Our Central New York Grape Escape
by MICHAEL TODDLER
As an avid wine lover, one of my favorite things to do��other than relaxing at home with a finely crafted glass of wine��is to visit local wineries and see how it��s all done. To me, it��s a fascinating craft. From the hard work that goes into cultivating the grapes, to the know-how that it takes to turn that crop into a success story. Luckily, living here in Syracuse, we have more than just a handful of Central New York wineries well within driving distance.
That said, it was time for another daytrip with my fianc��e, Jolene. At least a few times a year, we hop in my Pontiac G6 GT on a nice day, put the top down, and head off on�� what we affectionately call��a ��grape escape.��
One of our favorite, and most unique wineries here in Central New York is actually an apple farm! The Beak and Skiff Apple Farm Winery is just a 10- or 15-minute drive to LaFayette from Syracuse. This place started out as wholesale apple business at the turn of the century, today it��s evolved into a diversified apple farm that not only grows, harvests, stores and sells apples��they now have a winery! In 2001, they started with a hard cider. They��ve since added six more apple-based wines and hard ciders. My favorite is the Northern Spy Apple Wine, made from Northern Spy Apples, and featuring all the complexities that come with this late-harvested fruit. Aside from the great wine, a quaint country store, and a bustling online business, the family that runs the farm also lets the public in for apple picking season.
After spending an hour or so picking apples in the morning and buying a few bottles (OK��cases) of wine and cider, we got back in the Pontiac G6 and headed to Waterloo. It��s a bit of a drive, about an hour. So we cranked up the XM radio on the G6 and enjoyed the music and the sunshine until arriving at Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, in the heart of Finger Lakes. As the name indicates, this is much more than just one winery. Well over a dozen wineries makeup this beautiful locale, which is dotted with scenic waterfall views.
We started at Americana Vineyards, experiencing a unique blend of fine wines, homemade fudge and an afternoon cheese tray at the winery��s Crystal Lake Caf��. With all the wine tasting we��d been doing, Jolene and I decided we��d leave my G6 here, and call a driver for a private tour of the rest of the wineries on our list. After an evening of great tastings, live music and dancing��our driver dropped us off at a nearby bed and breakfast for the night.
Now, that our daytrip had turned into a two days, it was time to get a ride back to the winery where we parked the Pontiac overnight��and head out on one last adventure. I hadn��t been to this last winery, which is in Hector, New York, so we used the OnStar in the Pontiac to get us there worry-free. Within 45 minutes, we arrived at Chateau Lafayette Reneau. It was breathtaking. Nestled on 140 acres of vineyards, ponds, and woodlands is a brick house and renovated barn/winery with panoramic views of Seneca Lake. And with the top down on the G6 Convertible, it was absolutely spellbinding.
With Jolene as my official designated driver, I sampled a peachy Dry Riesling with a subtle and unique spritz, their bold Cuvee Rouge produced from hybrid grapes, and my favorite, the Owner��s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, layered in black cherry and plum fruit��with a silky finish of chocolate and spice. The winery was a little out of our way but well worth the 80 miles we��d be driving to make it back to Syracuse before dark.
As the sun set and a chill cooled the air, we put the top back up on the G6, but vowed we��d spend the entire next weekend getting to know more of Central New York��s fine wineries.
*** About the Author: Michael Toddler is a self-proclaimed wine aficionado and numismatist who spends many a weekend in his G6 tracking down fine wines and rare coins. Often an online contributor on subjects that spark his interest, he��s also been known to write a blog or two. You can read more about the Pontiac G6 at cnypontiac.com.
