craft and share their knowledge.
While I was working in wineries, I got a diploma in viticulture and winemaking from the Université de Dijon, helping me understand some of the ins and outs of grape growing and vinification.
Thus armed with my newfound knowledge and skills, I decided to take the leap and start my own little winery in our garage in the Hudson Valley, where my husband and I had settled.
Mimi, quality control
In case you are not 100% satisfied with our wines, Mimi’s going to be the one you want to talk to. She won’t do much wine wise but will cuddle with you for hours.