In our humble opinion, the best way to combat cabin fever is to embrace winter like we do in the Finger Lakes: enjoying the snowy outdoors, savoring the region’s wines and farm-to-table fare with chefs and winemakers, learning how Native Americans like to have fun in the winter, learning how to cook like a Southerner and shop for a few cherished antiques knowing that your dollars are going to a good cause. Here is what we have on our calendar the next few months in Ontario County. Please join us.
Finger Lakes Frost Fest at Ramada Geneva Lakefront: Frost Fest 2017 features outdoor ice sculptures and ice bars with specialty Frost Fest Martinis poured through an ice luge; live music; indoor food tastings from popular area restaurants; wine, beer, and spirit tastings from award winning Finger Lakes wineries, breweries, and distilleries; shuttle service to and from downtown parking areas to the event; and ending with a spectacular fireworks display on the City of Geneva pier. All proceeds will benefit the Geneva Family YMCA.
5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4
41 Lakefront Drive, Geneva
Tickets ($25) are available at
www.brownpapertickets.com.
Nordic Sip-N-Ski & Winemaker’s Dinner at Bristol Mountain Winter Resort: Participants will be treated to an evening of wine tasting from various New York State wineries, while making their way around the loops of the Nordic tract at Bristol Mountain Winter Resort. Instruction will be provided; no experience is necessary. Following the cross-country skiing there will be a buffet-style dinner along with a silent auction and raffle. Finish with hot chocolate and a bonfire. Proceeds from this charitable event will go to support Mercy Flight Central’s life-saving services.
5 to 9 p.m. Feb. 4
5662 State Route 64, Canandaigua
Tickets ($80) cover equipment rental, Nordic instruction, tastings, buffet dinner, wine/beer pairings and a $25 donation to Mercy Flight Central.
www.mercyflightcentral.org/index.php/ become-donor/fundraising-events/
The Ravinous Table Wine Dinners at Ravines Wine Cellars: Enjoy the excitement of a communal table where Ravinous Kitchen chef Scott Riesenberger creates a seasonal menu of four courses, each paired with Ravines wines that are curated by winemaker Morten Hallgren. Each meal includes multiple courses created with produce, meats and cheeses from neighboring Finger Lakes farms and herbs, vines and honey from Ravines.
6 p.m. Feb. 11, 18 and 25
400 Barracks Road, Geneva
Tickets are $65 at www.ravineswine. com/Visit-Us/Farm-to-Table-Tastings
The Chef & the Winemaker at Ravines Wine Cellars: Join winemaker Morten Hallgren in the Barrel Room of Ravines’ winery in Geneva to taste through flights of library wines from his personal cellar. Each flight will feature old wines in contrast to newer vintages to demonstrate the variation between the vintages and how the growing season affects the attributes and characteristics of the various wines. Chef Scott Riesenberger will prepare a grazing slate for each guest: a slate board of delicious savory foods he has created to pair with the various wines.
Noon Feb. 5 (Meritage), 12 (Riesling and Chardonnay) and 19 (Meritage and Cabernet Franc)
400 Barracks Road, Geneva
Tickets are $25 at
www.ravineswine.com/Events
Moonlight Ski at Cumming Nature Center: Let the full moon dazzle you as you discover just what Cumming Nature Center’s wild residents are up to at night. Beginner and expert cross-country skiers alike will enjoy this easy-paced trek through a majestic winter landscape. Ski rentals are available.
6:30 to 8 p.m. Feb. 10
6472 Gulick Road, Naples
$3 requested donation, $10 per family; free for Rochester Museum & Science Center members
www.rmsc.org/cumming-nature-center/ nature-center-programs-and-events
Winter Wonderland Walk at Cumming Nature Center: Children engage in forest forensics as they detect signs of life amidst the winter woodland. Hikers will hunt for tracks, uncover secret forest communities and discover nature’s many amazing winter adaptations. Great for young kids.
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Feb. 10, 18
6472 Gulick Road, Naples
$3 requested donation, $10 per family, free for Rochester Museum & Science Center members.
www.rmsc.org/cumming-nature-center/ nature-center-programs-and-events
Ski In-Ski Out Valentine’s Dinner at Bristol Mountain Winter Resort: Bundle up your partner, bring along your alpine skis, and enjoy this prelude to Valentine’s Day with this special dinner. This event is limited to 17 couples, with dinner taking place at Morning Star Café, Bristol’s mid-mountain lodge. Guests will be served a three-course meal with wine. Contact Bristol Mountain for details.
6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 11
5662 State Route 64, Canandaigua
(585) 374-6000
www.bristolmountain.com
Snowga at Bristol Harbour Lodge & Golf Club with Finger Lakes Yogascapes: Trek over hill and dale on snowshoes, drawing in brisk clean air and taking in nature and views of Canandaigua Lake and the Bristol Hills. Occasional stops to strike a yoga pose on the snowshoes make it a whole new adventure. Snowga is followed by a bonfire on the back deck overlooking the lake, followed by savory and sweet comfort food and wine. All levels of snowshoe and yoga welcome.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 11
5410 Seneca Point Road, Canandaigua
$52, $67 with snowshoe rental
www.fingerlakesyogascapes.com
Canandaigua Classic Antique Show & Sale at Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack: Let antiques warm up your winter with a visit to the 18th annual Canandaigua Classic Antique Show and Sale. There will be over 40 quality antique dealers displaying their goods. The show is conducted in partnership with The Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua. Proceeds provide student scholarships and grants for non-profit groups in Ontario County.
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 12
5857 State Route 96, Farmington
$6 admission
www.canandaiguaantiquesclassic.org
Chocolate-Infused Food & Wine Pairing Dinner at Belhurst: Guests will be guided through a tasting of six Belhurst Estate Winery wines that have been paired with six chef-created tasting dishes. This is a small group event in a private dining room in the historic Belhurst Castle. Enjoy incredible views of Seneca Lake and be surrounded by original wood trim and a fireplace.
6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 16
4069 West Lake Road, Geneva
Tickets are $110 at
www.belhurst.com/belhurst-events
Wine & Paint Night at Hazlitt’s Red Cat Cellars: With a vinyl record as your canvas and a refreshing glass of wine to enjoy, you get to learn how to be an artist for an evening. The featured painting will be a beautiful tree with a heart. Classes are taught by Aimee Bergvall from Zest 4 Art.
6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 16
1 Lake Niagara Lane, Naples
Admission is $30. For reservations, call (585) 531-9000.
www.hazlitt1852.com
Native American Winter Games & Sports at Ganondagan State Historic Site: Friends of Ganondagan bring the traditional Seneca and Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) ways of enjoying the season to the public in the 13th annual Native American Winter Games & Sports. This year’s newest addition is snowboat racing. Activities take place with or without snow. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 27
7000 County Road 41, Victor
Free, with suggested donation of $10 per family
www.ganondagan.org
Dwyer’s Red Food & Wine Pairing Dinner at Belhurst: At this all red wine food and wine pairing dinner, guests will be guided through a tasting of four Belhurst Estate Winery wines that have been paired with four chef-created tasting dishes.
6 to 9 p.m. March 18
4069 West Lake Road, Geneva
Tickets are $95 at
www.belhurst.com/belhurst-events
River City Brass at The Smith Center for the Arts: The world-renowned River City Brass travels from Pittsburgh for a concert featuring Celtic Connections.
7:30 p.m. March 25
82 Seneca Street, Geneva
Admission is $30 for adults, $25 for seniors, $10 for college students, free for students through grade 12.
www.thesmith.org
Explore America The South at New York Wine & Culinary Center: Join the Center’s Chef Instructor in our Hands-On Kitchen to create Southern classics using indigenous New York State ingredients. See how French and Spanish influence has made Southern cooking some of the most flavorful and versatile cuisine in the country.
6 to 8:30 p.m. March 30
800 South Main Street, Canandaigua
Price is $65. www.nywcc.com
If you need more information about where to stay or what to eat while you’re in the Finger Lakes, let Finger Lakes Visitors Connection help. Check out our website, www. visitfingerlakes.com, or give us a call at 877-386-4669.
Finger Lakes Visitors Connection is the official tourism promotion agency for Ontario County. Our office is at 25 Gorham Street in Canandaigua.
