A vino limo ride across Cayuga Lake on a perfect August afternoon is hard to beat. Plus, we were in the fast taxi and so we delighted in waving at the other taxi as we passed. Perhaps it is not surprising to find water taxis on the lake given that Cayuga means "boat landing". Yes, our Cayuga Lake Wine Trail adventure was so much fun however, we had also come to learn about this wine region.
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| Vino Limo, Cayuga Lake, NY © Spaswinefood |
The Cayuga Lake American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established in 1988, as a sub-region within the Finger Lakes AVA established in 1982. The first Cayuga Lake wineries had their beginnings in late 1970's and early1980's. The number of wineries has now grown to 23 wineries. While some of these wineries are brand new others have well established vineyards. Amongst the region's best known wines are Sparkling Wines, Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Ice Wine; as well wines made from French-American and Native American grape varietals. For example you will also find grapes, such the Cayuga grape that was bred specifically for this region by Cornell University. The Cayuga Lake AVA wines have distinctive flavor profiles. This is attributed to the soils and the unique micro-climate on the west side of the Cayuga Lake where most of the wineries are found.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail: Home of Incredible Wine, Food and Scenery
The last day in the Finger Lakes included a post conference trip (Wine Bloggers Conference #WBC15) to Cayuga Lake. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail excursion was filled with incredible wine, food, scenery and amazing hospitality.
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| Thirsty Owl Wine Co., Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood |
Stops on Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
1. Thirsty Owl Wine Co.
Our first stop was Thirsty Owl Wine Co. where we tasted wines from eight Cayuga Lake Wine Trail members (Toro Run Winery, Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Homer Winery, Lucas Vineyards, Bellwether Hard Cider and Wine Cellars, Americana Vineyards and Six Mile Creek Vineyard).
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| Jeff Houck & Stephanie Lucas Houck, Lucas Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Hosmer Winery
Wines © Spaswinefood |
Winemakers Aaron Risen, Hosmer Winery
and Jeff Houck, Lucas Vineyards met us in Corning and rode with us to Cayuga Lake.
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| Arriving at Goose Watch Winery © Spaswinefood |
2. Goose Watch Winery
From the Thirsty Owl we took the vino limo across the lake to Goose Watch Winery in Romulus. There under a tent in the vineyard eight Cayuga Lake Wine Trail member wineries offered select tastings (Treleaven by King Ferry Winery, Long Point Winery, Montezuma Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery, Swedish Hill Vineyard, Varick Winery & Vineyard Vineyard, Knapp Winery and Buttonwood Grove Winery).
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| Goose Watch Winery © Spaswinefood |
During each of the wine tastings, seven different farms along the Finger
Lakes Cheese Trail provided the cheese. The chefs who also prepared dinner
provided the charcuterie.
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| Finger Lakes Cheese & Charcuterie © Spaswinefood |
3. Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant
Later we were dropped off at the Knapp Vineyard Restaurant for dinner.
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| Knapp Vineyard, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood |
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| Knapp Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
We were in for a special treat. A team of chefs (Chef John McNabb, Knapp Vineyard Restaurant, Chef Lindsay, Crystal Lake Café at Americana Vineyards and Chef Scott, The Bistro at Thirsty Owl Wine Co.) prepared the most amazing dinner for our group.
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| Cayuga Lake Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| More Cayuga Lake Wines © Spaswinefood |
Yes, there were wines available for tasting. I was in the mood for a sparkling wine so I decided on a Knapp Winery Brut.
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| Knapp Winery Brut © Spaswinefood |
Chef Scott, The Bistro at Thirsty Owl Wine Co. served
smoked pulled pork with coleslaw and barbecue beans. Chef Scott also provided the peanut butter corn flake cookie.
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Smoked Pulled Pork, Coleslaw & Barbecue Beans © Spaswinefood
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Chef Lindsay, Crystal Lake Café at Americana Vineyards served house-made sausage, pan-fried chicken and deviled eggs. Jennifer, the resident baker, provided baguettes during the wine tasting sessions and the lemon bars and pecan squares for dessert.
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| House-made Sausages, Greens & Deviled Eggs © Spaswinefood |
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| Pan-Fried Chicken © Spaswinefood |
Chef John McNabb, Knapp Vineyard Restaurant served smoked beef brisket with johnny cakes; and hoisin poblano, limoncello chimichurri, Cabernet and caramelized onion demi sauces; and fingerling potato and quinoa salads.
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| Knapp Winery &Vineyard Restaurant, Cayuga Lake © Spaswinefood |
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| Chef John McNabb, Cayuga Lake © Spaswinefood |
Also served were the Calabacitas with corn tortilla ships, Cayuga Caviar and sour cream. The chocolate chunk cookie to go was also provided courtesy of Chef John.
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| Calabacitas, Cayuga Caviar, Corn Tortilla Chips & Sour Cream © Spaswinefood |
Let me not forget there was ice tea and lemonade.
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| Cayuga Lake © Spaswinefood |
There was also some spirits to try.
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| CHEERS © Spaswinefood |
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| Knapp Spirits © Spaswinefood |
There was nothing forgotten, as each culinary team contributed to the dessert box to go.
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| Dessert Boxes © Spaswinefood |
When we left Knapp Winery that evening we left with wonderful memories of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.
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Knapp Winery © Spaswinefood
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I was totally jazzed to have had the opportunity to discover the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in the Finger Lakes. Visitors planning a Finger Lakes wine adventure will find these websites quite helpful:
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| Wine Glasses Waiting, Cayuga Lake © Spaswinefood |
You can also check out posts on Finger Lakes adventures and other travel adventures at Spaswinefood.
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