Glenora Wine Cellars and Knapp Winery Hosting a New Release Celebration!

Our dear friends at Glenora Wine Cellars and Knapp Winery are hosting a new release celebration on Friday, May 23, from 6 - 8PM at the retail shop at Glenora Wine Cellars. Orlando (Glenora's awesome new chef) will be serving light hors d'oeuvres and guests will be able to taste several new wines from the celebrated 2007 vintage. (Recently Wine Spectator rated the quality of the 2007 harvest and gave the region an A-). Glenora also will showcase their new wine label design (we are very excited to see the final look).

Here are some of the new wines you will be able to taste:
2007 Glenora Barrel Fermented Pinot Blanc
2007 Glenora Chardonnay
2007 Glenora Dry Riesling
2007 Glenora Riesling
Knapp, Curiosity
Knapp, Limencello
Knapp, Brut

If you want to attend this event please call Kerry at 607-243-5511, ext. 412 or email her at kerry@glenora.com

If wine and food events are your thing, discover our calendar of events for a full listings of things happening in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Farmers Market Opens in Finger Lakes Wine Country!

One of the greatest things about Finger Lakes Wine Country is the agricultural lifestyle and industry that is prevelant throughout the region. From exploring road-side farm stands or learning how cheese is made to one-stop shopping at one of our many farmers markets you will be amazing at the farm bounty.

Our good friends at the Gaffer District in Corning just sent word that Corning's Farmers Market starts on Thursday, June 5 from 9 - 5PM and continues every Thursday through October 30. Here is the latest:

Featuring products such as home grown fruits and vegetables grown by New York State farmers to homemade crafts and lunch items. The Market will bring the best of New York State to it’s customers.

“The Corning Farmer’s Market has been bringing the best fruits, vegetables, and other products to customers for over 5 years,” said Stacie Rosewood-Boyskey, Market Manager and Events and Promotions Coordinator for Corning’s Gaffer District. “We have a strong history of offering quality products, and we are excited about the 2008 season.”

Some of the things that customers can expect to see in 2008 are a wide variety of fresh herbs, meadow flower bouquets, and local honey. (Perfect for souveniers from your Finger Lakes Wine Country vacation).

Corning’s Farmer’s Market is located in Riverfront Centennial Park in Corning’s Gaffer District from 9am to 3pm. For more information on Corning’s Farmer’s Market, please contact Stacie Rosewood-Boyskey at stacie@gafferdistrict.com or 607-937-6292 extension 105.

Thirsty Owl Wine Company Open its Bistro!

Thirsty Owl Wine Company, a member of the Cayuga Wine Trail and located on the western bank of Cayuga Lake, has one of the most beautiful locations in Finger lakes Wine Country. The Crupp family is committed to making world-class wines. Their hard work paid off last year when they won the highly coveted Governor's Cup for the best New York wine for the winery's 2006 Dry Riesling.

Many of the wineries in Finger Lakes Wine Country have added on-site cafes and restaurants. When in wine country make sure you visit Knapp,Wagner, Castel Grisch,Fox Run, Glenora, Red Newt, Ventosa, Belhurst, Sheldrake Point, Heron Hill, Bully Hill, and of course Thirsty Owl not only for their wines but for their fabulous food as well.

The Thirsty Owl Bisto Grand Opening is Saturday, May 24th and Sunday, May 25th with live music by Bob Walpole on Saturday from 1 to 5 pm. Several new wines will also be released this weekend.

Golden Nose Tickets Still Available!

One of the most unique wine events in the United States happens each May in Finger Lakes Wine Country. On Saturday, May 31, you can learn to be a wine judge! The Golden Nose Award is a chance to hang-out with winemakers and winery owners. Help pick the best wine in Finger Lakes Wine Country. This year over 220 wines have been submitted for review.

Paul Thomas, the executive director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, just sent me over all the updated information on the event. See you on the 31st of May!

With over 220 different wines submitted for this unique, regional wine competition and the ever-popular Virgil Cain performing during the evening awards banquet the night of Saturday, May 31, this year's Golden Nose Award event promises to be better than ever.

Explained Paul Thomas, executive director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, "The Golden Nose Award: A Finger Lakes Wine Experience is a truly unique event, and wine competition in our region if not the United States. Unlike competitions where professional judges are utilized, the Golden Nose employs everyday fans of wine to do all the judging. While various publications pay acute attention to professionally judged events, we continue to believe that what real people appreciate is what truly matters. Further, with our 2007 regional harvest receiving a worthy A- from Wine Spectator, the majority of wines being judged are assured to be some of the finest the region has produced in years. Topping it all off, regionally beloved Virgil Cain will be headlining the awards banquet playing a wide variety of lively tunes, hopefully including my personal favorite "Whip It" by geeksquad DEVO. It will be a day of learning, delicious wine and a terrific party! "

Three different tickets are available to participants, depending on the depth they wish to participate.
Judges tickets enable people to participate in all 4 components of the event, including the private reception at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art the preceding Friday evening, breakfast and the training sessions Saturday morning, lunch and the grand tasting Saturday afternoon, then dinner and the awards banquet Saturday evening.
For people interested in learning about wine and having a fun time, there are also Trainers tickets available, which includes everything available to the Judges, without lunch and the grand tasting. Last, but by no means least, for people primarily interested in a fantastic party (over 200 different wines will be available to enjoy with dinner prepared by the Corning Museum of Glass' executive chef) featuring Virgil Cain there is an affordable Dinner ticket available.

For more information on the Golden Nose Award: A Finger Lakes Experience, please call the Seneca Lake Wine Trail at 1-877-536-2717 or visit their comprehensive website at www.senecalakewine.com.

Patrick Dempsey at Watkins Glen International

After work yesterday I went to the movies to see one of my favorite actors, Patrick Dempsey, in Made of Honor. The movie won't win an Academy Award but was entertaining enough. Grey's Anatomy is still one of my favorite TV shows. I just found out that Patrick will be racing at The Glen on June 7. I know where I will be on the first Saturday of June.

Here are more details about Patrick Dempsey coming to Finger Lakes Wine Country:

The entry list for the upcoming Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen has a name that both non-race and race fans alike should know – Patrick Dempsey. The popular actor is scheduled to compete in the GT class of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Race on Saturday, June 7 at 11:15 AM. Dempsey was entered to compete at The Glen in 2007 as part of the KONI Challenge Series but withdrew at the last second due to a conflict associated with a movie he was shooting for SONY.

Dempsey is best known for his role as Dr. Derek Shepherd (a.k.a. Dr. McDreamy) on the hit TV drama Grey’s Anatomy. Fans may have also seen him in the recently released movie Made of Honor which is currently second on the Top-10 Box Office list. In 2007, the long-time racing enthusiast competed in 5 Grand-Am KONI Challenge Series events with a career-best finish of 6th at Homestead-Miami Speedway and also made his debut in Grand-Am Rolex Series GT competition at Miller Motorsports Park. Dempsey will share the driving duties of the No. 40 Mazda RX-8 for Hyper Sport Racing with co-driver Joe Foster. Fans will have the chance to meet Dempsey and all the stars of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series during an autograph session that runs 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm on Friday, June 6.

Tickets for the historic 60th Anniversary Season at Watkins Glen International are on-sale now! The season kicks-off in less that 30 days with the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, June 6-7 paired with the NASCAR Camping World Series’ East Division on Sunday, June 8. General admission tickets for Kids 12 and under are FREE during the June 6-8 and July 4-6 event weekends when accompanied by an adult. Open-wheel racing returns for the 4th of July weekend during the Camping World Grand Prix at The Glen, July 4-6, and the Centurion Boats at The Glen NASCAR Sprint Cup and Zippo 200 NASCAR Nationwide Series weekend highlights the summer action, August 7-10. For more tickets and more information, please contact the Watkins Glen International ticket office at 866-461-RACE or log on to the official website www.TheGlen.com.

Old-Time Fiddlers' Gathering in Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Yesterday I told you about an unique rhubarb festival and today it is all about fiddles. On June 7 & 8 at Watkins Glen State Park in Watkins Glen on the South Pavilion enjoy some swinging fiddling.

Saturday, June 7 - From 1-7PM enjoy String Fever, John Cadley and the Lost Bosys, Swing This, and Swing Dance with Swing This at 5:30PM.

Sunday, June 8 - From 12:30-5:30PM enjoy The Bosstone, Laura Orshaw, and The Delaney Brothers.

A fiddle maker and other vendors will be site including a food vendor. Bring your own lawn chairs. Admission is $6 per car.

More information at 607.962.5871 ext. 222 or folkarts@eARTS.org

Olde-Tyme Rhubard Festival in Finger Lakes Wine Country

My father-in-law's favorite dessert is strawberry rhubarb pie so when I came across this festival I immediately called him! What a nice way to spend a Saturday in June. Here are the details:

Montezuma Winery
Olde-Tyme Rhubarb Festival
Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 12-4pm

Remember the days when you were a kid and the smell of fresh baked rhubarb pie filled Grandma’s kitchen? Step back in time with Montezuma Winery on Saturday, June 7th from Noon-4pm as we celebrate the rhubarb harvest season with our Olde-Tyme Rhubarb Festival. Visitors will enjoy rhubarb specialties, while sampling some of the most unique fruit, grape and honey wines in the Finger Lakes.

Purchase fresh rhubarb and other rhubarb delights such as pies, rhubarb crisp, muffins, jams and more. Sample or purchase a rhubarb wine slushie or our Bird in the Bog drink made with our sparkling rhubarb and cranberry wine. The Cayuga Lake Creamery will be here with their ice cream cart and rhubarb wine ice cream. If you’re looking for some rhubarb fun, enter our rhubarb mini Olympics. Test your skills at our rhubarb stalk throw, rhubarb golf, or the running of the rhubarb race. Take a stroll down memory lane viewing some of the classic cars on display or bring your lawn chairs and listen to live music by the Muckland Crooners.

Admission is free and all are invited to join us for a fun-filled day of food, music and wine (fee for food)!

For more information, contact Montezuma Winery at 315-568-8190 or email us at info@montezumawinery.com. Montezuma Winery is located at 2981 Auburn Rd (corners of Rt. 89 and 5&20) in Seneca Falls, NY 13148.

Spring has Arrived in Finger Lakes Wine Country

Spring has sprung in Finger Lakes Wine Country today. Crystal blue skies and warm temperatures (almost 80 degrees). So many exciting things happening that it is hard to keep up. This weekend is the Cayuga Wine Trail's Wine and Herb event. Visit the 16 wineries of the trail, receive a beautiful potted herb plant, and sample herb-influenced food dishes. Yum! Tickets are still available.

Also on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail this weekend is the Spring Wine and Cheese event. However this event is sold-out so we suggest that you purchase tickets for the Wine and Herb event.

Opening day for Watkins Glen International is Sunday, April 27. This is your last chance to purchase tickets for the 2008 Season at a discount. Also from 10 - 4 PM you can drive the 3.4 mile Grand Prix course for $20 and help raise money for a children's charity.

Haven't made plans yet for the weekend? Then plan a quick getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country and enjoy wine tastings and the historic road course at Watking Glen International. Please call our office 607-936-0706 if you need further advice on things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Experience the World's Best Female Athletes this Summer in Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Finger Lakes Wine Country is certainly famous for its wines and world-class museums (think The Corning Museum of Glass, Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, and The Rockwell Museum of Western Art)and for the first time in history will host the best female athletes in the world this summer: Danica Patrick and Lorena Orchoa.

Danica Patrick became the first woman in history to win an IndyCar race when she won Sunday's Japan 300. She will be in Finger Lakes Wine Country this July 6 for the Camping World Grand Prix @ The Glen. Make sure you order your tickets now. If you have never been to an IndyCar race, you don't know what you are missing. I attended last year with my family for the first time and had an amazing time. My kids are excited about returning this year. Trust me, IndyCar racing is thrilling.

Lorena Orchoa won again (seems like she wins every week) this past weekend on the LPGA Tour. She has now won four tournaments in four weeks making her the first player to win four consecutive tournaments in 45 years. The Corning Classic just received confirmation last week that Lorena is coming to Corning in 2008! The tournament is held at the beautiful Corning Country Club May 19-25. Tickets are still available! So catch a couple days of the tournament and extend your stay with visits to some of the wineries, The Corning Museum of Glass, and Watkins Glen State Park.

Riesling Event at New York Wine and Culinary Center

Everyone has heard the buzz around Finger Lakes Rieslings. But how many Finger Lakes Rieslings have you actually tasted this year? If your answer is less than a dozen then mark May 8th on your calendar because the New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua is hosting its annual "Rendezvous with Riesling". Taste Rieslings from over 40 New York wineries at this premier event.

Click here to make hotel reservations.

Here are the latest details direct from the Center:

On Thursday, May 8th from 7 – 10 pm the New York Wine & Culinary Center will host “Rendezvous with Riesling” to celebrate New York State’s signature wine variety. During this festive evening, guests can sample Riesling and other wines from 40 New York State wineries. Special guest Kevin Zraly, author of Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, will teach a Riesling master class and sign books during the event. The general public and members of the wine and culinary industries are invited to attend Rendezvous with Riesling.

Tasting tables will be set up throughout the entire New York Wine and Culinary Center facility. In addition to sampling wine, guests can taste an assortment of New York-produced food. Passed hors d’oeuvres, created by the Executive Chef to pair perfectly with Riesling, will be served. The Kerry Hoffman Trio will provide live jazz entertainment.

“New York State Rieslings continue to earn national and international acclaim for their superior quality,” says Shannon Brock, Wine Coordinator at the Center. “The New York Wine and Culinary Center is proud to host this exclusive tasting of Riesling wines for the second straight year.”

Tickets are $55 per person for general admission and $95 per person for general admission plus the Kevin Zraly “One-Hour Riesling Expert” class. Tickets are available on-line at www.nywcc.com or by calling (585) 394-7070. Each “Rendezvous with Riesling” guest will receive a souvenir wine glass, courtesy of Oneida. All guests must be 21 years old, with photo identification, to enter.


About the New York Wine & Culinary Center
The New York Wine & Culinary Center is a state-of-the-art, five-star facility designed to excite, engage and inspire New Yorkers and the world about New York State agriculture, food and wine. It serves as the educational link and gateway both to tourism, hospitality and the educational resources here in New York State.

The Center features an exhibit room showcasing New York State agriculture, a gift boutique, hands-on-culinary kitchen, demonstration theater, wine tasting room, private dining room and a restaurant. The outdoor garden highlights seasonal displays of native New York agriculture, grape vines, fruit trees and vegetables.

The founding partners of the Center include the four organizations that have led the project – Constellation Brands, Wegmans, Rochester Institute of Technology and the NY Wine & Grape Foundation. There are dozens of other participating state agencies, individuals, companies, and organizations among the Center’s benefactors.

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Rendezvous with Riesling 2008
Participating Wineries

Seneca Lake
Atwater Estate Vineyards
Chateau LaFayette Reneau
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Silver Thread Vineyard
Standing Stone Vineyards
Ventosa Vineyards
Wagner Vineyards
Billsboro Winery
Cascata Winery at the Professor’s Place
Fox Run Vineyards
Fulkerson Winery
Glenora Wine Cellars
Hickory Hollow/Highland Cellars
Lakewood Vineyards
Prejean Winery
Shaw Vineyards
Villa Bellangelo
White Springs Winery

Cayuga Lake
Buttonwood Grove Winery
CJS Vineyards
King Ferry Winery-Treleaven Wines
Knapp Winery and Vineyard
Montezuma Winery
Sheldrake Point Vineyard
Swedish Hill Winery

Keuka and Canandaigua Lake
Casa Larga Vineyards
Dr. Konstantin Frank
Heron Hill Winery
Hunt Country Vineyards
Imagine Moore
Keuka Spring Vineyards
McGregor Vineyard
Ravines Wine Cellars
Rooster Hill Vineyards

Hudson River Region/Long Island
Brotherhood, America’s Oldest Winery
Duck Walk Winery
Pindar Vineyards

Niagara Escarpment/Lake Erie
Freedom Run Winery
Mazza Chautauqua Cellars
Merritt Estate Winery
Vetter Vineyards Winery

The New 2008 Finger Lakes Wine Country Travel Guide is Here!

We have been busy working on our new travel guide. Filled with an overview of the region, travel tips, beautiful pictures, and a comprehensive pull-out map featuring attractions, wineries, state parks, and places to stay our new guide will help you plan your next trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country. See you soon in one of America's most beautiful places.

Click here to download the 2008 Travel Guide.

Golf Getaways in Finger Lakes Wine Country

Finger Lakes Wine Country is famous for its over 100 award-winning wineries but did you know the region is also a great place for a golf getaway? Spend a morning playing golf then hit the wineries and museums in the afternoon. Relax over dinner at one of our local restaurants enjoying a bottle of local wine. In May Finger Lakes Wine Country is also home to the LPGA Corning Classic held at the Corning Country Club.

Here is some information on one of area's best courses. See you on the links.

The 18-hole Mark Twain Golf Course, located at 2275 Corning Road, will open at 8 a.m. Tuesday, welcoming area golfers back to one of the region’s most historic courses for its 71st season. Golf rates for the 2008 season remain at 2007 levels, helping to maintain the city-owned course as one of the best golf bargains in the region. Weekday and weekend greens fees are $22 for 18 holes; $15 for 9 holes. Individual season passes are $700 for city residents and $750 for non-residents. Packages also are available for seniors, juniors, and families or couples.

Click here to book tee times, check the calendar of events, and learn more about the Donald Ross designed course.

Click here to discover more golf getaways in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Keuka Wine Trail Hosts "World Tour of Food & Wine"

Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to three unique wine trails - Keuka Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and Cayuga Wine Trail. All three trails host special events and invite visitors year-round. Here is the latest event news from the Keuka Wine Trail.

Join us for two inspiring days of food and wine pairings on quaint and charming Keuka Lake April 19 & 20. Each winery has selected a country or regional food to feature along with fine wines. As you drive along the wine trail, you may taste German food at one stop followed by an Asian dish at another. Increase your wine knowledge and understanding of why certain foods are paired with specific styles of wine. A wonderful event for those who truly love to try unique foods and wines. Get your tickets early as this is sure to be a popular event. Fee $20 per person in advance, $25 per person at the door. Each ticket includes a signature plate and wineglass.

Click here to order tickets today.