A Winter Wonderland of Wineries!

Hello Central New Yorkers!


Well here we are in the thick of winter around here. Ah January, the coldest, snowiest month around. Now is the time of year that we all hibernate. No one wants to go outside and brush off the foot of snow on their car. I'm getting cold just thinking about it.


Once the holidays are over my venturing out in the cold is O-V-E-R! Work and the grocery store that's about it for me. The trouble is that around this time I get a little cabin fever. While it's nice to spend a Sunday curled up under my favorite blanket watching movies I don't want to do this every Sunday. Who am I kidding, it's not movies I am watching it's Iron Chef. I'm addicted!

If you ski then you have plenty to do in Central New York. I have no desire to push myself down a gigantic snow covered hill at high speeds hoping to not smack into any people, or trees. I just envision myself turning into a big snowball rolling down the hill with nothing but my skis and poles sticking out. Just like Goofy. (if you need a good laugh click on the link and watch the You Tube video- it's priceless.)


No skiing  or snowboarding for you either??? Well, our local wineries have a lot going on in the winter months. If you're looking for a Valentine's Day gift for your loved one I suggest researching your local wineries. Many have a weekend event, and some include discounted hotel rooms. But, before I get ahead of myself I'm talking about January. Right now, until January 18th Seneca Lake Wine Trail is holding it's Bargain Bash. It doesn't require any tickets. If you follow the link you'll see all the wineries that are offering huge discounts on  holiday merchandise and wine. Doesn't hurt to get stocked up! Maybe it'll even include a "buy one, get one free" deal, which happens to be my mom's favorite.


Pasta & Wine is THIS weekend. Tickets are still available. Barilla will be providing the pasta for the wineries.  I encourage you to visit Barilla's website to learn about the projects for the community they are hosting, along with some delicious recipes. Each of the wineries is serving a different pasta dish. Delizioso!!! (Italian for delicious)


February is Wine & Chocolate at the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Coincidentally, two of my favorite things are wine and chocolate! You can attend one day or stay for the full 2 day event. Perfect for Valentine's Day!! (hint, hint)

March is the Cruisin' the Tropics weekend event. By the time March is upon us it's dark, it's gloomy, still too cold... and full of sludge. Eck! Our local wineries are livening things up with their tropical themes. For example, Anthony Road Winery's theme is Puerto Rico. Hazlitt's (home of Red Cat) is featuring a shipwrecked theme and Miles Wine Cellar is hosting the Pirates of the Caribbean theme. (in a perfect world Johnny Depp would be making an appearance there!!) Dust off your coconut bra, it's party time!


April is Spring Wine & Cheese weekend. Cheese, what a fantastic guilty pleasure. McCadam Cheese and Cabot Cheese is sponsoring this event. Cabot is my favorite cheese brand ever!!! They offer the most delicious reduced fat cheese I have ever tasted. Full of flavor, light on fat. Perfect. When I went to the Pride of New York State Harvest Fest I attended a wine & cheese seminar. Cabot and McCadam cheese was featured during this seminar. In case you didn't know McCadam Cheese is from right here in New York, established in 1876. Cabot Cheese is McCadam Cheese's sister company. Yup, it says Vermont on the package but it takes a joint effort between Vermont and Upstate New York to make this delicious cheese. As we all know I am all about buying local products.  

I will have more to say about the wineries in upcoming months, so here is just a taste of what the Seneca Wine Trail has to offer if you're going a little stir crazy. I feel bad that I have only mentioned the Seneca WIne Trail. It's the only wine trail I've visited so far, rest easy because I plan on visiting the rest. If you're reading this Mom... I'm taking you with me!! If you're interested in what the other wine trails have going on I have posted the links below.


Cayuga Wine Trail
Keuka Lake Wine Trail


As always, thank you for reading and stay warm Central New York.


Cheers!!