Wine Festival returns to Watkins Glen

WATKINS GLEN--With Watkins Glen International's first major race weekend in the books, attention now shifts to celebrating the region's plentiful wine offerings at the Finger Lakes Wine Festival presented by Yancey's Fancy New York's Artisan Cheese, set for July 13-15.
Voted by fans and readers of USA Today as "America's Best Wine Festival," the event boasts several opportunities to learn and indulge in the best of wine, culinary and craft purveyors from around New York state. Special events, including the Friday night Launch of the Lakes toga party, Saturday night Taster's Banquet and enhanced seminars round out the schedule, along with music and entertainment demonstrations throughout the weekend.
"This event is all about showing off what New York state has to offer in terms of our great wineries," said Watkins Glen International President Michael Printup. "The Finger Lakes Wine Festival presented by Yancey's Fancy, however, is more than just wine tasting. We're also celebrating the art, music and culinary excellence found in our region, as well. We'll even be offering up pace car rides on Saturday and Sunday to those speed-inclined guests."
Gates open at 5 p.m. Friday night for the Launch of the Lakes toga party, while the rest of the weekend, the main festival areas open at 10 a.m. Camping is available with an additional pass.
Musical performances by Keith James Band (Friday/Saturday), Rebecca McDonald (Saturday/Sunday), Kates Brothers Band (Saturday), The Family Ties Band (Saturday), Virgil Cain (Saturday), DJ Samborn (Saturday), Rebecca and the Soul Shakers (Sunday), Handsome Young Ladies (Sunday), Aunt Millie's Biscuits (Sunday) and GREYE (Sunday) will take place on stages located around the festival grounds. The full schedule can be viewed at www.flwinefest.com.
Guests will also find a number of entertaining acts on the outdoor demonstration stage, including Down to Earth Aerials (Saturday/Sunday), Caricature Drawings (Saturday) and Drumadics--New York City beats and brass band (Saturday/Sunday).
The Finger Lakes Chapter of Women for Wine Sense will be presenting enhanced seminars at the track's air-conditioned media center on both Saturday and Sunday. These educational opportunities offer pairing suggestions and tastings, and in-depth examinations of subject matter exclusive to the Finger Lakes region.
A number of free wine seminars, presented by Women for Wine Sense, and cooking seminars, presented by Colivare, will also be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis in the media center. These are shorter than the enhanced seminars and offer more general overviews of wine and culinary-centric topics.
Tickets are available for the event by calling 866-461-7223 or at www.flwinefest.com.