April was a fantastic month to be on the Cayuga Wine Trail. The Vigernon group at Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery met for a second session to tie grape vines and blend a few wines. As we headed out to the vineyard on a beautiful 80 degree day, we heard Tom Challen explain that this year they were trying out a different way of tying the vines, new to them, for their varieties that have upward growth.
This way of tying the vines allows the grape grower to harvest a greater amount of grapes.
“If the fruit is bunched too closely together, the grapes have more of a chance to be exposed to disease,” Challen said. “By training the leaf growth to utilize the trellis and spread out the fruit zone the vines have a better chance of producing a more significant crop and less chance of developing diseases.” Each pair of eager students was assigned 10 vines, and then off we went staking our claim to this year's harvest and next year's vintage.
Last month we pruned each vine leaving four canes to each vine. During this session, we needed to tie each cane to the trellis keeping it secure for proper growth.
The second part of the program was a real treat as we stepped down into the cellar to watch Challen draw off a sampling of wines from the tanks and oak barrels. We were able to blend from a selection of oak and non-oak Chardonnays, Riesling, Cayuga White, Gewurztraminer and Cabernet Franc.
There we were in chemistry class again, beaker in hand making our own creations. My partner Lennie and I made a couple of different wines, one a delicate, light-bodied red and the other a white cuvee blended with three different whites that turned out smooth with a distinct floral nose and a lingering finish. The most amazing part is after we were able to prepare our very own concoctions, we were able to take a bottle home.
As mentioned earlier, April was an exceptionally warm month pushing the grape buds out and making the wine owners leery if a frost should occur. A chance of frost would turn the buds black causing total crop devastation. Two wineries, Hosmer and Cayuga Ridge took a proactive stand when they heard frost was in the forecast. They hired a local helicopter company to hover over the crops to keep the air circulating, preventing the air temperature from dropping to below freezing. The endeavor was a success.
On April 12, the Cayuga Wine Trail celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was truly an evening to remember. A total of 96 wine lovers gathered together at the Waterloo Holiday Inn to enjoy a delicious feast complimented with the best wines and hard cider the Cayuga Wine Trail wineries have to offer.
In other news:
• The 22nd Anniversary Celebration of Swedish Hill Vineyard is set to be held May 17 and 18.
• King Ferry/Treleaven Winery will enjoy sinful chocolate desserts paired with luscious wines at their “I Love Chocolate Day” event to be held May 24.
• Thirsty Owl Wine Company will hold its sixth annual Bistro Grand Opening the weekend of May 24. The kick off event will feature live music on the terrace and the first edition of its 2008 artist series.
• Six Mile Creek Vineyard will offer customized pizzas prepared with choice of gourmet toppings during its Pizza Perfetta event to be held June 7.
Cathy Millspaugh is the executive director of the Cayuga Wine Trail. To learn more, call (800) 684-5217.
“If the fruit is bunched too closely together, the grapes have more of a chance to be exposed to disease,” Challen said. “By training the leaf growth to utilize the trellis and spread out the fruit zone the vines have a better chance of producing a more significant crop and less chance of developing diseases.” Each pair of eager students was assigned 10 vines, and then off we went staking our claim to this year's harvest and next year's vintage.
Last month we pruned each vine leaving four canes to each vine. During this session, we needed to tie each cane to the trellis keeping it secure for proper growth.
The second part of the program was a real treat as we stepped down into the cellar to watch Challen draw off a sampling of wines from the tanks and oak barrels. We were able to blend from a selection of oak and non-oak Chardonnays, Riesling, Cayuga White, Gewurztraminer and Cabernet Franc.
There we were in chemistry class again, beaker in hand making our own creations. My partner Lennie and I made a couple of different wines, one a delicate, light-bodied red and the other a white cuvee blended with three different whites that turned out smooth with a distinct floral nose and a lingering finish. The most amazing part is after we were able to prepare our very own concoctions, we were able to take a bottle home.
As mentioned earlier, April was an exceptionally warm month pushing the grape buds out and making the wine owners leery if a frost should occur. A chance of frost would turn the buds black causing total crop devastation. Two wineries, Hosmer and Cayuga Ridge took a proactive stand when they heard frost was in the forecast. They hired a local helicopter company to hover over the crops to keep the air circulating, preventing the air temperature from dropping to below freezing. The endeavor was a success.
On April 12, the Cayuga Wine Trail celebrated its 25th anniversary. It was truly an evening to remember. A total of 96 wine lovers gathered together at the Waterloo Holiday Inn to enjoy a delicious feast complimented with the best wines and hard cider the Cayuga Wine Trail wineries have to offer.
In other news:
• The 22nd Anniversary Celebration of Swedish Hill Vineyard is set to be held May 17 and 18.
• King Ferry/Treleaven Winery will enjoy sinful chocolate desserts paired with luscious wines at their “I Love Chocolate Day” event to be held May 24.
• Thirsty Owl Wine Company will hold its sixth annual Bistro Grand Opening the weekend of May 24. The kick off event will feature live music on the terrace and the first edition of its 2008 artist series.
• Six Mile Creek Vineyard will offer customized pizzas prepared with choice of gourmet toppings during its Pizza Perfetta event to be held June 7.
Cathy Millspaugh is the executive director of the Cayuga Wine Trail. To learn more, call (800) 684-5217.
