The morning to yield wine tasting quickly turned sunny in Syracuse, N.Y.
The many lots outside of Destiny USA in Syracuse make it a fine meeting place for a bus tour.
The group of 23 day-trippers gathered in a parking lot outside Syracuse mega shopping, dining and entertainment complex Destiny USA.
Stories were shared. Some folks had taken a tour of the wineries an hour to the west in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York before, but for some it would be the first.
My dear wife Karen had been. She signed us up to join the excursion put together by some of her co-workers. I had never been. I’m not much of a wine drinker, but, I’m always willing to learn.
Part bus, part limo, totally hours for nine hours.
The bus-limousine hybrid was a bit late, so everybody was ready to fill it quickly with coolers of food and beverages for the trip.
It became apparent that this would be a feast on wheels that happened to stop at five wineries clustered around Cayuga Lake, too.
Howdy neighbors. Let’s roll.
The food and drink were passed around liberally. Before we were a couple of miles down the highway I’d eaten a couple of slices of tasty breakfast pizza.
The sound system roared with homemade mix CDs compiled by one of the hosts.
A quick look around the comfortably cushioned, bench-styled seating convinced me that I was the oldest person on the excursion.
No problem.
I grooved to M.C. Hammer, Van Morrison, Garth Brooks, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Neil Diamond. Yup. Very well-mixed wine trip CDs.
Fine time as we approached wine time.
The first stop was Swedish Hill.
Stop one was Swedish Hill Vineyard.
The decor was attractive.
They led our group into a tasting room, where we were given check lists and told we could check off six of their labels for the tasting.
They’d selected a donkey named Doobie as the brand mascot.
Some of the wines featured Doobie in the name, too.
I pet brother Doobie in his yard at Swedish Hill. (Photo by Karen Miller Bialczak)
And the model for all things Doobie lives out back.
He’s a friendly donkey.
Doobie graciously greeted those in our party who went out to the wooden-rail fence at the edge of his space for an impromptu meet and greet.
Goose Watch Winery featured an inspiring view of Caygua Lake.
Second stop Goose Watch featured a view fit for spring.
I’m sure the lakeside property is equally breathtaking in all seasons.
The tasting house and fields of grape vines sit just across the road that borders Cayuga Lake, on a hill that provides beautiful views.
Goose Watch features a goose on guard over a pond.
A noticeable feature is the man-made goose on a pole guarding the property.
A trip up the hill brought the surprise that he’s actually positioned over a pond.
And at closer inspection, Karen decided that the wind indeed made this goose’s wings flap.
At Hosmer, there was time to unload the picnic for outside time.
The tour organizers, Jen Moro and Katie Kramer, outside Hosmer.
Third stop Hosmer Winery was a little away from the water, but still quite lovely.
I do not think there is a winery among the 17 that ring Cayuga Lake that is anything less than welcoming. They know tourism as well as they know wine.
The good folks at Hosmer are wise enough to place patio chairs and picnic tables outside its doors.
Our group of 23 took advantage of extra time built into the agenda to unload food and beverages.
We sat in the sun in groups, talking, enjoying, savoring the splendid Saturday.
Harkening back to stop one, one woman showed that she owns the moves to the dance for “The Wonkey Donkey Song.” She also was convinced she could catch Cheez-Its tossed by her boyfriend in her mouth.
It was windy, and plenty of Cheez-Its missed the mouth. Maybe a goose on break from watch at stop two will fly over to feast.
Good picnic.
Cayuga Ridge Winery features an inviting covered porch.
Cayuga Ridge puts out an adult-sized Jenga game. Shelly Jordan of our group won a game against a woman from another group.
Stop four was situated down a hill that took you to the side of the lake.
Before the bus turned into the lane, everybody was talking about the mansion-like house on the right side of winery lane.
Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery was in the left house.
It wasn’t a toney place, but it sure was entertaining and educational.
In addition to the first-floor tasting, the sampling crew was invited downstairs, where a veteran wine maker pointed to barrels and steel tanks used. He poured out one sample of a Chancellor from the steel tanks and another that spend a bit of time in an oak barrel. I liked the steel tank version of this 2013 vintage better.
A huge covered porch attached to the old house held patrons from several tasting groups.
They were whooping and hollering as people played a huge wooden-pieced Jenga game.
When these planked pieces fell, the game ended with a clatter.
My dear wife Karen points out a label she likes at Knapp Winery and Vineyard’s store.
The final stop was the only to include a two-sided sample checklist. The back included spirits. Knapp produces a brandy and grappo as well as the whites and reds.
I tried the Grappa and LimOncello. The first was very strong. The second was very strong and very sweet.
Karen liked a red label, Superstition.
We bought a bottle in the store to add to a bottle each purchased at Goose Watch and Cayuga Ridge.
The puddle of Superstition spread from the bottom of the brown bag. My bad.
With some time to kill, I was sitting on a concrete shipping ledge with our friends Kelly and Steve, the bottle resting by my side. I waved an arm and knocked it over. The sound sank my heart.
The wine poured out of the broken bottle and the bottom of the brown bag, puddling on the cement.
I walked the bottle, in two pieces, to a garbage pail, and found Karen exiting the building walking toward me.
I confessed the error of my ways.
These made it home to the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood, safe and ready for another day.
But this story couldn’t end with a purple puddle and broken dreams.
We went back in and bought another bottle of Superstition.
For true wine lovers, I’ll be writing another piece on the vineyard and winery trip for my community blog on Syracuse Public Media site waer.org, two Wednesdays from now. I’ll reveal which wine I liked best then.
I’ll post another great picture or two here that day.
Have you ever gone to a sampling at a vineyard or winery? Do you like red or white, dry or sweet?
Mark Bialczak 
Well, see that I knew you had local wineries! So glad your dear wife Karen is trying to culture you!
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And it worked big-time. Now I am a wine drinker, as you saw today, Nancy. 🙂
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This looks fun as hell!
You have inspired me to add another “perk” to my job as a trucker, albeit one that must be carefully planned and managed before.
In my job I go thru many states, you know this. I can’t tell you how man wineries I see across this country and in strange places that you wouldn’t usually associate with wine growing.
I’m gonna make an effort to visit a few that are in weird spots and report to you.
I am partial to the Chateau Montelena in Napa Valley. Their 2010 Chardonnay is awesome. I spent $125 on a bottle, but it was worth it. I can no longer drink Yellowtail or Mad Dog 20-20 with a clear conscience.
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I gotcha, Trey. I want to hear about the odd wineries, strange places of the grape. But not about you crawling out from a night in the dumpster. Please, sir.
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Good point. I never had that problem with wine though. I always enjoyed it for what it’s best… Epicurean delights!
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Big words again, Trey! Just joshing. Yes, wine does enhance certain foods to the palate.
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Sounded like an awesome time, when I visited and pushed like, apparently I didn’t comment! The Cayuga Ridge Estate winery seemed to be quite photogenic! I loved the donkey and now, understand the Doobie reference, too! I like Karen’s “Vanna White” pose with the wine racks, Mark! Smiles, Robin
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Oh, my scanning is bad! Omit if you wish, or edit my first sentence of that April 26th comment! “My bad!”
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We enjoyed Doobie, Jenga and the whole eccentric trip, Robin! And I like Karen’s pose, too!
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I don’t drink wine because it gives me an instant headache. However, I have to admit that I never knew a wine tasting tour could be so much fun. It’s a little off that there was a real Doobie donkey, but only a fake goose. But it looks like it was a lot of fun and is something I will now add to my bucket list. Great post! 🙂
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I bet there were real geese there, too, Rachel, but not on top of a big metal pole like the fake guy! Thanks for the kind words, my friend.
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🙂 Have a great weekend!
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What a fabulous way to spend the day! Sorry about that puddle…Karen looks like so much fun!
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It was a great one, CBXB, and yes, my dear wife knows how to have a fun time!
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Pingback: One more look at the Wine Tour that was | markbialczak
What a fun adventure!! I love the limo/bus. Glad you blended right in with the group in spite of being “the oldest” in the group. Who worries about age when wine is involved? I have to admit that It would kind of freak me out some if I broke a bottle of wine named Superstition! 🙂
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So far, so good on Superstition bottle No. 2, Maria. Now if I had broken a mirror or stepped under a ladder …
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Good point! 🙂
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I love going to wineries along the Great Lakes! I am so glad you (overall) had a wonderful time and enjoyed the adventure! Looks like good companionship, including Karen, of course! I think the photos are awesome, Mark! I like a few of the wineries along Lake Erie, including two in Vermilion and one on Rte. 4 heading north towards Sandusky! I like sweeter wines which means I have to be careful, it is almost like they are ‘Kool Aid’ and I don’t want to imbide too quickly in them. I savor the flavors of ‘dessert wines,’ too. I cannot wait to hear which ones you liked the best! Smiles, Robn
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I’m glad you enjoy the Ohio winery trail, Robin. Yes, some of the wine Saturday did taste like Kool-Aid.
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What a perfect day for wine tasting! It’s nice to get out and let loose with your “bad self” with some 90’s hip-hop (mixed in appropriately(?) with the better tunes). Don’t worry, that talking and arm waving is just a normal characteristic of European heritage. Glad to see you had a great weekend!
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It was a fun for this first-timer, Chris. The beauty of the region (and some tasty wine) will bring me back. Thanks for acknowledging the potentially destructive arm-waving gene, too!
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Oh noes @ Wine Tasting. 3 sips and I’d be chatting with Doobie the Donkey! – lol
I get drunk quite easily – so after 2 glasses of wine (which honestly I don’t like anyway) I am quite the drunkard and no one would want to be seen in public with me.
The whole event itself looks like a bit of an adventure – I wonder if I could participate in such a thing without actually drinking any alcohol.
Miss Lou
x
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The good news, Miss Lou, is that if you stick strictly to the tasting samples, you don’t really consume enough to become wildly inebriated. And I do think that little bit adds to the adventure!
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Hi mark, that sounds like a great day; well organised and interesting. I have never been wine tasting but have been round a distillery in Scotland. At the end of the tour you are given a tot of whiskey – the potted plants in the room all have labels asking that you don’t share any of the whiskey with them which was a shame as whiskey is not my thing at all! I think wine tasting would be more enjoyable and taste better.
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The plants all would lean to one side and then the other if the tastes deposited the whiskey at the distillery, Rachel!
The wine sample are simply a swallow or three. Tasty and manageable. The scenery is amazing.
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You had me at “Start wining.”
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Glad you liked the notion, Kay!
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Beer and chili for me as well please. But when I do drink wine I always reach for the red. What beautiful weather you’re having! And a great way to pass the time. I want to nuzzle that donkey. So cute! Thanks for the virtual stroll Mark. Well done!
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The donkey was cuter with the sun shining, Sandra. Thanks for coming along on the adventure.
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Ok, first, Karen is beautiful! Second, what a great day!! I think I was there, too. No, but it felt like it. Thanks for sharing your very cool day, Mark.
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Audrey, I have a feeling you would have fit in very well on this bus of adventure hunters. Thanks so much for your lovely comment.
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Ahh, yes. I have been on many memorable and foggy bus tours. 😉 I do believe I can hold my own…its the Scottish in me.
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Good genes for this sort of thing, Audrey.
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Except when I’ve had enough…then it can get ugly. Just find me a bench and a cold beer!
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Indeed. There’s a time for that solitary beer, too, Audrey.
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Ahh, yes. I have been on many memorable and foggy bus tours. 😉 I do believe I can hold my own in regards to touring and wine …its the Scottish in me.
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I thought you would have learned your lesson on buying a wine called Superstition, but yet you went back for another round. Great pics! I want to hug that donkey. I love donkeys! We went to a vineyard a couple months ago for a chili tasting and a wine tasting, and afterward, we bought a couple bottles of white wine. I prefer white, but if you set it in front of me, and I’ll drink any color.
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I didn’t mention in the post that the black cat from the bottle label is not only real, he came out with another barn cat to great us outside the winery. Because he was semi-sociable, Superstition deserved a second chance, Kerbey. FYI, I would prefer beer with chili over wine. Just saying.
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Definitely a better pairing.
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what a fantastic day and a fantastic post, mark. i have been on a winery tour up north in michigan and had a ball. i love how each of the places you visited had its own personality and it certainly looks like you had a fun group of people with you on the tour. too bad about the breakage, but luckily you replaced it before your trip home. i’m curious which one you ended up liking the best, i guess i’ll see the answer soon –
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Yes, a wine cliffhanger, if you will, Beth. It’s interesting to me that places near lakes and other water appear to make good spots to grow wine-making grapes, like Finger Lakes and Northern Michigan. And yes, each place was unique. It was a nice warm day.
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when i was in the north, they told me that the soil is perfect near the northern lakes (applies to finger lakes too), as the soil and area originally came from glaciers, and they now are somewhat protected by the lake effect. who knew?
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Soil and lake effect. The vineyards sure are good for these areas, too.
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so right, mark, it has been a boon for them )
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I’m not a wine drinker. But when husband and I did a 200+ bike ride in Missouri we stopped at a few wineries for a little sustenance (food). I loved the atmosphere even if I didn’t drink. What a lovely way to spend a day. 🙂
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Another new experience for me, Colleen. I don’t know how I missed it all these years. And the restaurants attached as some of the places looked inviting, but they weren’t open yet at this point of the spring.
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I like your adventure loving spirit Mark. 🙂
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