Local Business Focus - Grapevine Wines, a New York State of Mind

COBLESKILL — I was invited to a New York State food and wine pairing event recently at the Corning Glass Museum in Corning, where I had a chance to try some amazing foods and New York State wines from regions as far north as Niagara Falls, and as far east as the north fork of Long Island. So, I was thrilled to learn that Grapevine Farms has a wine shop around the back of the building that sells only New York State wines. On the way back there, if you catch sight of a chipmunk that hangs out in the trellis above the door, you’ll know you’re in the right place. 

Inside, welcoming warm, dark wood beams and display shelves, and a tin ceiling the color of an old penny are flanked by wine-themed décor – including framed wine posters, 3-D countryside landscapes behind glass, and small touches like a collection of old bottles and an old-style popcorn cart to add charm.  An extensive choice of reds, whites, sparkling wines, mead, and even fruit wines lay in wait for the chance to go home with someone who will appreciate their unique qualities. Labels of times past were made up merely of legally required words, designed simply to inform about the bottle’s content. Not so today. With so many competing to be chosen, each is specially created to appeal to the right person who will resonate with the theme, the varietal, and the brand. From family crests to wineries artistically sketched, colorful characters and some of the most beautiful paintings of birds flying overhead or landscapes that draw in aficionados scanning the shelves, the labels are meant to catch the eye and entice you to buy.   

As I searched for wines I enjoyed at the Corning event, several Finger Lakes wines grabbed my attention, including Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Old Vines Pinot Noir, Cab Franc and Semi-Dry Riesling; Rieslings from Bully Hill and Buttonwood Grove; and a number of Fox Run wines including Lemberger and Traminette.  “Jackpot!” I said to myself. “They’ve got the good stuff.”

Northern New York was represented by one of my favorites—Coyote Moon, including their Fire Engine Red and Casa Papa Red—both of which are great with pizza and pasta. Thousand Islands offered a broad spectrum of varietals, notably Honey and Frontenac XXX among them. The Hudson Valley wines included several reds from Brotherhood, the oldest winery in America. Another favorite from my own home region—Long Island—featured selections from the popular east end wineries, Duckwalk on the South Fork, and Pindar, whose owner is a former SUNY Cobleskill student, on the North Fork.

Don’t see a NYS wine you’re looking for?  The shop will do their best to get it for you. Owner Tim Purcell highlighted his strong relationships with wineries around the state, and he was confident that he could get wines that people request. “I’m all about supporting New York State businesses,” he said. And that goes a long way.

A small area in the back corner, behind some wine shelves, has cozy seating overlooking a wall filled with brightly colored, shiny metallic cans of ciders, offering flavors such as: Meyer Lemon, Honey, Awestruck, and Cherry Pie, with alcohol contents ranging from 5.5% to 6.9% . If you have plans to eat in the restaurant upstairs, and a can of cider or bottle of wine calls your name down in the wine shop, you can buy it and bring it upstairs to the restaurant to drink.  

Slushies are a big hit, Tim says, and they’re easy to make with just wine, a container, and a fridge. Mix the package’s powdered contents with the wine of your choice (or vodka, rum or other spirit), chill it for about 4-5 hours, and you come away with a soft, icy drink that tastes like a Slurpee, but with a kick. There is even a slushie machine in the shop that serves a few flavors to buy and taste in the store and to help decide which might be a good gift for family, friends, or yourself.

Wine slushie mixes come in several flavors—Apple Pie, Vodka Lemonade, Mimosa, and more. Just be sure the kids don’t confuse your spiked slushie with their own alcohol-free drinks. 

Ciders have their own slushie flavors, too–Appeloosa and Mulled Spiked Cider.  Cocktail mixes like 12 Days of Cocktails, Espresso Martini, and Midnight Kiss can be used with fruit wines that have a higher percentage of alcohol. Some in the shop include blackberry, blueberry and cranberry wines.  

If you like chocolate, they’ve got you covered--Cocoa da Vine is always on hand—which has a creamy cocoa taste, like a wine-based Irish Crème liquor, or what could be called chocolate milk for moms and dads. Last year, I left a bottle of chocolate cream wine out for Santa with a plate of home-baked scones.  I figured he would want a change from the usual cookies and plain white milk.   

When customers want to bring home a souvenir of their visit, Grapevine Farms makes it easy. Stemmed and stemless wine glasses donning the store’s logo, and black collared golf shirts with the logo embroidered in white, among other wine accessories, are displayed throughout the shop. My favorite was a white canvas wine bag with a screw top and a message announcing: “Life Happens, Wine Helps.” I liked that it can be used where bottles can’t or shouldn’t be—on a soft, sandy beach, on a boat ride, or in and around a pool, for example. 

An extra bonus is free daily tastings featuring seven wines chosen by Tim or Tracy for the month.  Just go to the counter and check out the list. A friendly, knowledgeable salesperson will pour a taste of your choices and answer any questions.

Not only that, customers can try any of Grapevine Farms’ own signature wines displayed in the corner opposite the counter. These include Farmhouse White, Three Dachshunds Riesling, Garden Gazebo Chardonnay, Ghostly White, and reds: Fireside Blush and a fundraiser wine, Rescue Red, which features a photo of Toby the dog and his “signature” on the bottle.  Profits from sales of Rescue Red go to support animal shelters in the area. 

So stop in for a browse between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and enjoy a taste of a wine or two before 5:30. Holidays are quickly approaching, and Grapevine Farms has covered all the bases under one roof.