PictureTasting Room at Owera Vineyards
Owera Vineyards, Madison County’s first vineyard, has  officially opened its doors and created a dozen jobs.  The 57-acre picturesque farm winery features a state-of-the-art 7,200 square foot production facility, complete with a tasting room and tank and barrel rooms.  The 5,200 square foot event center and amphitheater will accommodate guests for weddings, corporate events and private parties.  The property has four acres of Marquette and Frontenac Gris vines, as well as fruit orchards, a vegetable garden and many ponds.
 
IN 2011, Central New York’s Regional Economic Development Council awarded Owera Vineyards a grant to promote agri-tourism in the area.  Owner, Nancy J. Muserlian says “We are thrilled to receive this grant and that New York State is behind us in the development of this
project.”
 
Owera has been producing wines since 2010 and boasts 25 awards
including top Wine Spectator ratings for two of their Riesling wines.
 
Owera Vineyards is located four miles north of the village of
Cazenovia.  For more information, visit www.oweravineyards.com.

 
 
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Owera Vineyards on East Lake Road in Cazenovia gave visitors the chance to be a vineyard hand for a day yesterday at their annual harvest event. 
Visitors were welcomed into the vineyard to help pick the ripe crop of Frontenac Gris and Marquette grapes that will be used to make two varieties of wine that will be available only to visitors to the tasting room. 
Upon arriving to the vineyard visitors were given a pair of shears and a quick lesson.   It was a simple process of clipping the bunch from the vine and throwing it into a yellow bin.  Pretty simple work, but a lot of fun none the less.
About 50 people came and went throughout the day and the winery owners provided burgers and dogs for lunch as well as some refreshments that included the Frontenac Gris wine made from grapes picked at last year's harvest day. 
Owera intends to make the harvest day an annual event so save a Sunday next September and you can see for yourself how much fun working in a vineyard can be.


 
 
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The grapes are growing in preparation for the fall harvest at Owera Vineyards and the anticipation is building for an evening of celebration at the annual Taste of Cazenovia which will take place under the big tent at Owera Vineyards in Cazenovia on Wednesday, September 21st from 6-9 pm.  For 40 years, the community has supported and embraced the mission and work of the Cazenovia Children’s House.  Cazenovia Children’s House, a not-for-profit charitable organization, proudly provides quality early care and education to the children of Cazenovia and surrounding areas. The Taste of Cazenovia is the largest fundraiser for the Children’s House and all proceeds support programming and tuition assistance for qualifying families with financial need.

 

This year’s Taste is generously hosted by our Valued Partner, Owera Vineyards and Presented by Willowbank Company, L.LC.  Event sponsors: Bryant & Stratton, Dannible & McKee, L.L.P., East Lake Designs - Maggie Borio, Ecologic LLC, Marquardt Switches, Inc., Key Bank, Pelco Component Technologies and GHD; Entertainment Sponsor: The Noisy Boys; Media Sponsors: Eagle Newspapers, Oneida Daily Dispatch, Southern Madison County Living and Table-Hopping Newspapers; Graphic Design Sponsor: bzdesign; Printing Sponsor: Avalon Printing Services.

 
 
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The rain has arrived, but that is actually good news on a Wednesday in June.  It just means the selection at the farmer's markets this weekend will be more robust.   So on a rainy day, we've spotlighted some light reading for you about things going on in Madison County.  Enjoy!
Buy Local Week Kicks off with Fresh Gala (Madison County Courier) This event is quickly becoming one of the best summertime events in all of Madison County.  It highlights farms all week long and celebrates the foods available from our neighbors.

Owera Vineyards is bottling their first crush (Owera Vineyards Facebook Page) Everyone at Madison County Tourism is excited that our first vineyard and winery will have product to sell within weeks.

The Central New York Community Foundation Awards Grants (Oneida Daily Dispatch) The Stone Quarry Hill Art Park receives $15,000 and Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum receives $5,000.

Cazenovia Installs Boulders Along the Lake (Syracuse.com)The battle to keep invasive species out of the lake took another turn as the town limits access at the south shore parking area for boaters and fishermen.

Young Composers Take Part in Cazenovia Counterpoint (Syracuse.com) Many people know about Skaneatales's Chamber Music Festival, but Cazenovia Counterpoint is another great summer arts festival.

And now a new daily feature.  We will also comb the vast resources of You Tube to bring you images of Madison County too:

You Tube Video of the Day: 2008 Madison Bouckville Outdoor Antique Show