Win a Trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country!

From now until March 15, 2009 you can enter to win a trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York. A lucky person and a guest will win overnight accommodations at the beautiful, new Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel on the southern shore of Seneca Lake, admission for two to The Corning Museum of Glass, two Make Your Own Glass sessions, admission for two to the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, lunch at the Cantina, one glider ride at Harris Hill / National Soaring Museum, and private wine tasting appointments at some of the region's top wineries.

Click to here to enter to win and to read the rules and restrictions.

Love the Valentine's Labels from Knapp Vineyards!

What a clever idea, Valentine's Day wine labels. There is no better way to celebrate the upcoming romantic holiday then with a bottle of Finger Lakes Riesling AND a cute wine label. Forget the card, just buy a bottle of this wine instead.

Click here to order.

Tickets for Pasta & Wine Weekend Along Seneca Lake Wine Trail Still Available!

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail this year has brought back a very popular wine and food event, Pasta & Wine. Enjoy a three day weekend of wine, food, and fun. The weekend starts this Friday, January 16th, at 1:00 PM and ends on Sunday, January 18th at 5:00 PM. Spend an afternoon or all three days enjoying pasta & wine. Tickets are $25 (wow, three full days wine and food for only $25)and can be purchased here or by calling 877.536.2717.

Here is a sampling of what you will taste:

White Springs Winery - Pasta & Bean Soup
Fox Run Vineyards - Barilla Fusili Bucati Corti Pasta with Chicken, Peppers, Onions, Sun-dried Tomatoes and Pepadew Cheddar Cheese Sauce
Seneca Shore Wine Cellars - Magical Pasta e Fagioli (Fazool)
Glenora Wine Cellars - Pomodora Sauce and Pesto Cream Sauce over pasta
Atwater Estate Vineyards - Chicken-Orecchiette Soup with Cilantro and Lemon
Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars - Penne with Basil Pesto Cream Sauce and Mushrooms
Prejean Winery - Shrimp with Pasta & Garlic Sauce
Miles Wine Cellars - Chardonnay Chicken Soup

More fun and affordable wine events here.

PALATE is coming February 16-22, 2009.

Finger Lakes Wines Score Well in February issue of Wine & Spirits

Several Finger Lakes wines received some of the highest ratings ever received by a Finger Lakes winery in the February issue of Wine & Spirits. Hazlitt 1852, Sheldrake, and Wagner received scores ranging from 90-93.

Here are the highlights and tasting notes:

Hazlitt 1852 2007 Finger Lakes Homestead Reserve Riesling 93 $18 From a family-owned winery overlooking Seneca Lake, this nervy Riesling has a live current running through it such that the delicate aromas-apple blossom, green herb, a hint of peach-practically burst from the glass. Driven by racy mineral acidity and the purity of its white peach fruit, it’s graceful, lifted, and full-flavored. (947 cases)

Sheldrake Point 2007 Finger Lakes Ice Wine Riesling 93 $65 This natural ice wine has a glorious balance. Its rich, broad peach and saffron scents give way to a beautiful dense peach flavor, so concentrated and focused it feels almost compressed. Though rich, it retains exquisite poise, remaining light, elegant and impressively long. (183 cases)

Wagner Vineyards 2007 Finger Lakes Ice Riesling 90 $25 This ripe wine has an herbal scent, with notes of chervil and white flowers. Its passion fruit flavor has a hint of lees, and complexity that remains poised and finely rendered. (947 cases)

Taste these wines at the wineries during PALATE week, February 16-22, 2009. Order your tickets now.

Win Free Tickets to Wine on Ice, January 23-24, 2009 in Finger Lakes Wine Country

Finger Lakes Wine Country is giving away four FREE tickets to one of the region’s most anticipated January wine and food events, Wine on Ice. This annual wine and food tasting is held in First Arena (literally over the ice), a venue that usually plays host to the Elmira Jackals hockey team. For two days, Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday evening the arena is transformed into an exciting venue with food pairing, music, and over 30 Finger Lakes wineries. Tickets are $23-$27 per person based on which tasting session you attend.

Tickets in past years have sold-out so we encourage you to order tickets now!

Click here to register to win four free tickets for the Friday night tasting.

Book a hotel package that include tickets, breakfast, and overnight accommodations from $179 per night.

The Corning Museum of Glass at the Winter Antiques Show in New York City

The 55th Annual Winter Antiques Show's (January 23-Feburuary 1, 2009) featured loan exhibition is from The Corning Museum of Glass. The show, benefiting the East Side House Settlement is one of the premier antique shows in the country. It is truly an honor for the museum to be showcased. In addition to displaying some pieces from the permanent collection, there will be daily lectures featuring different historians and curators from the museum.

More information on the show.

The Corning Museum of Glass kicks off its 2009 season with the opening of its new exhibit, Favorites from the Contemporary Glass Collection, March 2, 2009 - Janaury 3, 2010. This year promises to be an exciting year at the museum and we look forward to your visit. Admission is only $12.50 per adult and children and teens under 19 have free admissions. This is a wonderful and affordable family outing.

The People Behind PALATE

Now that everyone has received the invitation to PALATE it is time to reveal the faces behind the project. The concept for PALATE developed this past fall as a way to bring more visitors to Finger Lakes Wine Country to experience our charming shops, world-class museums, and award-winning wineries. The winter is a wonderful time to visit "Wine Country" and there hasn't been a better time than now to experience our warm hospitality.

Cheers from the PALATE team and see you soon!

Your Invitation to PALATE

PALATE, A Showcase of Wine, Food, and Art in Finger Lakes Wine Country is coming Febuary 16-22, 2009. Enjoy a variety of wine, food, and art events and promotions in Corning's Gaffer District and at participating Finger Lakes wineries.

Click here to open your invitation.

Winter and Wine This Weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York

So we all are returning to our places of work today and trying to get caught up with the voicemails and emails that have accumulated over the past week. The Christmas tree has been taken down (well for most of us), stockings put away, and the holiday dinner leftovers thrown away (for eaten for a midnight snack) and you haven't had any time to think about this weekend's plans. Well after you head home after a tiring day, (mine was extra tiring because I had a bat in my room last night, but please don't ask), and relax with a bottle of a Finger Lakes wine, you can start planning for the weekend. I know credit card bills will be arriving soon and but now is a great time to get out of the house to do some wine tasting and exploring in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Our friend, Kit Kalfs at Sheldrake Point, spearheads a fun day in "Wine Country" with an event called the annual "Between the Lakes Winter Wine Party" this Saturday, January 10 from 11-5PM. Unlike the usual wine trail events, there are no tickets, themes, or special food pairings. Each winery may do a sale or special promotion or others might play Led Zepplin or Jimmy Buffet all day and regular tasting fees apply. The whole idea is to get out, taste wine, enjoy the day, and stay as long as you want (well not until midnight.)

Over 30 wineries are participating between the eastern side of Seneca Lake and the western side of Cayuga Lake. On Cayuga Lake, north from Motezuma south to Bellwether. On Seneca Lake, north from Ventosa south to Atwater.

Also the Bargain Bash starts on Saturday along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and we just received notice from Swedish Hill and Goose Watch (members of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail) that they are having a huge white wine sale this weekend as well.

(Search all the wineries in Finger Lakes Wine Country now.)

So that's it for Monday news. I'll keep you posted with any other late notice sales or promotions everyday this week. Until tomorrow, check out our website and Trip Builder to start planning your getaway to the Finger Lakes.

Cheers!
Morgen

P.S. Follow me on Twitter too for even more inside travel scoop.

Great Wine Buys at the Bargain Bash Along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

So how did you spend your holiday season? Probably included some shopping, entertaining, relaxing, and then cleaning. Lots of cleaning. This past weekend I went through every closet and every drawer to sort out the clothes that I am no longer wearing. Things that are too small, too big, and a bit of out fashion were donated to our local Goodwill (too cold for a garage sale.)

Believe it or not but wineries do annual cleaning as well. After a busy tourism season, holidays sales, and end of the year inventory, it is time for the wineries to make room in their cellars for the 2008 wines that will be bottled soon. To make the room wineries hold garage (really cellar) sales and in Finger Lakes Wine Country, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail hosts a nine day (yes nine day) huge wine sale, The Bargain Bash, January 10-19, 2009. At last count there were thirty particapting wineries.

If your house is anything like ours we have an empty wine rack and we are looking forward to building it back up this year. The Bargain Bash, along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, is a great and inexpensive way to build back up your wine rack and explore Finger Lakes Wine Country. See you along the trail and happy buying.

January's Featured Getaway Package to Finger Lakes Wine Country Includes Tickets to Wine on Ice

January's Featured Getaway Package to Finger Lakes Wine Country is being brought to us by the Holiday Inn Riverview. This getaway package includes a one night's stay, breakfast for two, and tickets to the region's biggest January wine festival, Wine on Ice, January 23-24, 2009.

Holiday Inn Riverview

WINE ON ICE PACKAGE – January 23 & 24, 2009

Experience “Wine on Ice” a winter sampling of the Finger Lakes’ best in wine, food, shopping and entertainment. Taste some of the finest wines Finger Lakes Wine Country has to offer and purchase your favorites. Entertainment will fill the air as local restaurants will offer their best dishes and don’t forget to visit the local craft vendors for that special gift. After the event return to the Holiday Inn Elmira Riverview to relax and join us in Anthony’s Lounge for our Friday or Saturday Entertainment. The next morning wake up after a great event and enjoy breakfast in Anthony’s Restaurant.

Package includes:

-2 Tickets to the Wine on Ice Session of your choice (Friday Night, Saturday Afternoon or Saturday Night)
-Transportation to and from the Event
-Overnight Accommodations at the Holiday Elmira Riverview
-Breakfast for two
Package Price $179.00

Call the Holiday Inn Riverview directly at 607-734-4211 to book your reservation.

All packages based on availability, vouchers not redeemable for cash, must book in advance, 72-hour cancellation policy. Please contact each hotel for reservations and further questions.

Can't make it to Finger Lakes Wine Country this January check out some of our other packages available throughout the year.

Finger Lakes Wine Country "On the Road" in 2009 and Coming to a City Near You!

Finger Lakes Wine Country is "just down the road" from many areas in the East (Philadelphia, Cleveland, Toronto, Rochester, Syracuse, Harrisburg, and Scranton.) Part of spreading the word about Finger Lakes Wine Country requires us to take our message “on the road.” We will be visiting many locations in the Northeast so look for us coming to a city near you. During our visits we will be hosting winemaker dinners and tastings, attending wine expos and festivals, and giving away lots of free stuff (think trips, free attraction tickets, restaurant gift certificates, logo wear, and books.) In this tough economy we will make it worth your while to visit us when we are in town and we promise to be good house guests!

Finger Lakes Wine Country “On the Road” Schedule

January 23-25, 2009 Boston Wine Expo
• Location: World Trade Center Boston
• Where to find us: Finger Lakes Wine Country Pavilion
• Who we are bringing: Some of the region’s top wineries like Dr. Konstantin Frank, Swedish Hill, Goose Watch, Ravines, and others.
• What we are giving away: A two day getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country, free attraction and event tickets, books, posters, and logo wear.
Get tickets.

February 14-15, 2009 Washington DC Wine Expo
• Location: Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center
• Where to find us: Finger Lakes Wine Country Pavilion
• Who we are bringing: Some of the region’s top wineries like Dr. Konstantin Frank, Standing Stone, and others.
• What we are giving away: A two day getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country, free attraction and event tickets, books, posters, and logo wear.
Get tickets.

February 27-March 1, 2009 New York Wine Expo
• Location: Javits Center
• Where to find us: Finger Lakes Wine Country Pavilion
• Who we are bringing: Some of the region’s top wineries like Dr. Konstantin Frank, Standing Stone, Penguin Bay, Goose Watch, Swedish Hill, Lamoreaux Landing, and others.
• What we are giving away: A two-day getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country, free attraction and event tickets, books, posters, and logo wear.
Get tickets.

May 4-8, 2009 Sojourn in The City (New York City)
• Location: All over New York City
• Where to find us: TBD restaurants, wine bars, and wine stores
• Who we are bringing: Some of the region’s top wineries and attractions like The Corning Museum of Glass, Watkins Glen International, and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art.
• What we are giving away: A two-day getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country, free attraction and event tickets, books, posters, and logo wear.
Get tickets: More details coming soon.

July 4-5, 2009 Camping World Grand Prix at Watkins Glen (IndyCar)
• Location: Watkins Glen International
• Where to find us: Finger Lakes Wine Country tent
• Who we are bringing: Some of the region’s top wineries.
• What we are giving away: Free attraction and event tickets, books, posters, and logo wear.
Get tickets.

July 17-19, 2009 Finger Lakes Wine Festival
• Location: Watkins Glen International
• Where to find us: Finger Lakes Wine Country tent
• What we are giving away: Free attraction and event tickets, books, posters, and logo wear.
Get tickets.