The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is the first organized and longest running wine trail in the United States. Step inside the warmth of family owned and operated boutique wineries and explore the tastes, aromas and sights unique to the Finger Lakes. For the second year in a row, two Cayuga wineries have won the most prestigious award at the New York Wine and Food Classic: the Governor’s Cup, known as the Oscars of New York wines. The 2008 recipient is Swedish Hill Winery who additionally earned the title of “Winery of the Year”.

What makes the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail different? The winery members were all grape growers first. They didn't inherit big estates and established businesses. In addition to managing and working in their own wineries, they conduct the business of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail utilizing the time, energy, and knowledge of their members. Cayuga Lake is the longest lake (measuring at 38.2 miles), the widest (1.75 miles) and one of the deepest (435 feet) of the eleven Finger Lakes. Water that drains into Cayuga Lake takes over 10 years to cycle through the lake. And rumor has it there’s a sea monster that lives on the bottom of the lake and a tunnel that connects Cayuga with Seneca, but no one knows for sure.

Our Season Pass is your ticket to Cayuga Lake Wine Trail events in 2009 at a special savings of 25% off the ticketed price. Join us for Mardi Gras, February 21st & 22nd; Wine & Herb Fest, April 25th & 26th or May 2nd & 3rd; and our Holiday Shopping Spree, November 21st & 22nd or December 5th & 6th. Season Passes make a great gift, and are transferable. If you can’t make one of the events, give your pass to a friend! If you wish to purchase Greyhound Wine Tour tickets, an additional fee is added to the already reduced fee.

The 7th Annual Mardi Gras is February 21st & 22nd, from 10:00AM-6:00PM on both Saturday and Sunday on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. You’ll receive a string of Mardi Gras beads, a wine glass, exciting prizes and a wine and food pairing at each of the wineries. Each participant is eligible to win one of 3 Grand Prizes from the A Wicher Garden Bed & Breakfast, Aurora Inn and a wine refrigerator stocked with a sampler case of wine. Costumed guests who visit the wineries on Mardi Gras weekend will be eligible to be chosen as King and Queen of Mardi Gras. The new royal couple will be crowned at a reception in early spring; receive free tickets to our other Cayuga Lake Wine Trail events and the Finger Lakes Wine Festival in Watkins Glen, NY; and enjoy an overnight stay in a King Suite at the Latourelle Resort and August Moon Spa.

Celebrate the beginning of spring at our 17th Annual Wine & Herb Festival on April 25th and 26th or May 2nd and 3rd and receive an herb or veggie plant from each winery. Hours are 10:00AM-6:00PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Sample herb-prepared delicacies paired with fine wines. A souvenir wine glass and recipes are included. Participants are eligible to win one of our Grand Prizes from Courtyard by Marriott in Ithaca, Finger Lakes Winery Tours, MacKenzie-Childs, Ramada Inn in Ithaca, Rogue’s Harbor, Silver Strand Bed & Breakfast and The Grapevine Bed & Breakfast.

In the summer we host our Greyhound Wine Tour from Thursday, July 23rd to Sunday, July 26th.

Meet all your greyhound friends and their pups at our fourth Greyhound Gathering, where each Greyhound owner will receive a commemorative Greyhound wine glass and enjoy wine tastings and food pairings. Each Greyhound will receive doggie treats and partake in ice cream socials throughout the weekend. In addition there will be doggie vendors, Adopt-a-Greyhound booths, concerts, barbecues and more. Participants are eligible to win our Grand Prize from the Hampton Inn in Ithaca. A portion of the proceeds is donated to Greyhound Agencies, so come and visit us during our dog days of summer.

During the months of June, July and August, join us on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail for Family Days and visit any of the sixteen wineries on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday with your family. Make three different winery purchases and you’ll receive a FREE Ice Cream Treat up to $5.00, redeemed at participating creameries. Participants are eligible to win giveaways from Holiday Inn in Auburn and Museum of the Earth.

Join us in September for a month-long Harvest Hoopla of events hosted at 16 local wineries to celebrate the harvest. Sign up for special giveaways from 10 Fitch Bed & Breakfast and the Hilton Garden Inn in Ithaca. Enjoy fine wine, great food, music and much more. Check website for details.

The last event of the year is our 16th Annual Holiday Shopping Spree, November 21st and 22nd or December 5th & 6th, 10:00AM-6:00PM both days. Start off your holiday shopping season sampling fine wines and special treats. Take home a souvenir wineglass, a grapevine wreath, a collectible Cayuga Lake Wine Trail ornament from each winery and a variety of holiday recipes. In addition we are offering to our ticket holders our event weekend shoppers card, so you’ll be able to shop till you drop. Participants will be eligible to win one of our Grand Prizes from Barrister’s Bed & Breakfast, Cold Springs Art Gallery, John Morris Manor, Johnson Art Museum, Juniper Hill Bed & Breakfast and McLallen House Bed & Breakfast. Ticket prices for all our events include handling fee and sales tax. For ticket prices check out our website www.cayugawinetrail.com.

Another great deal is our Vino Visa Coupon Book. This book contains coupons from all 16 wineries and other local businesses. A great value, the book offers free tastings, discounted purchases and free items. Order online or by calling 800-684-5217.

Take in our breathtaking views. Taste the wines that have won over 5,000 national and international medals and a total of 5 Governor’s Cups. And live the experience of visiting 15 wineries, one cidery, one meadery and four distilleries at Finger Lakes Wine Country in New York.