Wine, fun and canines = Woofstock
June 2, 2018 from 12- 7 PM FREE ADMISSION,
with cash or pet-supply donations (food, bedding, grooming tools, toys, cleaning supplies, etc.) in a $1-for-$1 exchange for Doggone Fun Tickets that can be used for food, drinks, games, wine tastings, slushies, raffle items, dog show votes & more!
Fun includes: Doggie Divas Fashion Show (Superheroes); Doggie Agility Course (Timed Trials or Fun Run); Micro-chipping Clinic; Dog Park & Pond Swim; Live Auctions (FLX Getaways); Kids’ Games including Cornhole and bounce house!
So pack up the kids, the dogs, family & friends, and join in on a howling good time.
Wine & Dine Between the Lakes
by D.E. Bentley
During recent travels south between Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, my traveling companion, Geogeanne Vyverberg, and I joined a friend, who lives in Interlaken, NY, for lunch at the Crystal Lake Café. We chose the café since it was close by, but are happy we had the opportunity to explore this relaxing and relaxed café – which offered a stark contrast to our eventual destination – a roller derby match. The Crystal Lake Café is associated with the Americana Vineyards and Winery in Interlaken, NY. The dining area, expanded in the summer time by a partially enclosed patio area – was full when we first arrived, which gave us the opportunity to sample some of Americana Vineyard’s many wines. Julia Fitzgerald stepped up and greeted us as soon as we walked in, and quickly oriented us to the tasting list. Although I have been through this process a few times, not everyone who goes for a wine tasting has, and having knowledgeable guidance is important even for those who have “done the trails.” Julia was great, timely with our pours and accommodating to our pace and interests. They offered a number of dry whites and reds – dry wines are often my preference. I enjoyed their Finger Lakes Chablis – a crisp Chardonnay and Cayuga Grape blend – and their Dry Riesling, which was aromatic and fruity. Of the reds I tried, my preference was a semi- dry Limited Release Revolutionary Red, with tones of cherry and cranberry that tempered the sweetness. We also sampled their 100% blueberry wine – which had a pleasant dryness to it – often lacking in fruit wines.
Americana Vineyards tasting room and gift shop is housed in a relocated (from about 5 miles away) and refurbished 1820s swing barn, so you know that it has been steeped in good times, and the good spirits of the past – including early homemade wines. The barn was “rescued from demolition, meticulously dismantled and rebuilt at its new address” and, as the website points out, “with a history like that, you can imagine the attention to detail that goes into our wine making!” Based on our tasting, that attentive wine making was evident.
Speaking of relaxed and relaxing, when our server let us know that our table was available, they stressed that we need not hurry with our tasting, our table is waiting – which was cool and added to our enjoyment while giving us time to wrap up our conversation with Julia before moving from a relaxed tasting to a relaxed dining experience.
The Crystal Lake Café was a nice dining experience. The staff was friendly, it was welcoming and there was an adequate selection of food to meet all of our dining needs. Georgeanne grabbed up the fish fry – which I hear was good – and my other friend and I both had the Vegetable Quesadillas – Spinach, caramelized onions, mushrooms, sautéed peppers, black bean puree and shedder cheese on a flour tortilla, served with salsa and chipotle balsamic mixed greens. We were both happy that they offered some vegetarian offerings. There were, of course, wines available, along with craft beer from the Bacchus Brewing Company taproom. Bacchus Brewing Company is located in Dryden, NY, not far from our Cortland destination.
We stopped back by to see Julia and visited for a bit with her and another tasting associate – who remembered me from my days at the Rongovian Embassy – you would have had to have been there to know what that means.
What really caught our attention was the atmosphere, which was not stuffy like some winery stops. They offer good food and good service – simple yet nice.
Which brings me back to the gift shop and wine tasting area. One thing I noticed was the buses, or rather how they handled the buses, more precisely. In some wineries these groups come in and they immediately mix in with the existing patrons – usually of a quieter sort. What I noticed was the planned diversion of these larger groups to a separate room. There was also the nice gift shop selection that included a wide range of locally crafted goodies – including some nice fudges – which we shared on the road.
Finally, there was the Woofstock thing that caught our attention. Woof what you say – here’s a bit more from Georgeanne on the added canine benefits and the Winery’s 6th annual Woofstock.
Woofstock FLX 2018
by Georgeanne Vyverberg
We knew almost immediately that Americana Vineyards was dog friendly. Everyone accompanied by a dog was given a lot of attention by staff. It was genuine attention and we felt right at home on our very first visit to this Winery tucked in rural Seneca County near Interlaken, NY. On June 2nd the Vineyard sponsors their 6th Annual Benefit for local cat and dog shelters in honor of two of their past winery ambassadors Max and Rubie, who have since crossed the fabled “Rainbow Bridge”. Current ambassadors are Mav and Lil and are rescue dogs as were their predecessors. The day long event features live music and dog activities and food and wine and games for you and your four- footed companion, who is of course welcome as well. Americana has been featured on The Today show and Paw Culture and Wine Enthusiast for being one of the top dog friendly wineries in the U.S.
Several Finger Lakes region groups will benefit from the event and the goal this year is $7500. All like Browncoat Rescue in Ithaca seek to bring awareness to the general public about spaying and neutering especially within feral colonies which are managed by caregivers. Brindle Posse Rescue of Rochester NY concentrates on dogs offered free on Craig’s list and seeks permanent homes for them. Many are large dogs and they have a special place in their hearts for older dogs who have become homeless. There has been a new awareness of the need for homes for such individuals.
I have been involved with animal rescue for many years, mostly cat and horse rescues. It’s not what a lot of people think I realized after being active in cat rescue for a year. It’s not all cute and cuddly kittens and warm fuzzy feelings. Oh, sure there is that, but first many of those cute and cuddly kittens were rescued with starving mother cats whose bodies were infested with fleas, ticks, and lice. When you see them in some rat-infested place where former “owners” left them for all the classic reasons: “moving can’t take”, “I’m allergic” etc. It makes you angry. It’s difficult to understand and it changes you when time after time it happens. I Remember one case where we got a call about kittens and one of our volunteers drove an hour to find said kittens in a box by the roadside near the driveway. A note said they had to go to work. It was summer and in the uppers 80s. One kitten was dead and the others barely alive. We did manage to save them. Here is where the “warm and fuzzy” comes in. Four to six weeks later with diligent care, meaning 24-hour care and feeding in the beginning, requiring expensive vet care and medications, they are ready for adoption. This is just one story among thousands. So here is what I am asking you when you attend this and other rescue events. Talk to the rescues represented at this event. Think hard about volunteering. Volunteers are the most compassionate of people and willingly give many hours of work for these disadvantaged animals. There is normally a big turnover in animal shelters and there are never enough hands to do all the work. Secondly dig deep into your pockets. Shelters need money to do their work. While many vets give shelters a break in their fees and some shelters would close if they did not, there is always a need for supplies and food. Make the winery’s commitment to help be your commitment as well. Be generous and have a fun day too!