A Spring Bank Small Business Story
Founded by Mark Snyder, The Red Hook Winery opened its doors in 2008, at a time when starting a new venture came with plenty of risks. The economy was shaky, Brooklyn’s waterfront was still finding its footing, and Red Hook remained largely overlooked. For Mark, that uncertainty wasn’t a deterrent, but rather an invitation to build the 10,000 square foot waterfront winery overlooking New York Harbor that we’re familiar with today.
“I’ve always believed that challenging times are the best times to go all in,” Mark tells us. “It shows your commitment to the people and the place. If you can survive the hard moments, the good ones take care of themselves.”
The Red Hook Winery stands out as an urban winery – the first of its kind in Brooklyn, built on the idea that New York wine didn’t need to be exclusively from upstate to be authentic. Grapes could be grown across the state, brought to the city, and transformed into something meaningful right at the edge of the harbor.
The winery eventually moved to its current home on Pier 41, completing construction just days before Hurricane Sandy made landfall in October 2012. Two days later, the space was underwater, leaving Mark with a difficult choice: rebuild or walk away. Not only did he choose to stay, but he also became a vocal advocate for recovery, helping draw attention, resources, and support to a neighborhood that needed all three.
Mark’s commitment to revitalizing the winery paid off, with The Red Hook Winery coming back stronger, more resilient, and more intentional about its role in the community. The challenges didn’t stop with Hurricane Sandy, though.
While working with the state on waste-management solutions for the winery, Mark and his colleague, Colin Lus, realized that making grappa (a spirit distilled from grape pomace) could reduce their organic waste by 80 percent. What seemed like an innovative solution turned into a legal battle when federal regulators questioned their licensing in 2016.
No longer constrained by legal issues, Mark took the opportunity to launch a cidery in 2020, during the pandemic. Today, the cidery continues to grow, and Mark remains committed to uplifting the small business community in Red Hook. Both The Red Hook Winery and the cidery serve as homes for New York agriculture and viticulture, supporting and promoting other local producers.
“Our model has always been that all ships rise with the tide,” says Mark. “If we support other New York producers, the whole region gets stronger. Our competition isn’t each other—it’s overseas.”
As a community bank in New York with a branch in Red Hook, that’s a philosophy that speaks to us. Since joining the Red Hook community in late 2024, our focus has been on uplifting local small businesses and supporting them with affordable banking solutions. Having worked with his wife, Sandra, the owner of Lundy Bros, we were so excited to also welcome Mark as a small business checking account customer.
“Spring Bank’s arrival in Red Hook is so crucial for people who can’t travel, to just have access to local banking,” Mark emphasizes. “It has been fantastic for me because, first of all, they’re lovely people. They’re very easy to do business with. They’re very accommodating, very professional yet casual, and they know who I am.”
It’s been a pleasure working with Mark as we’ve continued to deepen our roots in the Red Hook community. Through our partnership, we’ve not only learned about his journey with The Red Hook Winery and cidery, but also about the evolution of Red Hook itself over the past decade.
Mark is also a founder and board member of the Red Hook Business Alliance, which is committed to the economic vitality of the Red Hook community and the preservation of one of NYC’s most dynamic and unique waterfront neighborhoods.
“If the neighborhood succeeds, we all succeed,” says Mark.
We look forward to watching The Red Hook Winery continue to grow and adapt within an ever-changing landscape. While Red Hook is constantly evolving and challenges are inevitable, they’ve never slowed Mark’s stride – a quality shared by so many of the neighborhood’s small business owners. Looking ahead, Mark is focused on organic growth, strengthening relationships, and empowering the Red Hook community.
Visit The Red Hook Winery and the cidery at Pier 41 to get a taste of Brooklyn-made wine on the waterfront. If you’re a Red Hook business owner looking for affordable banking solutions, including small business checking accounts and nonprofit checking accounts, visit us at 356 Van Brunt St., Brooklyn, NY 11231.