Tasteful surroundings are the key to the perfect weekend getaway Saturday and Sunday, when the Cayuga Wine Trail hosts its 14th annual Wine and Herb Festival.
According to Montezuma Winery owner Bill Martin, when visitors stopped at his winery last year, they experienced oregano in a pasta dish, paired with a wine called Canvas Back Red. The pasta and the wine blended perfectly because the wine was made with oregano and the pasta sauce was made with the wine.
“It's a nice way to see different aspects of the wineries and learn how to prepare food and wine together,” Martin said.
Cayuga Wine Trail organizes and runs the event four times each year and all member wineries are part of the celebration, including Americana Vineyards, Bellwether Hard Cider, Buttonwood Grove, Cayuga Ridge Estate, Cobblestone Farm, Goose Watch, Hosmer, King Ferry, Knapp Vineyards, Long Point, Lucas Vineyards, Montezuma, Sheldrake Point, Six Mile Creek, Swedish Hill and Thirsty Owl Wine.
At each winery there will be a different herb-prepared delicacy perfectly paired with the winery's own fine wine. Visitors will have a chance to win a cheese fondue set courtesy of the Inn at the Finger Lakes, which will be located at
King Ferry Winery during the
event. Those attend will have 16 herbs and new knowledge to create cheese, herb and wine fondue in the future.
To promote safety and responsibility, Cayuga Wine Trail gives the designated driver option. The designated driver receives everything the same as a regular ticket holder except that they receive juice instead of wine. The wine trail's brochure suggests rewarding the driver with a bottle of wine from the event as a gift.
“They get the whole experience, just without the wine,” Martin said.
At the Cayuga Wine Trail, winery representatives see visitors who come for many reasons. According to Martin, sometimes corporate and small businesses give tickets as a staff retreat and some people even come for their birthday.
The event encompasses the peaceful, beautiful setting of Cayuga Lake, beginning usually at either end of the lake, but visitors choose where they want to begin and travel at their own pace.
The Wine Trail's motto is, “Once you visit, you won't want to leave.” Visitors do not have to worry about leaving right away and in fact are encouraged to attend and make a weekend of the event, starting on either end and ending up at the end at night. Cayuga Wine Trail has many associate members to provide for the needs of visitors, with accommodations, restaurants, a creamery, limo services and more.
After a day of tasting at the festival, local restaurants are known for preparing fantastic area wines paired perfectly with dishes featuring local produce.
If you go
What: Cayuga Wine Trail Wine and Herb Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: 16 Cayuga Wine Trail wineries
Tickets: Single $25, couple $40
For details: Call (800) 684-5217
“It's a nice way to see different aspects of the wineries and learn how to prepare food and wine together,” Martin said.
Cayuga Wine Trail organizes and runs the event four times each year and all member wineries are part of the celebration, including Americana Vineyards, Bellwether Hard Cider, Buttonwood Grove, Cayuga Ridge Estate, Cobblestone Farm, Goose Watch, Hosmer, King Ferry, Knapp Vineyards, Long Point, Lucas Vineyards, Montezuma, Sheldrake Point, Six Mile Creek, Swedish Hill and Thirsty Owl Wine.
At each winery there will be a different herb-prepared delicacy perfectly paired with the winery's own fine wine. Visitors will have a chance to win a cheese fondue set courtesy of the Inn at the Finger Lakes, which will be located at
King Ferry Winery during the
event. Those attend will have 16 herbs and new knowledge to create cheese, herb and wine fondue in the future.
To promote safety and responsibility, Cayuga Wine Trail gives the designated driver option. The designated driver receives everything the same as a regular ticket holder except that they receive juice instead of wine. The wine trail's brochure suggests rewarding the driver with a bottle of wine from the event as a gift.
“They get the whole experience, just without the wine,” Martin said.
At the Cayuga Wine Trail, winery representatives see visitors who come for many reasons. According to Martin, sometimes corporate and small businesses give tickets as a staff retreat and some people even come for their birthday.
The event encompasses the peaceful, beautiful setting of Cayuga Lake, beginning usually at either end of the lake, but visitors choose where they want to begin and travel at their own pace.
The Wine Trail's motto is, “Once you visit, you won't want to leave.” Visitors do not have to worry about leaving right away and in fact are encouraged to attend and make a weekend of the event, starting on either end and ending up at the end at night. Cayuga Wine Trail has many associate members to provide for the needs of visitors, with accommodations, restaurants, a creamery, limo services and more.
After a day of tasting at the festival, local restaurants are known for preparing fantastic area wines paired perfectly with dishes featuring local produce.
If you go
What: Cayuga Wine Trail Wine and Herb Festival
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday
Where: 16 Cayuga Wine Trail wineries
Tickets: Single $25, couple $40
For details: Call (800) 684-5217