"Grow to Learn NYC" is a city-wide school garden initiative sponsored by the city council of New York and the Greenmarket system.  King Ferry Winery began selling their wines on weekends at several Greenmarket locations throughout the city during 2010.  One neighborhood market, Inwood, located in the northeast corner of Manhattan, just across the East River from the Bronx, became owner Pete Saltonstall's steady gig during the summer of 2010.  "The folks who attended this market were so happy to have us there!   They were simply so welcoming that they made me look forward to my time there each week.  When I heard about the school gardens initiative, I knew just what I could do to thank them for their hospitality and support of the winery. I could bring them some really great dirt!" 

Thom Bechtold, the vineyard manager at King Ferry Winery, has been composting the seeds, stems, and skins that are left after the grapes have been pressed, and an impressive mound of rich, black earth has been accumulating at the edge of the vineyard.  Horse manure and bedding from winery owner Tacie Saltonstall's horses is mixed with the pulpy residue (called "pomace") and aged over a year before it is used in the fields.  "I try to turn the pile monthly," reports Thom.  "When it's ready, we use it to top-dress plants, or it goes in the hole when we plant new vines, or to amend deficient soils in place of chemical fertilizers.  It also increases the organic matter in our soil, which improves soil structure.  Chemical fertilizers do nothing for the soil health."There's a little piece of the bucolic King Ferry landscape that has been transplanted to the Bronx, where it will soon be sprouting carrots and squash, and teaching city kids the many benefits of having a garden.   

So, with an eye on the weather scanning for rain clouds, Pete fired up his tractor on a warm April afternoon, and loaded up his pick-up truck with a ton or so of the "black gold" to be delivered to PS 226 in the Bronx, near our Inwood market.  The load-in was done with assistance from John Deere, but the load-out was strictly man-powered, with Pete and his son Lev unloading the truck shovelful by shovelful.  The winery's Facebook page documents this dirty drama.  The pile of earthy beauty was then moved by wheelbarrow into raised beds by parents and students during a planned work day at the school the following weekend.  School Guidance Counselor Maria Gomez reports that, "When it was time for the compost to be incorporated into the original soil, we explained to the children what was in it and where it came from, and the horse manure made a hit!"  Vegetables planted this spring will be cared for by volunteers over the summer.  When school begins again in the fall, the school should have an impressive crop to harvest and enjoy. 

"Learn to Grow NYC" promotes school gardens as a way to connect children to the natural world, to teach them the value and joy in hard work, to raise their test scores and spirits, and to inspire them for the rest of their life.  Ms. Gomez calls the garden a "labor of love", and says, "We have no words to express the great success of the day, and we have you to thank for the experience...driving all that distance to bring us the compost."  For more information on the program, visit www.growtolearn.org

Tug Boat 30^th Birthday Bash in The Finger Lakes

On Sunday, June 12^th from 1:00 - 5:00, Lucas Vineyards will be hosting a 30^th Birthday Bash for their acclaimed TUG BOAT WINES.  High energy, live music and entertainment will be performed by ATLAS, the band formerly known as The Atlas Linen Co.  A BBQ with steamed clams and locally made wine ice cream will add to the nautical themed party.    

The event will be held rain or shine under the tents and parking is free. Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.   No coolers permitted. 

Cover charge: $8 per person or $5 per Lucas Captain's Table Member.

June 2    Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Sunset Music Series

Musician: Blue Skies. Join us for our summer sunset Music Series. Free live music!  Enjoy wines by the glass/bottle, house made sangria, local cheeses and other snacks.  Rain or Shine. www.sixmilecreek.com

June 3 Americana Vineyards, Friday Night Concert Series

Musician: John Dean. 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

June 4    Montezuma Winery, Olde-Tyme Rhubarb Festival & Classic Car Show
Step back in time and join us as we celebrate the rhubarb harvest season with rhubarb pies, rhubarb chili and other rhubarb treats, a BBQ, live music and wine! Antique & Classic cars of days gone by on display. Fee for food and wine.
 www.montezumawinery.com  

June 5 Americana Vineyards, Sunday Night Concert Series Musician: 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

June 9    Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Sunset Music Series Bands: Diana Leigh Jazz Du. Join us for our summer sunset Music Series. Free live music! Enjoy wines by the glass/bottle, house made sangria, local cheeses and other snacks.  Rain or Shine. www.sixmilecreek.com

June 10 Americana Vineyards, Friday Night Concert Series Musician: Pete Panek. 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

June 10 Cayuga Ridge Estates Winery, An Evening with the Copper Oven, Farmshed and Fink Farms

A great idea that has sprung from the minds of Mary Jane Challen Kercher and her husband Seth owners of the Copper Oven is their progressive dinners from the wine cellar to the vineyard. They will host numerous wine & food pairing locavore dinners the first one starting in June. Dinner hours:6:30-10:00pm. For more info check www.slowfoodonthego.com

www.cayugaridgewinery.com

June 11  Thirsty Owl Wine Company  "Tunes on the Terrace"
 Enjoy Live Music  by Tucando.  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. www.thirstyowl.com 

June 12 Lucas Vineyard   1:00pm - 5:00pm Happy Birthday Tug Boat!

Join us in celebrating our most popular wine's 30th Birthday with live music by ATLAS (formerly known as The Atlas Linen Co.to check them out), BBQ with steamed clams and great wine!  This event is open to the public.  Bring a lawn chair or blanket.  Rain or Shine.  No coolers permitted. Cover Charge $8 per person or $15 per couple.  Captain's Table Members Special Cover Charge $5 per member. www.lucasvineyards.com

June 12 Americana Vineyards, Sunday Night Concert Series

Musician: Zydeco Trailriders.  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

June 16    Six Mile Creek Vineyard, Sunset Music Series            

Band: Cielle Join us for our summer sunset Music Series. Free live music! Enjoy wines by the glass/bottle, house made sangria, local cheeses and other snacks.  Rain or Shine. www.sixmilecreek.com

June 17--September 2    Montezuma Winery, Farmer's Market Fridays
 Grown local, Buy Local! Purchase locally grown and produced New York State products. www.montezumawinery.com

June 17 Americana Vineyards, Friday Night Concert Series   

Musician: Down & Out. 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

June 18 Thirsty Owl Wine Company   "Tunes on the Terrac
Enjoy Live Music  by Al Liberio.  1:00 PM - 5:00 PM. www.thirstyowl.com

 June 18 Swedish Hill Vineyard, Scandinavian Festival
Be Swedish for a Day! Enjoy Scandinavian food(fee for food), music and unique arts & craft exhibitors while dancing around our Maypole! Many wine specials as well.  Noon to 5pm. www.swedishhill.com

June 18    Buttonwood Grove Winery, Wine, Food & Music Festival
 Live band, barbecue with sides take-out, wine specials, ice cream & fun for the afternoon (12-5pm). www.buttonwoodgrove.com 

June 18    Knapp Vineyards, The Silk Road Wine Dinner
 The Silk Roads from China are long remembered as ancient routes to the modern world. Embarking from east to the west to trade their spices, animals and other commodities, nothing was as astonishing to the westerners as the silk from China. Though the routes varied, the journeys included pathways through the Middle East and Europe. At Knapp we plan to replicate the journey with dishes and spices from China, Korea, India, the Middle East and Europe. Don't miss this exciting wine dinner adventure on the Silk Road at Knapp. Special wine selections from Knapp Winery, Zugibe Vineyards and Glenora Wine Cellars will be paired with this five-course dinner. Please call and make your reservations 800-869-9271. www.knappwine.com  

June 19    Knapp Vineyards, Father's Day Brunch

Knapp's Father's Day Brunch Buffet is the perfect gathering place for your entire family. Mom doesn't have to cook and dad doesn't have to man the barbecue. The buffet includes a grand brunch menu in the Knapp tradition. This feast includes a barbecue pulled pork or chicken, French toast with wild berry cream cheese filling, bacon, sausage, Eggs Benedict, pastas, seasonal vegetables and topped with fresh fruit and dessert. Buffet hours are from 10:30am-3:30pm. Reserve a table for your family at 800-869-9271. www.knappwine.com

June 19 Montezuma winery  8^th Annual Wildflower & Wine.