All of life's beauty in wine, family, scenery
Each Wednesday, The Citizen features someone in the food services industry from the Finger Lakes community in The Banks:
This week, we spotlight Chris Scholomiti of CJS Vineyards & Aurelius Winery.
Q. What is the one wine you cannot live without? Why?
A. Finger Lakes Riesling. It's some of the best in the world.
Q. What is the best food pairing with this wine? Why?
A. Grilled pork. First use some (of the wine) for a marinade and then drink the rest with dinner.
Q. If you could hold a tasting for any three people in the world, who would you pick? Why?
A. One special person, my godfather, who introduced me to winemaking 50 years ago but who passed away before we planted our vineyard and opened our winery.
Q. Fill in the blank. People would be surprised to know that even though I work at a winery, when I am at home in the kitchen, I _______.
A. I sometimes have a beer with dinner.
Q. What do you enjoy most about living and working in the Finger Lakes region?
A. The changing seasons and the beautiful countryside in the Finger Lakes.
Q. If you were given a million dollars to open your own restaurant or bar, describe the bar or restaurant and what type of food you would serve?
A. I would open a wine bar and serve appetizers, specialty cheeses and of course Finger Lakes wines.
Q. Where would it be located?
A. On the west shore of Owasco Lake. It offers a beautiful view, and we're working with a family member to operate a vineyard on Owasco.
Q. Describe your most embarrassing moment while on the job.
A. When we were opening up the wine refrigerator to get out the chilled wines, three bottles came crashing out to break all over the floor. Pretty impressive for first time customers!
Q. If you weren't working at the winery, what would you like to be doing?
A. Relaxing on the beach.
This week, we spotlight Chris Scholomiti of CJS Vineyards & Aurelius Winery.
Q. What is the one wine you cannot live without? Why?
A. Finger Lakes Riesling. It's some of the best in the world.
Q. What is the best food pairing with this wine? Why?
A. Grilled pork. First use some (of the wine) for a marinade and then drink the rest with dinner.
Q. If you could hold a tasting for any three people in the world, who would you pick? Why?
A. One special person, my godfather, who introduced me to winemaking 50 years ago but who passed away before we planted our vineyard and opened our winery.
Q. Fill in the blank. People would be surprised to know that even though I work at a winery, when I am at home in the kitchen, I _______.
A. I sometimes have a beer with dinner.
Q. What do you enjoy most about living and working in the Finger Lakes region?
A. The changing seasons and the beautiful countryside in the Finger Lakes.
Q. If you were given a million dollars to open your own restaurant or bar, describe the bar or restaurant and what type of food you would serve?
A. I would open a wine bar and serve appetizers, specialty cheeses and of course Finger Lakes wines.
Q. Where would it be located?
A. On the west shore of Owasco Lake. It offers a beautiful view, and we're working with a family member to operate a vineyard on Owasco.
Q. Describe your most embarrassing moment while on the job.
A. When we were opening up the wine refrigerator to get out the chilled wines, three bottles came crashing out to break all over the floor. Pretty impressive for first time customers!
Q. If you weren't working at the winery, what would you like to be doing?
A. Relaxing on the beach.