Red Blends of the FLX
Red blends are an interesting and varied topic for the FLX region. Many producers make a meritage blend (includes at least two Bordeaux varieties Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Malbec) although they may not call it meritage. Some winemakers make blends that include other eastern European varieties such as Lemberger, Saperavi, or Syrah to name a few. Some are blended in the barrel while others are field blends. Finally, some blends include American varieties in addition to vinifera grapes. Join us as we taste through representative examples from the region. We’re sure these selections will be perfect for a chilly January evening! Small bites provided.
Cost: $35 per person
Call us to reserve your seat: 607-387-6548
Last day to call is Wednesday, January 22nd
Wineries without Walls
As Ithaca welcomes teachers to the region with the “Ithaca Loves Teachers” event, we are excited to open up our tasting room to a handful of colleagues that work in the wine industry while simultaneously launching their own wine brands. This will be a rare opportunity to taste wines from five talented winemakers that currently do not have tasting rooms of their own.
Guest winemakers Ian Barry of Barry Family Cellars, Dillon Buckley of Echelon Wine Farm, Matt Denci of Entelecheia Wine Cellars, Erin McMurrough of Little Clover Wine Company, and Alex Bond of Vagabond Winery will join us for the afternoon. Each will bring a couple
of wines for tasting and for bottle sales. We invite you to hear their stories, taste their wines, and support their craft and entrepreneurial spirit.
BTF will provide small pairing bites at each of the five tasting stations.
Tickets are $20 per person and available here.
Portuguese Wines
In this introductory class, we’ll explore a selection of Portuguese wines as an entry to the world of wines. Portuguese wines are chosen for their accessibility in both taste and price point. Examples will include Vinho Verde, Dry Rose, Red blends, and of course, a port wine. Small bites will be provided to enjoy with the wines.
Advance tickets required. Available here.
Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Franc was the first red wine that Nancy made in 2007. We planted 1.3 acres in the Jacob Thomas Vineyard in 2018. As you can tell, it is a favorite of ours.
Like in the Loire Valley of France, we and many other Finger Lakes producers make Cabernet Franc as a single varietal wine. We will taste examples from both regions:
Finger Lakes:
Cayuga Lake
Seneca Lake
Keuka Lake
Loire:
Chinon
Bourgueil
Saumur
We will also taste the different styles of wine that Cabernet Franc can make, Rose’ and Dessert Wine included. Small bites will be included.
Harvest Celebration
Finger Lakes grape harvest is in full swing! And we’re excited about the fruit yields from
our own vineyard.
To celebrate - our friend Luke Szabo of Scratch Farmhouse Catering is preparing a Carnival Themed menu for us (see below). The Pelotones will provide live music featuring jazz, blues, and R&B (bring your dancing shoes!). We’ll offer a cash bar with happy hour pricing: $6 for wine by the glass or beer by the pint.
Corn Dogs: duck sausage corndogs or smoked carrot corn dogs topped with grape ketchup, or ground cherry mustarda.
Funnel Cakes: Cardamon funnel cakes topped with braised apples and lavendar caramel.
Turkey Legs: confit turkey croquets on drummies.
Mexican Street Corn: grilled local corn, with crema, cotija, verde, pickled chilis and
Funyon tempura.
Bacon & Cotton Candy: Savory dish featuring bacon wrapped pork bell, with soy candy glaze and topped with pork cotton candy.
Deep Fried Ice Cream & Cotton Candy: Sweet dish of fried pumpkin and port ice cream with maple cotton candy.
Friday, October 4th
5 to 8 p.m.
Cost: $45 per person
Tickets available here.
Hope you can join us!!
Around the globe with Pinot Noir
From Wine Folly: “Pinot Noir, the ‘heartbreak grape’, rewards patience with unrivaled depth and complexity. It’s also the most highly prized grape in the world. But why?” We’ll collect some examples from around the world to gain a better understanding. Small bites will accompany the tasting.
Cost: $45 per person
Call to reserve your seat 607-387-6548 by August 19th.
Midsummer Neighborhood Party
For our neighbors in Ulysses, Jacksonville, Trumansburg.
We'll fire up the grill with burgers and brats, Nancy will make potato salad, and neighbors are welcome to bring a dish to share.
Happy hour prices on wine and beer.
Friday, July 26th 4-7 p.m.
RSVP - 607-387-6548