Congratulations to Thirsty Owl Wine Company, a winery member of the Cayuga Wine Trail, who won the Governor's Cup, at the 2007 New York Wine & Food Classic competition held last month in Napa, Calif. The Governor's Cup, the highest prize given at the competition, is known as “The Oscars” of New York wine. This year's competition included 790 New York wines from all regions of the state judged by 24 wine experts.
Thirsty Owl's 2006 Dry Riesling is well balanced with lemon and pineapple flavors with a mouthwatering finish. This wine was also voted Best White Wine and Best Dry Riesling and is sure to fly off the shelves. The winery is located on Route 89, midway up the west side of Cayuga Lake.
Best of Category went to Swedish Hill Winery for its NV Spumante Blush. Best of Class went to Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery's 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay, Long Point Winery's 2006 Vidal Blanc, Six Mile Creek Vineyard's 2005 Pinot Noir, Swedish Hill Winery's NV Spumante Blush and 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles.
The Cayuga Wine Trail wineries received 85 medals. For a complete list, visit www.cayugawinetrail.com under “About Us.”
Another step in the right direction took place on a political level this past month. A recent New York state law has come to fruition where a farm distillery will now be able to produce distilled spirits, another way to use New York agricultural products. The liquor is made from wine and is heated and vaporized and ends up to be about 40 percent alcohol. The Cayuga Wine Trail has four distilleries: Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant, Swedish Hill Vineyard, Six Mile Creek Vineyard and Montezuma Winery. Six Mile Creek Vineyard presently has a vodka available packaged in a superbly outstanding bottle. Recently I have had the pleasure of tasting this vodka and it is very smooth. Montezuma Winery's 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. Their vodka will be made from honey and will be available in their tasting room this fall. All four distilleries are now presently serving brandies and liqueurs.
This month's events start at Americana Vineyards. On Sept. 8, this winery will offer specials and live music. This weekend you can also enjoy Fall Fever Days at both Swedish Hill Vineyard and Goose Watch Winery. Last but not least, on the same weekend Cobblestone Farm Winery will host its second annual Grape Stomping Festival.
On Sept. 14, Sheldrake Point Winery & Simply Red Bistro will present “An Evening of Pinot Noir,” featuring a menu inspired by Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The host will be Bob Madill, chairman of the Finger Lakes Pinot Noir Alliance, and the event's chef will be Chef Samantha Izzo of Simply Red Bistro. Thirsty Owl Wine Company will celebrate its fifth anniversary Sept. 15 and 16.
During the rest of the month, visit Knapp Winery and Vineyard Restaurant for its Harvest Hoopla. There you will be able to learn and watch how wine is made, taste the grapes before they become wine and watch the harvester in action. Lucas Vineyards will celebrate its ever-popular German Festival Sunday, Sept. 16. Listen and dance to the Polka Band and enjoy a Bratwurst and a slice of homemade grape pie. On Sept. 22 and 23, Six Mile Creek Vineyard will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Then Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery says Experience the Crush!
Cathy Millspaugh is the executive director of the Cayuga Wine Trail.
Best of Category went to Swedish Hill Winery for its NV Spumante Blush. Best of Class went to Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery's 2006 Unoaked Chardonnay, Long Point Winery's 2006 Vidal Blanc, Six Mile Creek Vineyard's 2005 Pinot Noir, Swedish Hill Winery's NV Spumante Blush and 2005 Late Harvest Vignoles.
The Cayuga Wine Trail wineries received 85 medals. For a complete list, visit www.cayugawinetrail.com under “About Us.”
Another step in the right direction took place on a political level this past month. A recent New York state law has come to fruition where a farm distillery will now be able to produce distilled spirits, another way to use New York agricultural products. The liquor is made from wine and is heated and vaporized and ends up to be about 40 percent alcohol. The Cayuga Wine Trail has four distilleries: Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant, Swedish Hill Vineyard, Six Mile Creek Vineyard and Montezuma Winery. Six Mile Creek Vineyard presently has a vodka available packaged in a superbly outstanding bottle. Recently I have had the pleasure of tasting this vodka and it is very smooth. Montezuma Winery's 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. Their vodka will be made from honey and will be available in their tasting room this fall. All four distilleries are now presently serving brandies and liqueurs.
This month's events start at Americana Vineyards. On Sept. 8, this winery will offer specials and live music. This weekend you can also enjoy Fall Fever Days at both Swedish Hill Vineyard and Goose Watch Winery. Last but not least, on the same weekend Cobblestone Farm Winery will host its second annual Grape Stomping Festival.
On Sept. 14, Sheldrake Point Winery & Simply Red Bistro will present “An Evening of Pinot Noir,” featuring a menu inspired by Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The host will be Bob Madill, chairman of the Finger Lakes Pinot Noir Alliance, and the event's chef will be Chef Samantha Izzo of Simply Red Bistro. Thirsty Owl Wine Company will celebrate its fifth anniversary Sept. 15 and 16.
During the rest of the month, visit Knapp Winery and Vineyard Restaurant for its Harvest Hoopla. There you will be able to learn and watch how wine is made, taste the grapes before they become wine and watch the harvester in action. Lucas Vineyards will celebrate its ever-popular German Festival Sunday, Sept. 16. Listen and dance to the Polka Band and enjoy a Bratwurst and a slice of homemade grape pie. On Sept. 22 and 23, Six Mile Creek Vineyard will celebrate its 20th anniversary. Then Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery says Experience the Crush!
Cathy Millspaugh is the executive director of the Cayuga Wine Trail.
