Souper Sundays! – March 2018

Niagara County, NY – For the month of March various wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail USA will be hosting “Souper Sundays.” 

Each Sunday, March 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th, participating wineries will pair a soup with a featured wine, cider or mead.

A sample of the winery’s chosen soup is included with their tasting fee, unless otherwise specified. No tickets will be sold for this event.

Use the hashtag #SouperSunday and share your favorite pairing throughout the month!

Tastings on Sundays are from Noon – 5pm. Reservations are recommended for groups of 6 or more. Soup samples are available in limited supply, so patrons are encouraged to come early.

March 4th Pairings & Wineries:

• A Gust of Sun Winery Ransomville: Beef Bourginon Stew paired with Trismegistus (a dry, red, blend of Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, and Merlot). Quarts are available to purchase for $10, or enjoy dinner for $19 each or $33 for two (dinner includes a bowl of stew served over homemade mash potatoes with fresh focaccia bread and a glass of Trismegistus). Ashley’s Culinary Creations will be onsite offering delicious soups prepared specifically to go with this week’s featured wine.
• A Gust of Sun Winery Spencerport: Beef Stew paired with Trismegistus (a dry, red, blend of Cab Franc, Cab Sauv, and Merlot).
• Chateau Niagara Winery: Moroccan Beef Soup and Saperavi Wine.
• Honeymoon Trail Winery: Our Chillin Chili made with Honeymoon Trail Chillin Concord.
• Lake Ontario Winery: Tuscan Artichoke & Tomato Paired with Pirates Pieces of Eight wine.
• Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
• Midnight Run Wine Cellars
• Spring Lake Winery
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate: Experience a taste of Mexico with our Aztec Onion And Lime Soup With Blue Corn Dumplings paired with either our Chardonnay or Tropi. The crisp melon and pair notes of the Chardonnay perfect complement the earth and citrusy notes of the soup. For those who prefer their wine sweet. Tropi’s effervescence and tropical notes pair perfectly with the flavors of the Soup!
• Vizcarra Vineyards: French Onion paired with Traminette. Homemade soup also available by the cup $3.00 and bowl $5.00.
• Winery at Marjim Manor: Broccoli Cheddar soup with Jewel in the Crown.

March 11th Pairings & Wineries:

• A Gust of Sun Winery Ransomville: Chicken Tortilla Soup paired with Three Westies White (a dry, white, blend of Riesling, Cayuga White, Traminette, and Niagara). Ashley’s Culinary Creations will be onsite offering delicious soups prepared specifically to go with this week’s featured wine.
• A Gust of Sun Winery Spencerport: Chicken Tortilla Soup paired with Three Westies White (a dry, white, blend of Riesling, Cayuga White, Traminette, and Niagara).
• Black Willow Winery
• Chateau Niagara Winery: Hungarian Mushroom Soup and Bulls Blood Wine.
• Freedom Run Winery: Savory Sausage and Cheese paired with Riesling.
• Honeymoon Trail Winery: Chicken & Dumpling paired with our Honeymoon Spice White & Diamond wine.
• Lake Ontario Winery
• Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
• Midnight Run Wine Cellars: Loaded Potato Soup.
• Schulze Vineyards & Winery: Sweet and Spicy Chili. Starts out sweet and then delivers a spicy kick! Addictively delicious!
• Spring Lake Winery: Chili.
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate: Experience a taste of Mexico with our Aztec Onion And Lime Soup With Blue Corn Dumplings paired with either our Chardonnay or Tropi. The crisp melon and pair notes of the Chardonnay perfect complement the earth and citrusy notes of the soup. For those who prefer their wine sweet. Tropi’s effervescence and tropical notes pair perfectly with the flavors of the Soup!
• Vizcarra Vineyards: Chili paired with Vizcarra Red. Homemade soup also available by the cup $3.00 and bowl $5.00.
• Winery at Marjim Manor: Chili with Spring Lake Steuben.

March 18th Pairings & Wineries:

• A Gust of Sun Winery Ransomville: Mushroom and Rice paired with Pinot Noir. Ashley’s Culinary Creations will be onsite offering delicious soups prepared specifically to go with this week’s featured wine.
• A Gust of Sun Winery Spencerport: Mushroom and Rice paired with Pinot Noir.
• Black Willow Winery
• Chateau Niagara Winery: Dublin Coddle and Pinot Noir Wine.
• Honeymoon Trail Winery: Our Chili paired with Honeymoon Trail Full Moon Cabernet Blend.
• Lake Ontario Winery
• Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
• Liten Buffel: Tom Yum soup.
• Midnight Run Wine Cellars: Taco Soup.
• Schulze Vineyards & Winery: Butternut Squash Soup with Apple.
• Spring Lake Winery: Chili.
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate: Experience a taste of Mexico with our Aztec Onion And Lime Soup With Blue Corn Dumplings paired with either our Chardonnay or Tropi. The crisp melon and pair notes of the Chardonnay perfect complement the earth and citrusy notes of the soup. For those who prefer their wine sweet. Tropi’s effervescence and tropical notes pair perfectly with the flavors of the Soup!
• Vizcarra Vineyards: Harvest Mushroom paired with Pinot Gris. Homemade soup also available by the cup $3.00 and bowl $5.00.
• Winery at Marjim Manor: Chicken Soup with Lady in the Window.

March 25th Pairings & Wineries:

• A Gust of Sun Winery Ransomville: Creamy Corn Chowder paired with Chardonnay. Ashley’s Culinary Creations will be onsite offering delicious soups prepared specifically to go with this week’s featured wine.
• A Gust of Sun Winery Spencerport: Creamy Chicken and Dumpling paired with Chardonnay.
• Black Willow Winery
• Chateau Niagara Winery: Sausage and Riesling Cheese Soup paired with Riesling Wine.
• Freedom Run Winery: Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Mushroom paired with Conspiracy White.
• Honeymoon Trail Winery: Chicken Noodle Soup paired with Honeymoon Trail Pink Diamond.
• Lake Ontario Winery
• Leonard Oakes Estate Winery
• Liten Buffel: Tom Yum soup.
• Midnight Run Wine Cellars: Coconut Curry Chicken Soup.
• Spring Lake Winery: Chili.
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate: Experience a taste of Mexico with our Aztec Onion And Lime Soup With Blue Corn Dumplings paired with either our Chardonnay or Tropi. The crisp melon and pair notes of the Chardonnay perfect complement the earth and citrusy notes of the soup. For those who prefer their wine sweet. Tropi’s effervescence and tropical notes pair perfectly with the flavors of the Soup!
• Vizcarra Vineyards: Gazpacho paired with Chardonnay. Homemade soup also available by the cup $3.00 and bowl $5.00.
• Winery at Marjim Manor: Creamy Potato with Thursday Afternoon at 3.

Additional information on the wineries of the trail and a map of locations may be found at http://www.niagarawinetrail.org.

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Annual Celebration of Wine & Chocolate

Niagara County, NY – Your heart will be satisfied with the Niagara Wine Trail USA’s Be Mine with Wine event, February 10-11 and 17-18, 2018. Guests can tempt their taste buds at 10 wineries with confectionary delights, decadent chocolate, and savory treats over two weekends – the perfect Valentine’s Day escape!

“We all know February is the month of love,” says Cate Banks, Executive Director of the wine trail, “our annual ‘Be Mine with Wine’ weekends are the perfect setting for all wine lovers. Join us and taste for yourself – love is in the air – and in every sip!”

Event tickets are valid all four days of the event which takes place Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM and Sunday Noon – 5 PM. The self-guided wine pairing event begins at the first location of your choice where each guest will receive their tasting ticket and a keepsake wine glass from that starting winery. Each ticket includes 3 tastes of wine and the delicacy sample pairing at the ticket holders’ choice of 10 different participating wineries along the wine trail.

The wineries have teamed up with local chocolatiers, bake shops and caterers for the event. From decadent truffles to candied barks, from chocolate fondue to spicy and savory chocolate samples alike, delicious wine pairings await visitors along the Niagara Wine Trail.

Tickets and additional information, including a detailed list of pairings and participating wineries, may be found at www.niagarawinetrail.org.

Guests can save $5 by purchasing tickets in advance for $22 per person at the Niagara Wine Trail website until 9 PM on Thursday, February 8th. Tickets will be available to purchase directly at the wineries during the days of the event for $27 each.

A valid photo ID with proof of age is required to participate in wine tasting. A complete list of featured pairings may be found on the trail’s website events page. Please note that the ticket prices do not include transportation.

The trail strongly recommends advance ticket purchases at the website, and encourages groups to purchase tickets in a single transaction to ensure each participant has the same starting winery. Groups traveling by bus or limousine must call and make reservations with each winery on their itinerary in advance of the event.

Designated drivers and nondrinker attendees are welcome at the wineries at no charge.

###Media Contact:
Elizabeth Maute, Media Director
lizrose@niagarawinetrail.org

Winter Hours 2018

For your convenience, a list of winery winter hours are below. If not listed, all other wineries are on regular business hours*.

*We recommend calling ahead or checking the winery’s website to verify hours as weather conditions may change them.

A Gust of Sun Winery

• Ransomville (WEST) Location Hours:
• January – March:
  Friday & Sunday: 12pm – 6pm
  Saturday: 10am – 6pm
  Other days & times by appointment
• Spencerport (EAST) Location Hours:
• Open year round
  Sunday–Friday: 12pm – 7pm
  Saturday: 10am – 7pm
  Open later than 7 pm by appointment or for special events

Arrowhead Spring Vineyards

• Please visit website for current hours

Black Willow Winery

• January–April 1st
  Sunday – Friday: 12 pm–6 pm
  Saturday: 10 am– 6 pm

BlackBird Cider Works

• Winter/Spring (November 1–May 31):
  Thursday – Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm
  Sunday: 12 pm-5 pm
  By appointment (716.795.3580)

Chateau Niagara Winery

• January – April:
  Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm – 5pm
  Call (716) 957-2338 for additional hours

Freedom Run Winery

• January—March:
  Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday: 12pm–6pm
  Friday & Saturday 10am–6pm
  Closed Monday & Tuesday

Honeymoon Trail Winery

• Winter hours may vary, please call ahead (716) 438-3255

Leonard Oakes Estate Winery

• January – April:
  Sunday–Friday: 12 pm–6 pm
  Saturday: 10 am–6 pm

Long Cliff Winery & Vineyards

• December–May:
  Monday: 12pm–4pm
  Friday & Saturday: 10am–6pm
  Sunday: 12pm–6pm

Niagara Landing Wine Cellars

• January – April:
  Sunday–Friday: 12 pm–6 pm
  Saturday: 10 am–6 pm

Schulze Vineyards & Winery

• January–April:
  Sunday–Friday: 12pm–6 pm
  Saturday: 10 am–6 pm

Spring Lake Winery

• January – April:
  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
  During the week by appointment

Schwenk Wine Cellars

• January–May:
  Saturday & Sunday: 12 pm–5 pm

Victorianbourg Wine Estate 

• Winter hours (January-April):
  Friday–Monday 12pm–5pm
  *please check victorianbourg.com for all other days

Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms  

• January—May:
  Mon—Tues: Closed
  Wed—Thurs: 12pm – 6pm
  Fri—Sat: 11am – 9pm
  Sun: 10am – 6pm
• Winter Food Service:
  Fri & Sat: 5pm – 9pm
  Sunday Brunch: 10am – 2pm

#UncorkNWT Donates $9,755

Niagara County, NY – During this past Veterans Day weekend, November 10-12, wineries along the Niagara Wine Trail partnered with local charitable organizations to raise money and non-perishable goods.

During the annual Share the Bounty event, wineries accepted non-perishable items and/or monetary donations in exchange for wine tastings to benefit the food bank or charity of their choice. $9,755 combined was raised with over 1,000 items donated during this three-day event.

Non-profit organizations selected by wineries for this year’s event included: Hospice of Orleans, WNY Heroes, Meals on Wheels, Buffalo Pug & Small Breed Rescue, Eastern Niagara Animal Welfare Alliance, ALS Association, Crohn and Colitis Foundation, Mario’s Pet Food Pantry, Lakeview Animal Sanctuary, Rosewell Park Leukemia Division, and the Carlton Fire Company.

Food pantries which benefited from the non-perishable donations and monetary contributions included: the Peanut Butter And Jelly Food Drive, Gasport Zion Lutheran Church Food Pantry, Wilson Community Food Bank, FoodLink of Rochester, Caregiver’s Ministry at Immaculate Conception Church of Ransomville, Care & Share Food Pantry in Ransomville, Barker Food Pantry, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Newfane Community Food Pantry, and the Calvary Cupboard Food Pantry.

“When we all come together, we really can do good for the community. We hope the donations the wineries collected from our generous guests will help those in need this holiday season and in the year to come.” said executive director, Cate Banks.

The wine trail’s next event, Holiday Happening, runs every weekend throughout the month of December during winery business hours. Tickets for the event are limited and include 3 tastes of wine at each member winery, a keepsake wine glass from the first winery visited, and a collectable, locally crafted wooden train ornament set. Attendees may purchase their ticket online for $50 per person, or $65 per couple. For more information on the Niagara Wine Trail USA and the member wineries, partner businesses along the wine trail, and events, visit http://www.niagarawinetrail.org.

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Media Contact:
Elizabeth Maute, Media Director
lizrose@niagarawinetrail.org

About Niagara Wine Trail
The Niagara Wine Trail, USA is nestled between the Niagara Escarpment and Lake Ontario in Niagara, Orleans, and Monroe Counties in upstate New York, minutes from Niagara Falls. The wine trail, established in 2002, features member wineries, each offering a unique take on wines that everyone from aficionados to novices in the world of wine may enjoy, and other local partner member businesses. More information may be found on the trail’s website http://www.NiagaraWineTrail.org.

Holiday Hours 2017

For your convenience, a list of the upcoming holiday hours are below.
Please also check winery hours if visiting on dates not listed below.

**Fall and Winter hours are now in effect at several locations.

Flight of Winery Winery: OPEN 10AM – 7PM on Saturdays for December.

11-22 Thanksgiving Eve

• Flight of Five Winery, Open 12pm – 4pm
• Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms, Becker Brewing open until 12am for public party
• Spring Lake Winery, Closed
• All other wineries on regular or normal winter hours

11-23 Thanksgiving

• Honeymoon Trail Winery, Open regular hours
• Lake Ontario Winery, Open 9am-3pm
• Schwenk Wine Cellars, Open 9am – 12pm
• All other wineries closed

11-24 Black Friday

• Freedom Run Winery, Closed
• All other wineries on regular or normal winter hours

11-25-Small Business Saturday

• All wineries on regular or normal winter hours

11-26 Sunday

• All wineries on regular or normal winter hours

12-24 Sunday Christmas Eve

• BlackBird Cider Works, Open 11am – 4pm
• Flight of Five Winery, Open 12pm – 4pm
• Freedom Run Winery, Closed
• Chateau Niagara Winery, Closed
• Honeymoon Trail Winery, Closed
• Niagara Landing Wine Cellars, Closing at 4pm
• Schwenk Wine Cellars, Open 12pm – 4pm
• Spring Lake Winery, Closed
• Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms, Closing at 4pm
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate, Open 12pm – 3pm
• All other wineries on regular hours

12-25 Monday Christmas Day

• All wineries Closed

12-26 Tuesday Boxing Day 

• Freedom Run Winery, Closed
• All other wineries on regular or normal winter hours

12-31 Sunday New Year’s Eve

• 810 Meadworks, Open 12pm – 2am
• Flight of Five Winery, Open 12pm – 4pm
• Freedom Run Winery, Closed
• Schwenk Wine Cellars, Open 12pm – 3pm
• Spring Lake Winery, Closed
• Vizcarra Vineyards at Becker Farms, Closing at 4pm
• Victorianbourg Wine Estate, Open 12pm – 3pm
• All other wineries on regular or normal winter hours

1-1-18 Monday New Year’s Day

• All wineries Closed

1-2-18 Tuesday    

• Freedom Run Winery, Closed
• The Winery at Marjim Manor, Closed
• All wineries on regular or normal winter hours