The Wine Trails of Cayuga, Keuka and Seneca lakes have formed a new program titled Safe Group Wine Tours, to help visitors have the safest and most enjoyable experience. A code of conduct or winery etiquette has been established at more than 50-member wineries throughout the three trails for large groups.

The buzz, of course, around town is about the yellow and red cards. Groups unwilling to adhere to the guidelines will find themselves receiving these very cards, like in a professional soccer game. The main goal for the staff at the wineries is to keep rowdy groups under control, but when certain individuals take their behavior to the next irresponsible step, they will now be carded. A yellow card, when issued, is considered a warning, giving the group an opportunity to curtail their misbehavior. A red card, given for extreme behavior, will end the groups' winery tour visit for that day.

In other news:

€ The Crystal Lake Cafe located at Americana Vineyards is a great place to get a meal. If this is your first stop of the day, start your tour in the cafe as early as 9 a.m. with fresh warm donuts, breakfast sandwiches and gourmet coffee. For lunch or an early dinner, it specializes in gourmet sandwiches, soups, desserts, wine slushies and other items. The cafe is deli-style with a casual retro atmosphere and limited seating. Visitors are on a tight schedule, so all items can be packaged to go.

€ At Montezuma Winery, its 300-liter custom built Christian Carl column pot still built in Goppingen, Germany, has two columns being the first of its kind in the Finger Lakes region. They are currently working on legislation to change state law so they can legally sell distilled spirits and vodka made from honey in their tasting room this fall. In the meantime, they will be working on and selling Eaux de Vie brandies and liqueurs.

€ This month the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail will celebrate Greyhound adoption at our second Greyhound Gathering on July 27 through 29. Larry E. Bowersox of the Keystone Greyhounds of central Pennsylvania has helped us organize this event. Dogowners will delight in tasting wines and picnic foods at each winery and will receive a wine glass plus a Grapehound Wine Tour decal. Each Greyhound will receive doggie treats, made by “Simply Treats” the founder of www.greytalk.com. This year, we are having two ice cream socials. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to neighboring Greyhound Adoption Groups.

€ On July 13, Buttonwood Grove Winery will feature the Purple Valley Band, and on July 27, it will feature the Zydeco Trail Riders. These concerts are held rain or shine from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

€ The Americana Vineyards will feature Ted & the Dandelions Concert July 15, and on July 29, the Zydeco Trailriders will perform. Both shows are from 4 to 6 p.m.

€ Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant will host its annual chicken barbecue to benefit breast cancer research July 28. Starting at noon, visitors may enjoy a chicken dinner, live music and wine.

€ On Aug. 4 and 5, Thirsty Owl Wine Company has the return of its Italian Weekend.

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