Spring Wine & Cheese –Wine & Herb Weekend
April 25, 2010
It is an overcast morning along the shores of Seneca and in the vineyards of Glenora, there is even an occasional sprinkle in the air. There temperature is 46 degrees and the wind is from the south southeast at 2 miles per hour.
In the vineyards—another week of testing the nerves and the wind machines—both are still working—the growers worrying about frosts/freezes and the wind machines, which circulate air to warm the buds, turning on early in the morning to stir the air. We know that there were a few bended knees added to the mix as well. Other than that the Spring work continues in the vineyards—herbicide applications, trellis work, and tying. We will soon be planting our replacement vines.
The Production Teams at both Glenora and Knapp had their bottling lines running this past week. The Knapp Team bottled Dry Riesling and the Glenora Team bottled Signature and Pinot Blanc. There was a custom bottling project done as well. It was a good week in the shipping department as well with shipments going out to our distributor in Iowa, the Wind Mill and to Sonnenberg Gardens. On Friday we received the final “off the press proofs” for the new labels that will grace the bottles of Glenora varietals in the near future (after they are made in to poster size, framed, and exhibited at Metropolitan Museum of Art).
On the road—Christine and Ed criss-crossed the state with the week culminating with in-store tastings taking place on Friday at Century in Pittsford; on Saturday it was more of the same with tastings at Exit 9 in Clifton Park, Marketview in Rochester, and at West Ridge in Rochester. Christine is working on “a project” with the new Hope Lake Lodge Resort located near Cortland.
May is going to be a busy month for New York and Finger Lakes wineries as it is both New York Wine Month and Riesling Month. Lot of attention is being given to the Albany market with respect to NY Wine month which is why we have spent a lot of time in that market place this past month preparing for it. Both Knapp and Glenora will be having daily winery evens focused around Riesling during the month of May.
We (Glenora) may be the only “two-pitted” winery in Finger Lakes Wine Country or perhaps even NYS as the maintenance team installed our second fire pit at the Inn this past week. It does not get much better than sitting around a fire with friends enjoying a glass of wine with a great view of the vineyards and Seneca Lake.
On Friday the Branding Committee presented their report during both a morning and afternoon session to all of members of Team Glenora. This was/is a project that had its birth during our managers strategic planning session held last December. The presentation gave every team member insight, along with opportunity to ask questions, regarding our philosophy, our vision, and our plans for building and growing the Glenora and the strengthening the Glenora brand—be it wine, food, or hospitality. The Committee emphasized the importance of everyone understanding and contributing to the program—it takes the support of every member of the organization to build a brand, especially one offering the diversity of products that we do.
It was another wedding weekend at Glenora, and as well we hosted one on Wednesday afternoon. Yesterday’s weather was perfect for the wedding and for the wine trail events—Seneca Lake’s Spring Wine and Cheese—1350 pre-event tickets sold; and the Cayuga Lake’s Wine and Herb—1532 pre-event tickets sold—both trails are selling tickets during the weekend. As of last evening Glenora had seen 992 ticket holders. Thanks to both of the teams at Glenora and Knapp as it takes a lot of work to put these events together—decorations, food, and staff!
Thought for the week: APRIL - "April hath put a spirit of youth in everything" — Shakespeare
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