Fall Food & Dining Calendar

Ithaca, NY--Here's the 2010 harvest season calendar of food and dining events in Ithaca, surrounding Tompkins County and the adjacent Cayuga Wine Trail. Check back for updates and additions throughout the fall.

Highlighted:
All Fall: Harvest Dinners on the Farm
Five opulent dinners served on the farm. Each dinner highlights the work of an individual chef who serves a fresh rustic feast, right in the fields. Dinners are paired with local wine & beer and held rain or shine, alfresco or under cover. Dates are Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and Nov. 14. Chefs, farm locations and menus are still being finalized, but it’s not too early to reserve your place at the table. Tickets (all inclusive) cost about $75 per person, with proceeds benefitting Healthy Food For All, a non-profit program that gets fresh local produce to low-income families. These popular dinners will sell out. For details and reservations, please contact Elizabeth Karabinakis, at Cornell Cooperative Extension, (607) 272-2292, evk4@cornell.edu.
Link: http://www.healthyfoodforall.org/

Oct. 9-10
Finger Lakes Cheese Trail Open House
Learn about the wonderful variety of cheeses produced here in the Finger Lakes by visiting our local cheese producers and sampling their products.  The Finger Lakes Cheese Trail is a new organization of 10 cheese producers from throughout the Finger Lakes who make artisan cheeses from milk produced at their family farms.  Great cheeses are being made, ranging from English style raw milk cheddars, cheese curd, gouda and swiss types from dairy cow milk, to blue cheeses, chevre and feta from goats and sheep milk. 10:00 AM - 05:00 PM, Oct 10, 12:00 PM - 04:00 PM. More: http://ccetompkins.org/calendar/10/05/19/finger-lakes-cheese-trail

Oct.-Nov.
Taste of the Nation Chef's Night Out
By numbers alone, this is an awesome food event. Three spectacular dinners, each a five-course delight, created by five local chefs, responsible for one course apiece, all paired with wine, served at three sumptuous venues, over four short weeks. Wow. Welcome to Chef's Night Out. Part of the national "Taste of the Nation" initiative, Chef's Night Out is a delicious fundraiser for Share our Strength, a program to end childhood hunger. This year's dinners are: Oct. 12 at the Carriage House Restaurant Hayloft; Oct. 26 at La Tourelle Resort; and Nov. 9 at Celebrations banquet center. Tickets are $75 per person and seating is extremely limited. For menus, directions and details, visit http://strength.org/ithaca/chefs_night_out/.

October

October 2    Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Experience the Crush!
Harvest is in full swing! Join us for exciting demonstrations of harvesting equipment. Watch grapes being pressed into juice and enjoy a fresh sample.
www.cayugaridgewinery.com

October 9 & 10    King Ferry Winery/Treleaven, Harvest Festival
Saturday: Live radio broadcast 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Free wine tasting all day. Live music from "Jazzitudes" from 1:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Food available from Mo's BBQ and Cowboy Cuisine. Ice Cream from Cayuga Lake Creamery. Held in conjunction with Bakers Acre's Apple Festival (Saturday Only).
Sunday: Free wine tasting all day with music from "The Common Taters" from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and food is available from Mo's BBQ and Cayuga Lake Creamery.
www.treleavenwines.com

October 10    Buttonwood Grove Winery, Columbus Day Weekend Celebration
Live music, food, dance and wine specials. Music by Kickin' Back Band. Noon-5PM
www.buttonwoodgrove.com

October 16 & 17    Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Wine & Women: Education & Celebrate-An Observation of Breast Cancer Awareness
Come on out ladies! Let's paint the town pink! Breast cancer professionals will be on hand to educate. Pink drinks & recipes. Vendors. A portion of every dollar will be donated to breast cancer charity.
www.cayugaridgewinery.com

October 16    Knapp Vineyards, Advent of Autumn Wine Dinner.
Executive Chef John McNabb prepares yet another scrumptious menu paired with elegant Knapp wines and wines from our friends at Zugibe Vineyards and sister winery Glenora Wine Cellars. It is time for our bounty of Finger Lakes ingredients to be put to bed. Our vineyards have been harvested and the fruits of our labor will be at the table. Roasted pumpkin bisque, wild mushrooms, locally grown tomatoes and delicious fruits is just a peek of what this dinner has in store. Call us for reservations 800.869.9271
www.knappwine.com

October 17    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Dee Specker & Bobby Henrie live from 4pm-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

October 23    Goose Watch Winery, 13th Annual Chestnut Festival
Enjoy chestnuts harvested right at Goose Watch. Sample our fresh roasted chestnuts, chestnut soup, chestnut spread and more while listening to live music. Noon-5PM
www.goosewatch.com

October 24    Buttonwood Grove Winery, Harvest Festival
Live music with Bob Walpole, wine specials,piping hot chili dishes, hayrides through the spooky vineyards, grape pies & pastries, fun for the entire family! Noon-5pm
www.buttonwoodgrove.com

October 24    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Nate & Kate live from 4pm-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

October 30    Knapp Vineyards, Hallo-Wine Spooktacular Celebration
Knapp Winery invites all to come in costume. Best costume judged by the end of the day gets great Knapp gifts! Party is all day from 11:00-5:00pm. Best place to stop by before the costume parties begin.
www.knappwine.com

October 30    Americana Vineyards, 8th Annual Halloween Spooktacular// Grow & Show Contest: Best Jack O' Lantern Carving
8th annual after hours Halloween party with a howling good time. Wear your best costume. Call for details. 607-387-6801 Fee
www.americanavineyards.com

October 30 & 31    Bellwether Hard Cider, Cider for Grownups
Let our "Witches Brew" and other Halloween treats cast a spell on you!
www.cidery.com

October 31    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Kenny T & Mad Dog live from 4pm-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

November 6 & 7    Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Wine, Warmth & Comfort Weekend
Get cozy with us! Enjoy hearth-baked comfort food(fee), knitting demonstrations and sip hot mulled wine. Learn how to build a warm fire. Vendors and recipes will be on hand.
www.cayugaridgewinery.com

November 6    Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Annual Barrel Tasting Polka Party
Come enjoy tank and barrel tastings, unique foods and a live Polka band helps us "Roll out the Barrel" for you to enjoy tank and barrel tastings.
www.thirstyowl.com

November 6    Swedish Hill Vineyard, Sparkling Wine & Dessert Festival
Champagnes and dessert wines will be featured with complimentary desserts. Start your holiday shopping! Noon - 5PM
www.swedishhill.com

November 6    Sheldrake Point Vineyard & Simply Red Lakeside Bistro, Harvest Winemaker's Dinner
Celebrate the region's bounty with an exquisite seasonal menu by Executive Chef Samantha Izzo, paired with superb estate wines. Winemaker, Dave Breeden; Winegrower, Bob Madill. $75/person inclusive. Reservations 866-743-5372
Tour 5:00PM, Dinner 5:30PM.
www.sheldrakepoint.com

November 7    Hosmer Winery, Bon Vivant Celebration
Enjoy fine wines in good company, paired with tasty gourmet treats. Fee includes a keepsake.
www.hosmerwinery.com

November 7    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Blue Skies live from 4-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

November 7    Long Point Winery, Six Course Wine Dinner
A spectacular sit down dinner paired with Long Point wines at each course. Two seatings 1:00pm and 4:30pm Dinner by Fabio's.
www.longpointwinery.com

November 13    Knapp Vineyards, 3rd Annual Nouveau Celebration
Join us for a just released wine from the barrel. Every year our winemaker picks out a wine he would love to serve from the barrel. It is a great treat for wine aficionados. Knapp Vineyard Restaurant also pairs some great tantalizing appetizers with this experience and live music fills the air. A fun celebration not to miss. Join us.. Call for more information 800.869.9271
www.knappwine.com

November 14    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Cool Club of Hector live from 4-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com

November 20    Knapp Vineyards, Holiday Dinner -Our Way
With Frank Sinatra in the background, our chef John McNabb, creates a spectacular holiday wine dinner that you will not find anywhere else in the Finger Lakes. It's turkey with a twist, its stuffing with a twist, its cranberry sauce with a -you guessed it, a twist. This dinner is scrumptious and delicious and is the perfect to way to begin your holiday marathon celebrations. Call us for reservations 800.869.9271
www.knappwine.com

November 21    Americana Vineyards, Sunday Afternoon Concert Series
Performance by Fun Zone live from 4-6pm.
www.americanavineyards.com