THE FARM
Woman + Family-Owned Business
Rich Catering Roots, Historical Landmark, Payne Farm, Borden Dairy and Elsie the Cow.
We firmly believe that farm to table is not just a movement but a way of life and that only the best food with highest quality ingredients be offered here.
We are not only top quality service providers but also mindful humanitarians that value the earth, sustainability and healthy practices.
It is the intention to have joy, knowledge and spirit be cultivated on our farm through sound, movement, sacred and celebratory functions.
We hope to offer you an escape in the countryside for whatever may bring you here, and perhaps memories to take along with you when you go.
ABOUT STABLE GATE FARM
Payne Farm was purchased by the Feldman Family in 2000. Formerly a Dairy Farm, and Home to Elsie the Cow (More Below) the Farm has since been planted with grape vineyards. Being that the Feldman Family has been in the catering business since 1936, the fourth generation of children thought it to be no better opportunity for the latest incarnation of Birch Hill Catering (Herbert's East), formerly Herbert's Catering in Downtown Albany, to evolve into Stablegate Farm.
ABOUT ELSIE THE COW
Est. Late 1930's Formerly known as Payne Farm and home to Elsie the Cow, these fertile grazing acres have since been converted to vineyards. Elsie's old home, our 20th Century Dutch Barn used to be where she was picked up in her pink "Cow-Dilac" before heading down to NYC for the show. Many local residents of Schodack have fond memories of school trips in the 1940's and 1950's to visit Elsie at our farm. The history of Elsie the Cow began in the late 1930's as a cartoon of a laughing cow called Elsie which used to advertise Borden Dairy products.
Interest in Elsie heightened at the 1939 New York World's Fair when The Borden Company featured live Jersey Cows in their exhibit. Elsie will be forever known as "Big, easy-going and wistful-eyed." Interest was very high in Elsie after the fair and requests came in from all over the country for a visit from Elsie. In 1940 she became wife to Elmer and mother of a calf named Beulah. Elsie and her family traveled around the county in a trailer containing a boudoir called "Barn Colonial."
An early postcard recalls "Elsie's dressing table made with milk bottle lamps and her toiletries include Tail Wave Set, Henna Fur Glaze and Meadow Mud Pack. The family traveled in style." As decades went by interest faded, but the symbol of The Borden Company lives on and is featured on Eagle Brand condensed milk and Borden Cheese products. Elmer lives on as the advertising symbol for Elmer's Glue.
ABOUT US
Stable Gate Winery is run by Valerie Feldman, who has grown up in her familys catering business. She is a Certified Sommelier through the Court of Master Sommeliers who studied hospitality in Boston, traveled abroad learning about wine in Tuscany and worked in both Napa + Sonoma, California. The winery shares the land with Stable Gate Barn + Vineyards home to many weddings and social engagement, and is served by Birch Hill Catering her 4th Generation Family Business. You will find Val's mother Wendy helping out with events and in the Tasting Room, Her sister Serena coordinating weddings in the barn, her Father Steven Operating Farm Equipment + taking care of the horses on site, as well as her grandmother Felice taking care of the flowers and gardens.
