If you like good wine, you'll love a new event coming to downtown Batavia in early October. The premier of the "Taste of Fall Wine Walk" will introduce you to 15 of the finest wines produced in Western New York.
And it will give you a chance to take your own sweet time visiting 15 participating businesses and see what they have to offer. Mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 2, anytime from 5 until 9 p.m.
Tickets are $15. The Wine Walk ends with a raffle for prizes.
It is sponsored by the Batavia Business Improvement District (BID) in partnership with the Genesee County Chamber of Commerce.
The self-guided tour begins at the chamber office -- at 210 E. Main St. -- where each person will be given an etched wine glass and a program to guide them from location to location.
There will be plenty of hors d'oeuvres to sample along the way, too.
In preparation, businesses will be going autumnal in decor. BID Executive Director Don Burkel said that he and the BID Promotional Committee hope to get started with decorating after Sept. 11.
Burkel also said that anyone who'd like to help decorate is more than welcome.
"Just give us a call," he said, adding, "We'd like to see the businesses get creative with this. For example, each business might have a different type of scarecrow to distinguish itself."
Michael Anthony's Salon & All-Star Barbershop is way ahead of things. The proprietor has gone well beyond scarecrows, creating stunningly beautiful wreaths and floral arrangements that he made himself. He also sells the needful beauties. Many are on display in the salon and he crafts custom-made ones as well.
The impetus behind the Wine Walk, according to Dawn Ireland-Monsees, the chamber's tourism information coordinator, is to promote Batavia as "a great place to be in the Fall."
"It's also a great social opportunity and a reason for people to get together in small groups," Ireland-Monsees said. "Wine tours have always proven to be very popular."
Did you know that Western New York is second only to California in wine-grape production in the United States? And it offers wines that can stand up to long-famous European vintners, particularly its white varieties.
The regional portfolio includes perennial favorites like Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, but also Gewurztraminer, Viognier, Pinot Gris, and more.
Forget about "forward" "nose," "finish" and other wine terminology used by aficionados. Most wine experts say a good wine is simply one you enjoy. Price does not necessarily dictate taste.
Tickets can be purchased on the evening of the event, in advance at the chamber or at these businesses:
- Adam Miller's Toys & Bicycle, 8 Center St.
- Michael Anthony's Salon, 43 Jackson St.
- Next Level Fitness, 85 Main St.
- The Daily Grind, 85 Main St.
- Valle Jewelers, 21 Jackson St.
You may also reserve your tickets by calling the BID at 344-0900 or the chamber at 343-7440.
For more information, visit www.downtownbataviany.com.
