It’s grape harvesting time here in the Finger Lakes and that means several things to this region. Grape pies, grape festivals, and wine making galore. All of which are great for our regions economy. A trip through Naples, New York during last weekends Grape Festival was proof of that. Not a parking spot to be found along State Route 21, or a bare spot to be found on the village’s never ending side-walk. I had to stop counting the number of people I saw carrying baskets of grapes, or the number of signs I saw for homemade grape pies – because there were too many.
On any given day, it’s not uncommon to pass by area wineries where you’ll see limos and busses waiting for their passengers who are inside bellied up to the tasting bars.
We recently took a trip to Fulkerson Winery on the West Side of Seneca Lake. Fulkerson’s has one of the largest wine selections that I’ve seen at any given area winery. And I have to say that the girl who poured our samples at Fulkerson’s was much more personable and attentive than the fellow who waited on us at the other big winery just down the road.
Aside from delicious wines, Fulkerson Winery also sells fresh grape juices, and they are one of the areas few suppliers of home brewing and home wine making supplies. I think their prices are very reasonable and their selection is superior.
If you can’t make it to their winery they offer on-line shopping. Every season I get their annual catalog which gives the specifics of what type of grape juices are available for purchase, and what date they anticipate they will be made available.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention their nice gift shop too. We usually end up dragging my mother in-law out of it – just kidding, sort of…
If you are wondering if I’m promoting Fulkerson Winery because they have paid me to say nice things about them, I’m not. I just like giving you a local’s perspective on the places I think are worth visiting here in the Finger Lakes. * (If you are a winery in the Finger Lakes and you’d like me to write about business – I’d love to hear from you.)
I originally got acquainted with Fulkerson Winery when I made my first batch of homemade wine. And here is how it turned out – go ahead take a peek.
THE JOY OF CAKING 