Happy Holidays from Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Happy Holidays from Morgen, Christina and Ginny. Enjoy this holiday video sent in to us from Kate, one of the region's fans, and our summer intern!

Happy Holidays from the Cayuga Wine Trail

The sixteen wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail wish you Happy Holidays!

The PALATE passports for Winter Wine Weekends have arrived!

Winter Wine Weekends begin on Monday, January 4, 2010. In addition to receiving "stay two nights, get the third night free" at twenty-five accommodations each package receives a free bottle of Finger Lakes wine and a free PALATE passport filled with coupons for free museum visits, merchandise, free tastings, and free food.

Happy Holidays and watch a short video clip featuring the newly arrived PALATE passports!

Bubbly! tickets on sale now!

There is a lot happening in Finger Lakes Wine Country this winter including several wine trail events and new this year, Bubbly! The Finger Lakes Sparkling Wine Party on Saturday, February 20 from 6-9PM in the ballroom at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel on Seneca Lake.  This sparkling wine only tasting event will feature some of the leading Finger Lakes sparkling wine producers and delicious food.  Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple and you can RSVP and see who else is attending on our Facebook page.

Participating wineries include:

Seneca Lake
Atwater
Lamoreaux Landing
Lakewood
Wiemer
Glenora
Damiani
Red Tail Ridge

Keuka Lake
Chateau Frank
Pleasant Valley

Cayuga Lake
Lucas
Hosmer
Knapp
Goose Watch
Swedish Hill
Heart & Hands
Cayuga Ridge Estate

And a special appearance by Finger Lakes Distilling serving kir royales!

Recommended dress: Party attire of course! (Well, no jeans, ballgowns or tuxs)

Order tickets now through PayPal or call our office 800.813.2958 to purchase over the phone with a major credit card.

Ticket options

Single ticket $40.00 Couples ticket $75.00

Wine Country Insider for the Holidays 2009

Click here to listen to the Wine Country Insider

Just a week until Christmas! It's hard to believe that Christmas is right around the corner and 2009 is coming to a close. Since next Friday is indeed Chrismas and the following is New Years Day, the Wine Country Insider will be on vacation until January 8th. Here are some links to everything we talked about on the show today. Some great ways to celebrate with family and friends and ring in 2010!

Last minute holiday shopping and holiday fun
Arnot Mall
Corning's Gaffer District
The GlassMarket at The Corning Museum of Glass
The Trading Post at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art
The Nutcracker in Motion


Fun Holiday Break Activities
The Corning Museum of Glass
Rockwell Museum of Western Art
Elmira Jackals Hockey
Polar Passport on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Cayuga Wine Trail


New Years Eve Partys
Holiday Inn Riverview Elmira
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Inn at  Glenora
Clemens Center

Wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a joyful New Year from the team at Finger Lakes Wine Country! Morgen, Christina & Ginny

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #20 The Edible Finger Lakes 2010 Calendar

What better way to share your love of the Finger Lakes with friends, family and co-workers than to give them the 2010 Edible Finger Lakes Calendar.  This calendar features beautiful photography highlighting the region's farms and farmers with a featured local recipe and wine pairing for each month!  Also included in the calendar is a page on "10 Ways to Become a Locavore".

Available now for $12.95 plus $2.50 for shipping and handling.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #19 Wine from Your Favorite Wineries!

Wine makes the perfect gift for almost anyone on your holiday list and wine makes any holiday meal more special.  Finger Lakes Wine Country, with its more than 100 wineries, is the largest wine producing region in the East and that means there is plenty of wine to be had during the holidays.  Don't live close to the region but love the wines? 

Don't worry because most of the wineries sell their wines online to consumers in states that allow direct shipping.  This year many wineries are offering special holiday pricing including free shipping.  In our winery database for each winery that has an online shopping cart we have included an icon "BUY WINE" that is a direct link to their shopping page.  But you better hurry and order today to have your wine delivered by Christmas. Enjoy the holidays with your friends, family, and Finger Lakes wines (but of course.)

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #18 A Winter Wine Weekend

Give your sweetie the sweetest gift of all, a weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country! January 4 - March 21, 2010, get a free night when you buy two at participating accommodations throughout Finger Lakes Wine Country. You also receive a free bottle of wine and a passport full of deals, discounts, and much more! Check out http://www.winterwineweekend.com/ for details and to book your stay now!

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #17 A Unique Gift from the Christmas House

If you love Christmas like I do, then you must get to the Christmas House in Elmira. It's a paradise of holiday gifts and collectibles right in Finger Lakes Wine Country. It has a variety of village sets and a plethora of ornaments. If you're looking for a specific theme gift or even something for a birthday or anniversary, The Christmas House has many unique gifts that are not just for the holidays. The Christmas House in Elmira is located on Maple Ave in a Queen Anne Victorian Mansion that is actually one of America's Painted Ladies, which means it's painted many different colors. Just seeing it from the outside is beautiful! Inside is a treasure trove of gifts, all beautifully displayed. I enjoy just browsing around, but I always seem to find something I want. The Christmas House Express is located in Center Court of the Arnot Mall. The Christmas House in Elmira is open July through December, but the Christmas House Express is open year-round. If you want to find a gift that will create memories to last a lifetime, visit the Christmas House. You'll absolutley love it!

Wine Country Insider for December 11 - 13

Only two weeks left until Christmas and the holidays are a wonderful time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country for a couple days, finish your shopping and load up on some wine.  Enjoy this week's Wine Country Insider (15 minute podcast) as we chat about some things to do this weekend.

Click here to listen to the Wine Country Insider.

Here are the quick links from the podcast -

Glittering Traditions and the GlassMarket at The Corning Museum of Glass

The Trading Post at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Imagine That! in the Gaffer District

Dollhouse Exhibit at the Glenn Curtiss Museum

Dosage Your Own Champagne at Glenora Wine Cellars

Polar Passport on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Windmill Farm and Craft Market

Seneca Santa at Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

Winter Wine Weekends (January 4 - March 21, 2010)

Finger Lakes Wine Country on Facebook

Kenny Rodgers at First Arena

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #16 Combination Passes to The Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

Give the gift of two experience for the price of one! The Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning offer a combination ticket is only $16.50, a deal when you consider the admission for The Corning Museum of Glass is $12.50 and the Rockwell Museum is $6.50. With kids and teens free at both museums, you can really create a day of fun and excitement for a whole family at a very reasonable price!

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #15 Finger Lakes Distilling Products

Nothing says Merry Christmas like a bottle of booze. Okay, not necessarily, but it's certainly a great way to spread holiday cheer! Finger Lakes Distilling opened on the East side of Seneca Lake earlier this year and are producing locally made vodkas, gins, and many other delightful spirits. I know I'll be serving their Seneca Drums Gin, the Vitner's Wild Berry Vodka, and the new Cherry Liqueur for the holidays, and I know there are many people on my list who would love to get this under the tree. Give your sweetie something special this year with a locally made spirit from Finger Lakes Distilling.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #14 Wine On Ice Tickets

One of the area's premier winter wine tasting events is Wine On Ice at the First Arena in Elmira. There is wine tasting from over 35 Finger Lakes wineries, including some of your favorites like Glenora Wine Cellars, Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, and Fox Run Vineyards. Wine On Ice takes place January 22-23, 2010 and tickets are just $23 to $27! Perfect stocking stuffer!

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #13 A Gas Card

Now this may seem really obvious, but maybe not? I don't think there would be anything better! Now, try to put some stipulations on it - only use it for your trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country! Located within a five hour drive distance of most metroplitan cities in the Northeast, your trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country will only cost you a tank or two of gas... consider that paid for and you're trip is REALLY affordable. Add in a gift certificate to a hotel or bed and breakfast and you've got yourself a really great trip planned for say, Valentine's Day or maybe someone's birthday. Of course, I don't think you really need a reason to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country!

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #12 A Spa Day

Who doesn't love a day at the spa? A gift certificate to AgeLess Integrative Medical Spa conveniently located at the Arnot Mall in Horseheads offers all kinds of awesome ways to be pampered. Check out our previous blog about AgeLess. Also check out the Finger Lakes Wellness Center in Bath. For that authentic Finger Lakes Wine Country experience, they offer signature grapeseed sessions. Both offer massages and facials. Fellas, this is certainly a great way to please that special lady in your life this holiday season.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #11 Finger Lakes Wine Festival Tickets

One event that everyone looks forward to every year is the Finger Lakes Wine Festival. With around 90 wineries from New York State participating, tons of food and craft vendors, opportunities to take educational seminars on wine and cooking, and lots of live music and fun, Wine Fest is certainly Finger Lakes Wine Country's premier event. Receiving tickets to this exciting event is sure to make anyone's holiday shine a little brighter! Order tickets now.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #10 Finger Lakes Ice Wine

Ice wine, enjoyed as a dessert wine, is made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. The sugars do not freeze, but the water does, resulting in a smaller amount of more concentrated, very sweet wine. Finger Lakes Wine Country, because it is a cool climate wine region, does have its share of ice wine. We're only one of the few regions in the world able to produce classically made ice wine where the grapes are allowed to freeze on the vine. Because ice wine cannot be made every year, another great alternative is the region's late harvest wines. Click here to discover all the ice wine and late harvest wine producers in the Finger Lakes.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #9 Tickets for a New Year's Eve Party

Three, Two, One.... Happy New Year! It's hard to believe it's nearly 2010. Give the gift of tickets to a great New Years Eve event in Finger Lakes Wine Country to the ones you love this year. This would be a great gift for any couple! There are a couple to choose from, here are two exciting parties to pick from:

New Year's Eve at the Inn at Glenora Check in at The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars between 3 - 5 PM on December 31st and let the celebration begin with a complimentary glass of champagne and light hors d'oeuvres. Dinner reservations will be taken between 6-9 PM. Enjoy Veraisons' beautiful seasonal menu, showcasing local ingredients as well as special feature appetizers, entrées, and desserts just for the evening. (Dinner not included in the room rate.) Light music will be played early in the evening. After 10 PM, we'll kick it up a notch with music provided by B & B Sound. Ring in the New Year from the dance floor with a champagne toast and a balloon drop. Room rates starting at $159.00. Room reservation based on double occupancy and includes, Champagne toast and hors d'oeuvres upon from 3-5 PM, evening entertainment/party, Champagne toast at Midnight, complimentary bottle of wine in your room, breakfast buffet on New Year's Day.

New Year's Eve at the Holiday Inn Riverview Check-in any time after 12:00 pm New Years Eve and check-out any time before 2:00 pm New Year's Day, 8:30 pm - Doors Open at Anthony's Grille, 9:00 pm - The party begins with a buffet prepared by our own Chef Bill Winnie. The bar opens at 9:00 pm and continue until 1:00 am including a Champaign toast at midnight. Dance the night away to the music of the Sam Pallet Band as he celebrates his 22nd year ringing in the New Year with the Holiday Inn. Package price is $200.00 per couple including tax and gratuities.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #8 Finger Lakes Wine Country Gift Basket

Beyond Baskets on West Market Street in Corning's Gaffer District will design any basket for you to send to those near and far. Perfect for those long distance relatives or even your boss, a gift basket allows you to express yourself  in a way that everyone loves. Cynthia, owner of Beyond Baskets goes above and beyond (hence the name!) to make sure any basket you're looking to create is exactly what you want it to be. You can get as creative as you'd like! She even stresses that "baskets" don't necessarily have to be made in  actual baskets. Our office worked with Cynthia to create Finger Lakes Wine Country harvest baskets, and they turned out beautiful! Beyond Baskets is chock full of Finger Lakes Wine Country themed items, so I think doing a Wine Country themed basket would be a great way to show off the region you love whether you live near or far. Include homemade chocolates, jellies, cheeses, hand painted wine glasses, homemade candles, and even lotions and other bath goodies. That is just a taste of what Beyond Baskets has to offer. I think Cynthia will certainly help you create the perfect basket for that certain someone in your life!

Wine Country Insider for the Weekend of December 4-6, 2009

This weekend in Finger Lakes Wine Country is full of fun, holiday-themed events. From shopping at the Arnot Mall, The Christmas House, to Sparkle in downtown Corning, the jewelry trunk show at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art, the Holiday Open House at The Corning Museum of Glass, and the Holiday Shopping Spree along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.

Listen to the Wine Country Insider (15 minute podcast) for all this inside scoop.

Sparkle in downtown Corning

The Holiday Open House at The Corning Museum of Glass

The Jewelry Trunk Show and Sale

The Holiday Shopping Spree along the Cayuga Wine Trail

Shopping at The Christmas House and the Arnot Mall

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #7 A 2010 Season Pass to the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

The Season’s Pass is your ticket to all of the fantastic events along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in Finger Lakes Wine Country. First is the Mardi Gras event on February 13 & 14. This event is a double whammy where you'll not only be able to celebrate Mardi Gras you'll be able to make your sweetheart swoon throughout Valentine’s weekend. The Wine & Herb event on April 23-25 and April 30 and May 1 & 2 and the Holiday Shopping Spree November 19-21 and December 3-5 are now three day events and offer early bird breakfast specials at King Ferry and Long Point wineries. The Season’s Pass is offered at a fantastic savings of 25% off the ticketed price. A couple pass is $115.00 and a single pass is just $70.00 plus handling fee and sales tax. I would suggest getting the couple pass so you can go too! Just a little bonus for you, which you deserve afterall! It's the gift of wine, fun, and togetherness - it's perfect! If you wish to purchase Greyhound Wine Tour & Friends tickets please add on $20.00 per person to the already low price. The pass is certainly a gift that any wine lover on your list will enjoy.

Finger Lakes Wine Country Holiday Gift Guide, #6 An Arnot Mall Gift Card

The gift that will fit anyone on your list is an Arnot Mall Gift Card. The gift that allows the ones you love to get exactly what they want without the hassle. You can even purchase them online. Now guys, this is something you can buy and anyone on your list will love it! Feeling more ambitious? Check out this list of holiday sales happening at the Arnot Mall. Click here to download the PDF.  The Arnot Mall is Finger Lakes Wine Country premier shopping center located right off Interstate 86 in Horseheads, NY. I know I'll be doing some of my holiday shopping there this year! They have all the national stores along with some unique local vendors and even some special vendors there just for the holiday season. You're sure to find something for everyone on your list here! Arnot Mall Gift Cards also make great stocking stuffers!