Arrowhead Spring making name for itself

Arrowhead Spring Vineyard in winter

LOCKPORT, NY -- One of the frequent observations about New York State wines is that many of the smaller labels are difficult to find outside their immediate areas.

That may be why so many of the boutique size wineries' names draw blank looks when they're mentioned.

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards, as just one example, has gotten good reviews from wine judges without becoming a household name. But, that is something the Lockport winery is working to overcome.

It has grown the number of its restaurant and store accounts by 535% in the first three quarters of this year. It now is sold in more than 75 outlets, spread from Niagara Falls to Canandaigua, covering the Buffalo and Rochester markets.

Says Robin Ross, vice president of sales and marketing, “Product quality is the foundation for any growth, and we have a quality product that is complementary to fine cuisine. ... There is a definite trend in the market to consume locally produced food and wine.”

And, added winemaker Duncan Ross, “I am very pleased that all of our hard work in the vineyards and with the winemaking is being recognized with positive reviews and increasing market awareness. I am encouraged by the receptiveness of our customers to fine wines that pair well with food. I see a real commitment on the part of local wine merchants and restaurants to introduce their customers to our local wines.”

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards is a family-owned and -operated winery focusing on fine dry wines. It utilizes traditional methods, including barrel aging. Current production is 2,400 cases annually, made from sustainably farmed estate vineyards planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay. Local growers provide Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, and Riesling.

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• Niagara Wine Trail
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NY's water bottle deposit looms

If you’re planning to pick up a bottle or two — or more — of water, you’d be well advised to do it before Saturday if you want to save some money.

That’s when the state’s newest bottle deposit requirement goes into effect, at a nickel a bottle. You may get a break here and there since the state will be lenient for the first week of the new law until everyone gets used to it, but don’t count on it.

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State adds another wine trail

New York State’s number of wine trails has hit nine, with the creation of the Lake Ontario Wine Trail.

The cooperative marketing effort has six startup members:

• Ashley Lynne Winery: Established in Oswego County in 1928 as Hurlburt Orchards, a fruit farm. Now operated by Leroy and Pat Hurlburt and sons Leon and Craig. Specialize in apple wines.

• Barbara’s Vineyard: The name actually is a misnomer since, according to a staffer at Swedish Hill which owns Barbara’s, no grapes are grown there. There is a traminette under the Barbara’s label, and the North Rose, Waye County, facility is essentially an outlet for two other Swedish Hill companies, Goose Watch and Penguin Bay.

• JD Wine Cellars: Long Acres Farm has built a reputation as a visitor-friendly place with frequent seasonal events, a corn maze and hayrides. This spring it opened the winery, offerting various fruit wines as well as red and white grape wines.

• Mayers Lake Ontario Winery: The winery is set on the Bower family’s 90-acre estate near the Niagara Escarpment. In addition to a wine tasting area, the facility offers a casual bistro for visitors.

• Thorpe Vineyard: This is the vineyard’s 20th anniversary year of operation on the south shore of Lake Ontario. It is adjacent to Chimney Bluffs State Park, midway between Rochester and Oswego in tiny Wolcott, Wayne County.

• Young Sommer Winery: Founded in Wayne County in the spring of 2008. Owned and operated by Herm and Wilma Young. Specializes in fruit and grape wines.

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• Lake Ontario Wine Trail
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State's grape harvest slightly erratic

Cool, cloudy weather in much of New York State's grape-growing regions is helping the harvest along.

Such weather slows the ripening process, giving the grapes a chance to mature even longer. However, it can be a double-edged sword if things get too cool, with isolated spots of freezing being reported.

Take Concord grape, one of the nation's most plentiful and oldest varieties.In western New York's Lake Erie region alone there are about 20,000 acres planted with Concord vines.

There also are about 20 wineries in the region that produce a variety of wines, and the late May frost and cool autum is resulting in a significantly smaller crop for them.

Elsewhere, the latest edition of Cornell Cooperative Extension's weekly "Veraison to Harvest" newsletter reports:

"Growers and wineries [in the Finger Lakes] believe that the year is still shaping up to be a very good one for Riesling, which is good news.”

From Long Island, it says, “Growers are very pleased to be able to deliver a decent crop of Chardonnay.” However, the overall Chardonnay harvest is expected to be smaller than usual.

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Utica may get new dining options

UTICA, NY -- What's the difference between a pound of nails and a pound of snails?

A project fully realized, if the redevelopment of a former hardware store on Bagg's Square comes through as planned.

The former Doyle Hardware building (above) is the site of several proposed new developments. Among them is an 8,000-square-foot section of the building facing Main Street that building owner Stuart Bannatyne plans to turn into a restaurant featuring European and Asian cuisine.

In addition, a cocktail lounge -- with a small movie theater behind it -- is envisioned for the basement space.

Several other uses are in the planning stages, such as office space in the upper three floors, plus a limited lease with the U.S. Census Bureau for workers to begin activities there next week.

Doyle Hardware closed in December 2006 after a run of more than 130 years. Bannatyne purchased the building in December 2007. He had earlier announced that a cafe would be built in the structure, but that apparently now is no longer the case.

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• Utica restaurant guide
• Upstate Restaurant Examiner
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Tastings, expansion at Cohoes' Marketplace

COHOES, NY -- This Friday will be a busy one at the Harmony House Marketplace.

The free weekly New York State wine tasting will feature wines from Swedish Hill, whose John Phillips will be on hand to offer samples and discuss the Cayuga Lake winery's products. Swedish Hill last year was named winery of the year and winner of the Governor's Cup for best wine in the annual New York State Wine & Food Classic competition.

Sampling is for those 21 and older, and will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Wine Seller portion of the Marketplace.

Meanwhile, a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house are planned for 5 to 8 p.m. the same day to mark the addition of the two newest Marketplace complex members -- R&G Cheesemakers and Remsen Street Studios. The complex already includes The Bake Shop.

The open house will offer live music, giveaways and wine tasting. In addition, the works of Kathryn Greenwold, Harmony House's October artist of the month, will be on display. The exhibit is called "Impressions of the Natural World: Quilts and Textile Art."

Harmony House is located at 184–190 Remsen Street.

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ON THE WEB
• Upstate Restaurant Examiner
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What's up?

Did you know the 11th annual Capital Sip for Cystic Fibrosis will be held Thursday, Oct. 8, at Albany"s Crowne Plaza Hotel?

That the Food Network's New York City Wine & Food Festival will be held at various venues around New York City from Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 8-11?

That the Peekskill Brewery will be celebrating its first birthday on the Riverfront Green in Poughkeepsie on Saturday, Oct. 10.

That the 11th annual Spirits of Fall Wine & Cheese Sampler will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, at the historic Grafton Inn in Rensselaer County?

You would know all about these events, and numerous other wine-, spirits- and beer-related events scheduled throughout New York State if you made a habit of checking my "New York Drinks Calendar."

Go there, then go places.

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Keeping up with the changing leaves

This is the sort of map you can access to keep up with the fall foliage progression statewide.

It is available from the state's I Love NY website.

The site provides a text foliage report as well as providing additional information on demand about scenic views and foliage forecast.

The latest report says, in part:

"This weekend, look for nearly complete color change and peak conditions at Whiteface Mountain in Essex County, with leaves of deep, rich red and gold. To the west, in the Mt. Arab and Tupper Lake areas of Franklin County, spotters are calling for 85-90 percent color change marked by an abundance of brilliant yellow and orange leaves accented by sporadic reds, which are quickly overtaking any remaining green. Old Forge leaf peepers in Herkimer County are predicting peak foliage, with bright shades of red, orange, and gold contrasting beautifully with the evergreens. Foliage will range from peak to just emerging from the early stages in Warren County.

"The best colors in the county will be found around the Upper Hudson River Gorge area, with 95 percent color change. In the Middle Hudson River Gorge areas of North Creek and Warrensburg, look for near-peak foliage with around 80 percent change. Predominating colors in both areas are bright red, yellow, gold and orange.

"Further to the southeast, the Lake George area should see color changes of up to 30 percent, with a nice display of red, bronze and yellow leaves set within the still predominantly green backdrop."

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ON THE WEB
• I Love NY tourism site
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