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.

Three Seneca Lake Wineries Release Unique 2006 Riesling Blend

It is a great time right now for Finger Lakes Riesling. From features in Wine Spectator, Wine & Spirits, Food & Wine, and the San Francisco Chronicle the region's top varietal is getting a lot of attention. The Rieslings from our region have been outstanding in quality for many years and now that Riesling in general is gaining in popularity we are thrilled.

Three of the region's top Riesling producers have come together to produce a dry Riesling blend (Tierce) that is simply outstanding. The 2005 blend was Paul Lukacs (wine editor for Saveur) top wine pick last year. Here is the information on the release party on May 3 for the 2006. See you there!

Anthony Road Wine Company, Fox Run Vineyards and Red Newt Cellars announce the release of their 2006 Tierce Riesling. To celebrate, an event will be held at Anthony Road Wine Company on May 3, 2008 from 6 pm – 8 pm. In addition to the newly released 2006 Tierce, the 2006 dry Rieslings from each winery will be poured to accompany an array of hors d’oeuvres. In addition, a limited amount of gift packs will be available containing a vertical of ’04, ’05 and ’06 Tierce.

Tierce Riesling is a joint effort by three respected Finger Lakes winemakers, Dave Whiting, Johannes Reinhardt and Peter Bell. Each contributed a portion of a selected tank of dry Riesling to make a blend that wine historian and reviewer Paul Lukacs has described as “enthralling” and “simply fantastic.”

The carefully chosen menu of small plates is the result of a collaboration by chefs Frank Caravita of Fox Run Vineyards Café, Deb Whiting of Red Newt Cellars Bistro, and Sam Izzo of Simply Red Lakeside Bistro. Offerings will include crab cakes with a remoulade sauce; pulled pork with mango salsa; sesame shrimp toast; Chevre torte with roasted fennel, asparagus and spinach; baked brie with apricot pecan relish in puff pastry; mini crepes with crab; and chevre with apple Riesling sauce.

The cost is $25.00 per person, and reservations must be made in advance. Call any of the three wineries: Red Newt (607-546-4100)  Anthony Road (315-536-2182)  Fox Run (315-536-4616) for reservations for the “Tierce Dinner.”

Explore Magical Summer Activities at The Corning Museum of Glass

So you are planning a trip this spring and summer to Finger Lakes Wine Country and looking for something really fun and cool to do. With more glassmaking (and breaking!) shows than ever before, a mystical array of wizardly glass activities for all ages, and the new exhibition “Glass of the Alchemists,” and, The Corning Museum of Glass has something to inspire everyone this summer.

The Museum is open until 8:00 p.m. every day from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day (closes at 5:00 p.m. the rest of the year), giving visitors the opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the region during the day and then enjoy an enchanted evening at the Museum. Special summer activities include guided tours, activity carts in the galleries, special Hot Glass “Wizards Late Shows,” You Design It; We Make It! and special wizard-inspired Make Your Own Glass experiences.

Be sure to discover the events from June through August include:

“Glass of the Alchemists: Lead Crystal–Gold Ruby, 1650–1750”
June 27, 2008 – January 4, 2009
Changing Exhibitions Gallery
In their well-known attempts to make gold, alchemists also provided the foundation for modern chemistry and material sciences. This exhibition explores Northern European glass of the Baroque period and examines the technical advances in glassmaking made by alchemists during that time. Included in Museum admission. Adult admission is $12.50; kids, 17 and under, free. Call (607) 937-5371 for more information.

“Masters of Studio Glass: Joel Philip Myers and Steven I. Weinberg”
Through October 19
West Bridge
The first in a series of focus exhibitions celebrating the diverse work of contemporary studio glass artists, this exhibit examines the careers of two well-respected artists. Joel Philip Myers, known for his blown sculptural vessels that explore color, and Steven I. Weinberg, who studies optical illusion and reflection in his massive cast sculptures of colorless lead glass, are both studio glass pioneers who have built successful practices and whose work has influenced many young artists working in glass today. Included in Museum admission. Adult admission is $12.50; kids, 17 and under, free. Call (607) 937-5371 for more information.

“The Science of Glassmaking: Eight Centuries of a Magical Art” Exhibition
June 27, 2008 – January 4, 2009
Rakow Research Library
This display of materials from the Rakow’s collection explores glassmaking knowledge and lore in a century-by-century arrangement, beginning with the 12th century. The exhibition includes glass recipes along with images of glassmaking tools, technical processes, and finished pieces from the same period, as well as historical prints and scanned images from rare books. Free admission. Contact the Library at (607) 974-8649 for more information.

About the Museum

The Corning Museum of Glass is home to the world’s most comprehensive and celebrated collection of glass, with more than 45,000 objects reflecting 3,500 years of glassmaking history. An independent, non-profit, educational institution, the Museum is dedicated to the art, history, science, research and exhibition of glass. The Museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. every day and from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the summer. Children 17 and under receive free.

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards is one of America's top tasting rooms!

According to Wine Enthusiast magazine, Finger Lakes Wine Country's own Hazlitt's 1852 Vineyards was named one of "America's Top 25 Tasting Rooms." The Hazlitt's are famous for the number one selling New York wine, Red Cat, and their award-winning Rieslings.

The tasting room is in a converted barn with antique farm equipment on the walls, free popcorn, and Jimmy Buffet playing nonstop. Leigh Hazlitt Triner and her brother Doug, invite you to the winery to enjoy their wines in an awesome tasting experience. You might event catch a glimpse of Leigh riding her horses through the vineyards. Make sure you say hi to the family!

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards is a member of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. 36 wineries make up the trail and all offer year-round tasting events.

Click here to learn more about visiting Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards.