Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Finger Lakes News & Notes - March 4, 2008
- Enobytes features The Finger Lakes region
- Mark Oldman discusses New York wine
- Educational vineyard to be planted on Staten Island
- Deer Run Winery is off the beaten wine trail, but well worth the visit
- The Cayuga Wine Trail turns 25
- The versatility of Riesling is praised
- New Hampshire winery produces a Valvin Muscat wine
- "Taste of New York" TV show debuts April 5th
- Finger Lakes Grape Growers Conference to be held on March 14 & 15
- More wineries in the works on the east side of Cayuga Lake
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Finger Lakes Wines Win Medals at Grand Harvest Wine Awards
Gold
Heron Hill, 05 Riesling, 0.76% rs, 391 cases produced, $17.99
Hunt Country Vineyards, 06 Vidal Blanc Ice Wine, 23% rs, 716 cases produced, $39.99 / 375ml
Silver
Belhurst Winery, 06 Cayuga, n/a% rs, 250 cases produced, $14.95
Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, NV Cayuga Cuvee, .25% rs, 300 cases produced, $11.00
Chateau Frank, 00 Blanc de Noirs, 1% rs, 400 cases produced, $29.99
Chateau Lafayette Reneau, 06 Pinot Noir Blanc, 2.8% rs, 800 cases produced, $9.99
Chateau Lafayette Reneau, 06 Johnnisberg Riesling, 2.5% rs, 1,800 cases produced, $14.99
Dr. Konstantin Frank, 06 Rkatsiteli, .7% rs, 2,000 cases produced, $19.99
Hunt Country Vineyards, 07 Pinot Gris, 0.5% rs, 862 cases produced, $15.99
Torrey Ridge Winery, NV Niagara, 6.5% rs, 631 cases produced, $9.99
Treleaven, 06 Riesling Late Harvest , 18% rs, 300 cases produced, $29.99
Bronze
Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, NV Cayuga White, .75% rs, 350 cases produced, $9.50
Chateau Frank, 00 Blanc de Blancs, 1% rs, 500 cases produced, $29.99
Chateau Lafayette Reneau, 05 Pinot Noir, Dry% rs, 500 cases produced, $19.99
Chateau Lafayette Reneau, 05 Chardonnay, .5% rs, 400 cases produced, $12.99
Chateau Lafayette Reneau, 06 Chardonnay, .5% rs, 200 cases produced, $18.99
Dr. Konstantin Frank, 06 Riesling, .7% rs, 2,500 cases produced, $17.99
Dr. Konstantin Frank, 06 Rose, .4% rs, 1,500 cases produced, $12.99
Fulkerson Winery, 06 Diamond, 5.5% rs, 597 cases produced, $6.99
Fulkerson Winery, 06 Traminette, 2.7% rs, 877 cases produced, $11.99
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards, 05 Cabernet Franc, 0.4% rs, 341 cases produced, $17.99
Heron Hill, 04 Chardonnay, 0.02% rs, 241 cases produced, $17.99
Lucas Vineyards, 06 Riesling Semi Dry , 2.5% rs, 750 cases produced, $12.99
Torrey Ridge Winery, NV Diamond, 8% rs, 1,200 cases produced, $9.99
See the complete results here.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Finger Lakes Weekend Wino 2007 Finger Lakes Winery of The Year - Bloomer Creek Vineyard

I think this picture from Bloomer Creek's website says it all about Bloomer Creek Vineyard, my 2007 Winery of The Year - it shows their passion and commitment to craft excellent wine and shows the sweat, grit, and determination that it takes to be a successful winery in the Finger Lakes.
It has taken owner and winemaker Kim Engle almost 3 decades from his college days to realize his dream of owning his own winery in his own space, but the result was well worth the wait. Kim and his wife, artist Debra Bermingham, have created a fresh and welcoming environment with their new tasting room, with its exposed wood beams and beautiful high ceilings, highlighted by local artistry. Yes, the new building welcomes us, but the wines- the wines draw us in!
Kim has toiled for decades for many other Finger Lakes wineries, honing his skills in the vineyard and in the cellar and we are the ones who now benefit from those many years of hard work. His proficiency shines through on both white and red wines from the beautiful balance of Bloomer Creek's Riesling to the soft and smoky Cafe Red (Cabernet Franc).
At Bloomer Creek, you get the feeling that they don't just want to sell you their wine, they want you to understand their wine.
I visited 81 Finger Lakes wineries in 2007 and it was not an easy choice to pick my first Winery of The Year. There were many wineries that had that combination of passion for crafting great wine, commitment to educating consumers, a welcoming and uplifting tasting experience and, of course, great wine that I was looking for, but in my several visits to Bloomer Creek, the blood, sweat, and tears of a dream becoming reality inspired my senses and filled my being with pride for what hard work and determination can accomplish. Bloomer Creek is certainly not the biggest or most well-known winery in the Finger Lakes, but a bigger heart and soul you will not find. So I raise my glass to Bloomer Creek Vineyard and encourage you to stop in and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Here are my tasting notes for Bloomer Creek in 2007:
2006 Gewurztraminer, $18.00, light citrus into bold spice at the finish
2006 Riesling, 2% RS, (sold out), layers of citrus into smooth mineral, perfectly balanced
2006 Cafe White, $12.99, Chardonnay/Pinot Gris blend, crisp apple and citrus, very nice
2006 Chardonnay, $18.00, soft and light with well-defined crisp oak into a long finish
2006 Cayuga White, 3% RS, layers of pineapple and soft tropical fruits, crisp and balanced
2006 Gamay Noir, $14.00, a light Beaujolais-style red with hints of strawberry into a nice peppery finish
2006 Cafe Red, .8% RS, $12.99, Cabernet Franc, very soft and light, but with ample fruit of smoky strawberry, Excellent!
Half Moon Rose, $10.00, interesting blend of Cayuga White and Pinot Noir, a very soft rose', an excellent value.
Bloomer Creek Vineyard, 5301 Rte 414, Hector NY (southeast side of Seneca Lake, located next to The Stonecat Cafe)
607 546 5027 www.bloomercreek.com
Friday, February 15, 2008
Finger Lakes News & Notes Feb.16, 2008

Anthony Road Wine Company, Penn Yan, NY
GOLD 2006 Cabernet Franc / Lemberger
Casa Larga Vineyards, Fairport, NY
GOLD N/V Estate Bottled Pallido
Chateau Frank, Hammondsport, NY
GOLD N/V Methode Champenoise Célèbre Crémant
Dr. Konstantin Frank, Hammondsport, NY
GOLD 2006 Riesling Dry
Earle Estates Meadery, Penn Yan, NY
GOLD N/V Raspberry Reflections
Goose Watch Winery, Romulus, NY
GOLD N/A Diamond USA
GOLD 2006 Melody USA
GOLD N/A Golden Spumante USA
GOLD N/A Classic Cream Sherry
Hunt Country Vineyards, Branchport, NY
GOLD 2006 Simmons Vineyards Cayuga White
Knapp Winery, Romulus, NY
GOLD 2006 Estate Bottled Cayuga White USA
GOLD N/V Superstition
Lakewood Vineyards, Inc., Watkins Glen, NY
GOLD 2006 Chardonnay
Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Lodi, NY
GOLD 2006 Estate Bottled Chardonnay
Penguin Bay Winery, Romulus, NY
GOLD N/A Percussion
Torrey Ridge Winery, Penn Yan, NY
GOLD N/V Diamond USA
GOLD N/V Catawba
Sunday, February 03, 2008
2007 Finger Lakes Weekend Wino Wine Awards- White Wines

* Cobblestone Farm Winery > 2006 Cobblestone White, $10.99, 3.8% RS, Cayuga White with a touch of Seyval, Pineapple and grapefruit citrus perfectly balanced in a semi-sweet style.
> Peach/ Blueberry/ Honeydew, Each of these 3 wines expresses the fruit very intensely with a delicate sweetness, when I drink that Honeydew it tastes like you are biting into a fresh Honeydew melon, and these wines are good to cook with also.
> Peach Spumante, $11.99, 4.5% RS, sweet and bubbly with refreshing peach flavor.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Finger Lakes News & Notes - Jan. 26 2008
- This just in from NYWGF: At the San Francisco Wine Competition earlier this month "Swedish Hill Winery dominated the (New York) winners with both Best of Class accolades (White Doobie Blues and Viking Red), plus 4 of the Golds (those two plus 2006 Vidal Blanc 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles) and sister winery Goose Watch snagging a Gold for its Golden Spumante. Other Golds went to Chateau Lafayette Reneau 2006 Dry Riesling, Lucas Vineyards Two Boat Red, Prejean Winery 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling, and White Springs Winery 2006 Riesling Red Label." Many of My Favorites in this group, including that delicious Goose Watch Golden Spumante, made from the Diamond grape. See the complete competition results at http://www.winejudging.com/medal_winners_2008/277.htm
- Some beat the winter blues with Wine On Ice
- Finger Lakes grapes used in study, shows dental health benefits
- Super Bowl head coach grew up in the Finger Lakes area
- Report shows Finger Lakes tourism spending increased 5.9% in 2006
- Cayuga Lake Wine Trail kicks off 25th Anniversary with Mardi Gras event
- Check out the artists at The ARTS of the Southern Finger Lakes. Great Talent!!!
- The wintertime is a nice time to visit the Finger Lakes
- Cornell graduate doing well at Two Washington state wineries
- Rural Tourism Conference highlights ways for rural business to succeed
- Michigan wineries deal with rowdy wine tasting groups
- Hazlitt's Red Cat wine very popular with T3 Series Race car drivers
- Finger Lakes International Wine Competition dates are announced
- Finger Lakes born author writes book about champion horse
- FingerLakesWine.com has now posted all of Sheila Livadas' excellent Finger Lakes winery profiles. This is an excellent resource. I keep telling her that she should write a book of these profiles.
- Red Tail Ridge Winery has some furry Crew Members : )
- Local BnB owner reviews Finger Lakes wine at his Middle Finger Lakes Wine Guide website
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Your Chance to Win a 4 Day Finger Lakes Getaway
website and, just today, I see that she has posted that they are giving away a 4 day Getaway to The Finger Lakes with Lodging at The Inn at Glenora and the best wine, food, and sights that The Finger Lakes offers. The deadline to enter is April 15. Be sure to visit the Finger Lakes Wine Country Blog and enter.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Upcoming Finger Lakes Wine Events - Jan/Feb '08
Polar Passport, Dec 3 2007 - Apr 13 2008
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Visit the Trail during the best time of year: the off season! At only $10 plus tax, the Polar Passport gives residents and visitors alike a convenient and affordable way to enjoy many of the wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. http://www.senecalakewine.com/
Between the Lakes Winter Wine Party, Jan 12
Join the participating wineries between Cayuga and Seneca Lake for Winter Fun! Come and enjoy hor d'oeuvres and wine tastings.
Bargain Bash, Jan 12 - Jan 21
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Unlike our other events, this week long sales event does not require tickets. Think of Bargain Bash as being like a big, Trail-wide spring cleaning, garage sale! Me & Mrs. Wino will be out on the Trail hunting for bargains this weekend. http://www.senecalakewine.com/
January White Sale, Jan 12 - Jan 13, Noon - 5:00 PM
at Swedish Hill Vineyard
Stock up for those long winter days with your favorite white wines!
http://www.swedishhill.com/
Winter Wine-Speak at the Creek, Jan 19, Noon - 1:00 PM
at Six Mile Creek Vineyard
Improve your palate, vocabulary, and overall wine knowledge. Classes are suited for both seasoned and novice wine lover. Call to reserve. 800-260-0612. 12:00-1:00PM. http://www.sixmilecreek.com/
Wine On Ice, Jan 25 - Jan 26
Session I: Friday 5:30pm – 9:00pm, Session II: Saturday 12:00pm – 4:00pm
Session III: Saturday 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Take part in a wonderful way for the Finger Lakes area to take the edge off the chilly evenings. Held at First Arena in Elmira, participants are invited into the building to take to the ice to sample some of the area's premier wines. Entertainment will fill the air as local restaurants fill tummies and local craft businesses filled the shopping bags of this year's attendees. Check back often for details so you don't miss this wonderful winter tradition!
First Arena, North Main & Gray Streets, Elmira, NY 14901
Website: http://www.wineonice.com/
On Saturday January 26, from 12:00 to 5:00 PM, McGregor Vineyard Winery is holding their annual Robbie Burns Day Celebration. This is a great way to beat the winter blues and celebrate all things Scottish! The vineyard and winery are located on the east side of Keuka Lake in the heart of the Finger Lakes and has a beautiful view of the Keuka Lake Bluff. Traditional Scottish foods are being prepared and samples will be offered to visitors to compliment their wine tasting. Local harpist Trudy Moon will perform during the event from 1-4 pm. This event also serves as a fundraiser for the Manor Nursing Home in Penn Yan , NY .
There is a nominal charge of $10 per person/$18 per couple ($8/$15 for McGregor Clan Club Members) which includes the food and wine samples, a souvenir McGregor wine glass and $1 of this fee per person is donated directly to the Manor Nursing Home in Penn Yan. For additional information on this event or others, please call the winery at 1-800-272-0192 or 607-292-3999. www.mcgregorwinery.com
VILLAGE TAVERN MARDI GRAS WEEKEND CELEBRATION & COSTUME PARTY
February 1st - 3rd, 2008 (Friday - Sunday) Here's the deal! Our famous Cajun cuisine starts on Thursday and the party weekend starts on
Friday with live music, costumes, beads, trinket and doubloons.
Don't miss our Saturday Mardi Gras Wine Tour.
Meet at the Village Tavern Saturday (February 2nd) morning for the New Orleans style continental breakfast, board the buses decked out with beads & leis, be escorted to the wineries on Seneca Lake with lunch included along the way!
You'll be back in time for the Parade (that's at 4:15) and the evening entertainment!
Seating is limited and will sell out FAST. So call to get your tickets right away! 607-569-2528
The winery tour is a prepay event of $55.99 per person and the event is held rain, shine, sleet or snow!
Village Tavern, Hammondsport NY
Mardi Gras at the Wineries, Feb 2, 9:00 AM
Cayuga Wine Trail
Start your Super Bowl weekend by joining us at our 6th Annual Mardi Gras event. This year we're starting this event an hour earlier at 9:00am so you'll have plenty of time to visit the east side wineries. When you visit King Ferry and Long Point wineries you'll receive a festive Mardi Gras mask plus Mardi Gras beads. Throughout the day you’ll receive strings of Mardi Gras beads, a wine glass, a chance to win exciting prizes, plus a wine and food sample at each of the 16 wineries. Participants are eligible to win one of our Grand Prizes by turning in your ticket at the end of the event. Grand prizes are a wine refrigerator stocked with a sampler case of wine, a two night stay at A Wicher Garden Bed & Breakfast redeemed during our Holiday Shopping Spree event and a $50.00 dinner gift certificate from Maxi's Supper Club and Oyster Bar.
Gift Certificates are available for all our events. Tickets can be purchased at any Wegmans store through their That's the Ticket Program at their Customer Service desk( used to be able to purchase at the Video Dept.).
Cayuga Wine Trail, NY
800.684.5217
Website: http://www.cayugawinetrail.com/
Be Mine With Red WIne, Feb 9 - Feb 10, Noon - 5:00 PM
at Goose Watch Winery
Sweetheart of a Red Sale! Surprise your special Valentine with some of our delicious Reds! Numerous red wine discounts. Noon - 5:00PM.
5480 Route 89, Romulus, NY 14541
315-549-2599
Website: http://www.goosewatch.com/
Chocolate & Wine Weekend, Feb 9 - Feb 10
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Enjoy a self-guided tour around beautiful Seneca Lake. Pick up your gift item at your assigned starting winery then start sampling chocolates, or foods prepared with chocolate, creatively matched with their wines. Tickets-$25.00 http://www.senecalakewine.com/
Chocolate Wine and Roses, Feb 9 - Feb 10
at Americana Vineyards
A free rose, with purchase, for the ladies. Experience our wines paired with chocolate desserts.
4367 East Covert RoadInterlaken, NY 14847
607.387.6801
888.600.8067
Website: http://www.americanavineyards.com/
Sweet Sensation Weekend, Feb 9 - Feb 10, 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM
at Cobblestone Farm Winery
Experience our wine, chocolate, and other sweet treats.
Contact Information
5102 Route 89Romulus, NY 14541
315.549.8797
Website: http://www.cobblestonefarmwinery.com/
MadderLake Cafe Wine Tasting Group. One Sunday each month the MadderLake Cafe will feature great wine, food, and conversation. Our tasting group will feature at least one guest winemaker or wine professional from the area. The wines will be tasted blind and rated by the group with discussion to follow. It’s a great way to exercise your palate and to be introduced to wines that you might never taste otherwise. Everyone is invited to attend from beginning wine lovers to professionals – there will be something for everyone! Each guest will bring one bottle of wine of their choice that follows the parameters of the tasting (not to exceed $15.00 in cost). We will include a few of our favorite wines, set up the tasting and provide appetizers throughout the evening. The tasting is limited to 14 guests and the cost is $15.00/each plus the bottle of wine. Jan. 27th – New world reds from Argentina, Chile, Spain, New Zealand, and Australia Feb. 17th – Pinot Noir from around the World, March 16th – Dry white wines from the Finger Lakes and North America For information, call at 315-781-2424 or email at madderlakecafe@verizon.net http://www.madderlakecafe.com/madderevents.html
The New York Wine & Culinary Center has a variety of Wine & Food Classes and Events. Click here for their schedule.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Surprising Wine Survey

Monday, December 31, 2007
Happy Finger Lakes New Year 2008!!!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Finger Lakes News & Notes - Christmas 2007

But the region's most acclaimed varietal, Riesling, may be a bit more uneven, thanks to the warm, dry weather. Drought-like conditions hit the area for most of the summer until some scattered showers in late August and September. "Many of the younger vineyards shut down at some point because of lack of water," said Johannes Reinhardt, winemaker at Anthony Road Winery. Acidity levels dropped in many of the white varieties while sugar levels rose. Some producers chose to add some acid in the tank, and most say this year's Rieslings will show more tropical fruit flavors and less bracing acidity, as a result."
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Finger Lakes Holiday Gift Ideas
- Don't forget my CD "Sparkling Diamonds - Songs of The Finger Lakes". It makes a perfect gift. Look at the link on the left side of this page to find where it is available or get the CD online at The Finger Lakes Store Online or at The Grapery Online Store. Hear song clips from the CD by clicking here.
- Finger Lakes Gifts Online has many Finger Lakes gift products to choose from.
- And now, many of the Finger Lakes wineries have online stores, so check them out.
- Gift Certificates for Finger Lakes Wine Trail Events are available from the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, The Keuka Lake Wine Trail, or The Cayuga Wine Trail.
- Amazon.com has a variety of Finger Lakes books and gift items.
- "Doggin The Finger Lakes" is a new book out for anyone with pets on your gift list.
- The Coffee Lovers on your gift list will love a gift from Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters.
- As always, a Gift Subscription to Life In The Finger Lakes magazine will please any Finger Lakes fanatic on your list.
- If you are looking for that special unique Finger Lakes gift, check out the Finger Lakes Artists and Crafters Network.
- And many of the Finger Lakes Bed & Breakfasts offer Gift Certificates.
- Also, the Corning Museum of Glass has a very nice Online Gift Shop.
I hope this gives you some good gift ideas for all of the Finger Lakes Fanatics on your gift list. Have A Great Holiday Season!!!
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Finger Lakes Weekend Wino Wine Awards - Reds

Well, It's that time of the year when I reveal my favorite Finger Lakes wines of the past year. After visiting 81 Finger Lakes wineries (No, I did not meet my goal of visiting them all and I do apologize to those that I missed) and sampling over 600 Finger Lakes wines (hey, somebody's got to do it), I will now reveal (do a drum roll with your tongue) the FINGER LAKES WEEKEND WINO WINE AWARDS (raise the curtain, cue the band featuring Paul Schaffer (he's in all the tv special bands), cue the dancing wine bottles for the lavish opening number, and introduce the freakishly angular-faced Conan O' Brien (our emcee for these distinguished awards).
* Hickory Hollow/ Highland Cellars > 2003 Pinot Noir, $12.49, excellent value, lots of smoky cherry with a hint of anise and a long finish with very soft tannins.
* Ravines Wine Cellars
> 2005 Pinot Noir, $21.95, soft medium tannins, ripe cherry with a complex earthiness
> 2005 Meritage, $23.95, 32% Cab Franc/ 45% Cab Sauv/ 23% Merlot, smooth berry fruit with beautifully balanced oak and spice.
* Shaw Vineyards > 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon, $19.99, excellent color and balance, soft mouthfeel with medium tannins with a dash of pepper on the finish.
* Prejean Winery > 2005 Cabernet Franc, $15.99, intense berry fruit with hints of spice with a silky smooth mouthfeel and a long finish, a delicious wine.
* Anthony Road Wine Co. > 2005 Cabernet Franc (33%)/ Lemberger (67%), beautiful smoky raspberry flavors with soft velvety tannins.
* Arcadian Estate Winery, > Cafe Noir, $10.99, excellent value, Baco Noir/ Rougeon blend, soft and fruity dry red, Cab Franc-like.
* Hermann Wiemer Vineyards > Dry Rose', $11, excellent value, nice smoky cherry, extremely well balanced
* King Ferry Winery > Meritage, $22.99, Cab Franc/Merlot/CabSauv, ripe black cherry flavors with hints of leather and spice, smooth and balanced, heavy tannins, will age well.
* Castel Grisch Winery > Estate Reserve Burgundy, $9.99, excellent value, 75% Chancellor/ 25% Chardonnay, loads of black cherry into a long smooth finish.
* Montezuma Winery > 2004 Merlot, $17.99, opens with tasty berry fruit with deep toffee undertones into a long smoky finish, deep dark and smoky, nice
* Keuka Lake Vineyards > 2005 Leon Millot, $12, dry red hybrid, excellent value, 50 year old vines, deep color, berry aromas, 1 year in newer French oak, deep black raspberry flavor with nice oak.
* Seneca Shore Wine Cellars > 2001 Cab Sauv/Cab Franc, $29.99, abundant plum with chocolate notes, coming into its peak. > 2003 Lemberger, $19.99, smooth raspberry into a smoky finish.
* Long Point Winery > 2004 Syrah, $16.99, light-bodied but with abundant berry fruit with undertones of spice and oak. > 2006 Moon Puppy, $9.99, excellent value, unique semi-sweet Cabernet Franc that really works, 3% Residual Sugar brings out loads of cherry.
* Miles Wine Cellars > 2002 Milestone, $29.95, 50% Cab Franc/ 50% Merlot, Hungarian oak, Deep Plum with Dark Chocolate overtones, Yum. > 2005 Pinot Noir, $24.95, French oak, A perfect balance of cherry and oak.
* Bloomer Creek Vineyard > 2006 Cafe' Red, Cabernet Franc, $12.99, excellent value, Light-bodied but with abundant smoky strawberry.
* Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards > 2005 Merlot, $18.99, Medium tannins, deep and dark with fruit that just won't end, Yum.
* Lakewood Vineyards > 2005 Cabernet Franc, $15.99, very soft, beautifully balanced fruit and oak.
* Lucas Vineyards > 2006 Cabernet Franc Reserve, $17.99, Heavy semi-soft tannins, soft cherry that will age nicely. > 2006 Syrah Reserve, $24.99, lovely complex nose, beautiful cherry/raspberry, made to age. If these 2 are indicative of the 2006 Finger Lakes reds, all I can say is Wow! And I thought the 2005's were awesome.
* Fulkerson Winery > 2005 Pinot Noir, $20, smokey raspberry with sweet oak is a delicious combination. > 2005 Noiret, one of the newest Cornell grapes, complex nose of floral, mint, and pepper, complex flavors of cherry, plum, and cola with medium tannins, it sold out quickly.
* Sheldrake Point > 2004 Cabernet Franc, $16.99, layers of plum, cherry, and raspberry.
* Red Tail Ridge Winery > 2006 Dry Rose', 80% Pinot Noir/ 20% Cab Franc, smooth strawberry/cherry into a nice long finish.
* Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars > 2003 Merlot, $17.99, soft medium tannins, smooth nd balanced.
* Cobblestone Farm Winery > 2006 Cabernet Franc, $16.99, Rich berry fruit with hints of pepper and spice, another wine that shows the promise of the 2006 Finger Lakes Reds.
* Knapp Winery > Serenity, $11.95, Baco Noir, excellent value, .8% RS, fresh and fruity.
Congratulations to all of the Finger Lakes Red Wine winners for 2007!!! Unfortunately, with this blog's budget, all you win is the great feeling of knowing that your winemaking skills are appreciated and acknowledged! Besides, you don't need another award clogging up your walls, do you?
Stay tuned for the White Wine Winners coming soon.
Monday, November 26, 2007
More Medals for Finger Lakes Wine
Chateau Frank, New York
NV Celebre, Double Gold
2000 Blanc de Noirs, Gold
2000 Blanc de Blancs, Gold
NV Celebre Rosé, Gold
Chateau Lafayette Reneau, New York
NV Emperor's Blush, Gold
Cobblestone Farm Winery, New York
2006 Cobblestone Red, Gold
Dr. Konstantin Frank, New York
2006 Riesling, Semi-Dry, Gold
Fox Run Vineyards, New York
NV Sable, Gold
Glenora Wine Cellars, New York
2006 Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes, Gold
Click here for the complete results (Go to 2007 Results)
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Happy Thanksgiving!!!


Thursday, November 15, 2007
Finger Lakes News & Notes - Nov.15, 2007
- It's time once again for Thanksgiving wine suggestions
- It's Holiday time in The Finger Lakes
- Geneseo woman swims across 11 Finger Lakes to beat obesity
- Jeff Richards explains the difference between rose' and blush wine
- Sandra Silfven reviews Finger Lakes Rieslings and Rick Lyke also shares his thoughts
- Dr. Frank once again wins Greatest Wine Producer in Atlantic Northeast
- Plane crash lands in Seneca Lake
- Thanksgiving wine suggestions from NPR
- New York Wine Grape Task Force has been formed
- The Nose recommends Finger Lakes wine for Thanksgiving
- Sad times for the Keuka Maid Personally, I hope that they can find a way to keep it on Keuka Lake. Mrs. Wino & I have enjoyed our time cruising on her. It would be a shame if she weren't there.
- Prejean Winery wins Best Value Wine Awards from Beverage Tasting Institute Prejean's Gewurztraminer is also one of my favorites and Prejean makes an excellent Cabernet Franc
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Help Support the Osborn Family of Fox Run at Benefit Wine Dinner
Benefit will help Fox Run after fire By AMANDA FOLTS/Finger Lakes TimesMonday, November 5, 2007 11:03 AM CST
PENN YAN - Area winery and restaurant owners have banded together to help one of their own, organizing a wine and dine benefit for the owners of Fox Run Winery, whose home was damaged in an Oct. 27 fire. Scheduled for Nov. 13 at Anthony Road Winery, the benefit will raise money for members of the Osborn family, who escaped injury but lost a pet in the fire. Guests will receive a wine glass and plate to take to the stations set up at the winery. Restaurants will have samples of their best dishes at the tables, and other Finger Lakes wineries will provide tastings of their wines. “More than anything, I hope they realize how much the community cares about them and supports them,” said Meredith Race, Anthony Road's tasting room manager. Restaurants providing food for the event include the Red Newt, Veraisons, the caf頡t Fox Run, Simply Red Bistro at Sheldrake and the Classic Cafe in Dundee. Wineries that will be pouring include Glenora, Fulkerson, Four Chimneys and Bully Hill.
There will also be a silent auction, which will include gift certificates, wines and local art. Organizers are still accepting contributions. “We have a great committee - we pulled the event together very quickly,” said Joyce Hunt, co-owner of Hunt Country Winery. “We had a good response from wineries and restaurants, so we hope the community will support it by showing up.” Hunt said her husband is a volunteer firefighter and that he saw fairly substantial damage when he went to the Osborn's house. She said the funds from the benefit will help the family get back on its feet and replace the possessions they lost in the fire. The Osborns are renting a house in Geneva until their Benton home can be rebuilt. Ruth Osborn said she believes repairs will take about six months. Only the back of the house was burned, she said, but smoke and water damaged the rest.
The kitchen, laundry room, pantry, back and side porches, powder room and both bathrooms are completely gone, but the attic and roof remain intact. Osborn stressed the need for people to check the personal contents coverage on their insurance policies, which basically covers everything in the house that is not nailed down. “You think you have enough - then something like this happens,” she said. “It's really an eye-opener.” Most of all, Osborn said, her family has benefited from the care, support and outpouring of kindness they have received since the fire.
“We've had so much support and love - calls, E-mails, people just stopping in,” she said. “Everyone offering us places to stay, to do our laundry, to walk our dog. We've had food brought to us. Even people we don't know. It's amazing.”This weekend, the Osborns and some of their friends plan to go through the house to salvage anything that was not destroyed and discard anything that was. She said some of the furniture can be saved, but the family's beds are gone. Osborn's husband Scott and her 17-year-old son Michael were in the house at the time of the fire. Both were able to exit without injury and save their dog, but their cat was lost. “Something good always comes out of something bad.” Osborn said. “We feel so rich to have the friends we have. There's so much support to help us get through this, we can't thank people enough.” The benefit will be held Nov. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Anthony Road Winery, 1020 Anthony Road. “We're just happy we can help out,” Martini said. “We have good space for everyone to congregate. People can come and share good food and good wine with good friends.”
For more information about the benefit or to make a donation, call the Yates County Chamber of Commerce at 536-3111.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Finger Lakes News & Notes Oct. 24, 2007
- Scott Osborn & Peter Bell of Fox Run share their thoughts on the 2007 Harvest
- Fulkerson Winery expands vineyard with an additional 12.6 acres of Riesling
- Peak Fall Foliage colors finally arrive in the Finger Lakes
- New hybrid grape varieties continue to be developed
- Retired Californians make Sunset On Seneca a beautiful place
- Check out some great art from the Ithaca Art trail
- Upstate New York folks like to eat, maybe too much?
- Finger Lakes region gets share of state funding
- The New York Times profiles Watkins Glen
- Ken's Wine Guide reviews their favorites from their recent Finger Lakes trip
- The thrill of catching rainbows in Skaneateles
-Fulkerson Winery announces the following new releases (with tasting notes by Fulkerson):
2006 Dry Riesling
$13.99 per btl. .7% rs
Let the fragrant sweet nose of green melon, pear and honey lead you
onto vibrant refreshing tastes of crisp lemon and grapefruit. The acidic
mineral finish is a true palate cleanser – that’s why we love Riesling!
2006 Gewurztraminer
$15.99 per btl. 1.1% rs
Your going to fall in love with this fascinating new vintage. The exotic
floral and lychee fruit aromas are followed by soft pleasant full tastes
of citrus and spice. A perfect wine to ring in October-fest!
2005 Reserve Red
$8.88 per btl. 0% rs
Aged 10 months in 2/3 French Oak and 1/3 American Oak barrels. Our
everyday red for everyday foods is back with Oomph! It is a blend of Baco Noir
and Corot Noir Grapes. The bouquet of spicy black plums and dried figs integrates
nicely with the smooth taste of cherry and oak that ends on a suprising sweet note.
2005 Caleb
$13.99 per btl. 0% rs
Our meritage blend was named in honor of Caleb Fulkerson who journeyed here
and staked out land in 1805. An exquisitely handcrafted blend comprised of three
red grape varieties (Noiret, Cabernet Sauvignon & Cabernet Franc). It begins with
a toasty buttery nose laced with black pepper. Smooth round flavors of black fruit
with a long expansive finish.
2005 Merlot
$17.99 per btl. 0% rs
An exceptional full-bodied Merlot-it's not going "Sideways"! Notice the
beautiful garnet color and aromas of ripe plums, cranberries and smoky oak
of this serious red. It has a lively mouthfeel with tastes of berries and a little
black pepper coupled with a generous tannic backbone.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Finger Lakes Wine Alliance Riesling Tasting

My thanks to Rick Lyke and Amanda Slaver for coordinating the event.
Myself and several other wine writers from around the country tasted 6 Finger Lakes Rieslings as presented by representatives of each winery:
Dr Frank 2006 Dry Riesling www.drfrankwines.com
Hunt Country 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling www.huntwines.com
Rooster Hill Estate 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling www.roosterhill.com
Standing Stone 2006 Riesling www.standingstonewines.com
White Springs 2006 Red Label Riesling www.whitespringswinery.com
Wagner 2006 Riesling Ice Wine www.wagnervineyards.com
I'm not going to comment on each individual wine here because you can find my tasting notes in my archives, but I do want to comment on my overall impressions. All of these Rieslings are well-crafted and very well balanced, but each one is entirely different from the other. From clean and crisp to racy and vibrant, from .8% Residual Sugar to 11.8% Residual Sugar, the excellent diversity that can be brought forth from the Riesling grape is truly amazing. And each of these fine winemakers adds their own expression of the grape. It is truly amazing how Riesling expresses its terroir. I consider myself lucky to be able to have the opportunity to every year taste the wines from just about all of the 90-some wineries in The Finger Lakes and it's always amazing how much the aroma and flavor profiles can vary even at wineries within a half-mile apart or closer.
This brings me to the sweet dilemma that this creates for new visitors to The Finger Lakes. I get emails all the time asking me which Finger Lakes winery makes the best Rieslings. I really don't think that question can be answered. The best for your palate may not be the best for my palate. That's why I do not like wine ratings. It's just one person's opinion based on one person's palate. I tell new visitors to The Finger Lakes to taste as many Finger Lakes wines as you can. There is a Finger Lakes wine for everyone, from dry reds to sweet whites. It may take you a while to explore the wineries and find it, but to me, that's not a problem, that's an adventure. There are much worse things than having to taste more wine.
Another question that I'm asked all the time is, "What do Finger Lakes wines taste like", as if there is one taste profile for this entire region. Finger Lakes wine is diverse and expressive and passionate and as different as each individual vineyard and winemaker, and that's a very good thing in my book. So my advice is Take the time to explore Finger Lakes wine and I guarantee that you will find wine to fall in love with.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Finger Lakes Winery Visit Reports
5 samples for 5 dollars includes snack plate and sit down sampling. Beautiful rustic tasting room with views of Keuka Lake. Very knowledgable staff. Specializing in dry reds and whites.
My tasting notes are: -2004 Sparkling Riesling, $24.99, not many FL wineries make Riesling in a Sparkling style but I wish they would, 3%RS, a touch of sweetness perfectly balances the smooth acidity of this excellent sparkler. - 2006 Rkatsitelli/Sereksiya, $24.99, 2% RS, this is the only place you can find this blend, truly unique, light citrus leading to a solid finish with a touch of spicy herb. - Thistle Blush, $8.99, 3.25% RS, a unique blend of Rosette & Ives, light fruity and well balanced, very nice value sipper. - 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles, $19.99, 375ml, 6.5% RS, very floral aromas of citrus and floral blossoms, complex layers of luscious mango, pineapple, and honey.
Seneca Shore Wine Cellars, (west side of Seneca Lake), -2003 Reserve Chardonnay, $13.99, You all know how I love the buttery Chardonnays & Seneca Shore does it good, Buttery and balanced with smooth oak and a finish that lasts as long as George Hamilton's tan. - White Castle, $8.99, fruit salad with a drizzle of lightly sweet lemon, for those of us who aren't afraid to admit that we also drink sweet wines. - Castle Blush, $7.99, sweet blush, fruity sweet and tangy. -2003 Lemberger, $20.99, raspberry hints with a smoky berry finish, a very nice vintage of this increasingly popular grape in the Finger Lakes. -2001 Cab Sauv/Cab Franc, $29.99, Juicy Plum notes with hints of chocolate and a very long finish, this 2001 is ready to drink!
Miles Wine Cellars, west side of Seneca Lake, www.mileswinecellars.com
located right on the lake with gorgeous views, -2002 Milestone, $29.95, 0% RS, 50% Cab Franc & 50% Merlot, deep plum notes with succulent chocolate overtones. -2005 Pinot Noir, $24.95, 0% RS, perfectly balanced cherry and oak with a beautiful long finish, this is how you do Finger Lakes Pinot Noir. - Ghost (named that because the winery is said to be haunted), $15.95, 1.5% RS, Chardonnay/Cayuga blend, light bodied but with good fruit and a solid backbone.
Bloomer Creek Vineyard, east side of Seneca Lake, www.bloomercreek.com
Owner and winemaker Kim Engle has put his heart and soul into his dream of establishing a top-notch winery and that hard work shows when you taste Bloomer Creek wine. I give Bloomer Creek my vote for one of the best 2006 Finger Lakes Riesling, $14.00, 2% RS, perfectly balanced and integrated fruit, acidity, and that east Seneca mineral that I love so well, This Riesling (that I am enjoying right now) is perfect in my book. - 2006 Cafe White, $12.99, Chardonnay/Pinot Gris, soft with nicely balanced fruit and acidity. - 2006 Chardonnay, $18.00, soft and light bodied with well defined oak. - 2006 Cayuga White, $9.00, 3% RS, the fruit comes right at you with pineapple and melon up front with a crisp balanced finished & a great value. -2006 Gamay Noir, $14.00, Beaujolais-style wine starting with hints of strawberry and finishing with notes of pepper and spice. - 2006 Cafe Red, $12.99, .8% RS, very soft and light-bodied Cabernet Franc, but with ample fruit of smoky strawberry/raspberry. -Half Moon Rose, $10.00, Excellent blush, blend of Cayuga White & Pinot Noir, soft and fruity.
Shalestone Vineyards, east side of Seneca Lake, www.shalestonevineyards.com
Owner & Winemaker Rob Thomas makes wine the way he lives his life - on his own terms. If you don't like dry reds, you might as well not even bother turning into the driveway. In an area filled with 100 other wineries that compromise at least a little and make at least one sweeter wine to appease the non-dry drinker, Rob is steadfast. And he is doing quite well, thank you.
2005 Merlot, $18.00, full rounded tannins, very smooth with a long finish hinting of pepper.
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, $20.00, full bodied with smooth strong tannins, made to age.
2005 Cabernet Franc, $20.00, full of cherry and smoke, but be patient, tannins are begging to be left alone for a while. - 2006 Rich Rose, $12.99, 100% Pinot Noir, soft mouth feel of light cherry, very well-balanced, ready to drink now!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Finger Lakes Pictures for 2007

This first picture is the unveiling of the restored Curtiss seaplane "America" on Keuka Lake in Hammondsport for the Seaplane Homecoming festivities. Click on photo to enlarge it.
Here are some of the Seaplanes that gave us a spectacular air show above Keuka Lake.
Here is the Friendly Cow that greets visitors at Cowlick Farm. If you are ever on the Northeast side of Seneca Lake, stop in and sample their cheese. It is excellent and you must pet the cow!!!
Ahhhhh, Another Beautiful Day overlooking Seneca Lake!
And now for some of my favorite Animal Photos this year.
This is the Farm Dog at Weaver View Farms. A hard-working dog deserves a nap every now and then.
And hard-working Cats deserve Cat Naps too. This is the winery cat at McGregor Winery. Probably tired from working in the gift shop all day.
This is Toby, the newest winery dog at Arcadian Estate Winery, and cute as a button. Shameless Plug #1 - I'll be performing at Arcadian Estate
Winery on Sunday, Nov. 11th. Come on out and see me and Toby. Toby plays one heckuva dogbone.
One of the beautiful Australian Shepherds at Lakewood Vineyards. But then, I'm biased because we have 2 Australian Shepherds of our own.
The Peaceful Tranquility of Rainbow Cove.
A Sailboat On Seneca gliding so majestically. Gee, Someone should write a song about that. Oh wait, someone did. Me.
Shameless Plug #2 - My new CD "Sparkling Diamonds- Songs of The Finger Lakes" makes a great gift for the upcoming Holiday Season. Click here for where to get it.