Spring is almost right around the corner here along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in the Finger Lakes, believe it or not. We celebrated the first weekend with our Mardi Gras with a few brave soldiers about 100 who graced the doors of the wineries on Sunday. Hopefully this means March came in like a lion and this is it! The rest of the month we'll be celebrating St. Patrick Day events on the weekends of the 12th and 19th and on the last weekend we have our newest event "Say Cheese". Keep warm and safe.

Cayuga Cathy  

Savor the spectacular tastes of artisan cheese and fine wines along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail at our newest event "Say Cheese" on March 26th and 27th. Receive a wineglass and wineglass lanyard at your first starting point winery and travel along the trail for an experience of wine and cheese pairings that includes scrumptious cheese recipes.

Each winery will be paired with a Finger Lakes Cheese Trail cheesery offering you different samples of their product. One particular cheese will be paired with the winery members wine or hard cider. A few examples include Sunset View's Deep Seneca that makes wonderful Macaroni and Cheese paired with Lucas's Reserve Cabernet Franc or Tug Boat White. At Thirsty Owl try either their Cabernet Sauvignon or Riesling paired with 4 Tin Fish Farm's Herb Chevre that is great alone on stone ground wheat crackers or in a recipe of Scalloped Potatoes. Montezuma Winery's Wetland White a blend of Traminette and Vidal Blanc is perfect with Muranda Farms popular Red Buddy.

Concerning the quality of the product and the freshness of the cheese, Tom Murray, owner of Muranda cheese says, 'It can't get any closer from me to you." Muranda Cheese produces six different cheeses to choose from: Red Buddy, Fiesta, British Aged Cheddar, Colby, Dill, and Garlic Cheddar. This Finger Lakes dairy has received numerous dairy awards for their Registered Holsteins who have been bred and cared for by the Murray family to score high on the conformation charts and also high in their quality of milk thus producing fine artisan cheeses.

We're hosting a special "Say Cheese" contest so make sure to take all your favorite photo shots over the weekend and enter them via facebook or email.  There will be different categories such as funniest, best wine and cheese pairing and most creative. We've devised that the winner who takes the best wine and cheese photo at the event will win a Specialty Gift Basket from our local cheeseries and wineries plus a one night stay at LaTourelle Resort & Spa.

We are offering a selection of Say Cheese packages at various different hotels and inns in Ithaca. Each package includes accommodations, transportation for two and two tickets to the Say Cheese event.  Think of it, all the fun and none of the hassle in traveling from winery to winery. If transportation is what your looking for we have exclusive transportation packages with tickets to the event available. Additionally we have separate transportation packages that include tickets for this event.Check out our website cayugawinetrail.com under Wine Trail Packages for more details.

Make sure to hand in your ticket at the end to be eligible for an extra Prize, a one night stay at Inn at the Finger Lakes located in Auburn.

Advance tickets: $15.00 per person plus handling fee and sales tax. Designated Driver tickets available for $10.00 per person plus handling fee and sales tax.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.cayugawinetrail.com , by calling 800-684-5217 or at any area Wegmans stores.

 
March Events

March 11  American Vineyards, Friday Night Concert Series  Band Kenny T & Wildfire.

Stop by and enjoy some wine available by the glass or bottle and food from the café while you sit back and listen to some of our local and touring musicians.

March 12 & 13    Cobblestone Farm Winery, St. Patrick's Irish Weekend 

Celebrate the luck of the Irish!  Enjoy fine wines paired with complimentary Irish fare such as Irish stew, potato leek soup and scones. Toast the day with green wine, sample jellies, preserves, hot sauces, butters, mustards, and salsas.

www.cobblestonefarmwinery.com

 

March 12    Goose Watch Winery, Cabin Fever Days
Winter got you down? Join us for great end of winter sales and Winemaker's Dozen Case specials! www.goosewatch.com  

 

 

March 12    Swedish Hill Vineyard, Cabin Fever Days
Come out of hibernation and join us for great end of winter sales and Winemaker's Dozen Case specials! www.swedishhill.com 

 

March 13  American Vineyards, Sunday Night Concert Series Band:Dave Raducha.Stop by and enjoy some wine available by the glass or bottle and food from the café while you sit back and listen to some of our local and touring musicians.  4:00-6:00pm www.americanavineyards.com

 

March 18  American Vineyards, Friday Night Concert Series  Band: Marc Berger. Stop by and enjoy some wine available by the glass or bottle and food from the café while you sit back and listen to some of our local and touring musicians.  6:00-8:00pm www.americanavineyards.com

 

March 19    Buttonwood Grove Winery, Ladies Day at the Winery
Special treats for "The Ladies Day Out" with live music, pottery & jewelry vendors, chocolate & wine pairings & much more (12-5pm) www.buttonwoodgrove.com

   

March 19    Knapp Vineyards, Tour of Europe
You don't have to pack your bags, or get your visas to enjoy Knapp Vineyard Restaurant's epicurean tour of Spain, Greece, France and Germany. From the extreme southeast country of Spain to southern Greek villages, a bounty of delicious foods made with savory ingredients will be served in tantalizing dishes created by our executive chef. A tour of five-courses paired with delicious wines from Knapp Winery, Zugibe Vineyards and Glenora Wine Cellars will transport your palate to distant lands. Call 800-869-9271 for reservations. www.knappwine.com  

 

 

March 19 & 20    Montezuma Winery, Luck of the Irish Mead Celebration
This St. Patrick's Day celebrate like a King with our special Mead tasting. Mead, the drink of the Irish Kings, is the oldest alcoholic beverage known to man. During this event visitors get to sample varieties of Meads paired with a sampling of Irish foods plus learn how Mead is made. Fee $3.00 per person, Free for Case Club members and guest. www.montezumawinery.com  

 

March 20  American Vineyards, Sunday Night Concert Series  Band: The Ventilators. Stop by and enjoy some wine available by the glass or bottle and food from the café while you sit back and listen to some of our local and touring musicians. 4:00-6:00pm www.americanavineyards.com

 

March 25  American Vineyards, Friday Night Concert Series   Band: Dave Raducha.

Stop by and enjoy some wine available by the glass or bottle and food from the café while you sit back and listen to some of our local and touring musicians. 6:00-8:00pm www.americanavineyards.com

 

March 26    Knapp Vineyards, Knapp Vineyard Restaurant Opens for the Season.

www.knappwine.com

March 26    Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Winter Wine Speak at the Creek  The final installment of three classes we hold in winter designed to improve your palate, vocabulary, and overall wine knowledge. Classes are suited for both the seasoned and novice wine lover. Time TBD. Call for reservations (607)272-WINE, space is limited. www.sixmilecreek.com

 

 

March 26    Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Vigneron Winemaking Workshops Begin Join other friends of the vine and become a CAYUGA RIDGE ESTATE VIGNERON. In the finest wine making tradition, have your very own vineyard to tend. It'sfun, easy and very rewarding! Please contact us directly at 800-598-9463(WINE) or crew@fltg.net for more details. We will be happy to provide you with details. www.cayugaridgewinery.com 

 

 

March 27  American Vineyards, Sunday Night Concert Series  Band: Purple Valley

Stop by and enjoy some wine available by the glass or bottle and food from the café while you sit back and listen to some of our local and touring musicians. 4:00-6:00pm www.americanavineyards.com