KING FERRY - Ellen McAvoy and her boyfriend, Floyd Rabemstein, were out looking for squash when they came across the King Ferry Winery. To their luck, the winery was in the midst of a harvest festival.
The couple took advantage of their situation and the free wine samples, trying every red wine the winery had to offer.
”We just ended up here,“ McAvoy said. ”I'm glad we did because it is just wonderful.“
The winery has been hosting the festival for eight years to celebrate its annual grape yield. For the last two years, the festival has been held in conjunction with the Fall Family Weekend, which joins three local events - the winery's Harvest Festival along with a pair of Lansing events, Bakers' Acres' Apple Fest and the agri-tours at Indian Chimney Farm. The three locations are in close proximity to one another, making it easy for visitors to stop by all three businesses over the course of the weekend.
”Each location has a different aspect to it that makes each event so much fun,“ said Jessica Kraske, a King Ferry Winery employee.
The winery was geared more toward the adults out for the weekend. In the brightly lit tasting rooms, Kraske and Chris Couch poured samples of riesling, chardonnay and merlot. As samples were being sipped, both Kraske and Couch explained which wine goes best with what meal.
”You can taste the buttery flavor in this one,“ Kraske said pointing to a bottle of reserve chardonnay. ”This goes good with a nice garlic chicken.“
Monica Garcia Taylor, who was celebrating her birthday and just moved to the area from Nebraska, was amazed by the winery's location and the beautiful landscape that surrounded it.
”This place is gorgeous, with its lake view and beautiful land,“ Taylor said. ”Where I come from, the lakes are small and mostly man-made.“
Couch said 90 percent of the winery's visitors find a wine they really enjoy. Events such as this one provide the opportunity to find that wine for free. Tasting usually cost six for a $1. The King Ferry wines are becoming so popular, they have already sold out of four this season.
”We stand by our quality of wine here,“ Couch said. ”I guarantee someone will find something they like here.“
Employees gave visitors tours of the winery, taking them around to see the barrels and where the wine is made. Lite 97 hosted a live radio broadcast and despite the cold, wet afternoon, the Cayuga Lake Creamery was selling giant cones of pumpkin and spiced apple ice cream.
”Our creamery is located on the other side of the lake,“ Jeff Kostick said. ”So if people won't come to you, you try to go to them.“
A group of teachers from the Montessori School in Syracuse took advantage of their Columbus Day weekend and visited several wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail. They said the King Ferry festival was at the top of their list.
”It is nice to be able to take time out,“ said Rachael Lamb as she finished a sample of chardonnay. ”This is a good way to spend the day.“
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or ashley.lipsky@lee.net
”We just ended up here,“ McAvoy said. ”I'm glad we did because it is just wonderful.“
The winery has been hosting the festival for eight years to celebrate its annual grape yield. For the last two years, the festival has been held in conjunction with the Fall Family Weekend, which joins three local events - the winery's Harvest Festival along with a pair of Lansing events, Bakers' Acres' Apple Fest and the agri-tours at Indian Chimney Farm. The three locations are in close proximity to one another, making it easy for visitors to stop by all three businesses over the course of the weekend.
”Each location has a different aspect to it that makes each event so much fun,“ said Jessica Kraske, a King Ferry Winery employee.
The winery was geared more toward the adults out for the weekend. In the brightly lit tasting rooms, Kraske and Chris Couch poured samples of riesling, chardonnay and merlot. As samples were being sipped, both Kraske and Couch explained which wine goes best with what meal.
”You can taste the buttery flavor in this one,“ Kraske said pointing to a bottle of reserve chardonnay. ”This goes good with a nice garlic chicken.“
Monica Garcia Taylor, who was celebrating her birthday and just moved to the area from Nebraska, was amazed by the winery's location and the beautiful landscape that surrounded it.
”This place is gorgeous, with its lake view and beautiful land,“ Taylor said. ”Where I come from, the lakes are small and mostly man-made.“
Couch said 90 percent of the winery's visitors find a wine they really enjoy. Events such as this one provide the opportunity to find that wine for free. Tasting usually cost six for a $1. The King Ferry wines are becoming so popular, they have already sold out of four this season.
”We stand by our quality of wine here,“ Couch said. ”I guarantee someone will find something they like here.“
Employees gave visitors tours of the winery, taking them around to see the barrels and where the wine is made. Lite 97 hosted a live radio broadcast and despite the cold, wet afternoon, the Cayuga Lake Creamery was selling giant cones of pumpkin and spiced apple ice cream.
”Our creamery is located on the other side of the lake,“ Jeff Kostick said. ”So if people won't come to you, you try to go to them.“
A group of teachers from the Montessori School in Syracuse took advantage of their Columbus Day weekend and visited several wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail. They said the King Ferry festival was at the top of their list.
”It is nice to be able to take time out,“ said Rachael Lamb as she finished a sample of chardonnay. ”This is a good way to spend the day.“
Staff writer Ashley Lipsky can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 235 or ashley.lipsky@lee.net
