TRAVEL WITH AGNESS WINE CELLARS

WINE TASTINGS ON THE LINKS

BY RANDY AGNESS

About seven years ago, my golf career ended abruptly when I was brutally attacked by a rabid fox while camping on Seneca Lake at Sampson State Park where deep wounds to my face and severe bites into my left hand. The serevity was so bad that I wasn’t able to pick up marbles and even after physical thserapy lost half my gripping strength permanently. Yes, I’m left handed and haven’t been able to hold on a driver to tee off. About 30 years ago, I started golfing on Saturday mornings north of Syracuse with a good friend who like me was a beginner starting early while there was dew on the greens until I became a dad.

So since producing an award winning Riesling, I’ve been able to return to the fairways on a regular basis and improve my score without a single swing but shooting hole in ones with every foursome passing between the eighth and nineth holes or at the end of the round at the club house. My name doesn’t appear on a single score card and I don’t even have walk the course or need to schedule a tee time.

As I mentioned an arrangement is set ahead of time when we decided to provide a wine tasting at Eagle Vale Golf Club for the Saint Bonaventure University Alumni Golf event. This was the start of our venture into having our Riesling served at country clubs across the greater Rochester area. Not surprising the golfers really like to drink wine as they relax after completing a round with a group of friend or after finishing play. At the Bonaventure event, we poured complimentary tastings prior to the awards, door prizes and before the banquet meal. Many happy and surprised eagerly wanted to discuss every possible wine topics imagineable. And it was convenient that the Eagle Vale bar made available our wine and others along side with beer and cocktail choices for the cheerful participants. This also began my relationship with the Head Basketball coach Mark Schmidt. The success of the event and placement at

Eagle Vale’s The Argyle Grill atY one of the premier public golf course in an scenic setting in Fairport, New York open our prosuit into a new market. Next up was Ravenwood Golf Course in Victor, NY as we joined a charity Rotary event participating by again a chance to offer sampling to a wine friendly environment. Many people attending were pleasantly surprised by this rather unknown brand from the Finger Lakes. A series of positive comments about our wine taste quickly reached the beverage manager. And a call to come in for a visit afterward led to being featured on their wine list since.

Agness Wine Cellars is always looking for possible markets and the realization that weddings could be a good idea not previously considered at we were selling out each vintage from the combination of restaurant and wine / liquor store clients. So after doubling our production volume for the third straight year, we finally could expand the possibilities. We liked the chance to widen our exposure at a Bridal Fare event at Terry Hills Golf Course and Banquest Facility in Batavia, NY. This sold event was quiet enjoyable as we were able to offer a wine tasting for decision-makers - Brides and their Entourage. Our door prize was bottles of our Riesling and a very special Champagne (yes called Finger Lakes Sparkling) which was made specifically for my son’s wedding. I feel that an opportunity to talk about wine is delightful especially with happy families planning the wonderful upcoming day. In this case, the General Manager Danielle Rotondo at Terry Hill’s stopped by the booth to try the Riesling for herself after the great feedback by the guests through the course of the Bridal fare. To say she liked it would be an understatement Agness Riesling continues to be on their wine list by the glass. And to rev up sales, we tried a complimentary wine tasting for members. The impact was immediate and long lasting relation.

By now it was apparent that we stumpled into golf courses to begin further wedge marketing efforts as beyond the club

“I learned that you must be willing to spend quality time and risk rejection, but possible catch a few nice wine wins and in the process gain the chance to meet wonderful professional people which have turned into friends.”

members. Most country clubs have seriously nice banquet facilities and chances to be a choice from their wine lists – a wine win for all, the guests of course, the golf course restaurant and bar and we gain excellent exposure to further our reputation. We took the chance by sponsoring a Rochester Chamber of Commerse golf outing at Irondequoit Golf Club and hanging out on the first tee. Some High School friends were participating along with Board Members at Midvale and Penfield Country Clubs who wanted us to sample with their home golf clubs. So again, doing the right thing for charity always seems to have great side benefits. Who says business isn’t conducted on the fairways – it does! And doesn’t hurt that one of our super fans is a club member at Irondequoit. was to charm the folks at Locust Hill. Agness would have a tasting ahead of the turn for the club house for the Lady’s league. Ahead of the group of women golfer was a flurry of men finishing up who asked for a taste as well. We weren’t not going deny anyone of course. And what do you know they liked our Riesling not only for themselves but their wife’s as well. The Lady golfers were absolutely delightfully surprised as none had heard of us until the afternoon. They let it be known to the managers that our Riesling should be (must be) added to the wine list at Locust Hill. I had a great time pouring with my kilt on to a most receptive audience, then stayed for their end of season banquet. Could we continue the streak of successes? Going to Oak Hill has been the conquest to achieve one of the premier golf course in the United States right here in Rochester. Oak Hill Country Club has hosted six major golf championships multiple times so with patiences we’ll find our way onto their wine list. Finger’s crossed for luck. (Hope, Faith, Love, Luck).

No, we’re not finished yet. I found my way to Blue Heron Hills Golf in the middle of lent and offered up a sample bottle for the staff to taste. Instant hit – hole in one with fish fries. We have found our way around the courses of Rochester quite quickly and a new niche. It’s just a matter of time before we find connections with golf course in Buffalo and Syracuse and beyond. If you never try, you’ll never know. I learned that you must be willing to spend quality time and risk rejection, but possible catch a few nice wine wins and in the process gain the chance to meet wonderful professional people which have turned into friends.

AGNESS

{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ SHIFT+CONTROL }{ WOMAN ENTREPRENEUR }{ TENDER LOVING FAMILY CARE } FAMILY TYPE HOMES AND RESPITE

BY ANNIKA D’ANDREA

Tender Loving Family Care, Inc. (TLFC) has opened its third home for the senior community in the Greater Rochester area. Located on the residential corner at 2956 St. Paul St & Titus Avenue in Rochester, the new family-type home will house the new corporate headquarters for Tender Loving Family Care’s office staff and include the following community services: daily activities but prefer to be in an environment similar to their home. child care locations.

The mission of TLFC is to provide quality care in warm, loving, safe, clean and attractive homes filled with an extended family that cares for and about each other. They provide needed supervision and gentle kindness that one would hope to find in the comfort of their own home.

Respite Care (Caregiver Relief Services) Senior Home (family type -non-institutional setting) Social Adult Day Program Comfort Care

This majestic Irondequoit building was built in 1919 and was originally built as a private residence. Over the years, the building has been home to a church rectory and most recently a house of worship for Temple Emanu-El, a reform congregation offering a wide variety of programs including adult education, caring community, Torah study and monthly brunches.

Tender Loving Family Care has customized this building to fit the needs of the senior community who require assistance with their In addition to quality care, TLFC provides companionship, assistance with personal care, delicious meals and snacks, medication supervision, and transportation services.

Tender Loving Family Care was formed in 2007 with one employee and one client. Since then, the familyowned business has grown to include a home health care agency, adult day program, family-type homes and “We are proud to be able to expand our services and serve our senior community in the Greater Rochester area. We take great pride in providing excellent care to our seniors and opening this new building will advance our mission of providing quality care in warm, loving, safe, clean and attractive homes. In addition to the many amenities that this building will provide our seniors, it is conveniently located at the residential corner of St. Paul St & Titus Ave - an ideal location that boasts great scenery,” states Annika D’Andrea, CEO and founder of Tender Loving Family Care.

Please stop by for a tour, meet the TLFC Team. Please wear a face covering and follow social distancing guidelines.

For more information about Tender Loving Family Care, their services and programs, visit www. tenderlovingfamilycare.com