Breaking news: There’s a brand new (yet historic) barn and estate opening to the public for the first time in the Hudson Valley featuring a farm-to-table restaurant, a Yoga Barn originally constructed in 1728, and activities such as hiking and horseback riding at your disposal. Sound too good to be true? Probably, but this is the real deal, folks. The team at Be Inspired PR and The Violet Estate put this styled shoot together to showcase all this dream venue has to offer and to provide some bridal inspiration for your eyes only. 

This fully restored, historic farmstead also has a culinary program which embodies the essence of farm to table using flowers and produce grown on-site. You can gather in the the restaurant for an intimate evening accented with delectable dishes, the Yoga Barn where 100 of your nearest and dearest can attend a custom cocktail hour, the indoor riding arena for larger parties of up to 300, or the main lawn for a packed party of 500. Now accepting reservations, be one of the first to feté at The Violet Estate. 

The Violet Estate will officially open in May 2017. In early 2016, the four owners merged their creative, business, real estate and culinary expertise to form a hospitality dream team. Their shared standards of excellence and commitment to a personalized, retreat style, guest experience have resulted in the Violet’s unique flare.

What makes this venue unique? What are some of your favorite standout features?

At the Violet, we offer a getaway to those looking to disconnect from the buzz of everyday life without forgoing luxury. The Violet also provides a stunning backdrop for any event, sitting on 236 acres of lush vistas and rolling hills, which border the tranquil Crum Elbow Creek.

For those seeking a singular, immersive, destination, we offer on property activities such as hiking, horseback riding, farmstead programming, and various wellness focused offerings. For those looking to venture out, the charming town of Rhinebeck is situated only 10 minutes from our property and boasts a farmers market, antique shops, restaurants, theaters, and the renowned Omega Institute. Not to mention there are several other lovely upstate towns only 30 minutes or so from our land that are great for exploration.

Another unique element is the Violet’s culinary program, which embodies the essence of farm to table. The produce, herbs and flowers we grow on property are all used in our restaurant’s offerings. Our breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack menus are subsequently seasonal.

What about the venue inspired your team to make the design decisions that they did?

We were truly lucky to inherit a fully restored, historic farmstead, which provided a wonderful jumping off point for us to hone our design scheme. Thus we’ve been able to focus on enhancing the property’s design to reflect our aesthetic. We’re looking forward to how this will develop as we spend more time in the area and on the project.
 

Can you give us a rundown on the spaces where events/gatherings can be held?

The Yoga Barn, constructed circa 1728, is a picturesque setting for an intimate gathering of up to 80 seated guests and 100 for cocktails.

For larger events, our indoor riding arena can easily hold over 300 people. We also allow for tenting on our main lawn, permitting us to handle events of up to 500 guests. We’ve done various types of events on the lawn, ranging from weddings, to field or sport days, and can even transform it into an outdoor cinema.

Our restaurant, which opens onto a gorgeous outdoor pavilion, can also be used for intimate gatherings. The space can be configured to accommodate anything from a sitdown dinner, to a cocktail reception, to a space for workshops or roundtable discussions.

We also have a lovely, airy space called the Mill House. This is ideal for a small meditation group, or an intimate gathering for a discussion or workshop.

What types of gatherings can be held on the property?

Any event – from a smart and sassy bridal shower, to a bris, to a 50 year high school reunion (yes, we are handicap-accessible and love the elderly). We pride ourselves on being the type of venue where anyone’s fantasy can become a reality.
 

Any favorite spots, shopping, restaurants in the surrounding area?

Absolutely! The Hudson Valley is brimming with culinary and cultural gems. To name a few, we love:

Brunette Wine Bar in Kingston. Arrowood Farms Beer, which is just across the river from us in Accord. Be sure to pop by for a tour of their farm’s Brewery and definitely hit the tasting room before you depart! If you’re headed back to NYC, stop in Millbrook and check out Madava Farms at Crown Maple. There you can enjoy a maple tour and/or maple inspired brunch. If you’re still feeling brunch vibes, but want less of a Maple flare, stop by Murrays in Tivoli! Mercato in Red Hook is the perfect spot for a beautiful bowl of pasta or an all around romantic dinner. Matchbox Cafe in Rhinebeck is an excellent choice for breakfast.

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