Looking for Finger Lakes Wine Country's Best Apple Pie Recipe

It is apple picking time in Finger Lakes Wine Country and we are celebrating the apple harvest with an apple pie recipe contest. Between now and October 2, 2009 at 3:00 PM EST send us your best apple pie recipe and we will announce a winner on October 3, 2009. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to be used throughout Finger Lakes Wine Country, a special appearance on our Travel Tuesday radio podcast show, and your recipe will be featured on our website for the entire month of October.

Send us your best apple pie recipe to: flwcharvest@gmail.com Please include all your contact information including phone number and email address so we can get in touch with you.

Want to earn some brownie, (eh I mean apple) points? Post some apple pie baking photos or video to our Facebook fanpage for a better chance of winning!

Good luck and may the best recipe win!

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #7 Finding Your Favorite By Using The I Love NY Foliage Tracker

With September waning, it’s time to get serious about fall in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Driving to Corning this morning from Elmira on Interstate 86 I noticed the bright reds, yellows, and oranges beginning to really pop on the hills surrounding the bustling highway. I would say that the fall foliage is just starting here in the southern end of Finger Lakes Wine Country. There is still quite a bit of green out there, but that’s not going to be true for long.

The I Love New York website offers users the Official New York State Foliage Tracker. The Foliage Tracker has map of New York State complete with color coding of the stages of the changing of the leaves. Each county across New York State has official “Leaf Peepers.” What are these so-called Leaf Peepers? According to the I Love New York website,

“These fall foliage spotters are instructed on how to rate foliage color in their areas, citing conditions such as brilliance, percentage of leaves changed, predominating colors and stages (just beginning, near peak, peak and past peak). I LOVE NEW YORK compiles its weekly reports based upon information called in by the spotters.”

So, these Peepers are out there giving you the inside scoop on Fall Foliage all over the state, including Finger Lakes Wine Country. From the official Foliage Report today: “Look for bright orange and red highlights. In Chemung County 15-20 percent of the leaves are expected to be changed by weekend. Most leaves here are of average brilliance, although small clusters of bright fall-colored trees, approaching mid-point, can be found along some roads. Predominating colors are orange, yellow, red and purple appearing.”

The coming weeks will be gorgeous in Finger Lakes Wine Country. We want you to tell us how you chose to view the fall foliage using the I Love New York Foliage Tracker as your guide. Leave us a message on our Facebook Fan Page and share with others your fall experience. We look forward to seeing how you Fall in love with Finger Lakes Wine Country this season!

The Wine Country Insider for September 26-28, 2009

Enjoy this week's Wine Country Insider podcast with scoop on the fall foliage, the Chocolatier of Hammondonsport, music at Heron Hill Winery, music at Esperanza Mansion, family night at The Corning Museum of Glass, apple picking at the Apple Barrel in Penn Yan, the crush event Cayuga Ridge Winery, and Harvest Hoopla along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.

Get the Wine Country Insider News!

Every week we have a 15 minute podcast that gives you an idea of things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country for that week. The show, Wine Country Insider, is live every Friday morning at 8:30AM but you can listen to the podcast anytime as a download or a stream directly on your computer.

This week's highlights include The Corning Museum of Glass, Rockwell Museum of Western Art, Leaves & Lobsters at Glenora Wine Cellars, Harvest Hoopla along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, and glider rides at Harris Hill.

Enjoy the show now...

Meet the 2010 Finger Lakes Wine Country Dog

Recently on our Facebook fanpage we held a contest looking for the best dog to represent Finger Lakes Wine Country in 2010. We had almost 200 dog entries and nearly 1000 people voted on their favorite from the top 12.

So we are pleased to announced that the winning dog is Fíon, a Greater Swiss Mountain dog, that resides in Union Springs, a small town located on the east side of Cayuga Lake. Fíon means "wine" in Irish and we are confident she will do a great job promoting all the wonderful places that are pet-friendly throughout the region.

Here is her official bio:

As most visitors of Heart & Hands Wine Company know, Fíon is a gentle giant. This Greater Swiss Mountain dog may seem intimidating at first glance, but those who take the time to get to know her (and perhaps bribe her with a bit of cheese), realize how sweet she is. As tasting room manager, she keeps an eye on the bottles, and is happiest when she is perched behind the bar watching customers enjoy the wine.
All work and no play can give a dog the blues – and Fíon likes to keep life in balance! After putting in a long day in the tasting room at Heart & Hands Wine Company, Fíon can’t wait to hit the waters of Cayuga Lake for a sunset cruise. Instinctually, this Greater Swiss Mountain dog continues to find work on the water including monitoring passing boats, scaring ducks, and spotting trailing skiers.

You can follow Fíon on Twitter.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #6 Dine At Hill Top Inn & Enjoy The View That Inspired Mark Twain

Finger Lakes Wine Country isn't overflowing with just wine, it's also overflowing with history. The region is rich in aviation history, Civil War and Revolutionary War history, and of course literary history. Mark Twain spent about twenty summers in Elmira, NY, now known as Mark Twain Country. He married Olivia Langdon of Elmira, and while Twain was well traveled, he loved the region so much that he spent a majority of his time here writing many of his classics.

Twain loved the quaint city of Elmira and relished in the beauty and peacefulness of the Chemung River Valley. Twain's sister-in-law Susan Crane, and her husband, Theodore owned a farmhouse on one of Elmira's many surrounding hills called Quarry Farm. Theodore and Susan presented Twain with a octagonal study where he spent a majority of his time writing. The study sat high on a hill overlooking the Chemung River Valley that Twain referenced as "a foretaste of heaven." You can still visit this study where it sits today on the Elmira College campus.

Just down the road from Quarry Farm is Chemung County's oldest Restaurant, Hill Top Inn. Hill Top Inn was opened in 1933 by the Sullivan family. Now in its third generation, owners Michael & Suzanne continue to set the benchmark in Finger Lakes Wine Country for the finest food and Irish Hospitality around. Savor delicious food paired with Finger Lakes wine while you enjoy the same breathtaking view that Mark Twain did when he was writing his classics.

Being an Elmira native, I must say that the view from Hill Top Inn is one of my personal favorites in the region. Any time of year the restaurant offers you a wonderful experience, but there is something about sitting on the terrace in the early days of fall that is extra special. I'm certain that with a visit to Hill Top Inn you will be agreeing with Mark Twain's opinion of the Chemung River Valley being "a foretaste of Heaven."

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #5 Biking Around The Lakes

Varying your mode of transportation around Finger Lakes Wine Country can change your entire experience. For our number five best view we have chosen an exhilirating mode of transportation... Biking! Now it may have been a while since you were on a bike, but hey, it's like... riding a bike! You never forget. So hop on and ride along with us as we discover some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.

So if you're like me and your bike is a hot pink Huffy that's rusting away in your parent's garage, don't fret. You can rent a bicycle during your visit to Finger Lakes Wine Country. The Savannah House Inn on the west side of Seneca Lake offers bike rentals not only to their guests, but to the public. Not only do you get the bike, but you also get all the gear too. At only $35 a day or $199 for the week, you can't beat it. The Savannah House Inn also offers bike rental packages.

Imagine biking between the lakes or from winery to winery. There are plenty of biking trails in Finger Lakes Wine Country and all offer spectacular views to see that gorgeous fall foliage. There are even trails mapped out for you throughout the region. Check out the map and discover which trail you would want to tackle. There even is a scale for degree of difficulty.

So whether you're ready for the Tour de France or just a leisurly ride, bicycling through Finger Lakes Wine Country this fall is sure to offer you an extraoridnary experience.

Finger Lakes Wine Talk with John Iszard

Our weekly Finger Lakes Wine Talk radio podcast show features interviews with some of the most important wine figures in the Finger Lakes. Today's episode featured an interview with John Iszard, the director of marketing for Fulkerson Winery and Juice Plant. Fulkerson is celebrating 30 years of being in the grape juice business and for the next 30 minutes listen to this fascinating story.

Searching for the 2010 Official Dog

On our Facebook fanpage we recently launched a search for the 2010 official dog of Finger Lakes Wine Country. We had almost 200 dog entries of all different kinds of breeds. Our office narrowed down this list to the top 12 and opened up the voting to the public. Voting ends this Friday, September 18, at 3:00PM EST and the winning dog will be featured in our 2010 travel guide in a new section "dog friendly travel".

Travel Tuesday with the FLX Girls!

Today's "Travel Tuesday with the FLX Girls" features an interesting 30 minute chat with Yvette Sterbenk from The Corning Museum of Glass. CMOG (as the locals call it) is the largest glass museum in the world and they have just unveiled the world's largest blown glass pumpkin. Come take a listen to this podcast to learn more. See you in the pumpkin patch!

You can follow more adventures of the FLX Girls on Twitter.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #3 Aboard the Esperanza Rose, and #4 Atop the Keuka Bluff at the Esperanza Mansion

Fall in Finger Lakes Wine Country wouldn't be complete without a little time out on the water enjoying the colorful rolling hills surrounding you. Spending the afternoon on a lake cruise can be one of the best ways to take in the gorgeous fall foliage.

All aboard on the Esperanza Rose on Keuka Lake. The Esperanza Rose is the self-proclaimed "Most Elegant Cruise in the Finger Lakes." With lunch, afternoon sight-seeing, and dinner cruises, there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy this wonderful vessel. A dinner cruise that allows you to watch the sunset over those gorgeous hills on Keuka Lake is a breathtaking experience. Certainly a must if visiting Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Equally beautiful to taking in the colors of fall surrounding Keuka Lake is the view from the Esperanza Mansion. Savor one of the most amazing views in the region atop the bluff of Keuka Lake. The Mansion is not only a perfect place to stay while in Finger Lakes Wine Country, it's also boasts a fantastic restaurant. The Esperanza Mansion is now home to the Italian Steakhouse and Seafood Restaurant, open 7 days a week, Monday through Saturday 11:00am - 9:00pm, and Sundays 11:00am - 8:00pm.

Whether by boat or by land, the foliage of Keuka Lake is some of the best in Finger Lakes Wine Country. The Esperanza Rose or the Esperanza Mansion are both perfect venues to savor fall in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #2 Soaring in a Glider with the Birds

When you think of leaf peeping I am sure you think of taking a scenic drive (we will include suggested fall driving routes on future blog posts) or taking a stroll along meandering country paths, but have you really seen the sweeping foliage views from the air? This is Finger Lakes Wine Country, not Napa Valley, and the region is considered the “soaring capital of America”.

The Harris Hill Soaring Center, conveniently located between Corning and Elmira, offers glider rides during the fall on the weekends (weather permitting) from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. No appointments are necessary, you just drop-in, and the gliders are filled first-come, first-served. There are two types of gliders used, the S6S2-33, a training glider, with a maximum weight limit of the passenger at 225 lbs. for $70 per 15-20 minute ride and the ASK-21 with a maximum weight limit of the passenger at 245 lbs. for $80 per 15-20 minute ride.

While many people love the beauty of Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga lakes, the region is also home to the famous Chemung River. This river provided inspiration for Samuel Clemens (aka Mark Twain) when he summered here and wrote some of his most famous works, like Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The glider rides soar above the Chemung River Valley and you will marvel in the jaw dropping beauty of the river surrounded by open panoramic vistas of rolling hills dotted with the speckled colors of the changing foliage. There is nothing more memorable than seeing the region’s landscape from above, literally from a birds-eye view.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #1 Wine Tasting on the Deck at Dr. Frank's Vinifera Wine Cellars

It was a beautiful weekend here in Finger Lakes Wine Country, perfect for picnicking, wine tasting, hiking, and many other Labor Day activities. With the kids back in school and the mornings feeling a bit chillier, it’s no secret that fall is upon us. Fall is my favorite time of year, so needless to say, I’m excited! Fall, or Autumn, or Harvest, or whatever you choose to call it is a spectacular time in Finger Lakes Wine Country. There is a magical feeling in the air and there are always exciting things to see and do. With lots to look forward to, we’ve decided to put together our list of the top 25 ways to experience the beautiful fall foliage in Finger Lakes Wine Country. We hope you get to experience a few, I know I’m ready!

To start our list off we have chosen wine tasting on the deck at Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. The quintessential fall activity in Finger Lakes Wine Country, wine tasting is an enjoyable way to spend a day (or weekend, or week!) and take in the gorgeous views of the region. The rolling hills, the lush vineyards, the crystal blue lakes, all surrounded by blue skies and puffy white clouds... ahhh... now that’s my idea of serene. If you’ve ever had the chance to enjoy a wine tasting on the deck at Dr. Frank’s, then you know why this is on our list.

Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars is named for the late Dr. Konstantin Frank. His grandson, Fred, is still keeping his dreams alive on Keuka Lake. Dr. Frank began what is known as the “Vinifera Revolution” a movement that forever changed the course of winegrowing in the Finger Lakes and the United States. Dr. Frank, a pioneer in winemaking, founded Vinifera Wine Cellars in 1962. Nearly 50 years later, the winery continues to gain international recognition.

A tasting at Dr. Frank’s is always unique and always enjoyable. I had the pleasure of having Susan guide me through a wine tasting this summer and she made it both informative and super fun. The view from the deck at Dr. Frank’s offers ideal scenery for leaf peeping in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Enjoy world-class wine, a little history, gorgeous vineyards, beautiful Keuka Lake, and memories in the making!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #79-100 (or well actually 114!) Experience the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Happy Labor Day Weekend! It's hard to believe that summer '09 is winding down, but it's certainly not over. With beautiful weather to look forward to, we're gearing up for what could be the ideal summer weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country. What better way to spend it than to visit the wineries along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail offers visitors a dynamic and exciting experience. There is sure to be a wine and a winery to fit each and every personality. The largest of the three major wine trail, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail has 35 member wineries. Many have restaurants that can add to your wine tasting experience. Almost all have nice gift shops which are always fun to browse. I always find cute souveniers that I can give my friends and family for Christmas or birthdays, and of course I can't leave without something for me. My favorite is to collect magnets from all the wineries. I get that from my grandmother! Anyway, the 35 wineries all offer vastly different experience, the only thing similar is the award-winning wine. Whether you're looking for a small intimate setting, a country setting, a grand setting, or even a haunted house, they've got it on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

There's great events too. Check out the full list on their website. My favorite is Deck the Halls. This incredibly popular event takes place over two weekends in November and December and of course has a holiday theme. Like all the wine trail events you can go from winery to winery and taste delicious wine paired with some food. Can't beat that! It's always my favorite way to get into the holiday spirit. Well, I don't want to go jumping the gun talking about the holidays, but it is time to buy these tickets! They always sell out, so buy yours now. Trust me, you don't want to miss it!

As much as I love the holidays, I'm ready to enjoy fall. Fall is a beautiful time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country! The wineries are busy with harvest and the fresh produce is spectacular. My favorite fall activity is apple picking. But we'll be talking more about that in upcoming blogs. Make sure to come back and read Tuesday because we're officially kicking off FALL in FLX with lots of exciting things to see and do.

Thanks so much to our readers who've kept track of our 100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer! It was certainly fun to count them down. (Now please note that we realize we actually listed about 114 if you add up all the Seneca Lake Wine Trail Wineries, but we didn't want to leave anything out.)

Have a happy and safe Labor Day weekend! Enjoy the sunshine and make sure to toast to another beautiful summer in Finger Lakes Wine Country! Cheers!

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #63-78 Taste Your Way Along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

Right in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country is the first organized and longest running Wine Trail in the United States. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail has something to offer everyone so we have reserved spots 63 to 78 on our 100 Things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country before the summer is over.

Located in the north end of Cayuga Lake, you will find Montezuma Winery. Montezuma is known for their award-winning Fruit, Grape and Honey wines including their famous Cranberry Bog. Their newest addition, Hidden Marsh Distillery, brings to the Finger Lakes the Christian Carl. Custom built in Germany, this 400-liter pot is the first of its kind here in Finger Lakes Wine Country making Montezuma and Hidden Marsh 63 on our summer list!

Pack a picnic and head over to do some wine tasting at pick number 64, Swedish Hill Vineyard. Their extensive wine list includes Champagne, Port and Brandy and as a bonus, you can enjoy a visit from “Doobie.” Doobie is their miniature donkey from which their famed Doobie Blues & Jack Ass Red Wines are named.

If you want a place to relax and stay awhile, head over to Cobblestone Farm Winery & Vineyard, number 65 on our list. Head to the front porch with a glass of wine and relax on one of their rocking chairs. Inside, you can sample jellies, preserves, mustards, salsas, butters and BBQ sauces.

At Knapp Winery, you can participate in a tasting from a list of over 25 wines, 5 cordials and brandies. They also have an amazing restaurant where you can dine inside or out on the patio. Wherever you are, you get a spectacular view of the vineyards putting Knapp Winery & Restaurant number 66.

At 67 on the list, one of the best lake views can be enjoyed at Goose Watch Winery. Try some if their seasonal farm-raised chestnuts while sampling a unique selection pr premium wines including Pinot Grigio, Traminette, Viognier, Merlot and White Port to name a few. Goose Watch is also unique because they have picnic grounds and a boat dock.

The view from the deck at Buttonwood Grove Winery provides a great place to enjoy a picnic. They have their own waterfall that you can hike to and a beautiful pond making it 68 on our list. Buttonwood is also one of a handful of wineries with lodging facilities for overnight accommodations.

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery is a great stop for fine wines and cheeses. They also have a fun gift shop with funky gifts and collectibles. The combination of wine, cheese and shopping opportunities puts Cayuga Ridge 69 on our list!

Located on 150 acres of land and nearly half a mile of Cayuga Lake, is Thirsty Owl Winery. A beautiful setting, delicious wines and a fun staff puts Thirsty Owl 70 on our list.

Hosmer Winery earned a spot on our list at 71 with their consistent award-winning wines. Their Rieslings and Cabernet Franc have helped set the benchmark for these varieties for the whole country!

Come taste the Estate wines that won Sheldrake Point “Winery of the Year” from Wine & Spirits Magazine and NY Food & Wine Classic. They also have the Simply Red Bistro that is surrounded by gardens overlooking the vineyards and Cayuga Lake. Good view and award-winning wines puts Sheldrake at 72 on our list.

Celebrating 29 years in 2009, Lucas Vineyards is Cayuga Lake’s oldest winery at 73. They have a fun nautical theme here with “Tug Bug” and “Nautie” wines. Their colorful bottles and labels attract travelers but their wine keeps wine lovers coming back.

Americana Vineyards has award-winning wines and thirty different flavors of homemade fudge. Year round, local musicians perform on Sundays in their small barn. They also have a great place to eat, Crystal Lake Café putting Americana 74 on our list.

Six Mile Creek Vineyard has excellent wines and a new line of distilled specialties. Vodka, Limoncella and Grappa can be added to your tasting experience on Cayuga Lake. Their panoramic views of the vineyards, pond and gardens puts them 75 on our list.

Seven miles from the historic village of Aurora is King Ferry Winery. They specialize in Chardonnay and Riesling but also have an artistic experience to offer their guests. Works by local artists can be found in their tasting room gallery and gift shop securing them a spot on our list at 76.

On the east side of Cayuga Lake, you can find exceptional Dry Whites and Reds at Long Point Winery making them 77 on our list.

Finally, Bellwether Cidery makes our list at 78. Using a wide variety of Upstate apples, they produce hand-crafted, premium ciders. They produce around 10 varieties of hard ciders ranging from very dry to semi-sweet, some with carbonation and some with still.

100 Things To Do In Finger Lakes Wine Country This Summer, #55-62 Visit the Wineries Along the Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Fall foliage in Finger Lakes Wine Country is like nothing you have ever seen before making autumn, the most popular time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. Fall foliage begins in late September, reaching its peak in October. Vivid oranges, patches of deep reds and bright golds canvas the trees that cover the rolling hillside of the Finger Lakes region. This is the perfect time to enjoy the scenery and take in some wine tastings.

Everybody that lives on Keuka Lake or is a frequent visitor knows that it’s unique because of the Y shape. Being the smallest of the wine trails in the Finger Lakes, visitors can enjoy the small-town hospitality and individual attention they will get wherever they go. Eight wineries are sprinkled along the trail occupying both sides of the lake. And from experience, the view is great no matter what part of Keuka Lake you’re exploring.

The Keuka Lake region is rich in wine history. It was here in 1860 that the first bonded winery was established. Dr. Konstantin Frank also brings a lot of history to the region making it 55th on our top 100 tings to do this summer. Dr. Frank was a pioneer grower of European grape varieties on Keuka Lake. Today, the winery is still regarded as an outstanding winery that produces world-class wines.

Keuka Spring Vineyards is another winery that is constantly being recognized for producing outstanding wines so that’s why they are 56th on our list. They are now pouring 8 award-winning wines in their tasting room with an excellent selection of reds and whites.

Being named as having one of the best tasting rooms in the world, gives Heron Hill a spot on our list at 57. Not only is their view spectacular, you get to enjoy it either from their deck where you can grab something to eat or once inside their vaulting tasting hall.

The proprietor credits a lot of success to Morten from Ravines. At 60 on our list, Ravines is a charming boutique winery that produces wines using 100% Finger Lakes grapes.

Another small winery, Barrington Cellars, is perfecting their wine making technique. At 61 on our list, Barrington Cellars offers an amazing view and delicious wine made from their own grapes and a few from their neighbors.

Stever Hill Vineyards has a unique tasting room. Their tasting room is a restored barn making it a fun stop on the Keuka Trail.

If you are looking for some good ice wine, head to Hunt Country Vineyards. Hunt Country definitely deserves a spot on our list as they have been producing fine wines for 28 years.

Next on our list is McGregor. Not only can you sample some delicious wine, they pair it with fine artisanal cheeses. They also have chocolate and red wine events which that alone, gives them a spot on our list!

The Crooked Lake is a perfect way to cap off your summer in Finger Lakes Wine Country and usher in the fall season. Take a drive on 54A, grab some lunch on the deck at Heron Hill and taste some wine from charming boutique wineries, world-known wineries and everything in between.