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Cayuga Lake Wine TrailSeptember 2012
In This Issue
Harvest 2012
Harvest Hoopla
Cayuga Lake Winners
September Events
Grape Stompin'

Greetings! 

The long awaited Harvest is finally here. It is in full swing in the Finger Lakes with some varieties already picked last month. The vineyard managers and the winemakers work hand in hand to figure out the best time for picking, a real team effort.

In the wineries their getting ready to ensure you a time of merriment and fun so that you too can feel the exuberance and the abundance of the harvest. Join us throughout the month of September during our Harvest Hoopla for all our Harvest events for grape stompin, hay rides, and the fruits of our labor, our fine wines.

See you along the trail!!

 

 

Cayuga Cathy 
Harvest 2012

Harvest has arrived here in Finger Lakes Wine Country and as our Cayuga Lake Wine Trail Knapp grapes President Cameron Hosmer of Hosmer Winery states "It's earlier than most years with data showing that the harvest season is 19 days earlier than the long term average. The quality of the grapes is exceptional but the quantity of the crop is slightly smaller than 2011. One thing is for sure Riesling has moved up to be the second largest producing grape crop in the state with 860 acres in New York State, Concord being number one with double that amount". So with that said the hustle and bustle of the harvest is starting to hum with some wineries right in the middle having picked their Baco Noir, Venessa, Lakemont and Reliance.

With all this talk of harvest it assures the complexity and interest in knowing all that it takes to KF harvest make a glass of wine. Winemaking is becoming one of life's wonderful pastimes and two of our wineries have excellent programs. Cayuga Ridge Estate with their Vigneron Program and Knapp Winery with a new program they just started this year titled "Be a Winemaker". Both programs give you hands-on experience and insight to how wine is produced and the fundamentals of viticulture and wine techniques. As Phil Kasey from Fayette says about the Knapp's program, "As a newly retired person who'd been planning to raise a patch of vines and make wine, this course has been an invaluable resource.  Before signing on I had no idea of all the steps that went into planting, pruning, and tending vines; and we haven't even gotten to making the wine yet!  My time at Knapp has been enlightening and enjoyable, and I'm more excited than ever about putting in my own vines next spring".  

 
In addition we have a a winemaker for a week program sponsored through the
Finger Lakes   Tourism Alliance  and Greek Peak Mountain Resort. The winner is a delightful young lady who will start her journey the first week in October, more on that next month. 

 

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Harvest Hoopla
   

Join us throughout the month for individual winery events to help celebrate the Harvest. A full listing is below under our September events but here's a few to entice you.

 

Swedish Hill and GooseWatch's--Fall Fever Days  

September 8 & 9

 SH wines

Fall in Love with their Autumn Sales! Enjoy their winemaker's dozen special--15 % off their  regular priced cases. Plus get a FREE 750 ml bottle of either Viking White, Viking Red, Svenska Blush or Svenska Red.  

www.swedishhill.com 

www.goosewatch.com 

 

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Harvest Hoedown at Montezuma Winery

Saturday, September 15, 2012 from 12-5pm

 

Kick up your heels and dance to the sounds of old fashioned country fiddlin' music as we celebrate Mont. building  the harvest season here at Montezuma Winery.  Fall is upon us and it's a perfect time to get out and see the beautiful fall foliage that New York State has to offer plus savor the foods of the season. 

 

Mont. BBQ Enjoy a lip-smacking BBQ, a farm market of local seasonal produce, local maple & honey products, baked goods, kettle corn, home-made fudge and of course wine!  There's fun for the kids including a petting zoo plus get your pumpkins for decorating this fall season. 

 

Don't miss the old fashioned, foot stompin', country fiddlin' music by The Barn Floor Groovers from 12-2:30pm and Miller's Wheel from 2:30-5pm. 

 

The fall season is the perfect time to stock up on your Cranberry Bog for your Thanksgiving celebraMont Hoedowntion. Made 100% from fresh cranberries, this wine starts sweet but finishes with a distinctive tartness that is signature of the cranberry. 

 

Admission is free and all are invited to join us for a fun-filled day of food, foot-stompin' music, and wine (fee for food & wine)!

 

Montezuma Winery is located at 2981 Rt. 20 , Seneca Falls, NY 13148 www.montezumawinery.com 

 

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Lucas Vineyards--German Festival
Sunday, September 16

 

From 12:30 to 4:30, at Lucas Vineyards we'll be hosting our 15th Annual German Festival. Live Lucas family Music by The Enzian Bavarian Band and Dancers, Grape Stomping, Grape Pies, German Food, Alphorn and Polka Contests, Balloon Art and Costumes which highlight the Festival. Lucas Vineyard's Award Winning Rieslings and Gewürztraminer will be featured wines.

This event is fun for the whole family. Rain or Shine (under the tents).  

$5 cover charge, 12 and under free, Free parking, No coolers permitted

 

Founded in 1980, Lucas Vineyards is Cayuga Lake's Oldest Winery located at 3862 County Road 150, Interlaken, New York 14847. www.lucasvineyards.com  

 

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Cayuga Lake Winners

Hope you enjoyed collecting the Cayuga Lake Wineathlon buttons. The lucky winner of the Gold Medal winning case of wine is:  Tracy Starczewski - New Hartford, NY. Congratulations Tracy.
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The Gas/Gift card Promotion was another great success and below are the winners of the $25.00 Gas/Gift Card, Vino Visa plus we threw in a 6 bottle wine tote bag to each winner.

 

Here they are:

June 1st Michael Monroe-Pine City-NY

June , Sandrine Forgeron-Philadelphia, PA

June 15 Amy Lang- Hemlock, NY

June 22 Leslie Cortright- Sauquoit, NY

June 29 Liz Scotland- Albuquerque, NM

July 6 Sandra Engelbrecht- Ilion, NY

July 13 Shawn Jones 

July 20 Serena Lee 

July 27 Diane O'Connor- Easton, PA 

August 3 Heidi Pitzer- Camillus, NY

August 10 Chet Sczepkowski, Skillington, PA 

August 17 Chuck Sappon, Dallas, PA 

August 24 Jean Skanes, Mount Kisco, NY 

August 31 Elena Gosson, Fairport, NY 

 

Congratulations to all the winners. 

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Every Thursday we host a facebook wine trivia question. Make sure to become a fan and watch for the question anytime on Thursday.   

 

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September Events

 September 8: KING FERRY WINERY, Fall Arts Fest  

Join us for this FREE event - live radio remote broadcast by Lite 97.3 in the morning, and live music in the afternoon. Local artists and craftspeople will have their wares on display for purchase - start your Christmas shopping early with local products. Vendors:  10-6. Live radio:  11-1. Music by "Jazzitudes":  2-5 www.treleavenwines.com

 

 

September 8: HOSMER WINERY, Some Like it Hot!  

Our fall extravaganza is outside by the vineyard and features live "hot" tunes, cool award winning wines and vendor booths.  Offering hot, spicy, and savory local products.  www.hosmerwinery.com

 

September 8: COBBLESTONE FARM WINERY, Glorious Grape Day  

Grapes, grapes and more grapes. Enjoy wine tasting and grape treats such as grape pies, frozen grape pops, grape cookies, grape cheesecake, and more.

 

 

 

 September 8 & 9: GOOSE WATCH WINERY, Fall Fever Days  

Catch the fever of the beginning of harvest time and enjoy the Winemaker's dozen case specials that will be available (For every case you purchase, enjoy 15% off plus a FREE bottle of wine from our selections)! Celebrate at both Swedish Hill and Goose Watch!
www.goosewatch.com

 

September 8 & 9: SWEDISH HILL VINEYARD, Fall Fever Days  

Catch the fever of the beginning of harvest time and enjoy the Winemaker's dozen case specials that will be available (For every case you purchase, enjoy 15% off plus a FREE bottle of wine from our selections)! Celebrate at both Swedish Hill and Goose Watch!
Contact: 607-403-0029 www.swedishhill.com 

 

September 8 & 9: AMERICANA VINEYARDS, "Patriots Club Weekend"  

Americana celebrates its Patriot Club members. Wine specials, concerts Saturday & Sunday, drawing. www.americanavineyards.com

 

J Russo September 9: GOOSE WATCH WINERY, Jazz Festival  

Come join us for wine, water, and all that jazz as the Seneca Falls Rotary and ITT host their 5th annual Rotary Wine and Music Festival at Goose Watch Winery. Enjoy 4 fantastic jazz bands and purchase various foods and our award winning wines. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased from the Seneca Falls Rotarians, The Seneca Falls Copy Shop and Area Records in Geneva. For information, visit www.rotarymusicfest.com

www.goosewatch.com

 

 

September 15: MONTEZUMA WINERY, Harvest Hoedown  

Kick up your heels and dance to the sounds of old fashioned country fiddlin' music as we celebrate the harvest season. Activities include a lip-smacking Chicken & Pork BBQ, a farm market of local seasonal produce, jams & jellies, maple products, baked goods, hand-popped kettle corn, home-made fudge and of course wine! There's fun for the kids including a petting zoo and more. Get your pumpkins for decorating this fall season. Free admission (fee for food and wine by the glass).   www.montezumawinery.com 

 

September 15: KNAPP WINERY &VINEYARD RESTAURANT, Finger Lakes Harvest Wine Dinner It is time for our bounty of Finger Lakes ingredients to be put to bed. Our vineyards are being harvested and the fruits of our labor will be at the table. Roasted pumpkin bisque, wild mushrooms, locally grown tomatoes and delicious fruit is just a peek of what this dinner has in store. 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. Call us for reservations at 800-869-9271.www.knappwine.com

 

September 15 & 16: SIX MILE CREEK VINEYARD, 25th Anniversary Harvest Festival  

Help celebrate 25 fruitful years with live music all day, tours, hayrides, food and art vendors plus more. Share souvenirs and memories with old and new friends of Six Mile Creek. www.sixmilecreek.com

 

September 15 & 16: THIRSTY OWL WINE COMPANY, 10th Anniversary Bash and Final Edition of the '12 Artist Series Come help us celebrate our 10th Anniversary! Featuring the final edition of the 2012 Artist Series and live music. www.thirstyowl.com

 

 

September 16: LUCAS VINEYARDS, German Festival   German Fest Dancers

Live German Band & Dancers, grape stomping, grape pies, German food, Polka contest and  costumes. Fun for the whole family! Held rain or shine under the tents! Cover charge $3 per person.  12 and under are free.  No coolers permitted.  www.lucasvineyards.com  

 

September 22: BUTTONWOOD GROVE WINERY, Early Fall Foliage Festival Live music, barbecue food, hayrides & tastings in the vineyard, wine specials, grape pies, and pastries! www.buttonwoodgrove.com

 

 

September 22: KNAPP WINERY &VINEYARD RESTAURANT, Fall Fiesta Ole!

Sombreros, piñatas, and salsas will be the décor for Knapp's Fall Fiesta! Think of dishes using cilantro, chipotle peppers, red and green chili's, fajitas and more. Perfect food for wonderful Knapp Riesling. Knapp is also sponsoring a Best Salsa contest. Bring your best homemade salsa for us to judge as the winning recipe! Listen to salsa music! All day, at the Vineyard Restaurant and grounds. www.knappwine.com

  

 

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Amer concert
NEW! at Americana Vineyards. They are hosting Saturday night concerts through September from 6:00-8:00pm.
See You Along the Trail!!
Cathy Millspaugh
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
info@cayugawinetrail.com
800-684-5217