The romance and beauty of the Finger Lakes is one more reason to visit and taste the fine wines on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.

Located in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country on the shores of Cayuga Lake, Samantha Izzo brings Simply Red Bistro and her creative talents and an exciting regional, wine country cuisine to Sheldrake Point Vineyard. According to executive chef Izzo, “Sheldrake Point's lakeside location and gardens provide a wonderful setting for Simply Red Bistro's cuisine and service.”

Her philosophy is to prepare all dishes from scratch, with the freshest ingredients possible; to create and prepare food that is as appealing in looks as it is in taste. On Monday nights, visitors can try southern cuisine and hear some foot stomping music.

I was fortunate to have dined there the other evening with my husband and enjoyed the honey stung chicken and country-style pork ribs, which were so tender they melted in my mouth with the accompaniment of the tastiest corn bread. Homemade potato salad and coleslaw rounded out the meal and was served with Sheldrake Point's Barrel Reserve Chardonnay.

Buttonwood Grove Winery is getting in gear for its Jammin' Vineyard Nights this summer. Starting from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, June 29, listeners will be able to enjoy the sounds of The Couple De Villes, a band that plays driving rhythm and blues. This band blends the pure emotion of Chicago Blues with the driving power of rock.

New this year, the winery has a dance floor and extended concert hours. Bring a picnic dinner and enjoy a fine glass of Buttonwood Grove wine under the stars.

On Father's Day weekend (this weekend), visitors have quite a choice of wineries to visit. Goose Watch Winery will host its strawberry festival for a “berry” good time on the 16th, or join Swedish Hill Vineyard on the 17th for a Scandinavian Festival. Enjoy music and unique arts and crafts plus wine specials.

In addition, on the 17th, Montezuma Winery will host its fourth annual Wildflowers and Wine in conjunction with the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

To round out the rest of the month, visit Americana Vineyards June 24 for its first Sunday Summer Concert Series featuring Tom Olson.

The wine trail's second annual “Carnival Cook-Off” event will be held June 23 through 24. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, and the event takes place at each of the 16 wineries that are part of the Cayuga Wine Trail. The wineries will compete in the cheesiest of cook-offs sponsored by McCadam Cheese. In addition, visitors may put their skills to the test by trying carnival-style games offered at each winery. Each guest receives a souvenir wine glass, wine and food pairings and a recipe booklet, and participants are eligible to win one of our three grand prizes.

Then, at Thirsty Owl Wine Company, on the weekend of June 30 and July 1, delight in its Reds, Whites and Blues Celebration, and on the same weekend join Cobblestone Farm Winery for its third annual Cherry Festival. Enjoy cherry picking, wine tasting, cherry treats, music, arts and crafts, hay rides.

In July we will host the Grapehound Wine Tour for greyhound owners and their dogs.

Cathy Millspaugh is the executive director of the Cayuga Wine Trail. To learn more, visit www.cayugawinetrail.com