Spring wine and cheese weekend along Seneca Lake Wine Trail

WATKINS GLEN - The 2009 Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend, scheduled for the weekend of April 25 through 27 and co-sponsored by New York-based McCadam Cheese, is a unique opportunity to enjoy some remarkably innovative cheese-themed dishes, paired capably with award-winning wines.

Commented Paul Thomas, executive director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, 'While the Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend is without a doubt one of our most popular events, this year we're happy to report that affordable tickets to this event are still selling at a steady pace despite the economic malaise. Whether it's the growing popularity of 'locavores,' individuals so committed to our planet that they strive to eat as much local food as possible, thereby diminishing their carbon footprint, or the universal fondness for this delicious combination of food and beverage, the event continues to be one of our most popular.'

McCadam Cheese, a cooperative of dairy farmers from throughout New York State, has generously donated the several hundred pounds of diverse cheeses that will be used in all 34 recipes at participating wineries all around Seneca Lake. The Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend, like many trail events, presents attendees with carefully considered wine and food pairings, where the synergistic sum is greater than the parts. Some of the more intriguing food and wine combinations are as follows: Fox Run Vineyards, cheddar-corn spoon bread; Hickory Hollow Wine Cellars, spicy cheese spread with roasted peppers; Miles Wine Cellars, cheese and onion bake, Chef William will be present, serving up one of his recipes and doing a book signing; Red Newt Cellars, apple cheddar and bacon scones; Seneca Shore Wine Cellars, mystic white bean soup; White Springs Winery, cabernet and roasted garlic fondue.

For the first time ever this weekend event will actually span two and a half days, with all participating wineries open for ticket holders from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday afternoon and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This will not only help relieve the crowds that typically throng the trail Saturday, but also will give attendees an enhanced ability to enjoy more food and more wine, safely and responsibly, as it is spread across more time.

Each ticket holder will also receive a complimentary Wine Saver device gift as part of their package. Potential attendees, especially those coming in from out of town, might also be interested in our many available packages that wrap up event tickets, lodging and transportation in one easy purchase. All packages are listed on our Web site.

Tickets are $30 for a regular ticket, $18 for a designated driver. To purchase a ticket, call the Seneca Lake Wine Trail offices toll-free at (877) 536-2717 or purchase them by visiting www.senecalakewine.com. In 1986 the Seneca Lake Wine Trail was formed in the heart of New York State's Finger Lakes region to attract more visitors to experience its rich history, beauty, and production of world-class wines. Today, Seneca Lake Wine Trail is one of the largest and most active wine trails in New York state, with a community of over 34 wineries, a distillery, two breweries and a meadery.

For more information on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, visit www.senecalakewine.com/jc/content/section/6/212.

top of page

Copyright © 2009
Courier-Gazette, 613 S. Main St. Newark, N.Y. 14513 - 315-331-1000
All Rights Reserved