RWO TRAVELS Agness Wine Cellars

AGNESS WINE CELLARS

BY RANDY AGNESS - AGNESS WINE CELLARS WINEMAKER

Who’s heading to the Finger Lakes?

It should have been the biggest story of the day when it comes to local success stories as the Finger Lakes Wineries are reopened based on the criteria required in Phase 4. Robert Duffy, former Lt. Governor and current CEO of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce, was tasked with the Reopen Rochester and Finger Lakes. By all accounts, the movement thru to Phase 4 has been extremely successful. The Finger Lakes wineries have restarted wine tastings under the new social distancing requirements and are taking reversation to maintain a flow of vistors to prevent overcrowding situations. Yes, We are Open and ready to serve.

If you aren’t familiar with the Finger Lakes, then you have been missing out on what has been designated as the best wine destination in the nation over multiple voting platforms. Now people are coming from all over the state, country and globe to taste and buy Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Dry Rose from the close to 100 wineries in the region. Generally, weekends are the most popular time to visit, yet Monday to Friday schedules do vary so its best to call ahead or check-out the wineries websites. With the changes to the antiquated New York Alcoholic laws, the beverage industry has seen dramatic growth in wineries (471) and breweries (460). This allows for creating many trips thru the region on Canandiagua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga Lakes. The Finger Lakes consists of eleven glacial lakes spanning the distance

south between Rochester to Syracuse with microclimates that are ideal for growing grapes and hops. Over the last thirteen weeks, Agness Wine Cellars has been broadcasting on Facebook Live Virtual Wine tastings pouring twenty-seven Rieslings which define the great tastes and aromas from the worldclass Finger Lakes wine region. In essenses, we are providing a fun and friendly format to learn about many wineries that you would like to visit and may not have heard of previously. On July 30th, we broadcasted live at the Rochester Women magazine’s POP-UP On the River at Kainos Restaurant in the Corn Hill neigborhood. If you attend this event nice we were there to chat about wines,and any other topic as I was around that evening, share a taste and a few smiles.

Ultimately, first you have to determine if you are ready to visit tasting rooms to sample wines and brews or spirits as there are as many choices as you can possibly imagine. Beyond that an amazing amount of selections Rieslings, Reds, Roses and Sparking wines in the terms of high quality award winning tastes. Many people travel the rolling hills and valleys with acres of beautiful grapevines all around no matter which path on either side of the lakes. So make a day of it or even a romantic weekend trip for two and remember there are great choices try and buy at every turn.

“Now people are coming from all over the state, country and globe to taste and buy Riesling, Cabernet Franc and Dry Rose from the close to 100 wineries in the region.”