A HANDFUL OF WINE

In 1976 New York State enacted the Farm Winery Act, making it legal for grape growers to produce and sell their wines. Today there are close to 80 wineries in the Finger Lakes region. My suggestion is to make this getaway scenic and sensual experience, rather than a traveling “drink-a-thon”. Be aware that a typical wine tasting pour consists of 1-2 ounces of wine and sampling several wines at each winery and visiting several wineries in succession will most likely impair your ability to drive.

Not quite tolerant of alcohol, I always choose to do the regimental tasting: swirl the wine (to allow it to “breathe”), stick my nose into the glass (to sense the “nose”), sip a small amount and swirl it around my mouth, and then spit it into a “spittoon”. With this a residual of it will be felt around my taste buds and I will have swallowed just enough for a taste.

Back to the trip. Of the 11 lakes in the Finger Lakes region, Cayuga, Senaca, Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes are the four that are dominant in the wine industry. The Finger Lakes region is located less than an hours drive from Rochester. Thus, on my recent journey to Rochester, I visited three of the lakes in less than 24 hours.

Wagner Vineyards (607-582-6450), located in the town of Lodi, along Senaca Lake, not only sports a large winery but brews their own beers as well. The tasting menu listed over 37 wines and 6 handcrafted beers. Not all were available for tasting. And, hey, there are at least 20 wineries surrounding Seneca Lake, alone. Directly across from the gift shop is Ginny Lee, a restaurant with a view of the lake. Simple delicious food.

Riesling wines, a mainstay in Germany, has found its way to North America and a major producer in the Finger Lakes region. Dr. Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars in Hammondsport (800-320-0735) is located along Keuka Lake. It was Dr. Konstantin Frank who ignited the “Vinifera Revolution”, elevating the New York wine industry. The award winning winery earned its reputation for Rieslings and expanded with planting Pino Noir, Gewurztraminer, Cabernet Sauvignon and other European varieties.

The extensive wine list purports two labels, the second of which is called Salmon Run. Considered the “value line”, and some Gold Medal winners, the wines utilize a combination of the estate grown grapes and high quality grapes from other local vineyards. A representative from Dr. Frank’s said that there are many gay clients and “welcome all”.

It was along Canandaigua Lake that I rested my grape ridden body. Serenity awaited me at Bristol Harbour Resort (585-396-2200). Although the resort may be a golfer’s four-season dream, it was the lodge and dining experience that I was more interested in. The 31-room Adirondack-style inn has balconies overlooking Canandaigua Lake and it wouldn’t surprise me if people go there just to dine. During dinner I spotted “family” and was told that they did have a commitment ceremony between two men.

If you can’t make up your mind as to which wineries to tour or you just want to experience floral scenery and a Victorian home, Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens (585-394-4922) is the site to sight. Located in the town of Canandaigua it was formerly the summer home of Frederick Ferris and Mary Clark Thompson. Today the mansion is surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscape. The self-guided tour of the landscape will take you through Japanese Gardens, an enclosed structure known as the Roman Bath, and 10 other points of beauty. After visiting the mansion, it’s at the Finger Lakes Wine Cellar that you will be able to sample several wines from the local vineyards and head to the gift shop for a one-stop wine shopping. Sonnenberg Mansion and Gardens says that they absolutely welcome all gay events, particularly those who may want to unite with a ceremony. There are several gorgeous backdrops.

The town of Bristol is a short drive from Canandaigua Lake and home to the Wizard of Clay Pottery (716-229-2980). Using more than 90,000 pounds of clay each year, Jim and Jamie Kozlowski create all of the pottery. In fact, you can peer into the pottery room and almost visualize “Ghost”. But it’s not just the quality of the soft clay, the fact that the pottery is lead-free, microwave, oven-proof and dishwasher safe that Wizard of Clay is noted for. The signature of this enterprise is the fresh green leaves from native trees and plants that are picked daily and pressed onto the clay. Burnt off, the imprints are striking reminders of the Finger Lakes’ landscapes and wine country. As for being gay friendly, consider what’s being produced and who the customers are. Need I say more?

If you are not into wineries, take advantage of just driving around one of the lakes. You may want to take a short hop to Seneca Falls during the first weekend of December, for the “It’s A Wonderful Life” festival, as Seneca Falls turns into Bedford Falls. Hmm…I hear a bell.

December 01, 2004 - Empty Closet