Cayuga Lake Wine Trail NewsletterOctober 2010
In This Issue
Harvest 2010
What's New at Americana Vineyards
October Events
Holiday Shopping Spree
 
17th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree                
November 19-21
December 3-5
Friday, 1:00PM-5:00PM
Saturday, 10:00AM-6:00PM.
Sunday, 10:00AM-5:00PM.
 
Tis the season to make Holiday memories while sampling fine wines and special treats at 16 wineries.
 
Souvenir Wineglass
Grapevine Wreath
Ornament from each winery
Holiday Recipes
Shopper's Card
Grand Prizes
 
Visit Six Mile Creek, Long Point, King Ferry or Montezuma wineries on Friday afternoon. Early Bird specials at Long Point or King Ferry wineries at 9:00AM on Saturday.
 
Special Holiday Packages that include accommodations, transportation and event tickets are available on our site under Wine Trail Packages located on our home page.
 
Single ticket: $35.00
Couple ticket: $50.00( plus handling   fee and sales tax). 
 
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Greetings!

Harvest is in full swing at the wineries along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country. September proved to be a very busy month due to the fact the harvest was two to three weeks earlier than usual. This time is wild in the vineyard with everyone frantically working side by side. The vineyard manger and winemaker must agree on when the grapes need to be harvested and these key people have their own set standards. Many times they will come head to head in deep combatable discussion on when the grapes should come off the vine. Not sure who wins but the end product shows they definitely make the right decisions to produce the award winning wines we love so much.

 Have a Happy October and hope you can join us at the wineries along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail by enjoying the colorful leaves, the yummy grape pies and of course our award winning wines.

Cayuga Cathy
Cathy Millspaugh
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
(800) 684-5217
 

The 2010 Vintage Off To A Blazing Start


What a season so far.  The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Vineyards jumped to life in early April, which is about one month early and have been churning along ever since.  The downside risk (most things in life have some downside risk) of such an early start to the growing season is spring frost.  Every year we hear on the news about spring frost warnings or threats someplace in the country and this year it was our turn.  Temperatures of 28 degrees or less that appear after the grapevine starts to grow is generally the "kiss of death" for a vineyard, which could lead to a total loss of the grape crop for the 2010 vintage. Well, We dodged a bullet because on May 11 temperatures all along Cayuga Lake

 plunged to 29 degrees. The vineyards of Cayuga Lake survived a head on crash with Mother Nature.

 

Since those sleepless nights in May the vineyards have absolutely charged.  As

of August 15, 2010, it appears that we could begin harvesting the 2010 vintage up to to to three weeks ahead of the long term average.  An early start, a warmer than average June and July coupled with timely rains has blessed us with what at this point "could be" a real gem of a vintage.

 

However, as they say in baseball "it's not over till it's over" and in the case of winemaking in 2010 it's not over. We would love to have these ideal growing conditions until the end of October. Let's all cross our fingers and hope our

good luck continues until harvest is over for 2010.
 
By Cameron Hosmer of Hosmer Winery 
Americana Vineyards
 

This month we're highlighting what's new at Americana Vineyards. They have added a new wine to their collection and are expanding their concert series.

 

Pinot Gris is the newest wine to choose from on their extensive wine list which is full of passion fruit flavors. Their Pinot Gris finishes dry with a denseness of honey and is a semi-dry which can be perfectly paired with any citrus or honey dish.

 

Every Sunday between 4:00-6:00pm Americana offers a musical concert to help you wind down the weekend.   Joe Gober and Nancy Wright, co-owners of the winery wish to help you start the weekend by joining them on Fridays from 6:00-8:00pm all through the autumn season starting in October. Check out their website americanavineyards.com for dates and a list of bands. Remember to enter theri Best Jack O'Lantern Contest on October 30.

 

 
October Events

October 2    Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Experience the Crush!
Harvest is in full swing! Join us for exciting demonstrations of harvesting equipment. Watch grapes being pressed into juice and enjoy a fresh sample.
www.cayugaridgewinery.com

October 9 & 10    King Ferry Winery/Treleaven, Harvest Festival
Saturday: Live radio broadcast 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Free wine tasting all day. Live music from "Jazzitudes" from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Food available from Mo's BBQ and Cowboy Cuisine. Ice Cream from Cayuga Lake Creamery. Held in conjunction with Bakers Acre's Apple Festival (Saturday Only).
Sunday: Free wine tasting all day with music from "The Common Taters" from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and food is available from Mo's BBQ and Cayuga Lake Creamery. www.treleavenwines.com

October 10    Buttonwood Grove Winery, Columbus Day Weekend Celebration
Live music, food, dance and wine specials. Music by Kickin' Back Band. Noon-5PM www.buttonwoodgrove.com

October 16    Knapp Vineyards, Advent of Autumn Wine Dinner.
Executive Chef John McNabb prepares yet another scrumptious menu paired with elegant Knapp wines and wines from our friends at Zugibe Vineyards and sister winery Glenora Wine Cellars. It is time for our bounty of Finger Lakes ingredients to be put to bed. Our vineyards have been harvested and the fruits of our labor will be at the table. Roasted pumpkin bisque, wild mushrooms, locally grown tomatoes and delicious fruits is just a peek of what this dinner has in store. Call us for reservations 800.869.9271
www.knappwine.com

October 16 & 17    Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Wine & Women:Education & Celebrate-An Observation of Breast Cancer Awareness
Come on out ladies! Let's paint the town pink! Breast cancer professionals will be on hand to educate. Pink drinks & recipes. Vendors. A portion of every dollar will be donated to breast cancer charity.
www.cayugaridgewinery.com

October 17    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Dee Specker & Bobby Henrie live from 4pm-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

October 23    Goose Watch Winery, 13th Annual Chestnut Festival
Enjoy chestnuts harvested right at Goose Watch. Sample our fresh roasted chestnuts, chestnut soup, chestnut spread and more while listening to live music. Noon-5PM  www.goosewatch.com

October 24    Buttonwood Grove Winery, Harvest Festival
Live music with Bob Walpole, wine specials,piping hot chili dishes, hayrides through the spooky vineyards, grape pies & pastries, fun for the entire family! Noon-5pm  www.buttonwoodgrove.com

October 24    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Nate & Kate live from 4pm-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

October 30 & 31    Bellwether Hard Cider, Cider for Grownups
Let our "Witches Brew" and other Halloween treats cast a spell on you!
www.cidery.com

October 30    Americana Vineyards, 8th Annual Halloween Spooktacular// Grow & Show Contest: Best Jack O' Lantern Carving. 8th annual after hours Halloween party with a howling good time. Wear your best costume and don't forget to bring your best carved pumpkin. Call for details. 607-387-6801 Fee
www.americanavineyards.com

October 30    Knapp Vineyards, Hallo-Wine Spooktacular Celebration
Knapp Winery invites all to come in costume. Best costume judged by the end of the day gets great Knapp gifts! Party is all day from 11:00-5:00pm. Best place to stop by before the costume parties begin. www.knappwine.com

October 31    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Kenny T & Mad Dog live from 4pm-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

 

The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is the first organized and longest running wine trail comprised of 16 members including 15 wineries, a cidery, meadery and four distilleries. These wineries have won over 5,000 national and international medals and six Governor's Cups. 
 

Cayuga Wine Trail
PO Box 123
Fayette, New York 13065
(800) 684-5217