Enjoy Wine and the Bright Sounds of Brass at the Rockwell

Tomorrow, lend your eyes, ears and wine palate to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. The Orchestra of the Southern Finger Lakes will present The Brass Menagerie, a hand-picked quintet of the region’s finest brass players. Performing in the Visions of the West gallery, this concert perfectly blends visual and performing arts. A wine tasting session will feature Hector Wine Company. Seating is limited, so reserve yours today!

Musicians' Choice Chamber Music featuring, The Brass Menagerie

Friday, January 27, 2012

7:00 p.m. - Wine Tasting Featuring Hector Wine Company

7:30 p.m. - Concert in the Visions of the West Gallery

$25 Adults, $5 Students

For tickets, please call 607-936-2873 or visit www.osfl.org.

Catching up with Yvette Sterbenk from The Corning Museum of Glass

Recently I had the opportunity to catch up with Yvette Sterbenk, Communications Manager at The Corning Museum of Glass.  Last year the Museum, located in Corning, NY, celebrated its 60th anniversary and this year, the Museum is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the American Studio Glass Movement.  Yvette explains why this is so important to the museum, as well as some exciting Make Your Own Glass experiences available right now. Take a few minutes to watch the video below to learn more.  For more information about planning your trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country, visit www.FingerLakesWineCountry.com. 

1.     How would you sum up the experience at The Corning Museum of Glass to someone who hasn’t had the chance to visit?

The Museum is unique, in that it explores glass from all angles. For art lovers, we present incredible works of art in glass, from miniature portraits made in the ancient world, to contemporary sculpture made by living artists. If history is your passion, we showcase glass made in every civilization and time period throughout its 35-century existence. An exploration of glass would not be complete without looking at the science and technology of the material. In our Innovations Center, we offer live glass demos and hands-on displays that shed light on the amazing properties of glass. Live, narrated Hot Glass Shows give even greater depth to the experience by allowing visitors to experience the art of glassblowing first-hand. Then, they can go across the parking lot to our state-of-the-art glassmaking school to try it themselves with our 40-minute Make Your Own Glass experiences, available for all ages!

2.     What exciting events and exhibitions do you have on display in 2012?
The American Studio Glass movement began in 1962, bringing glassmaking out of the factory and into the artist studio. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the workshops that started the movement, and the Museum is celebrating with a variety of exhibitions focused on contemporary glass:

·       Founders of American Studio Glass: Harvey K. Littleton
Now through January 6, 2013

·       Founders of American Studio Glass: Dominick Labino
Now through January 6, 2013

·       Masters of Studio Glass: Erwin Eisch
March 15, 2012 – February 3, 2013

·         Making Ideas: Experiments in Design at GlassLab
May 19, 2012 – January 6, 2013

3.    What kind of hands-on activities are available at the museum?
In addition to 3,500 years of glass art and history on display, the Museum also features the science and technology of glass in the Innovations Center. Here, guests can enjoy live glass demos and an array of interactive displays. Make Your Own Glass sessions offer all ages the opportunity to have the ultimate hands-on glass experience. The Museum’s trained artists work closely with guests, helping them each step of the way to create a personalized glass project. Options range from sandblasting drinking glasses and fusing colorful designs, to blowing glass ornaments and shaping glass flowers.

4.    How much is admission? What about a Make Your Own Glass session?
The Museum is committed to offering guests an affordable and fun destination. Admission for kids and teens, 19 and under, is always free. Adults in the 148, 149, and 169 ZIP codes pay only $6 with valid ID. Adults from outside the area pay $15. Make Your Own Glass experiences start at just $9. Reservations are recommended (visit www.cmog.org/myog).

5.    What’s one of your favorite pieces of glass on display in the museum?
Choosing a favorite object in the Museum’s collection of almost 50,000 pieces is close to impossible. I have many favorites but one that particularly sticks out to me, and to many visitors, is Karen LaMonte’s Evening Dress with Shawl. A life-sized, cast-glass dress, draped to the floor and complete with a free-standing shawl, this piece is incredible, not only for its immense beauty and technical excellence, but also for the individual images it can evoke for the viewer. For instance, I can easily imagine the woman for whom that dress was made, standing elegantly on the stair and taking a deep breath before gliding effortlessly down the mahogany staircase to join her guests below.

6.   What do you love about living and working in Finger Lakes Wine County?
By making a life in the Finger Lakes Wine Country, I have the best of all worlds. The area is full of cultural institutions and activities, without the traffic and smog of a big city. We get to enjoy world-class museums and events, as well as the incredible array of outdoor activities the region has to offer. In the warmer months, we can swim in any number of natural lakes, hike through beautiful hillsides, and explore the many waterfalls. My family and I especially love taking advantage of the culinary bounty of the region. We spend all summer visiting farms and picking fruit at local orchards.  In the cooler months, we can ski, snowshoe, and enjoy the many regional festivities. As the halfway point between New York City and Niagara Falls in Corning, NY, we also have the opportunity to experience all the major hubs have to offer without driving too far.

Vote For Hammondsport!

Hammondsport has been chosen by Budget Travel as a top ten contender in the race for the Coolest Small Town in America.  You helped us get Hammondsport over 8,000 nominations last fall and now we need your help again.  Voting for the Coolest Small Town in America takes place now through January 31st and you can vote once every day. VOTE NOW!



Thank you for your support! Let's make sure everyone knows that Finger Lakes Wine Country is home of the Coolest Small Town in America!

VOTE NOW!

Catching up with Paul Thomas of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

I had the opportunity to chat with Paul Thomas, Executive Director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, this week about what the trail is gearing up for in the coming months. From the Polar Passport to the enticing food and wine pairing events, there's something for everyone to enjoy along the region's largest wine trail.  Just another few reasons why Finger Lakes Wine Country is the perfect winter escape!

Chatting more with Paul Thomas, Executive Director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

1.    What is the history of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail?

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail was formed in 1986 to help better market their member wineries, as a consolidated destination, pooling their resources and creating various wine and food pairing events, among other tactics, to help introduce more people to our excellent wines and wineries.

2.    Why visit the Seneca Lake Wine Trail in the winter?

Paul Thomas

While our region is traditionally viewed as a summer or fall destination, with many assuming the industry hibernates in the winter, the reality is that the winter is the *best* time for fans of our wineries to visit. During the winter you are more likely to encounter owners and senior staff, who are busy in the vineyards during the busy summer/fall seasons, and with far fewer people visiting the region, the tasting rooms are quiet, giving visitors a terrific opportunity to enjoy leisurely conversations with staff while sampling their award-winning wines.

3.    What events do you have and how do I get tickets?

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail helps manage and promote several, themed wine and food pairing weekend events, hosted by most of our member wineries. For example, our next event is the Pasta & Wine Weekend, taking place January 13-15, followed by our Chocolate & Wine Weekend event February 10-12. Detailed descriptions of all our events can be found on our website at senecalakewine.com which is also were e-tickets to all our events can be securely purchased.

4.    Are there packages available for the events or for general wine tasting experiences?

We create very limited numbers of packages for all our wine and food pairing weekend events. Each package is a little different, but all of them are comprised of tickets for two to the event, transportation all day Saturday of the event, and accommodations for two for both Friday and Saturday nights. Our packages are a great way to simply, and safely enjoy our events.

5.    What is the best wine and food pairing you’ve had recently?

My family and I harkened in the new year with a sushi party! We bought all the ingredients, including the raw tuna and salmon, at our local Wegmans with each of us making a few custom rolls of various ingredients. We then paired the sushi with a chilled bottle of zesty LakewoodVineyards Gewürztraminer, and my favorite specific pairing was between that wine and my tuna/avocado/carrot/bell pepper sushi roll. Clean and delicious.

6.       What do you love about the Finger Lakes Wine Country region?

I love the.... pairing of our uniquely complex cultural and culinary experiences with our beautiful, bucolic and genuine environment. Real people, creating really beautiful and delicious things and all without the overpriced hubbub of a metropolis. Here in the Finger Lakes I can enjoy a world class meal at the Red Newt Bistro on Seneca Lake, with at least one of the hundreds of wines they serve, enjoy visiting the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning, and finish off my day with a live performance by They Might Be Giants at Ithaca’s State Theatre. It doesn’t get any better than that.

New Event on Seneca Lake for 2012

Savor the delicious culinary bounty and take in the natural beauty of summer on Seneca Lake. On June 2-3, at Watkins Glen’s Clute Park, experience all the best of Seneca Lake at Wine & Food 2012. This is a new event offering world-class wines and top regional cuisine. On top of sampling great wines and food, you will also be able to buy wines – a complimentary wine-check service will be available.

Early bird gets the savings! Buy your Seneca Lake Wine & Food 2012 tickets now through December 31, 2011, and receive $15 off with coupon code FLWC15.

Buy tickets or learn more about the event >

Cool Holiday Gift Idea

How do you make a snowman without snow? If you’re in Corning, NY, the answer to that riddle is easy – you make it out of glass. The staff at The Corning Museum of Glass will guide you in using traditional glassmaking tools to stretch and shape molten glass into an elegant snowman form. The project is both interactive and safe for all ages – everyone, from age two to 102, can blow a glass ornament. Your masterpiece will need to cool overnight and can be picked up the next day, or shipped.

Imagine giving your Make Your Own Glass Snowman as a holiday gift, and the delight on someone’s face when see it. Then imagine being able to say, “Yeah, I made that”. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll want to add the beautiful ornament to your own collection of holiday decorations, to enjoy year after year. 

Watch a video of George Kennard and a team of glassblowers in The Studio at The Corning Museum of Glass, create a large snowman out of glass.

Holiday Gifts Made in the Finger Lakes

As the holidays inch closer, we’re here to help inspire you with creative gift ideas for just about everyone on your list. We pulled together a list of ideas that are dedicated to Finger Lakes – regionally-unique gifts are a brilliantly thoughtful way to give. Plus, these gifts are ones your friends and family will love and won't leave you in debt.

• Give a great bottle of Finger Lakes wine and spread holiday cheer.  Search and Buy Wine>
• A beautifully decorated basket full of hand-made chocolate will make them say “wow wee”.  Shop>
• The stories of Finger Lakes winemakers in Evan Dawson’s book, Summer in a Glass, will charm and inspire the reader on your list. Buy>
• A glider plane ride over Mark Twain Country is a gift no one could forget. Learn More>
• Tickets to a Jackals Hockey Game will delight any sports enthusiast. Find Tickets>
• Hand-made glass ornament from The Corning Museum of Glass adds a personal and artistic touch.  More>
• Hand-crafted beer from a Finger Lakes brewery will surely be savored. Search and Shop>
• A map necklace of the Finger Lakes will put a sparkle in her eye. Shop>
• A charted fishing trip is a memorable, off-the-hook gift for any outdoorsman. More>
• Maple Syrup from the Finger Lakes will satisfy any sweet tooth. Search Maple Producers>
• The Finger Lakes Harvest Cake is not your Great Aunt’s fruit cake – made with New York Apples, Almonds, and Finger Lakes Riesling, it is yummy! Buy>
• Think outside the box and give race tickets to the sports fan or Finger Lakes Wine Festival tickets to the wine connoisseur. Shop Watkins Glen International>

The Perfect Wine Gift Under $20

The Wine Trails in Finger Lakes Wine Country offer the perfect holiday gift for under $20… passport and coupon programs. Each pocket-sized booklet is packed full of discounts for wine purchases and free wine tastings.  They are the perfect wine-lover gift, especially if you’re not sure what type of wine the person on your shopping list prefers.  The gift recipient will love the opportunity to conveniently and affordably visit participating wineries.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Vino Visa Coupon Book, $15, Valid through December 31, 2012 at 16 wineries, plus many attractions, accommodations, and restaurants.

Coupon Book holders receive free wine tastings and coupons for wine purchases.  

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

2011 Passport, $10 + tax, Valid through March 31, 2012.

Passport holders receive a free standard tasting and discounts/coupons for partner wineries. 

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Polar Passport, $12 + tax, Valid through March 31, 2012 at nearly 30 participating wineries.

Visit any of the 20+ participating wineries, receive a free flight of wines at each winery, and the winery will stamp or mark the appropriate space in your Polar Passport.

Holiday Party Recipes from Finger Lakes Wine Country

If you're like me you'll be spending the weekend ahead prepping for the holidays right around the corner. Many of us will be hosting our family and friends at our homes for holiday get-togethers. While always exciting, this can also be a stressful undertaking. We're here to help!  Below are a few of my favorite recipes from FingerLakesWineCountry.com that would be perfect for any holiday soiree. Three different cocktails and two appetizers that will keep your guests merry and bright.

Juniper Royale
Recipe courtesy of The Starlite Room, http://www.thestarliteroomelmira.com/
3 oz Glenora Raspberry Spumante
1 oz Finger Lakes Distilling Gin
½ oz Orange Juice
½ oz Cranberry Juice
Splash of Grenadine

Rosemary & Riesling Mulled Wine
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp rosemary
1/4 cup honey
2 lemons
2 bottles Finger Lakes Riesling
Simmer (but not boil) the water, sugar, rosemary, and honey for 10 minutes. Add in the wine. Peel the lemons and add in the peels. Let sit for a length of time to seep in the flavors, without boiling. Strain out the larger bits and serve warm.


Finger Lakes Wine Country Eggnog
1 3/4 oz Finger Lakes ruby port
1 3/4 oz Finger Lakes red wine
3 1/2 oz milk
3/4 oz cream
1/2 tsp powdered sugar
1 egg yolk
1 pinch nutmeg
Shake well over ice cubes in a shaker, and strain into a large highball glass over ice cubes. Sprinkle with nutmeg, and serve. Serve in a highball glass.

Spicy-Sweet Mixed Nuts

Recipe by Rochelle Bilow, http://www.rochellebilow.com/
Warning: these nuts are addictive. The combination of deeply sweet brown sugar and spicy chili powder will keep you coming back for more, and the addition of fresh thyme brightens the whole mixture, making it a worthy partner for a Finger Lakes Riesling. Make sure to serve these warm.
2 cups mixed walnuts, almonds and cashews
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, roughly chopped
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Spread the nuts in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes, until toasted and fragrant. Remove from oven and pour in a mixing bowl.  Melt the butter and pour over the nuts. Add the thyme, sugar, chili and sea salt over the mixture and use a spatula to mix everything completely. Serve warm. Note: Feel free to use any combination of nuts you have on hand, or substitute chili powder for cayenne.

Finger Lakes Fondue
Recipe courtesy of Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, http://www.lamoreauxwine.com/
1 tablespoon roasted garlic paste
2 cups Lamoreaux Landing 42 North (click here to buy)
½ lbs. assorted Finger Lakes cheeses, shredded
1 tablespoon fresh local apple cider
2 tablespoon all purpose flour
½ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Rub the roasted garlic paste all over the inside of the fondue pot. Pour the wine and apple cider into the pot and slowly head up to a light simmer. Add the shredded cheese and mix well with a wooden spoon. Fold in the flour and seasonings until a good flavor and texture develops. If the mixture is too hard, add more wine. If the mixture is too soft, add more cheese. Guests should dip and stir in a figure-8 to help maintain consistency.

Have a wonderful weekend and stay tuned in the coming weeks to the Finger Lakes Travel Journal for more great holiday tips!

Wine Country Insider - December 2, 2011

We continue to usher in the holiday season in Finger Lakes Wine Country this weekend with many exciting events. Both the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail are hosting their second weekends of holiday festivities, Corning lights up with a beloved annual event, and two of our museums offer free admission.

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail welcomes ticket holders to Deck the Halls and Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is hosting the Holiday Shopping Spree. These annual wine trail events both feature wine, food, and plenty of holiday cheer. Tickets may still be available for the Holiday Shopping Spree. Visit www.CayugaWineTrail.com for details.

Deck the Halls is sold out, but you can still take advantage of all the excitement on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail this winter with the Polar Passport. The Polar Passport offers complimentary tasting at participating wineries along the trail. Details can be found at www.SenecaLakeWine.com.

The Crystal City Christmas celebrations are in full swing and tomorrow is the popular event, Sparkle. Sparkle is a street fair filled with twinkling lights, hot chocolate, plenty of festive entertainment, and every example of why this is in fact the most wonderful time of the year! Sparkle is free to attend and is not to be missed! More can be found at www.GafferDistrict.com.

While Sparkle is an evening celebration, during the day you are urged to attend the Holiday Open House at The Corning Museum of Glass. The museum is offering free admission, activities for the kids, and of course, an opportunity to see the 14 foot glass ornament tree - and do some great holiday shopping in the Glass Market. More information can be found at www.CMOG.org.

Across the Chemung River, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is hosting a Jewelry Trunk Show and sale as well as having their Treasures Under the Tree, Holiday Toy Exhibit, on display. On Sundays throughout the winter month, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art offers free admission. More information can be found at www.RockwellMuseum.org.

This is just a taste of all the holiday fun taking place in the region this weekend. For a full listing of events, things to do, places to eat, and where to stay, visit www.FingerLakesWineCountry.com.

Boston-based French Oak TV video series on Finger Lakes Wine Country

The husband and wife team at Boston-based French Oak TV visited four wineries in Finger Lakes Wine Country last spring after discovering the region's wines at the 2011 Boston Wine Expo.  Damiani Wine Cellars, Fulkerson Winery, Red Newt Cellars and Ravines Wine Cellars are featured in the four part series. If these videos inspire you to take trip this winter to the Finger Lakes, all four wineries are participating in our Winter Wine Weekends promotion.

Wine Country Insider - November 18, 2011

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

Another weekend is upon us and this weekend happens to be one of holiday festivities in Finger Lakes Wine Country. The Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and Cayuga Lake Wine Trail all have exciting holiday events taking place this weekend. Event goers will enjoy delicious Finger Lakes wine paired with savory and sweet dishes that are sure to warm them heart and soul.  Deck the Halls on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail has sold out of tickets, but the Keuka Lake Wine Trail and Cayuga Lake Wine Trails may have tickets still available - but don't hesitate to buy as both of these events will sell out. 

Take a few minutes to listen to this week's Wine Country Insider for some other great ideas for the upcoming weekend!

Listen to internet radio with FLX Wine Country on Blog Talk Radio

Don't forget to book your Winter Wine Weekend - great savings and a perfect getaway from the stress of the holidays. Treat yourself!

Have a great one!

Wine Country Insider November 11, 2011

This weekend kicks off holiday festivities in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Enjoy Holidazzle in Corning's Gaffer District and Keuka Holidays on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Take time to relax in cozy tasting rooms, enjoy warm comfort foods at regional bistros, and experience world-class art at area museums. There's something for everyone this weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Take some time to listen to the 15-minute Wine Country Insider podcast.

Listen to internet radio with FLX Wine Country on Blog Talk Radio

In case you missed it, here is the 15-minute podcast about Keuka Holidays.

Listen to internet radio with FLX Wine Country on Blog Talk Radio

Have a great weekend!