Wine Country Insider News for October 30 - November 1

Happy Halloween from Finger Lakes Wine Country! This weekend is a perfect time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country, lots of Halloween fun and many great events to take part in. Listen to the show below and click the following links for details on all the exciting events.



Here are some of the links that we discussed on our show this week.

The Glass Harvest at The Corning Museum of Glass

Tiffany Treasures at The Corning Museum of Glass

Las Artes De Mexico at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

El Dia De Los Muertos at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Monster Ball at the Holiday Inn Elmira

Halloween Party at Americana Vineyards

Hallo-Wine Party at Knapp Winery

Halloween Fun at the Starlite Room in Elmira

Spooktacular Train Rides on the Finger Lakes Railway

Elmira Jackals Hockey

Glenora Wine Cellars Winemaker Dinner

Long Point Winery Winemaker Dinner

Give us a call at 800-913.2958 if you need any assistance with your travel planning. We hope you have a wonderful and spooky weekend!

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #22, #23, #24, and #25 At A State Park

One of the best places to really see the true beauty of the great outdoors is at a state park. Well known for our state parks, Finger Lakes Wine Country is no exception. Finger Lakes Wine Country boasts six state parks and the Finger Lakes National Forest - the only National Forest in New York State, by the way. I'm going to focus on four of the state parks for taking in fall foliage, although I can promise you that any of them would be a perfect place to do some leaf peeping.

Keuka Lake State Park ranks at number 22 on our Top Foliage Views. Keuka Lake State Park is a perfect place for a day with the family in the great outdoors. Enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and even kayaking or canoeing. You can swim there too, but for fall foliage views, I doubt the water would be warm enough. Put that on your list of things to do for summer! The hills surrounding Keuka Lake have been talked about throughout this blog if you've been keeping up with our Top Foliage Views. Some of the most breathtaking scenery in the region, Keuka Lake also boasts some great restaurants and of course, wineries. Make a day of leaf peeping on Keuka and you'll never be let down.

Pinnacle State Park in Addison, right outside of Corning, is a great place to go golfing while in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Of course it also offers visitors camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, and biking, the golf course is a great way to check out the fall foliage and enjoy some fun with family or friends. Fall is a great time to visit Corning, we've mentioned the Gaffer District and of course the Glass Harvest at The Corning Museum of Glass, and Pinnacle State Park is just up the road. A great place to spend a fall day, which is why it's number 23 on our list.

Newtown Battlefield State Park is located right outside of Elmira and is a great place to not only do some serious leaf peeping, but also a great place to induldge in some Revolutionary War history. The battle of Newtown was the decisive clash in one of the largest offensive campaigns of the American Revolution. A stone monument was dedicated at the top of the hill on the centennial of the Battle of Newtown in 1879. The present granite monument was erected in 1912. During the 1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps crews built and developed many of the present facilities of the park, including a beautiful, rustic lodge. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Newtown Battlefield State Park is a wonderful place to camp or even just have a picnic. The beautiful rolling hills and peaceful surroundings are the reason Newtown Battlefield State Park is number 24 on our list of Top Foliage Views.

Last but certainly not least is the well known Watkins Glen State Park. Arguably one of the best known State Parks in the region, Watkins Glen State Park offers visitors an all encompassing experience. Hike the trails through the glacially carved gorge and count all 19 sparkling waterfalls that line the walkways. It's a wonderful place to camp and offers visitors a very convenient location to stay while visiting Finger Lakes Wine Country because it's right in the heart of downtown Watkins Glen, a central point in Finger Lakes Wine Country. The fall foliage against the slate and stone of the gorge and the highlight of the crystal waterfalls is why Watkins Glen State Park is number 25 on our list of Top Foliage Views.

If you were wondering the only other two state parks are they are Mark Twain State Park, another good golf course, and Stony Brook State Park, another great place to see some waterfalls. We hope that you've had a chance to see the gorgeous foliage in Finger Lakes Wine Country this year. It's hard to believe fall is nearly over and we're on to thinking about the holidays. We hope you've enjoyed getting some great ideas for places to leaf peep around the region and look forward to sharing with you some holiday fun in the coming weeks.

Share Your Story...

Finger Lakes Wine Country is a special place.  Visitors come from all over the world to experience our world-class museums, beautiful scenery, and to taste some of the best wines in the country. 

If you have recently visited tell us your story.  What did you love the most?  Share your favorite wines and travel experiences with others.

You can also read more stories on our Facebook page too..

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #21 A Nature Center Hike

Fall foliage viewing wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Tanglewood Nature Center in Elmira. The center features nine miles of scenic trails in Finger Lakes Wine Country that begin at the Nature Center and allow you to experience the natural beauty of Mark Twain Country's Chemung Valley first-hand. There is fall hiking and winter activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoe rentals.

Expect to see along your hike: Pines, white spruce, firs and larch comprise the plantations along the trails. The woods include a tract of eastern hemlock interspersed with American beech, red maple, black birch and hop hornbeam. Another part of the woods is an old sugar bush consisting primarily of mature sugar and red maples. The trails are open sunrise to sunset everyday.

In addition, the 12,000 square foot Center features a museum with 43 species of live animals, interactive exhibits and a comfortable library for bird-watching and reading. The museum is open: Tuesday-Saturday 9AM-4PM now through the end of April. We are closed Sundays, Mondays and the following holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Day, New Year's Eve and Day. Inclement weather or staff shortages may cause early closures. Please call (607)732-6060 to confirm hours.

The Ultimate Finger Lakes Wine Country Facebook Fan Thanksgiving Dinner Contest!

Announcing the Ultimate Finger Lakes Wine Country Fan Thanksgiving Dinner Contest! Last week on our Facebook Fan Page we asked you what wine you'd be serving with Thanksgiving dinner this year.  We received many fantastic responses. With such enthusiasm and unique ideas behind many of the explanations, we decided to take it a step further.

Finger Lakes Wine Country will be building an entire Thanksgiving dinner using your recipes. Maybe it's a special family recipe that has become a staple at your table, a dish that you create yourself, or even a twist on an old favorite.

From now until Monday, November 4th post your favorite Thanksgiving dinner specialties to our Facebook Fan Page for a chance for your culinary materpiece to be included in our Ultimate Finger Lakes Wine Country Fan Thanksgiving Dinner. 

No need to post the full recipe on the Facebook page, just a delicious overview of the dish. We need the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, cranberries, veggies, desert, and any other ideas you have! Give us your ideas and if you're chosen we'll message you for the full recipe which will be posted to our website.

We are going to create a downloadable dinner guide along with suggested wine pairings to make your Thanksgiving dinner a snap. Now is your chance to wow everyone with the taste of Finger Lakes Wine Country at your holiday table.  Share your recipe now on Facebook and download starting Wednesday, November 4.

Good luck and Happy Holidays to all! (Is it too early to say that?)

Ottawa Citizen Picks 8 Great Spots to Sip

Rod Phillips, the wine columnist for the Ottawa Citizen in Canada visited Finger Lakes Wine Country earlier this fall. He has published his 8 great places to wine taste in the region including Fox Run, Anthony Road, Glenora, Heron Hill, Rooster Hill, Dr. Frank's, and Sheldrake Point.

What are your favorite 8 spots to sip?

Read the article now.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #20 From the Vineyard at Fox Run

No visit to Finger Lakes Wine Country is complete without a visit to a winery. Some wineries in the region offer visitors tours of the vineyard. One of these wineries is Fox Run Vineyards on Seneca Lake. This summer I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at Fox Run and got a very special tour of the vineyard and winery from owner, Scott Osborn. Scott and I walked through the vineyard on a beautiful summer day and the view was spectacular. I can only imagine what it must be like in the fall. The vineyard is on a slightly sloping hill overlooking Seneca Lake. From the top of the hill looking down over the vineyard, the winery, and to the lake, it's truely one of the best views of the region I've experienced on Seneca Lake.

Fox Run Vineyards offers visitors an all-encompassing experience. With a variety of world class wines to sample in the winery, a cafe that focuses on fresh, local food, and a behind the scenes vineyard tour, you're certain to enjoy your visit to this award-winning winery. Fox Run was selected as one of the top 100 Wineries by Wine & Spirits Magazine, so you know this is a place you're not going to want to skip when visiting the region.

I've had lunch at the cafe a few times and it's always delicious. From homemade paninis, fresh soups, pizzas, and salads, it's a perfect place to take a break during a day of wine tasting along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Fox Run is located in Penn Yan, near Keuka Lake too, so if you're venturing along the Keuka Wine Trail, you can always pop over to Fox Run and have lunch too. I would say that having lunch on the deck overlooking to lake, like I always do, is the best bet to take in the spectacular foliage views.

Another option is to have lunch on the patio, which is right next to the vineyard. Speaking of the vineyard, I mentioned that Fox Run offers visitors free vineyard tours. The tours are offered every hour on the hour until 4pm. This is a great time to learn about Fox Run's history, ask some questions, and take in some wonderful views of the region. Bring your camera to take pictures of yourself in the vineyard, it'll be the perfect way to remember your trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Wine Country Insider News for October 23-25

This weekend is a perfect time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country, fall foliage is still bright and beautiful and there is lots going on around the region. Listen to the show below and click the following links for details on all the exciting events.

Here are some of the links that we discussed on our show this week.
I Love NY Foliage Tracker
Chemung Valley History Museum Ghost Walk
Elmira Jackals Hockey
Arnot Art Museum
ApARTment Tour in Corning
Garth Fagan Dance at The Clemens Center
The Glass Harvest at The Corning Museum of Glass
Las Artes De Mexico at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art
The Chestnut Festival at Goose Watch Winery
The Starlite Room in Elmira
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel

Open Studio Tour in Elmira is not happening this weekend, sorry for the confusion!

Give us a call at 800-913.2958 if you need any assistance with your travel planning. We hope you have a wonderful weekend!

A New Novel is Based in Finger Lakes Wine Country

Mary Pat Hyland, the author of the new novel A Sudden Gift of Fate, is a big fan of the Finger Lakes and its wines. She is such a fan that her latest book actually takes place at a fictional winery and vineyard, Loughmare, on the east side of Keuka Lake.  If you love the Finger Lakes this novel should be on the top of your reading list.

Mary Pat writes in the beginning of the book that this story is dedicated to the Finger Lakes winemakers who have the courage, despite many odds, to plant their hopes in complicated glacial soils, weather the vagaries of upstate New York's climate, harvest nature's bounty carefully, and marry it lovingly with chemistry into potable art

Mary Pat currently lives in Binghamton, New York and spends a lot of time in the Penn Yan area where many of her relatives live. If you love Finger Lakes wines, you will love this story that intertwines wine, romance, politics, and lots of local flavor.

Listen to this episode of Finger Lakes Wine Talk where Mary Pat talks more about her book and where she found inspiration for the story and why "forget me nots" is her favorite flower.



To read more about Mary Pat Hyland and to order a copy of A Sudden Gift of Fate visit her blog or follow her on Twitter.

Les Artes de Mexico Opens at the Rockwell

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning's Gaffer District is proud to present Las Artes de Mexico, from the collection of the Gilcrease Museum opening today  through January 3, 2010. This traveling exhibition celebrates the rich and diverse artistic traditions of Mexico. Las Artes de Mexico examines over 3,500 years of art and culture, from the ancient worlds of the Mayans and Aztecs to the 20th Century works of Miguel Covarrubias and Diego Rivera. Read more...

Enjoy this slideshow featuring pictures from the Les Artes de Mexico exhibit and the permanent collection.



Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to a collection of world-class museums and cultural experiences.  Click here to learn more.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #19 More Scenic Drives

Here are two more of my favorite drives to add to your itinerary for great places to view fall foliage in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

#4 Corning to Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen International is one of the world’s most famous race tracks and hosts IndyCar, NASCAR, and vintage car races in the summer and early fall. In mid-July the track is transformed into the largest outdoor wine festival in New York state. WGI (as the track is commonly referred to) also has some of the beautiful views of anywhere in the Finger Lakes. Wide-open farms and in the far distance Seneca Lake, dot the landscape. Instead of taking the main route on Route 14 from Corning to WGI, discover the backroads along Route 26. Take I-17 west from Corning to Route 26 (Northeast)


#5 The “Other Lakes”. There are four main lakes in Finger Lakes Wine Country: Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, and Canandaigua lakes. There are two additional smaller lakes, though technically not considered Finger Lakes, located in Wine Country and well worth your discovery. Waneta and Lamoka lakes are both located right next to each other in between Keuka and Seneca lakes. From Corning take Route 14 north to Route 23 west on the east side of Lamoka Lake. Continue north and drive around Waneta Lake back down to Route 226. Follow Route 226 west/south to Route 17 east back into Corning.

Order or download a copy of the Finger Lakes Wine Country travel guide with a pull-out touring map.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #18 3 Scenic Drives

There is nothing more quintessential than experiencing fall foliage by taking a scenic drive. And in Finger Lakes Wine Country, there is a lot to see by car.

Here are three of my favorite drives that will guarantee beautiful fall colors:

#1 Elmira and the Chemung River. Elmira is famous for its Mark Twain connection and in the fall the city and its surrounding countryside is simply breathtaking. Much of the panoramic foliage can be viewed easily from Route 17/I-86 with wide open landscapes and miles of unobstructed leaf peeping. Get off the highway at exit 56 (Elmira) to drive along Water Street to marvel at one of the largest collections of historic Victorian homes in New York state and enjoy the foliage views along the Chemung River.

#2 Keuka Lake and Route 54A. Keuka Lake is known as the “crooked lake” and the views along Route 54A on the west side of the lake are some of the most beautiful anywhere in the country. Begin your drive in the charming village of Hammondsport and continue North past the lush vineyards of Bully Hill Vineyards, Dr. Frank’s Wine Cellars, and Heron Hill Winery. Your drive will continue into the larger town of Penn Yan where it is recommended that you stop for a bite to eat at Esperanza Mansion. The view from the Mansion’s stone patio of the foliage is stunning.

#3 Seneca Lake and Route 414. Seneca Lake is the largest of the Finger Lakes and is home to the region's largest wine trail (35 members). It also provides a fall foliage drive that is beautiful and diverse. Begin your travels in Watkins Glen with a breakfast at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel. Their beautiful outdoor patio is a perfect location to grab a croissant and coffee before enjoying a day of fall foliage. Continue on the east side of Seneca Lake North along Route 414 past a cluster of favorite wineries like Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, through the small village of Ovid to Swedish Hill Winery (2008 winner of New York Winery of the Year). Along the way you will pass by meticulous Mennonite farms and wide-open views.

Wine Country Insider News for October 16-18

This weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country is going to be the peak weekend for fall foliage. Don't let today's weather stop your travel plans to Wine Country. Listen now to the 15 minute show. And below are the quick links to all the events mentioned.



Visit The Corning Museum of Glass
Hop the shuttle and explore the Rockwell Museum of Western Art
Women's Clothing Exhibit (1880-1920) at the Chemung Valley History Museum
Music and Martinis at the Starlite Room
Quilt Exhibit at the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
Crafts at The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
Pumpkin Festival at Cobblestone Winery
Dog Days at Spencer Crest Nature Center

And coming next weekend:
Ghost Walk Tours

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #17 Going On A Ghost Walk

One of my favorite holidays is upon us. I’m not sure if I love Halloween because I love fall or I love fall because I love Halloween. Before we get into a chicken and the egg argument, let me say that one thing I am sure of is that Halloween is an exciting time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. I can promise you that you will find fantastic Halloween parties, ghostly events, and plenty of candied apples and pumpkins… all surrounded by some of the best fall foliage in the country.

This year, I’m really looking forward to the Ghost Walk in Elmira. Put on by the Chemung Valley History Museum, this will be the third year for the Ghost Walk. Woodlawn Cemetery in Elmira is a rather well known cemetery in the Northeast. John Jones, Hal Roach, Ernie Davis, and many other notable names call Woodlawn Cemetery their final resting place. The most notable, however, is Mark Twain. In 2010, it will be 100 years that Twain has been laid to rest in Woodlawn and to honor his memory, Mark Twain Country will be hosting many exciting events. You also cannot think of Woodlawn Cemetery without mentioning the National Cemetery, home to the largest number of confederate soldiers from the Civil War than any other cemetery in the North. The cemetery is actually one of the most beautiful places in the city of Elmira. Lots of little hills and trees, quite peaceful. So given that it is a Ghost Walk, it will be in the dark, so you may be wondering why this counts as a “Best Foliage View,” however I can assure you that the overall theme of the evening and the walk through the cemetery will be as fabulous as a drive through the hills during the day. Given that it’s a walk, you’re right smack dab in the middle of the foliage, so enjoy!

Now that you have a little background on the cemetery, now you can see why the Ghost Walk is exciting. The Ghost Walks are taking place Friday, October 23 and Saturday, October 24. There are eight times that the tours depart each night starting at 6:45pm. Your night starts at the Chemung Valley History Museum on East Water Street in Elmira. You will be transported to Woodlawn Cemetery by trolley. Upon arriving at the cemetery you will be led on a guided tour and hear stories of Elmira’s past by resident “ghosts” who haunt the cemetery. With Elmira Little Theatre participating, it’s bound to be a great time. I would say that kids 8 years and older are welcome to go on the walk, just as long as they can walk 3/10s of a mile. Back at the museum, there are refreshments and trivia, so it is a night full of fun. Make sure to check out the exhibits at the museum too. Really fantastic place to learn about the history of Elmira and Finger Lakes Wine Country.

The best part is that the entire night of fun is only $10 a person. Reservations can be made by calling the museum at 607-734-416.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #16 From An Apple Orchard

One activity that has become an annual event for me and my family is apple picking. Fall is not complete without piling into the car and heading off to the apple orchard. There are many around Finger Lakes Wine Country. (Check our Farms & Markets Database for a full listing of U-Pick Farms.) One of my favorite apple orchards is Apple Barrel Orchards in Penn Yan on Keuka Lake. The orchard is on a hill overlooking the lake and is one of the best views of Keuka Lake I've found, perfect for leaf peeping.

A couple tips for apple picking. First, you're going to want to dress comfortable, especially in the footwear department! Sometimes the orchards are a bit of a trek, but in the right footwear are totally managable for for people of all ages. Second, bring your own bags or boxes. I always bring my reusable grocery bags or just a tote bag, perfect to sling on your shoulder while you pick. Third, don't miss the other apple goodies like cider, donuts, candied or carmel apples, and of course pies. Many orchards have other produce too, like Apple Barrel Orchards has U-Pick concord grapes, so delicious and perfect for making jams, pies, or simple snacking.

I have found that the apples are great this year. I made a pie for the very first time last weekend and have a new found love for baking. There is something so wonderful about using local produce when cooking and baking. The food is so fresh and tasty. You can't beat it. If you're looking for a really delicious Apple Pie recipe, check out the winning recipe from our Apple Pie Contest on our Facebook Fan Page. Winner, Michele used Finger Lakes Distilling's Maple Jack Liqueur which adds a fabulous kick to the pie. Certainly worth a try!

So whether you're picking apples for pies, apple sauce, or just a healthy (and delicious) snack, make sure to bring your camera. You're bound to run into some spectacular fall foliage views in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #15 From the Water at Seneca Bill's

The beauty of the fall foliage in Finger Lakes Wine Country has to be seen from a boat. Why? Because the region is well-known for its glacial-formed lakes shaped like fingers and if you haven't yet done a summer boat cruise, fall is your last chance. Many of the summer charter boats get put away for winter storage the first part of October but one boat company, Seneca Bill's, remains on the water until October 31. All boats depart from Watkins Glen at the southern end of Seneca Lake.

The Stroller IV boat is available daily through mid-October for one hour Seneca Lake cruises. The hours are Monday-Friday 11-4PM and Saturday & Sunday 10-8PM. Tickets are $12.50 per adults and $6.00 for children 12 and under.

The Seneca Legacy, a 270 passenger cruising vessel, is also available for longer lunch and dinner expeditions. There are outtings scheduled until Saturday, October 31. Check the schedule now.

In addition to the two boats, Seneca Bill's is also home to Seneca Harbor Station, a beautiful restaurant with stunning views of Seneca Lake. So if you can't do a boat tour this fall, then you must stop in for a drink or a meal. They also feature a nice local wine list too!

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country #12, #13, #14 Harvest Festivals on the Cayuga Wine Trail

Harvest Festivals are a staple to the season of Autumn in Finger Lakes Wine Country and a perfect way to enjoy some fall foliage. Luckily, the Cayuga Wine Trail is celebrating Harvest with multiple winery events. Harvest Hoopla takes place throughout the months of September and October and there are many events to choose from, including the Harvest Festival at King Ferry Winery this weekend.

King Ferry produces the Treleaven brand wines and is owned by Tracie and Peter Saltonstall. King Ferry Winery is dedicated to producing quality vinifera wines. This weekend at the Harvest Festival you can take wine-making tours, have some food (for a small fee), enjoy free live music, and of course, wine tasting. Another exciting event taking place at the Harvest Fest is the continuation of the Cayuga Wine Trail Grow & Show Contest. Earlier in the year, the Cayuga Wine Trail hosted the Wine & Herb event and now it's time to show off what you were able to grow, yes! Show it off! This weekends featured item is the potato. Contests include Largest Potato, Celebrity Potato, and the Potato That Most Resembles Peter Saltonstall, the owner of King Ferry. Sounds like a blast! King Ferry is located on the East side of Cayuga Lake just south of Aurora. A gorgeous drive along the lake is certain to offer some spectacular scenery.

Next weekend is the Pumpkin Festival at Cobblestone Farm Winery on the Cayuga Wine Trail. The Pumpkin Festival features pumpkin picking, carving & decorating, hay rides, wine tasting, and pumpkin treats. There's even a children's costume contest so test drive your child's costume at this exciting Harvest event. Of course their Grow & Show contest is all about pumpkins. There's a contest for the biggest diameter and the best decorate pumpkin. Cobblestone Winery is located on the scenic Route 89 in Romulous. A perfect place to enjoy the fall foliage.

Goose Watch Winery is just north of Cobblestone on Route 89 on the West side of Cayuga Lake. The winery is nesteled within one of the areas only commercial chestnut grove. To celebrate Goose Watch will host the Chestnut Festival on Saturday, October 24. They will have the funkiest looking pumpkin contest for the Grow & Show Contest, along with chestnut goodies, live music, and of course, wine tasting.

All of these spectacular Finger Lakes Wine Country Harvest events along the Cayuga Wine Trail are sure to give you the perfect platform for taking in some of the beautiful fall foliage. Have I mentioned how beautiful it is here?

Last Weekend for The Painted Barrels!

We had a great time this summer and fall with The Painted Barrels. 36 painted Finger Lakes wine barrels, painted by Finger Lakes artists, have been on display around the region and the exhibit ends this Sunday.

The other component to the exhibit is the live online auction! Here is the perfect chance to own your own piece of Finger Lakes Wine Country. Bid on your favorite barrel until Sunday, October 11 at 5:00PM EST.

Enjoy this vistor's experience with 25 of the barrels. Share your pictures too and enter to win a Finger Lakes Wine Country Experience Gift Pack worth $500!

Wine Country Insider News for October 9- 12

This weekend is going to be a beautiful fall holiday and three-day weekend with the mid-point of fall foliage. Listen to our 15 minute podcast to get all the inside scoop on things to do this weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country.



Quick links from this morning’s Wine Country Insider-

The restaurant at Red Newt Wine Cellars
I LOVE NY fall foliage tracker
The Corning Museum of Glass & the Glass Harvest
Rockwell Museum of Western Art and Kid's Art Pack
King Ferry Harvest Festival
Shopping & Dining along Market Street
Montour Falls Harvest Festival & Fireworks
Wine tasting along Cayuga Wine Trail, Keuka Wine Trail, Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Bradley Farms & Haunted House
$99 Sunday room rates at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars
Ghost Walk
Monster Ball at Holiday Inn in Elmira

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #9, #10, and #11 Visit Corning's Gaffer District, The Glass Harvest, and the Best of the West!

Spending a day in Corning, NY, is one of the best ways to view the fall foliage and enjoy some fun fall activities at the same time in Finger Lakes Wine Country. This weekend is the ideal time to spend the day in Corning.

If you haven’t heard about the Glass Harvest at The Corning Museum of Glass, then you must visit cmog.org to get all the details. This weekend is the Third Annual Glass Pumpkin Patch. Visit the museum and see all the beautiful glass pumpkins, gourds, apples, and other unique glass pieces. The GlassMarket of The Corning Museum of Glass offers seven boutiques of unique glass items. Choose a souvenir or keepsake from around the world. You’ll find anything from original glass art to glass jewelry to glass collectibles. While at the museum you have to see the world’s largest blown glass pumpkin! I have seen this thing first hand and it’s unbelievable. With a circumference of 97 inches, you’ve never seen a glass pumpkin like this! During your time at The Corning Museum of Glass you can also Make Your Own Glass pumpkin. I just had the opportunity to do this a few weeks ago and it was so fun. You can choose any color you want. Go ahead and express yourself through your glass pumpkin! All this Glass Harvest fun is going on through November 18, so even if you can’t make it this weekend for the Glass Pumpkin Patch, there’s still plenty of time to take part in the harvest happenings at CMOG.

While in Corning, you must stop in the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. The museum boasts the best of the West in the East! The next special exhibition is Las Artes de Mexico and is going on display October 17. The permanent galleries are amazing and the Trading Post is a must for anyone who loves to shop. While you’re at the museum, you must go up to the third floor and go out onto the rooftop deck. The view of Corning is spectacular! You can see the rolling hills and it gives a birds eye view of Market Street. Perfect place for leaf peeping.

Have I mentioned the best thing about both of these museums? Kids and teens, 19 and under, are always FREE! Yes, that’s right. FREE! AND there’s even a FREE shuttle between the two museums and to Market Street. I love the word FREE… it’s my favorite!

So if you have never visited these museums, you probably haven’t been to Corning’s Gaffer District and Historic Market Street. (Might I say, you’re missing out and you should definitely jump on the Corning, NY bandwagon ASAP!) The Gaffer District, named for the technical title for glassworkers, gaffers, is a historic downtown with brick-lined sidewalks; chock full of unique shopping, dining, and entertainment. The Finger Lakes Wine Country offices are actually right on Market Street in Corning, so I know the area very well. It’s certainly a must-see during any visit to Finger Lakes Wine Country. The scenery here along Market Street during these fall days is gorgeous. The trees that line the street are turning beautiful yellows, reds, and oranges. Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and fun fall activities in Corning!

25 Great Foliage Views in Finger Lakes Wine Country, #8 The Deck from Veraisons Restaurant

The perfect pairing to wine is food that is inspired by the region in which it is from. And nothing is better than enjoying local wine and food with a view that is to die for! Our next top foliage view in Finger Lakes Wine Country is enjoyed from the deck at Veraisons restaurant at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars. The restaurant features Glenora wines and many of the menu items feature locally produced and raised ingredients. The chef, Orlando Rodriguez, recently team up with Glenora winemaker, Steve Difrancisco, to write the Wine Country Cooking cookbook. The restaurant is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and while the atmosphere is casual reservations are recommended and appreciated.

Glenora Wine Cellars on the west side of Seneca Lake, is a member of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, and has been a leading producer in the region for over two decades. The winery recently garned a lot of attention for its Mason Vineyard 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon and its Rieslings and sparkling wines are routinely well-regarded by members of the wine media.

The Inn itself features 30 rooms all with awesome views of Seneca Lake and from now through early spring offers a special “stay another day” rate with $99 room rates on Sundays. If you are interested in staying at the Inn, it is important that you make reservations now as availability is limited. Remember that mid-week is a great time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. Same great views, just a little less busy…

The Winner of our Best Apple Pie Recipe Contest is...

Congratulations to Finger Lakes resident, Michelle Charles, for winning our Facebook contest in search of the best Finger Lakes Wine Country apple pie recipe.

Enjoy the "apple pie-eyed" recipe with a bottle of ice or late harvest Finger Lakes Riesling.

Here is the winning recipe...

Wine Country Insider News for October 2 - 4

This weekend is going to be a beautiful fall weekend with the start of fall foliage. Listen to our 15 minute podcast to get all the inside scoop on things to do this weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country.



Quick links from this morning’s Wine Country Insider-

Foliage Tracker on I LOVE NY
Farm City Day – Saturday from 11-4PM
Music in the Starlite Room
Toughpets Dog Playcare & “Spaw”
Wineglass Marathon – Saturday (Expo) & Sunday (marathon)
Tunes in the Tent at Heron Hill Winery (Sunday)
Gourmet Harvest Festival at Hunt Country Vineyards (Saturday & Sunday)
New “green” winery building at red tail ridge winery
The glass harvest at The Corning Museum of Glass
$99 Sunday room rates at the Inn at Glenora

More events on our event calendar.