2 NYS venues on magazine's top wine bar list

A pair of New York venues have made the list of America's top wine bars as determined by Travel + Leisure magazine.

Lelabar
422 Hudson Street at Leroy
Manhattan
(212) 206-0594

An oval wraparound bar dominates the candlelit interior of this tin-ceilinged wine bar, encouraging casual conversation among West Village locals and others lured here. The wine list features about 150 carefully curated bottles, and the small plates can hold their own (you might catch an intoxicating whiff of white truffle oil). Consider, for starters, the Cheese Trio Panini, a deadly combination of Manchego, Muenster, and fontina, sourced from New York City’s iconic Murray’s Cheese Shop, or goose liver pâté, spread generously on slabs of hot toast.

Flight Wine Bar
262 Exchange Boulevard
Rochester
(585) 360-4180

Trios of hand-selected pours are the highlight at this appropriately named spot overlooking the Genesee River. Ice wines and Rieslings from New York’s Finger Lakes region make regular appearances in the bar’s extensive flights, which aren’t just limited to wines—there’s also a chocolate tasting, comprising dipped orange peels, sesame leaves, and dark chocolate truffles, perfect for sharing. If you’re in more of a savory mood, go for the cheese and charcuterie plates and tuck into succulent slices of salami and beechwood-smoked Bruder Basil. Low lighting and warm, earth-toned furniture complete the elegant atmosphere.

FOR THE COMPLETE LIST, go here.

All about the Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail

Behind the scenes of a magazine shoot

Tempers flare over Genesee Brewing project

• From democratandchronicle.com

ROCHESTER -- A group of Genesee Brewing Co. executives, labor leaders and city officials stood in November inside a partly boarded-up industrial building, saying that by April it would be home to a $2.6 million combination microbrewery, restaurant, visitor center and gift shop.

That scuffed building remains in the same state four months later. And Genesee’s owner, North American Breweries, is saying it may pull the plug on its plans.

" 'Threatening' is not the right word," North American Breweries CEO Rich Lozyniak said Thursday during a news conference, a day after Rochester’s Preservation Board voted to nominate 13 Cataract St. for landmark designation. North American’s brewery plans include demolition of 13 Cataract.

"We want to do this really badly," Lozyniak said. "but if we’re going to spend the next year in court, two years in court, we have much better opportunities within our company to invest."

The Preservation Board decision was made without discussion. But afterward, the board said the century-old Cataract building fits the criteria for landmark consideration.

[Complete story here.]

Maple Weekend(s) on tap this month

The 17th annual New York State Maple Weekend is getting closer for more than 140 locations.

The "weekend" actually is a pair of weekends, March 17-18 and March 17-18 and 24-25. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each of those days maple syrup producers will host the public to learn about the syrup-making process, from tapping maple trees to the breakfast table.

The free events are being organized by the New York State Maple Producers Association (NYSMPA). Visitors will also have the opportunity to taste and purchase maple products.

"The goal of Maple Weekend is to teach and demonstrate how maple syrup is made from the single ingredient, maple sap. It is a process that is fun to watch, smells great, and produces a great-tasting natural sweet,” said Helen Thomas, NYSMPA executive director. “Taste testing is part of the fun!”

More than 1,500 New York maple producers generate about 20% of all syrup in the U.S., making New York the second largest maple producing state in the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

It takes more than 40 gallons of maple tree sap to create one gallon of pure maple syrup. In 2011, New York maple producers manufactured 564,000 gallons of maple syrup, marking the state's highest production since 1947. It is a $22 million industry in New York State.

---

ON THE WEB
• Maple Weekend locations and events
• Dowd's Guides home page

‘Cocktails Without Prejudice’ fundraiser nears

Van Gogh Vodka is rolling out its "Cocktails without Prejudice" campaign, accompanied by its proprietary signature cocktail, the Give a Damn Martini.

The new program, scheduled for Wednesday, March 28, will raise $1 for each cocktail signature martini sold at more than 60 locations across the country for the Give a Damn Campaign. The non-profit organization is a project of singer Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors Fund and launched in 2010 to inspire straight people to “give a damn” about LGBT equality.

Van Gogh's commitment "to raising awareness and funds for our shared mission is truly inspiring," Lauper. "It is time for things to change and through this program we will be able to make a real difference in encouraging everyone to give a damn about equality.”

GIVE A DAMN MARTINI
Created by Jonathan Pogash

1½ ounce Van Gogh Blue Triple Wheat Vodka
¾ ounce POM pomegranate juice
¾ ounce Monin cinnamon syrup
Top off with 1½ ounces sparkling wine

Shake first three ingredients very well with ice and strain into a martini glass. Top off with chilled sparkling wine and garnish with a Sweetheart candy or two.

The drinking emporiums in New York State affiliated with the program:

• Rocks, 77 Central Avenue, Albany
• Waterworks Pub, 76 Central Avenue, Albany
• Q, 44 Allen Street, Buffalo
• Bartini Bar and Lounge, 642 10th Avenue, New York
• Boots and Saddles, 76 Christopher Street, New York
• Henrietta Hudson, 438 Hudson Street, New York
• New World/Time, 340 West 50th Street, New York
• The Stonewall Inn, 53 Christopher Street, New York
• Bachelor Forum, 670 University Avenue, Rochester
• World Lounge & Martini Bar, 134 East Genesee Street, Syracuse

Finger Lakes CC eyes 2 sites for wine center

When we write about the Finger Lakes Community College viticulture center, will the dateline be Canandaigua or Geneva?

That is just one of the things college officials will need to decide -- where to put the center. Sites in both towns -- Canandaigua on Canandaiugua Lake, Geneva on Seneca Lake -- are under consideration for the $3.2 million project.

The center, which would include a small teaching vineyard, would augment the college’s two-year-old Viticulture and Wine Technology program, which has the potential to be the college’s "No. 1 signature program," FLCC President Barbara Risser told the Ontario County Board of Supervisors on Thursday night.

The program is intended to train workers for the state’s wine producers, many of which are in the Finger Lakes region.

She said the planned 7,000-square-foot center would include a winemaking lab with equipment, storage and classrooms, in addition to the vineyard.
Advertisement

The school is targeting the fall of 2013 as the opening date for the new center. The school also is seeking a grant through the State University system and raising money through fundraising and donations to match the state funds, Risser said.

FLCC is in the midst of a true expansion phase. On Monday, March 19, it will open a new student center when students return to the Geneva campus from spring break. The opening marks the completion of the first of two phases to update the main campus to accommodate a larger student population and provide a state-of-the-art learning environment.

The two-story, 78,000-square-foot addition will serve as the new main entrance for the FLCC building.

It is the first public building in Ontario County to be certified as environmentally friendly under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system of the U.S. Green Building Council. The building has 192 solar panels on the roof, low-maintenance landscaping, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, low-flow plumbing, 95% recycled structural steel, stone quarried in New York State, and sustainably harvested wood products.

Drawing of new Geneva student center

Batali, Bastianich settle worker lawsuit for $5.25M

Batali (left) and Bastianich

NEW YORK -- Some pubs have a policy of pooling all tips and dividing them among the various staffers -- bartenders, waitstaff, busboys, sometimes even the kitchen staff -- at the end of the night. If owners get a share of that, I'd be surprised.

Now, a pair of TV personality entrepreneurs -- Mario Batali and Joseph Bastianich -- have reportedly agreed to pay $5,250,000 to settle a 2010 lawsuit that charged them with confiscating a portion of their restaurant workers' tips. The settlement, which still must be approved by a judge, may compensate as many as 1,100 waiters, captains and other staffers.

The workers accused Batali and Bastianich of violating the Fair Labor Standards Act by not pay the federal minimum wage and failing to pay overtime, according to the complaint. The suit accord may cover as many as 1,100 employees including servers, waiters and bartenders who work or worked at Babbo, Del Posto, Bar Jamon, Casa Mono, Esca, Lupa, Otto and Tarry Lodge dating back to 2004, according to court papers.

A former bartender at Bar Jamon was told that 4% of the night’s wine sales was deducted from the tip pool each evening to cover the cost of sommeliers and expenses associated with the restaurant’s large wine selection, former Judge Richard J. Holwell wrote in a ruling last May. Other employees were told the deduction covered broken glassware and that “it was policy across the Batali restaurant group,” the judge wrote.

Golden anniversary for Dr. Frank

This video comes from Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Cellars, the Finger Lakes establishment that this year is marking its 50th anniversary.

Changes for Farm Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries

ALBANY -- Governor Andrew M. Cuomo may not be the poster boy for grocery stores that would like to be able to sell wine, something he has dismissed out of hand, but he may have won some friends among the state's craft brewers, winemakers and distillers.

Cuomo today proposed legislation that would create a "Farm Brewery" license. It would allow craft brewers who use products grown in the state to operate in a similar fashion to the state's wineries which have flourished under the 1976 Farm Winery Bill, leading to increased demand for locally-grown farm products as well as expanded economic development and tourism.

He also proposed legislation to exempt Farm Wineries and Farm Distilleries from the current costly tax filing requirement.

"These bills provide a boost for breweries, farmers, wineries, and communities across New York State," Cuomo said. "This legislation will give our state's growing craft beer industry the tools needed to create jobs, promote agriculture, and encourage environmentally friendly economic development across New York State."

His bill to promote the economic growth of the craft brewery industry includes:

Increasing Retail Outlets for New York Products: The legislation would allow Farm Breweries to sell New York State-labeled wine at their retail outlets. In addition, Farm Wineries would be permitted to sell New York State-labeled beer for off-premises consumption.

Allowing Farm Breweries to Open Restaurants: The legislation would allow Farm Breweries to obtain licenses to operate restaurants, conference centers, inns, bed and breakfasts or hotels on or adjacent to the farm brewery.

Increasing Tastings: The legislation would allow both Farm Breweries and Farm Wineries to conduct tastings of New York State-produced beer and wine at their premises.

Selling Related Products: The legislation would allow Farm Breweries to sell beer making equipment and supplies, food complementing beer and wine, souvenir items, and additional products similar to those allowed under the Farm Winery statute.

To hold a Farm Brewery license, a producer's beer must be made primarily from locally-grown farm products. Until the end of 2017, at least 20% of the hops and 40% of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in the state. From January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2022, no less than 60% of the hops and 75% of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in the state. After January 1, 2023, no less than 90% of the hops and 90% of all other ingredients must be grown or produced in the state.

The beer manufactured under these guidelines would be designated a "New York State labeled beer." The legislation is modeled after the 1976 "Farm Winery Act," which spurred the growth of wine production in the state, including the creation of 237 farm wineries and tripling the number of wineries, which in total now have hit the 316 mark.

Also today, the governor proposed exemptions for Farm Wineries and Farm Distilleries from a costly and burdensome tax filing requirement. Currently, all beer, wine, and liquor wholesalers in the state are required to report sales made to restaurants, bars, and other retailers. However, because Farm Wineries and Farm Distilleries are small, often family-owned operations, they have struggled to afford the costs of complying with this annual reporting.

According to the Governor's Office, "The burden imposed on them by this filing requirement outweighs the benefit received by the State Tax Department, as purchases from Farm Wineries and Farm Distilleries account for a very small percentage of the state's total beer and wine sales. These businesses are already required by law to maintain sales records which the Tax Department may obtain upon request, making the additional mandatory filing requirement not necessary."

Here is some of the pertinent reactions to the proposals:

• Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau president: "We've seen tremendous growth opportunities for our farmers from alcoholic beverage license categories that are specifically linked to locally produced farm goods – from the growth of farm wineries to the relatively recent trend of farm distilleries. This is an opportunity for local farmers to bring New York back to being the premier hops growing state that we once were, creating added value markets and new jobs in our State."

• Dennis Rosen, State Liquor Authority chairman: "This legislation will provide a significant benefit to local farmers, by helping to create a sustained demand for their products. Ultimately, by providing incentives for farm breweries to expand, these businesses will become, much like farm wineries, destination locations that will promote economic development and tourism within their communities. This bill will boost agriculture and breweries, as well as create jobs and increased economic development across New York."

• Darrel Aubertine, Department of Agriculture and Markets commissioner: "This bill will exempt Farm Wineries and Farm Distilleries from burdensome tax filing requirements that have hurt small business here in New York. Our Farm wineries and Farm distilleries are small, often family owned operations, and they have struggled to afford the costs of complying with this annual reporting. Governor Cuomo has made opening New York State to business a top priority of his administration, and this bill will help cut burdensome costs that have been imposed on small farm wineries and distilleries. New York's craft brewery and farm winery industry is an important part of our economy, supporting jobs and tourism across the state, and I look forward to working together to make sure this legislation becomes law."

Buffalo wine event a 2-session day

BUFFALO -- Thirty-four wineries have been signed up for the 3rd annual Buffalo Wine Festival, a two-session event scheduled for Saturday, March 31.

Because of the usually large turnout, organizers try to keep the foot traffic moving by having split sessions -- 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m. -- at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin Street.

Tickets are available online, and all tickets will be mailed in advance of the event. First-session tickets are $30, second-session tickets $35. Each paid admission will include a souvenir wine tasting glass.

Participating wineries:

• 7 Vines Winery
• Ashley Lynn Winery
• Atwater Estate Vineyards
• Bagley’s Poplar Ridge Vineyards
• Casa Larga Vineyards
• Eagle Crest vineyards
• Fox Run Vineyards
• Fulkerson Winery
• Glenora Wine Cellars
• Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
• Heron Hill Winery
• Hickory Hollow / Highland Cellars
• Inspire Moore Winery & Vineyard
• Johnson Estate Winery
• Knapp Winery
• Lakewood Vineyards
• Lime Berry Winery
• Mazza Chautauqua Cellars
• Merritt Estate Winery
• Miles Wine Cellars
• Montezuma Winery
• Niagara Landing Wine Cellars
• Rasta Ranch Winery
• Red Newt Cellars
• Sparkling Ponds Winery
• Three Brothers Wineries
• Thousand Islands Winery
• Vizcarra Vineyards
• Wagner Vineyards
• Willow Creek Winery
• Winery Of Ellicottville
• Woodbury Vineyards
• Yates Cellars

NYS Fair seeks amateur wine, beer makers

So, you think your homemade beer or wine is good stuff? The competition organizers for the Great New York State Fair would like to talk to you.

Amateur homebrewers and winemakers 21 and older can submit entries in the Home Brew Competition in home brew, commerical wine and amateur wine categories. There is a range of entry fees. Competition rules, entry deadlines and fees have just been posted online and can be downloaded here.

The Fair is a 12-day celebration of New York agriculture, entertainment, art and commerce, and attracts nearly one million people each summer. This year, it will take place August 23 through September 3.

HV Food and Beverage Alliance gets going

Conference in Hyde Park. (Westfair Online photo)

• From Westfair Online

Combine dairy farmers, meat producers, vegetable growers, and beverage makers, sprinkle in some unique niche food businesses, toss with some packaging companies and distributors so each can find the ingredients it needs to work expeditiously, and you’ve created a winning recipe for harnessing the power of agri-business in the Hudson Valley.

That’s the goal of the new Hudson Valley Food and Beverage Alliance, which held its first roundtable at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park on February 2. More than 200 companies, economic leaders and home-grown food and drink purveyors attended the standing-room-only conference.

PepsiCo, Gillette Creamery, Crown Maple Syrup Farm, Tuthilltown Spirits and restaurateur Peter X. Kelly were just a few of the dozens of attendees representing Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties.

[Go here for the full story.]

---

ON THE WEB
• Westfair Online
• Dowd's Guides home page

NYers get 16 double golds in Tampa

TAMPA, FL -- New York wines collected a whopping 155 medals at the Florida State Fair International Wine & Grape Juice Competition held Thursday through today.

(OK, I don't know at what point a total begins to "whop," but 155 seems a reasonable amount.)

Of that count, 16 were double gold (unanimous vote of the tasting panel), 22 gold (majority ote of the panel), 65 silver, and 52 bronze, led by a trio of double golds for Liberty Vineyards & Winery's entries -- Purple Haze, 2010 Riesling, and White Side of the Moon.

Other New York double gold medals went to Americana 2009 Finger Lakes Chardonnay, Lawyer Family Winery; Arbor Hill Healthy Purple (grape juice); Glenora 2010 Finger Lakes Late Harvest Riesling and 2003 Finger Lakes Brut Methode Champenoise; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Homestead Reserve Riesling and 2010 Finger Lakes Chardonnay; Heron Hill 2009 Finger Lakes Ingle Vineyard Riesling and 2010 Finger Lakes Semi-Sweet Riesling; Keuka Spring 2011 Finger Lakes Riesling; Lakewood 2010 Finger Lakes Chardonnay; Montezuma Finger Lakes Fat Frog Red; Swedish Hill 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling and Viking Red; and Wagner Vineyards Finger Lakes Sparkling Riesling.

Gold medals were awarded to Americana 2010 Finger Lakes Crystal Lake; Anthony Road 2010 Finger Lakes Gewurztraminer; Brookview Station Hudson River Region The Conductors Cassis; Casa Larga 2008 Finger Lakes Estate Fiori Delle Stelle Vidal Ice Wine; Chateau Frank 2006 Finger Lakes Estate Bottled Blanc de Noir; Dr. Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling, 2010 Finger Lakes Muscat Ottonel, and 2010 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry Riesling; Fulkerson 2010 Finger Lakes Vidal Blanc Iced Wine; Hazlitt 2010 Finger Lakes Vidal Ice Wine; Heron Hill 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling;

Also, Hunt Country Finger Lakes Classic Red and 2010 Finger Lakes Estate Bottled Cayuga White; Keuka Spring Finger Lakes Harvest Blush; Lakewood 2010 Finger Lakes Rielsing, 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling, and 2010 Finger Lakes Borealis; Owera New York Bettys White; Swedish Hill Finger Lakes Riesling Cuvee and Spumante Blush; Torrey Ridge Finger Lakes Niagara and Finger Lakes Diamond.

---

ON THE WEB
• Dowd's Guides home page
• Overall Tampa results

Niagara Wine Trail gets a 'world's best' designation

• From the Batavia (NY) Daily News

The Niagara Wine Trail, which extends into Orleans County, has been named one of the top 10 wine trails in the world.

The Weather Channel announced the list ... putting the Niagara Region, in both the United States and Canada, as the No. 7 top wine trail.

That’s a major declaration for a wine trail that didn’t even exist 15 years ago. Since then 16 wineries have opened along the Niagara USA trail ... . The Niagara Wine Trail USA already is using the bold proclamation from the Weather Channel in a marketing push.

[Go here for the full story.]

Multi-county restaurant week lineup unveiled

Hudson Valley Restaurant Week, which actually runs more than a week, has unveiled the final lineup of participating restaurants.

During the March 18-31 promotion, three-course lunches are $20.95 and three-course dinners are $29.95. Whether a restaurant will offer both or only one is up to the individual establishments. Reservations are strongly suggested.

The participants list, complete with details about each restaurant, is available here.

---

ON THE WEB
• Dowd's Guides home page

New York Beer Co. puts craft brewers on the map

 
NEW YORK -- The New York Beer Company is nothing if not an equal-opportunity beer plugger.

People who drop in for a mug at the craft beer emporium should feel welcome no matter what part of New York they call home. That's because of a wall-size map of New York, showing the location of every craft brewery in the state.

The huge beer hall, created by the craft brewmasters from the House of Brews in Hell's Kitchen, also boasts a running stock market-style ticker displaying all sorts of information, from sports scores to current beer prices. Some of the communal tables have their own beer taps.

The beer list includes 40 taps and 50 bottles and focuses largely on a lot of lesser-known brews.

The New York Beer Company is located at 321 West 44th Street. Phone: (631) 475-6944.

---

ON THE WEB
• NYS Brewers Association
• Dowd's Guides home page

'Wine in markets' push just won't die

It may have failed in successive budget tries under Governor David Paterson and been ignored by Governor Andrew Cuomo who has been quoted as saying the potential benefits won't outweigh the potential costs, but the idea of allowing food markets to sell wine won't go away.

Rather than pushing Individually for such a change, the New York Wine Industry Association, New York State Wine Grape Growers Association, New York Farm Bureau, Business Council of New York State, Food Industry Alliance of New York State, New York State Restaurant Association and allied businesses are jointly calling on the governor to change his stance.

"New York Farm Bureau has long supported the sale of wine in grocery stores because of the enormous opportunities that it would provide to New York’s wineries and grape growers," said Dean Norton, bureau president.

"Studies have shown that making this common sense modification in state law would create more than 6,000 jobs in wineries and related industries and produce more than $70 million in new sales tax revenue. It’s long past time that we remove this barrier to consumer choice and job creation and become the 36th state to make this important change."

The alliance cites the marked change in the number of businesses allowed to sell wine in 1974 compared to today, as well as the marked increase in the number of wineries in the same period.

They use the 1974 benchmark because that is the year a push began to get then-Governor Hugh Carey to reformulate the state's winery license law to make it easier for farm wineries to operate more profitably. In 1976, he did so.

In 1974 there were 4,500 liquor stores in the state through which the then-existing 19 wineries could sell their farm product to consumers. Now, there are fewer than 2,500 liquor stores through which more than 378 New York wineries can sell their farm product to consumers. Thus, the alliance contends, wineries no longer have enough retail outlets to reach consumers.

Opponents continue to insist that mom and pop liquor stores would be severely harmed if other businesses are allowed to sell New York and other wines.

---

ON THE WEB
• NY Farm Bureau
• Dowd's Guides home page

VT's Healthy Living and Market Café coming to Saratoga

The cafe area in the Vermont original.

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- A Vermont company will open a branch of its Healthy Living and Market Café in now-vacant space at the Wilton Mall.

Kathy Lesser, CEO of Healthy Living, says the market/cafe will occupy approximately 35,000 square feet and offer shoppers natural groceries, fresh organic and local produce, locally sourced meats and poultry, artisan breads and cheeses, health and beauty products, a vitamin/supplement department, freshly prepared foods and "a broad selection of microbrews and wine."

I purposely put that part of her announcement in quotation marks because, unless New York State changes its laws, grocery stores are prohibited from selling wines. Beers, OK.

Construction is scheduled to begin this summer to convert the space left vacant by the departure of JC Penney five years ago, according to an announcement made today. Opening day is projected for mid-winter 2012.

"We took a long time to find the ideal place for our second location,” she explained. “The energy and spirit I see in Saratoga Springs matches the kind of environment we love to support; a community that’s passionate about a certain quality of life, where good food and agriculture play important roles. We’re anxious to begin partnerships with businesses and farmers, schools and organizations in the area, and start working to become part of the community."

The cafe area will offer eat-in or takeout foods, including vegetarian and vegan options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and a full barista area with a variety of coffee and tea drinks. The Learning Center area will offer cooking demonstrations, hands-on cooking classes, and community lectures that focus on wellness.

Healthy Living started as a small health foods store in South Burlington, VT, in 1986, and has grown to a full-service supermarket, cafe and learning center with a staff of more than 150.

Wilton Mall is located at 3065 Route 50. Phone: (518) 583-2138.

---

ON THE WEB
• Healthy Living Market and Café
• Wilton Mall
• Dowd's Guides home page

Hamburg winery adding gallery space

Ten Thousand Vines Winery

HAMBURG, NY -- The Ten Thousand Vines Winery has teamed up with the Centennial Art Center to become a gallery space for local artists.

The initial show, scheduled to open with a reception from 7 to 8:30 p.m. next Tuesday (February 7), will feature the works of David and Joe Lesinki.

David’s specialty is still life and portrait paintings. Joe, his son, concentrates on wildlife. Their works will be on display through March and available for purchase.

The reception is open to the public at no charge. The winery is located at 8 South Buffalo Street in the village's onetime firehouse.

---

ON THE WEB
• Town of Hamburg
• Village of Hamburg
• Dowd's Guides home page

Expanded distillery courses set at Warwick Valley

Co-owners Jason Grizzanti (left), Jeremy Kidde.

WARWICK -- The distillery segment of Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery is catching on with the pubic.

In fact, in addition to its fourth distillery demonstration and tasting series scheduled for February, Warwick has added an intermediate course in March for those who have taken the introductory series.

Every Saturday in February, master distiller Jason Grizzanti will walk the group through the distillery setup, explaining the process of making spirits, followed by a tasting session and lunch.

Every Saturday in March, Grizzanti will hold will an intermediate course that includes hands-on activities plus a guided whiskey tasting.

The introductory course fee is $50, the intermediate course fee $60, or admission to both can be purchased for $100, using coupon code DEMOPROMO during checkout. The intermediate course is limited to 15 people.

Warwick Valley Winery & Distillery, which makes fruit brandies and liqueurs under the American Fruits brand, is located at 114 Little York Road in Warwick, Orange County. Phone: (845) 258-4858.

---

ON THE WEB
• Dowd's Guides home page

EagleFest returning to Northern Westchester

A scene from 2011 EagleFest.
(Teatown Lake Reservation photo)

• From The Daily Peekskill

CROTON, NY - Nature lovers from across the Hudson Valley will have a chance to see our national symbol up close next weekend when Teatown Lake Reservation's EagleFest returns.

The event will be held Saturday, February 4, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Croton Point Park as well as additional viewing locations including for the first time for Riverfront Green in Peekskill.

Attendees can enjoy an abundance of activities from guided and independent eagle viewing to raptor shows, bus tours, storytelling, engaging children’s programs and activities, bird walks and displays from over 30 local organizations.

Teatown consultant Lydia S. Howie said the reservation has been holding the events for the past eight years. The return of bald eagles to the area was a great conservation success story, she said.

"It was only back in the '70s that the eagles were almost extinct and then a mating pair of eagles was brought in and those eagles kept breeding and now there are eagles all throughout the Hudson Valley," Howie said. "There are about 80 eagles living in the area."

[Go here for the full story.]

---

ON THE WEB
• Teatown Lake Reservation webpage
• Dowd's Guides home page

Hudson River toll bridges hiking fee

• From the Associated Press

HIGHLAND, NY — Motorists who travel over the five Hudson River bridges operated by the New York State Bridge Authority will have to fork over more money for tolls starting on Monday.

[Go here for the full story.]

New effort to ban 3 chemicals in LI water

• From the East Hampton Star

With three million Long Islanders dependent on a single underground aquifer for drinking water, and the annual use of millions of pounds of pesticides, fungicides, and herbicides, local environmental groups have asked the State Department of Environmental Conservation to immediately ban the three most frequently found chemicals -- atrazine, metalaxyl and imidacloprid -- from use on the Island.

In a January press release from the Citizens Campaign for the Environment, one of the organizations that has called for the ban, these chemicals are said to have been linked to cancer and kidney and liver damage, in addition to having negative effects on the environment and shellfish populations. The National Resources Defense Council recommends that consumers use certified filters to remove volatile organic compounds from their water until the chemicals are phased out.

Other groups that have asked for the ban include ...

[Go here for the full story.]

---

ON THE WEB
• Long Island Sounds Water quality Monitoring
• Dowd's Guides home page

Winter Carnival may be on thin ice

LAKE GEORGE -- The annual Lake George Winter Carnival may have something a little different this year. Events elsewhere.

This unusually mild winter means safe ice has not yet formed on the ice, so organizers of the month-long festival are working on alternate site plans for some events.

The motorcycle and ATV races on the ice are major draws of the Winter Carnival, which runs every Saturday and Sunday in February. If the ice isn't safe, the races may be moved to another frozen body of water  such as Echo Lake in nearby Warrensburg.

All events at Shepard Park in the village still are scheduled as planned. You can see the full schedule of events as it stands now by going here.

---

ON THE WEB
• A Winter Carnival photo gallery
• Dowd's Guides home page

Fueling up with beer at Sunoco stores

Sunoco is in the process of expanding its "Craft Beer Exchange" program at its APlus convenience stores across the state.

I first reported on the program last summer back when it began as a pilot program in the Buffalo market. (Details here.) Now, it has been expanded to the Albany, Syracuse and Rochester markets.

It offers a rotating selection of up to 12 craft beers available to-go in 64-ounce growlers. Customers also can create their own six-packs from a range of 12-ounce single bottles for $9.99. Selections change seasonally and include beers from such microbreweries as Long Trail, Ithaca, Victory, Flying Bison, Troegs, Red Hook, Smuttynose and Brooklyn.

---

ON THE WEB
• Sunoco Tap List by Location
• Dowd's Guides home page

'Between the Lakes Wine & Food Day' planned

Here's a good bet for a nice day in the Finger Lakes: The "Between The Lakes Wine & Food Day," set for noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, January 28.

The event, which will be held at 27 wineries located on the west side of Cayuga Lake and east side of Seneca Lake, will feature local wines and foods, with tasting room fees still in effect but samples of anything from stews, soups, dips, and desserts are free with the tastings.

If you need additional information, call (800) 869-9271.

Participating wineries:

• Americana Vineyards
• Atwater Estate Vineyards
• Bellwether Hard Cider
• Buttonwood Grove
• Cayuga Ridge Winery
• Chateau Lafayette Reneau
• Cobblestone Farm Winery & Vineyard
• Damiani Winery
• Goose Watch Winery
• Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
• Hosmer Vineyards
• Kings Garden Vineyards
• Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant
• Lakeshore Winery
• Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
• Lucas Vineyards
• Montezuma Winery
• Penguin Bay Winery
• Red Newt Cellars
• Sheldrake Point Vineyards
• Standing Stone Vineyards
• Swedish Hill Winery
• Thirsty Owl Wine Company
• Three Brothers Wineries & Estates
• Ventosa Vineyards
• Wagner Vineyards
• Zugibe Vineyards

---

ON THE WEB
• Finger Lakes Wine Country Tourism
• Dowd's Guides home page

NYC targeted for state wine campaign

Astor Center, site of March 12 grand tasting.

NEW YORK -- The New York Wine & Grape Foundation began putting extra effort into promoting New York wines in the Big Apple last year. This year will be no different.

A new campaign called "New York Drinks New York" will be held through the first quarter of this year, centered on New York City. The multi-pronged campaign is for wine trade, media, and consumers, intended to set the stage for a long-term effort to raise awareness about the quality of New York wines.

The program of activities will include "cellar visits" by media and trade representatives to the Hudson River Region, the Finger Lakes, and Long Island; a multi-day market visit to New York City by the 38 participating wineries; in-store tastings at city retailers; an advertising campaign; and a dedicated website going live February 1. The Foundation also will introduce a new logo specifically designed for the initiative. The signature event will be a grand tasting at Astor Center in Manhattan on March 12, featuring wines from the 38 participating wineries.

The calendar of activities:

• January 22: Cellar visit to Hudson River Region (trade and media)
• January 29-31: Cellar visit to the Finger Lakes (trade and media)
• February 19-21: Cellar visit to the Finger Lakes (trade and media)
• February 26-27: Cellar visit to Long Island (trade and media)
• March 8-10: In-store tastings at participating retailers (general public)
• March 12: Grand tasting of New York wines at Astor Center (trade, media, and general public)

"We're not urging New Yorkers to buy New York wines because they're local, but because they're high-quality products at reasonable prices" said Jim Trezise, president of the Foundation, "but the added benefit of buying really good, affordable New York wine is that these consumers are also supporting their own state economy."

All New York wineries were invited to participate. Those that decided to do so, by region:

Finger Lakes -- Anthony Road Winery, Atwater Estate Vineyards, Chateau LaFayette Reneau, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars, Eagle Crest Vineyards, Fox Run Vineyards, Glenora Wine Cellars, Heron Hill Winery, Hosmer Winery, Inspire Moore Winery, King Ferry Winery, Knapp Vineyards & Winery, Lakewood Vineyards, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars, Pleasant Valley Wine Company/Great Western Winery, Red Newt Cellars, Sheldrake Point Winery, Standing Stone Vineyards, Swedish Hill Winery, Thirsty Owl Wine Company, and Wagner Vineyards.

Long Island -- Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard, Bedell Cellars, Channing Daughters, Macari Vineyards, Martha Clara Vineyards, Palmer Vineyards, Paumanok Vineyards, Raphael Vineyard, and Wolffer Estate Vineyard.

Hudson River Region -- Benmarl Winery, Brotherhood Winery, Clinton Vineyards, Millbrook Winery, and Stoutridge Vineyard.

Niagara Region -- Leonard Oakes Estate Winery and Spring Lake Winery.

Thousand Islands -- Thousand Islands Winery.

---

ON THE WEB
• New York Drinks New York(goes live February 1)
• Dowd's Guides home page

HV wines finally getting more respect

Hudson Valley wineries can be forgiven for often thinking of themselves as the Rodney Dangerfield of New York's producers. But, in the last couple of years the region's offerings have been getting a little more respect.

The latest comes from the fact that, for the first time ever, the influential magazine Wine Enthusiast has coordinated a tasting of some of the Valley's best wines. The wines scored high on the magazine’s 100-point scale, with 20 of them hitting the 84- to 89-point range consistently across six producers. This is the first major tasting of the region by any major news organization.

The Hudson Valley is one of the oldest producing wine regions in the U.S., and New York is the nation's third overall producer of wine. In recent years, new wineries, new money and new people have helped raise the overall level to some degree. As I noticed when I judged in the Hudson Valley Wine Competition back in September, some of the highest level Valley wines can hold their own against the more well-known Finger Lakes and North Fork products, and the mid-range quality wines are growing in number.

“We are thrilled with the results,” said Carlo DeVito, president of the 26-winery Hudson Valley Wine Country trade group and co-owner of the Hudson-Chatham Winery in Columbia County.

“The Hudson Valley is a great example of some of the excellent wines New York State produces. Our passion and commitment to making quality wines has been recognized. We think this highlights what we’ve been doing here. The Hudson Valley is making wines that can compete anywhere.”

Here is a rundown of the scoring, by winery:

TOUSEY WINERY

86, Tousey Winery 2010 Pinot Noir 2010, $20
85, Tousey Winery 2010 Cabernet Franc, $22
84, Tousey 2010 Chardonnay 2010, $16

MILLBROOK VINEYARD & WINERY

89, Millbrook 2010 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir, $18
88, Millbrook 2010 25th Anniversary Chardonnay, $16
87, Millbrook 2007 Proprietor's Special Reserve Cabernet Franc, $29
87, Millbrook 2009 Proprietor's Special Reserve Chardonnay, $20
86, Millbrook 2008 Cabernet Franc, $20

HUDSON-CHATHAM WINERY

87, Hudson-Chatham 2010 Casscles Vineyard Reserve Baco Noir, $20
86, Hudson-Chatham 2010 Cabernet Franc, $17
86, Hudson-Chatham 2010 Old Vines Baco Noir, $22
86, Hudson-Chatham 2008 Empire Reserve Baco Noir, $22
85, Hudson-Chatham 2009 Old Vines Masson Place Vineyard Pulteney Farm Baco Noir, $20
84, Hudson-Chatham 2010 Field Stone Baco Noir, $30

OAK SUMMIT VINEYARD

88, Oak Summit Vineyard Pinot Noir, $35
85, Oak Summit Vineyard Chardonnay Hudson, $28

BROTHERHOOD

85, Brotherhood Pinot Noir, $16
85, Brotherhood Grand Monarque Champagne, $25
84, Brotherhood Blanc de Blancs, $11

WHITECLIFF VINEYARD & WINERY

88, Whitecliff Vineyard 2010 Reserve Chardonnay, $17
87, Whitecliff Vineyard Cabernet Franc, $20
86, Whitecliff Vineyard 2010 Traminette, $16

PALAIA VINEYARDS

84, Palaia Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Franc, $19

---

ON THE WEB
• Hudson Valley Wine Country
• Dowd's Guides home page

A visual tour of Long Island wine country

Jason Rich created this Long Island, NY, montage. He notes, "This presentation was created as I was doing research for The Insider's Guide to Long Island, a full-length travel guide ... published ... by Globe Pequot Press."

Go here for more information, or check out Jason's travel blog.

CIA winter dining series to begin

HYDE PARK -- The annual winter dining series at the Culinary Institute of America is about to begin.

The lunch and dinner schedule, known as "Food Is Art," will have its first lunch on January 19 and its first dinner on January 12. The full schedule, menus and reservation information are available by download from the CIA website.

Each meal event will feature a fixed menu, with wines and other beverages paired with each course.

Guests are likely to share the experience with other guests seated at the same table. CIA staffers will be presenters at each meal.

The Institute is located at 1946 Campus Drive (Route 9) in Hyde Park.

---

ON THE WEB
• CIA home page
• Dowd's Guides home page

Robibero joins Shawangunk Wine Trail

In the Robibero tasting room.

NEW PALTZ -- The revitalization of the onetime Rivendell Winery has taken another step forward.

The facility, now called the Robibero Family Vineyard, has become the 12th member of the Shawangunk Wine Trail, a network of wineries located throughout the Hudson Valley.

Harry and Carole Robibero purchased the 42-acre site in 2003. The Rivendell Winery already was in operation on the premises, but in 2007 it moved elsewhere, giving the Robiberos the opportunity to begin business on their own.

Robibeo has scheduled a February 11-12 tasting event called "Sweet & Sinful Revenge" to mark Valentine's Day. I'm not sure where the "revenge" part comes in, unless it is taken from the saying "Living well is the best revenge."

In any event, the program includes tasting chocolates, cupcakes and wines in various combinations, while presenters will discuss trhe history of the grapes used in those wines, as well as the art of pairing foods and wines.

Tickets are $15 each, payable the day of the event although the reservation deadline is February 9. Seatings are scheduled for 1, 2:30 and 4 p.m. each day. Reservations may be made by e-mail, at Robibero, 714 Albany Post Road near this Ulster County community, or by phone: (845) 255-9463.

Other member of the Shawangunk Wine Trail:

Adair, Applewood, Baldwin, Benmarl, Brimstone Hill, Brotherhood, Glorie Farm, Palaia, Stoutridge, Warwick Valley and Whitecliff.

North Country wine trail on the grow

The wine trail coverage area.

SACKETS HARBOR -- The Thousand Islands-Seaway Wine Trail may be one of the least-known trails in New York, but it is growing in several ways.

In its six years of existence, the 78-mile long trail has become one of the top tourist attractions in Jefferson County. It has plans to add at least one more this year.

Presently, five wineries and a tasting room for Hunt Country Vineyards, a Finger Lakes winery, are on the Trail. The members are the Thousand Islands Winery, Coyote Moon, Otter Creek Winery, Tug Hill Vineyards and Yellow Barn Winery.

The River Myst Winery in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, is expected to be added to the Trail this year.

The region's first such facility was Thousand Islands Winery, located just outide Alexandria Bay. Owner Steve Conaway said in an interview with YNN, "We were the first to get started in the area. The wine trail got going once we got started. We have about 17 different varieties and all of them have won awards in various competitions. The Thousand Islands Winery right now is producing about 60,000 gallons, so we are a pretty large producer. We're distributing to about 300 stores."

For a relatively small trail, its joint activities are big. That's because it works with numerous food producers and craft vendors to bring a wide spectrum of possibilities to visitors. For example, its "Holiday Wine, Food & Craft Fair" last November included all five member wineries, the Ashley Lynne Winery from the Lake Ontario area, eight food makers/vendors and 21 crafters.

Trail and/or individual winery schedules for 2012 call for special events around most holidays -- Valentine's Day, Halloween, Christmas, etc.

In addition, some of the wineries have branched out into other products -- Casa Papa pasta sauce and a barbecue sauce made with its Twisted Sister wine at Coyote Moon; soft drinks such as Black Sheep root beer and grape soda at Otter Creek; a bookstore featuring the works of local authors at Yellow Barn.

Another thing that has helped the Trail quickly catch on is the availability of a tour bus service -- Clarence Henry Coach -- that allows tourists to skip the driving. The company reports that its buses are running at full capacity on the Trail.

The mailing address for the Thousand Islands-Seaway Wine Trail is P.O. Box 353, Sackets Harbor, NY 13685. Phone: (315) 222-6633.

Contact information for the member wineries:

Coyote Moon Vineyards
17371 East Line Road (County Route 3)
Clayton, NY 13624
(315) 686-5600

Otter Creek Winery
33109 Rudes Road
Philadelphia, NY 13673
(315) 642-0622

Thousand Islands Winery
43298 Seaway Avenue, Suite 1
Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
(315) 482-9306

Tug Hill Vineyards
4051 Yancey Road
Lowville, NY 13367
(315) 376-4336

Yellow Barn Winery
18876 County Route 66
Watertown, NY 13601
(315) 782-1824

Tavern On the Green to go casual

The once-swanky Tavern complex.

• From DNAinfo.com

NEW YORK -- Move over white tablecloths, casual dining is officially coming to the formerly fancy Tavern on the Green.

The city kicked off the public process of finding a new operator for the storied Central Park eatery, once one of New York's most well-known restaurants and a popular tourist attraction.

In a request for proposals released Thursday, the Parks Department said it wants a casual restaurant, outdoor cafe and bar at the Tavern site, which once served pricey prime rib beneath chandeliers.

The famous name will stay the same, but the new incarnation of Tavern on the Green will be a "moderately priced" neighborhood dining destination, according to the 37-page RFP outlining the city's vision for the restaurant, which sits just inside Central Park, at Central Park West and West 67th Street.

[Go here for the full story.]

---

ON THE WEB
• NY Restaurant and Dining Guide
• Dowd's Guides home page

Madison County's first winery expanding

Architect's rendering of the new structure.

CAZENOVIA -- Madison County's first winery, Owera Vineyards, is projected to raise its profile by the summer of 2012.

Ben Reilley, director of operations, is planning a 6,000 square-foot production facility to stand alongside the field by next summer.

Owera's vineyard consists of four acres of Minnesota cold hearty varietals Frontenac Gris and Marquette, first planted in 2008.

Reilley also is thinking beyond the bounds of Owera. With nearby Critz Farms producing its first hard cider this year and Empire Brewing evaluating a site near Routes 20 and 13 for a 60,000-barrel facility that would open next fall, the germ of a new Cazenovia-area beverage trail is being discussed.

Owera Vineyards is located at 5276 East Lake Road. Phone (315) 815-5026.

---

ON THE WEB
• All about Madison County
• New York Wine Trails
• Dowd's Guides home page

State wineries on ever-growing trend

The number of wineries in New York State has hit 316, with six more licenses pending. In addition, there are 54 satellite stores with two more pending.

That's the year-end tally, according to the New York State Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF).

"Most impressive, the 20 new wineries are spread across 15 different counties from Chautauqua in the Lake Erie region to Suffolk on Long Island and even King's (Brooklyn)," said Jim Trezise, NYWGF president.

The newcomers, by country alphabetically:

• The Apple Station Winery (Cayuga)
• 21 Brix Winery (Chautauqua)
• North Star Vineyard (Clinton)
• Venditti Vineyards (Jefferson)
• Red Hook Winery (King's)
• Harvest Moon Cidery (Madison)
• A Gust of Sun (Niagara)
• Midnight Run Wine Cellars (Niagara)
• Long Cliff Vineyard & Winery (Niagara)
• Raymor Estate Cellars (Ontario)
• Saratoga Lake Winery (Saratoga)
• Kymar Farm Winery & Distillery (Schoharie)
• Eremita Winery (Seneca)
• Deep Root Vineyard (Steuben)
• Lime Berry Winery (Steuben)
• Mattebella Vineyards (Suffolk)
• Woodstock Winery (Ulster)
• Monello (Yates)
• New Vines Bed & Breakfast (Yates)
• Point of the Bluff Vineyard (Yates)

The new satellite stores, by country alphabetically:

• The Champlain Wine Company (Clinton)
• Swedish Hill Winery (Saratoga)
• Sheldrake Point Vineyard (Schuyler)
• Empire State Cellars, Riverhead (Suffolk)
• Harbes Family Farm & Vineyard (Suffolk)
• The Winemaker Studio by Anthony Nappa Wines (Suffolk)
• Magnus Ridge Winery (Yates)

"A 2011 law intiated by the state Department of Agriculture & Markets ... has made it simpler for farm wineries to open satellite stores, so I expect even more to open in 2012," Trezise said.

"From 2001 to 2011, 198 new wineries have opened, far more than in the previous 180 years, and in just seven years -- from 2005 to 2011 -- the 152 new wineries exceeded the total from the prior 20 years, essentially quadrupling the growth rate.

"Each new winery means new investment, new jobs, new tourists, and new taxes for the State of New York, which already benefits from more than $3.76 billion annually of economic activity generated by our industry.

"The challenge now is to "grow the market" at a greater rate than winery growth so that the new wineries aren't cannibalizing the market share -- tourists and sales -- of the pioneering wineries that got everything started in the first place."

---

ON THE WEB
• New York Wine Trails
• Dowd's Guides home page

Queens casino complex opens additional floors

• From the Queens Tribune

A decade after casino gambling was authorized at Aqueduct Racetrack, 14 months after ground broke on the site, and seven weeks after the first bets were placed in the 2,280 VLTs on the casino's first floor, the second and third floors of the complex, including two restaurants and 70,000 square feet of event space, has opened to the public.

[Go here for the full story.]

---

ON THE WEB
• New York's Casinos
• Dowd's Guides home page

1st Saratoga Beer Week set for February

SARATOGA SPRINGS -- Restaurant weeks are nothing new in this area, but the first-ever Saratoga Beer Week now is vying for the spotlight.

The event, actually only three days long, is scheduled for February 23-25, at the City Center downtown and several other venues, presented by Saratoga.com.

Spread over three days will be seminars, tastings of beers, "rare" beers and foods, meet the brewer events, karaoke, a pub crawl and other events. Ticket information and schedules are available online.

---

ON THE WEB
• New York Beer Trails
• Dowd's Guides home page

New tasting room features No. Country wines

Inside the new tasting room.

PLATTSBURGH, NY -- The Champlain Wine Company, a year-round tasting room, has been opened downtown.

It specializes in North Country wines and is the sole retail outlet for the North Star Vineyard, a 4,000-vine winery located in Mooers, Clinton County.

Colin Read and Natalie Peck planted their first vines at their Mooers farm in 2008 and now have 4,000 coldhardy vines under cultivation. They are European-American hybrids that will withstand our cold winters and short summers with long days and plentiful sunlight, and are particularly disease resistant. In October this year, they had their first harvest of a variety called Marquette.

Vesco Ridge Vineyards under snow.

Among others wines also featured at their new tasting room are those from another Clinton County winery, Vesco Ridge Vineyards, a small operation in West Chazy that produces about 1,000 gallons annually. It is owned by Dan and Nancy Vesco who took it from hobby to business in a five-year period.

The tasting room is located at 8 City Hall Place. Phone: (518) 564-0064. It is open from noon to 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Wine bottle prices range from $8.99 to $17.99. Wine tastings are $3 per person and include samples of five wines and a souvenir glass.

Where (some of) your tax dollars are going

The recipients of grants from New York's "Open for Business" program hve been announced. For the most part, the local media is concentrating on what money is being sent to its reading/viewing/listening areas, but broader look shows the scope of the grants.

Since I deal with food and drink, I culled from the list the following grants for enterprises in those fields.

One of the more interesting is three-quarters of a million dollars for a new brewery in Schoharie County. The largest item on my excerpt list is $29.5 million for a new food distribution facility at the Hunts Point Produce Market in the Bronx.

Herewith the excwrpt list, using wording taken from the grant applications.

Chautauqua County:

$200,000, Concord Grape Belt Heritage Association, Grape Discovery Center, final The The Center will educate visitors about the historic development of the region and the role grape growing played in the region's cultural landscape and communities. The plan proposes 19 exhibit panels in the display room and 14 exhibit displays, free standing and wall mounted, for the reception/gift shop space, as well as exterior exhibits and an orientation pavilion."

Erie County:

$14,400, Buffalo Blends Inc., industry specific equipment training. Will provide on-the-job-training to 12 long-term unemployed workers in the operation of an agglomerator/instantizer required for processing hot cocoa mix.

Niagara County:

$2 million, Niagara County Community College, hospitality and tourism center renovation of 90,000 square feet, including equipment for a world class center for training in hospitality, tourism and culinary arts along with an incubator and small business center to support growth of new tourism/culinary businesses.

Niagara and Orleans counties:

$30,000, Niagara Wine Trail. Purchase and installation of signs on designated Niagara Wine Trail route. Project also includes marketing and training.

Monroe County:

$50,000, Foodlink Inc. Training for 24 unemployed Rochester workers in Value Added Processing to prepare them for a career in the food processing industry.

Finger Lakes Region (multi-counties):

$200,000, Greater Rochester Enterprise, economic gardening. To initiate an
internal regional harvesting and economic gardening program for the nine Finger
Lakes counties.

Yates County:

$401,010, Mabrouka Properties II LLC, international food. Involves the purchase and
re-opening of a former foods facility. Mabrouka will purchase and install equipment necessary to support a large food manufacturing business. Activities will include receipt and storage of bulk shipments of raw material foods (olive oil, olives, capers, sardines, other specialty foods, wines, liqueurs and other raw materials) much of which will be imported from overseas.

Cayuga County:

$4,022,845, Cayuga Marketing LLC, DDiMAI training. Existing association of dairy producers will create a new company and construct a 106,000 square foot milk and dairy ingredients processing facility. New products will displace foreign imports, create new export opportunities, and increase profitability.

Madison County

$994,000, Owera Vineyards. Establishment of a new winery and community farm on 58 acres, including new construction, purchase of machinery and equipment, and site improvements to support wine production, tastings, farm and winery tours, and other
events to promote regional tourism and agribusiness.

$250,239, New York Beef Farmers Cooperative. Assist in the start-up of Cooperative’s operations in Madison County, creating 10 jobs, of which 60% will be made available to low-to-moderate income individuals.

Onondaga County:

$394,000, Southside Food Cooperative Project. Construction of a new 3,500 square foot facility to support creation of a new urban food cooperative to provide fresh and healthy food from local/regional farmers and distributors as needed and service an existing "food desert" on the City of Syracuse's South Side.

Fulton County:

$750,000, Fage USA Dairy. Assist in the expansion of Fage USA Dairy (Fage Yogurt) in the City of Johnstown, creating 100 jobs, of which 90% will be made available to
low-to-moderate income individuals.

Otsego County:

$140,000, Brouwerij Belame Ltd. Brewery Ommegang. Brewery located in Cooperstown is in the early stages of a 6-year $16,000,000+ expansion of the current facilities. This expansion involves the use of multiple architects to design new buildings, expand the current brewing and beer packaging operation, as well as construct a new water and waste treatment facility. The expansion of the brewery will include a
restaurant and an expanded store. These will add to the 30,000+ tourists that the brewery already draws annually. The restaurant will be serving local foods and promoting the local farmers. The current store sells local cheeses and condiments in addition to beer. The expanded store plans to provide a larger variety of locally produced products in addition to the beers produced on site.

Schoharie County:

$750,000, Cobleskill Brewery. Independently owned spin-off of Butternuts Beer and Ale, Inc. of Garrattsville will open a contract brewing manufacturing plant at the
site to be acquired from Schoharie County. The site is the long vacant industrial development park in Cobleskill. The contract brewing company will open with a capacity of 25,000 barrels per year and expand within five years to 100,000 barrels. Excess space in the industrial park will be offered to local for-profit and not-for-profit entities until the brewery can assume full occupancy of this 460,000 square foot building.

Greene County:

$280,000, New York Spring Water. Assist i the expansion of NY Spring Water, creating 23 new jobs, 91% of which will be made available to low-to-=moderate income individuals.

Putnam County:

$150,000, Hudson Valley Produce Farms LLC, HVP Farms. Establishment of hydroponic greenhouse generating fresh produce for local community and New York City market.

Bronx:

$29.5 million, Hunts Point Produce Market. Proposes a modern food distribution facility. The produce market occupies 105 acres within the Hunts Point Food
Distribution Center where more than 115 food wholesaling and processing firms generate more than $3 billion in sales annually. However, the inadequate and obsolete facilities have diminished the market’s ability to provide the community with affordable quality produce. The newly funded facility will incorporate
innovative green infrastructure practices for managing storm water and increase total storage capacity by 20%, allowing the wholesalers to eliminate temporary storage, expand their businesses, and improve air and food quality for residents and workers.

Suffolk County:

$500,000, EBCAL Agriculture Enterprise Park. Development of agri-business storage and processing capacity for local farmers on the East End of Long Island.

$1,469,429, United Baking Company, Uncle Wally's. This project includes the purchase of new equipment and renovations on existing equipment and buildings to increase
productivity. The company plans on acquiring a new building and purchasing a new oven line in the future.

Wine-dessert pairing sampler at winery

Clearing the way for winery expansion.

GHENT -- Pairing wines and desserts can get a bit tricky, particularly if you only do it during the holidays.The folks at Hudson-Chatham Winery are planning to help out a bit by holding a pairing-tasting event from noon to 5 p.m. this Saturday at the Columbia County facility.

LOAF bakery of Hudson will be at the winery, offering samples and selling their cookies, pies and breads. The winery also will be offering a large selection of cheeses as well as its own wines to pair with the nibbles.

Incidentally, an expansion project has begun at the winery after all the necessary approvals were received. As shown in the photo above, farm manager Ralph Cooley clears the ground and cuts into a hill near the barn to prepare the way.

“A new crush pad, an extension of our barn by about 25 feet, and a new building to house sherry and port will complete the project, hopefully by the end of December,” says Dominique DeVito, co-owner of the winery with husband Carlo.

The winery is located at 1900 State Route 66, roughly midway between Chatham and Hudson. Phone: (519) 392-9463.

---

ON THE WEB
• LOAF Bakery of Hudson
• Dowd's Guides home page

Book signings for whiskey anthology

Here's a thought for an easy holiday gift. Pick up copies of my new book, "Barrels & Drams: The History of Whisk(e)y In Jiggers and Shots," just released by the New York publisher Sterling Epicure.

The suggested retail price for the hardcover book is $18.95. You can get a copy, often at a discounted price, via such online sites as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and others, but buying it in person and getting an autograph might be more fun.

For those in the Capital Region of New York, here are two scheduled signings:

• 7 p.m. Thursday, December 15, at The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza in Guilderland.
• 11 a.m. Saturday, December17, at Market Block Books, 290 River Street in Troy.

Bill Dowd

I selected, edited and co-wrote this collection of essays from numerous writers famous in the field, from F. Paul Pacult to David Wondrich, and such multi-field notables as Tom Wolfe to Pulitzer Prize winner Daniel Okrent of The New York Times.

Through them you will discover the spread of whiskey throughout the world and how it helped build countries. Read profiles of some of the most famous giants of the industry as Jack Daniel, George Smith and the Beam family.

Plus, go behind the scenes of Prohibition to check out the legendary gangsters, small-time rumrunners, and a famous NASCAR champion who made his mark as a moonshine runner. And, you'll get insiders' looks at legitimate whiskey-making in such diverse spots as Scotland, Ireland, the U.S., South Africa, India and Japan, as well as how the infamous Whiskey Ring scandal almost brought down a U.S. presidency.

Ithaca wine center changes hours, cuts staff

Visitors in the tasting room.

ITHACA -- Things already are changing at the year-old Finger Lakes Wine Center.

The faciity, which opened November 6, 2010, at 237 South Cayuga Street, set itself the task of helping promote local wine tourism. While continuing that mission, it is changing its hours, increasing the number of board members but, unfortunately, reducing the size of its staff.

The facility has had 12,000 visitors for its tastings and educational programs, as well as to use its event space.

According to a statement from the board, interim help is being provided by board members and their respective organizations and board members are recruiting volunteers to assist with events. Hirings will be considered in 2012.

The 3,000-square-foot center now is open at noon Wednesdays through Sundays, and closes at 9 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays. It had been open Tuesdays through Sundays until 7 p.m.

Its wine bar remains open on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m., with live music from 6 to 8. Other information about the Ithaca facility is available online. Phone: (607) 882-9633.

By the way, don't confuse this Finger Lakes Wine Center with an identically-named facility at the Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens in Canandaigua. Such is life in New York's wine world.

New Ithaca winery creates port-style wines

This video from Newswatch 16 profiles Ports of New York.

ITHACA -- Wineries usually are located out in the country, close to their grape supplies and water source. Occasionally, however, even in the Finger Lakes a winemaker has a more metropolitan point of view.

One example is the fairly new Ports of New York, opened in May by winemaker Frédéric Bouché as a tiny in-town winery located on Taber Street in an industrial section of this small city,

Two expressions of Bouché's work.

Bouché, who comes from a generations-long line of French winemakers, specializes in traditional-style European port wines. They are sold under the brand name Meleau, which Bouché explains comes from the Latin "mel" (the root for honey) and the French "eau" (spirit), and is pronounced "mellow."

His wines have 7 to 8% residual sugar, which puts them into the semi-dry classification. They are made from New York State grape varietals such as Muscat Ottonel, Vignole, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, along with brandy and a touch of fermented honey.

Creating such wines is a tricky and laborious process, so they don't come cheap. A 500ml bottle goes for $40, and a 50ml sampler for $6.

---

ON THE WEB
• Dowd's Guides main page
• Port wine on Wikipedia

A rare positive note in battered Prattsville

TU photo by Phillip Kamrass

• The headline succinctly tells the tale: "Tavern's reopening raises spirits." And, the photo (left) of Kenny Cox hanging up his liquor license is an upbeat one. In Prattsville, the Greene County town that was virtually wiped out by flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene in late summer, there have been few such positive signs since the disaster. Now, Albany Times Union reporter Scott Waldman has come up with a nice story on how a town landmark has bounced back. Here's how it begins:

PRATTSVILLE -- Not even the Schoharie Creek can wash the Pabst Blue Ribbon out of town.

The Prattsville Tavern Restaurant is open for business again and so is Friday night in a place that has been stuck on Monday morning for three months.

Most people here have not stopped working since the flood brought by Tropical Storm Irene carried trucks and propane tanks down Main Street. At night, it has been so quiet it's as if the Greene County town just got folded into the dark mountain hills.

Even Kenny Cox, the owner, wondered if this day would ever come. Some customers who lost their homes and their jobs left town and will never return. Then some of the regulars came back to the Tavern Restaurant and helped rip out the bar, the wall, the floorboards, the floor joists. They worked for Coors Light and the opportunity to make something normal again.

As Cox talked on a recent day, a man stopped across the street to drop off a Dumpster into which someone will throw the pieces of a home. The man jogged across Main Street to press his face against the front window of the Tavern Restaurant, to see how it was coming along. People do it all day, Cox said.

"I hope it means a lot," he said. "I hope it shows that there are people here who want to stay."

[Go here for the complete story and photos.]

---

ON THE WEB
• Prattsville Recovery Information
• Dowd's Guides main page

NYS wines successful in Missouri competition

KANSAS CITY, MO -- New York State winemakers won 87 awards at the recent Jefferson Cup competition held here.

Here's the rundown, thanks to Jim Trezise of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation.

• Jefferson Cup Awards went to Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Hazlitt White Cat and White Stag; and Swedish Hill Winery 2010 Finger Lakes Late Harvest Vignoles.

• Jefferson Cup Nominees (similar to Double Gold in other competitions) included Chateau Frank 2006 Finger Lakes Blanc de Blancs; Chateau LaFayette Reneau Seyval-Chardonnay and 2010 Finger Lakes Pinot Noir Blanc; Inspire Moore 2010 Wisdom; and Swedish Hill Viking Red.

• Medals of Excellence (equivalent to a Gold Medal) were awarded to Chateau Frank 2005 Finger Lakes Brut and 2006 Blanc de Noirs; Chateau LaFayette Reneau 2010 Finger Lakes Late Harvest Riesling and 2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay; Dr. Konstantin Frank 2010 Finger Lakes Pinot Gris, 2010 Finger Lakes Gruner Veltliner, and 2009 Finger Lakes Reserve Gewurtztraminer; Fox Run Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Glenora Wine Cellars 2003 Finger Lakes Brut, 2010 Finger Lakes Meritage, and 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Goose Watch Winery Cream Sherry and 2010 Finger Lakes Diamond; Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards 2008 Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc, 2008 Finger Lakes Cabernet Sauvignon, and Bramble Berry; Hunt Country 2010 Finger Lakes Cayuga and Cream Sherry; Inspire Moore 2010 Finger Lakes Change and 2010 Finger Lakes Love; Knapp Winery 2010 Estate Grown Vidal Ice Wine; Lakewood Vineyards 2010 Finger Lakes Dry Riesling; Lamoreaux Landing 2010 Finger Lakes Yellow Dog Vineyard Riesling, 2010 Finger Lakes Red Oak Vineyard Riesling, 2010 Finger Lakes Semi-Dry, and 2008 Finger Lakes Chardonnay; Swedish Hill 2010 Finger Lakes Riesling, and Viking White.