Blueberries, pomegranates, black cherries and grapes aren’t the only wine varieties. Sometimes a vegetable will work too. Rhubarb might not be the first thing you’d think of for wine, but this sweet plant is perfect for it. And Here We are has a delicious-sounding, easy-to-follow recipe right here: Rhubarb Wine
winemaking tips
Wine Tasting Trip to Napa Valley, California
While traveling recently through the Finger Lake wine country, I came across this Renaissance women working at Prejean Winery. She was kind enough to display my Travel Poster advertising our trip to Napa Valley, California. The deadline is approaching fast so if you are interested in going, please visit www.lakelandtraveltours for more information. One thing I noticed from this excursion is that winery owners and their employees are very friendly and accommodating people.
Getting things done
Remember in September, I spoke about accidentally(?) meeting Barbara S. Hancock, the Associate Attorney for the NYS Law Revision Commission. Well, recently she and her colleges invited me to Albany for a bull session about Lakeland Winery. I told them about our wine making parties, and adopt-a-jug program. They had no idea such a thing existed, and were all ears and questions for an hour and a half. I told them my greatest obsticle was their definition of ‘New York State labeled wines’ being only wines made from grapes grown in New York State. Only those wines can be sold at the Fairgrounds, Farmers Market and Wine Festivals. I told them I can’t make a living without attending those events.
It may take another year, but when it comes to getting things done, I’m all over that. It feels good to lobby for something you believe in. Try it sometime. It actually works!
New Store Hours Tues-Fri, 4 to 7PM
Lakeland Winery has new expanded store hours, Tuesday thru Friday from 4PM to 7PM; plus the normal Saturday hours of 10AM to 5PM. Naturally, if you want to have a wine making party, you can schedule it anytime day or night.
The new hours are meant to encourage customers to come in and buy a bottle of wine for dinner, or a gift on the way to a friend’s dinner party. I’m not saying you won’t stop into a liquor store, but if you do please ask if they have any wine from Lakeland WInery; even if you have NO intention of buying it. If enough people keep mentioning that name, they will call and purchase wine from me:)
Channel 9 comes to Lakeland Winery
Last week, the Bridge Street Show came to Lakeland Winery to see what all the excitement was about. On Wednesday, November 5th (the day after you vote) Gary and Jodi Davis will entertain the viewing audience by bottling, corking, labeling and heat shrinking colorful, decorative caps onto their bottles of Spanish Rioja wine.
They also taped me making a batch of wine that will be used for tasting when customers visit the winery. Sorry you missed out, but stop by soon and enjoy a free wine tasting.
How the winemaker plays in his off-time
Most people think of a winemaker as a stuffy old geezer who never gets out, and doesn’t know how to have fun. Well this winemaker has learned a few tricks in his time. Your own winemaker, Andy is different. He knows how to get down, and dance on the floor with all you slackers out there. Let me show you how… at the Syracuse Swing Dance Society Halloween Dance Party.