From the editor…….

Raise a Glass!

We got through a summer of extraordinary heat and astonishing rain. Fall is here at last, and we all hope for an exceptional harvest of all our crops. In this issue we discuss the growing of remarkable grapes and hops, and sourcing special local products for brews.

As for the folks who make our great wines and brews, we celebrate a vibrant new trail of brewers scattered around Seneca Lake (SLOB). And we salute two winemakers who have brought old world wine traditions from France to blend with Finger Lakes terroir and grape style—the remarkable owners of Forge Cellars and Ports of New York. We also look at the inspiring ways in which groups of Finger Lakes winemakers and grape growers are banding together to explore new techniques (low-intervention) and methods (Biointensive farming) to bring to the vineyards.

We explore the learning about wine, both locally and around the world, from our own university and college programs to professional wine certifications and courses in between that all can access. We feature a rare phenomenon in the US— a Master of Wine right here in Geneva in the form of Nova Cadamatre at Trestle 31 Winery.

And of course, there’s all the latest news around the wineries in Nancy’s Wine Press column.

For our visitor feature, we zero in on Hammondsport at the southern end of Keuka Lake, as famous for museums and the earliest wineries as for the stunning beauty of the “forked lake.”

Music continues to soar along the trails at breweries, wineries, distilleries and cideries. Check out tours at individual establishments: see the harvesting of grapes and apples, barley and hops. Taste the food pairings offered up in the tasting rooms. And support the bistros at your favorite beverage house.

As you drive the lakes, enjoy the glorious colors surrounding you and the taste of our fruit on your tongue. After the leaves fall there’s plenty more to do so come on back and cozy up in the tasting rooms.

Happy sipping,
Denice