Yes, it’s winter in the Finger Lakes. No, that doesn’t mean hibernation will be tolerated, especially when there’s so much to do.
Several food and drink events are planned in the weeks ahead that will have you tasting the best of what the wining and dining scene in the Finger Lakes has to offer. Not only will these fun events lure you from your couch; by taking part, local businesses get a pick-me-up during a usually slower time of year and nonprofits receive more needed funding.
Here are four to consider.
1. Linden Wine Series in Geneva
The Linden Wine Series winter season continues in Downtown Geneva.
The series of themed tasting events is hosted across six Linden Street businesses: VINIFERA New York, Microclimate, FLX Provisions, Linden Social, Hogwallow, and Rusty Pig.
Next up is Whiskey & Beer on Jan. 17, followed by: Love & Reds, Feb. 13; Spirits & Cocktails, March 21; and Ring in the Spring, April 25.
Each tasting event runs 6 to 8 p.m., with registration opening at 5:30 p.m. Linden Street will be closed during this period, allowing participants to walk the street and enjoy each of the locations, where the tastings will mainly be inside the participating business.
Participants can purchase a single-event passport for $35 or a full-series passport for $140, which includes one free event. Passports include a tasting glass, gift bag, sponsor items, and access to tastings, food pairings, and entertainment across all participating locations.
Passports and full-series passes will be available at participating businesses and at www.lindenwineseries.com.
2. Canandaigua favorites team up for beer pairing dinner
Canandaigua-based Frequentem Brewing Co. is once again teaming up with the Lake House on Canandaigua for their popular beer pairing dinner.
This exclusive ticketed event — the cost is $100 a person — will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Lake House, 770 S. Main St., Canandaigua.
Diners will enjoy a specially crafted prix fixe menu consisting of four courses, in addition to an amuse bouche and dessert, each paired with Frequentem craft brews.
Here’s what’s on the menu: Crispy pork belly, paired with a Frequentem cocktail; potato beer cheese soup, with a jasmine rice lager; spinach salad, with a tangerine sour IPA; Branzino, with a single origin hop IPA; smoked applewood bacon-wrapped pork loin, with an imperial stout; and croissant mille-feuille, with a cream ale.
To take part, visit https://na.spatime.com/lhc14424/4797482/activity/activity-view/43519148?fbclid=IwY2xjawOv76BleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE4bUhMYVc1b2pjams5SHpTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHpC0oF8MdPTf55OgRBbqBJ4kx-odUXaV4GJ1cTyiWqm4nbcA8ddkJolMylWW_aem_EZCChQDCFubI793z8lix2g.
3. Fork & Skis in Naples
Tickets are on sale now for the 15th annual Forks & Skis charity ski event at Hunt Hollow Ski Club in Naples. The event, which will be held March 6, benefits Foodlink and its mission to end hunger and build healthier communities.
Skiers will enjoy a full day on the slopes, plus food, local beverages, live music, raffles, and après ski festivities. Since its inception in 2010, Forks & Skis has raised over $400,000 to support Foodlink’s efforts to address food insecurity in the Finger Lakes region.
Tickets are $150; $100 for Hunt Hollow members. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit: www.FoodlinkNY.org/ForksandSkis. Hunt Hollow Ski Club is at 7532 County Road 36, Naples.
4. Winter wine mixer helps Arc Ontario
The Arc Ontario’s annual winter wine mixer is coming in March, but tickets are available now.
The event featuring fine wine, live jazz and philanthropy will take place from 6 to 9:30 p.m. March 14 at Clifton Springs Country Club, 2721 Town Line Road, Clifton Springs.
Attendees will enjoy curated food and wine pairings, complemented by live jazz music. Beyond the tastings, guests can can create their own floral arrangements at a custom flower bar and craft signature mocktails at a drink station.
Silent and live auctions are planned, with all proceeds from the event benefitting the Arc Ontario’s mission to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other challenges.
Tickets are available at https://event.gives/arcontario. For more information regarding sponsorships, contact the events team at [email protected].
Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: 4 winter food and drink events to get you out of the house in the Finger Lakes
