May was a month to be out on the road. On May 8, it was off to New York City where 30 representatives from wineries and tourism businesses trucked off to the Big Apple to meet with different media travel writers.

Representatives from Martha Stewart Living, Modern Bride and Frommer's Travel Guide made up some of the more than 25 writers in attendance.

I poured Cayuga White and Cabernet Franc from a few Cayuga Wine Trail wineries while talking up our spectacular area and our 25th anniversary.

Chef Sam Izzo from Sheldrake Point Vineyard created a beautiful artisanal cheese display. Have you ever tried lavender cheese?

I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to speak at the Governor's Tourism Conference held May 15 about niche markets.

Larry Bowersox, our event coordinator of the Grapehound Wine Tour, myself plus Fred Bonn and Bruce Stoff from the Ithaca Visitors Bureau spoke.

On May 24, the third session of the Vigernon Program took place at the Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery.

We tried different wines straight from the tank and barrel, thus we learned how before a wine is ready for bottling, the smell, clarity and taste must be checked.

Our next trail event is our third annual Grapehound Wine Tour held July 24 through 27.

This greyhound gathering celebrates greyhound adoption.

The greyhounds are welcome at all the wineries while each greyhound owner can enjoy wine and food pairings.

During the weekend the Greyhounds lap up yogurt at two ice cream socials, one Saturday, July 26, at Cayuga Ridge Winery, and the other Sunday, July 27, at Taughannock Falls State Park.

Details can be found at grapehounds.com.

A portion of every ticket sold is donated to greyhound adoption groups in New York, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

In other news:

• Other winery events include four wineries holding special events for dear old Dad. At Swedish Hill Vineyard check out their Scandinavian Festival, at Montezuma Winery celebrate with them at its fifth annual Wildflowers and Wine event, Sheldrake Point Vineyard is offering its Father's Day barbecue and Knapp offers brunch.

• On June 21, Buttonwood Grove Winery will hold Wild Western Day with live music, a barbecue, wine specials, homemade ice cream and family fun.

Then on June 27, it will hold its first Vineyard Night's Summer Concert.

• Sheldrake Point Vineyard & Simply Red Lakeside Bistro will host the Simply Sparkling Winemaker's Dinner June 22.

• The Fourth annual Cherry Festival will be held June 28 and 29, at Cobblestone Farm Winery. It features cherry picking, wine tasting, cherry treats, food, music, hay rides, children's games and arts and crafts.

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