Finger Lakes Effect

From Wine Roots to Trail Loops: Your Weekly Finger Lakes Fix

Author

Adam Moody
May 21, 2025

One of the many enduring (and unsurprising) traditions in the Finger Lakes? Wine.

Whether you're a longtime local or just passing through, it doesn't take long to realize how central wine is to the culture, landscape, and even the rhythm of the seasons around here.

The region’s winemaking history runs deep, and much of it leads back to one person: Dr. Konstantin Frank.

A Ukrainian immigrant with a PhD in viticulture, he helped revolutionize wine production in the U.S. by proving that classic European grape varieties could thrive in our sometimes chilly climate.

His work didn’t just put the Finger Lakes on the map—it helped shape the region’s identity. (If you’re curious, his story is worth a quick read on Wikipedia.)

Today, the legacy lives on in hundreds of vineyards and tasting rooms scattered across the hills and lakeshores. As summer and fall roll in, the calendar fills with wine releases, harvest parties, vineyard concerts, and more—just check this weekend’s event listings!

Speaking of drinks… we kicked off the very first Finger Lakes Effect happy hour last week! It was a small but meaningful gathering, and I’ve got some details and a question for you below ⬇️

Inaugural Happy Hour

Big thanks to Amy, Scott, and Jeney for making the small inaugural happy hour a success—I was fully prepared to sip a solo beer on my own and enjoy the evening, but it was much more enjoyable with others 😀 

Join us next time!

It’s got me thinking ahead to the next Finger Lakes Effect meet up - what would you most want to do?

🥾 TRAIL OF THE WEEK: Taughannock Upper Loop

A bit of a twist on the classic Taughannock hike—with Cornell graduation taking place this weekend you might want to avoid the typically busy spots! 3-ish mile loop with views of both sides of the gorge. Heads up: there appears to be a partial detour until later in 2025.

👉 Trail details here.

Taughannock Upper Loop

The Bulletin

Want to spread the word about your business, a project, a volunteer opportunity, or just give a shout-out to over 1,741 friends in the Finger Lakes?

Katherine Gabelmann is a skilled massage therapist who blends clinical experience with spa-quality care. Katherine creates a supportive, welcoming space and tailors each session to your needs—whether you're seeking pain relief, stress reduction, or a better sense of well-being. I highly recommend her - tell her Adam says hi and thanks!

Nowhere Special Libations Parlor - right across from the State Theatre in Ithaca you’ll find a welcoming wall of bottles to satisfy any taste. Cozy space great for a drink with a friend - for some extra fun, check out the curated 1-star reviews in the bathrooms 😂 

Forks On The Road: Eats & Drinks

Café 19: Where History Perks Up Your Morning

Tucked near the waterfront path in Seneca Falls—just a short stroll from many tributes to the women’s rights movement—Café 19 offers more than just a cup of coffee. It delivers a jolt of history, art, and flavor all in one stop. This bright, cozy café serves up bold brews and bold women, with vibrant pop-art portraits of historic suffragists lining the walls.

We had fun trying to identify each one while waiting for our drinks (a surprisingly fun and educational way to caffeinate). Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Sojourner Truth (admittedly with assistance from Google Lens) —they’re all there, adding a burst of color and history to your coffee break.

The staff was genuinely welcoming, with the kind of friendly energy that makes you feel like a regular, even if it’s your first time.

While eyeing a fresh tray of cookies being added to the display, I ended up chatting with one of the staffers and walked away with a sweet little stack: chocolate chip, peanut butter, butter pecan, and ginger. No regrets. Also no pictures...

The vibe is cheerful and community-rooted, with a menu full of comforting hits and a space that invites you to linger. Whether you're after a hearty breakfast, a creative latte (yes, there’s a “Suzy B”), or just a quiet corner to sip and reflect, Café 19 offers a thoughtful pause in a town built on change.

It’s local, it’s lovely, and it’s proof that great coffee and great conversation both deserve a seat at the table.

Jeney - The Forkin’ Local

📅 EVENTS

Recurring Events

Trying something new - adding weekly recurring events onto one page to save space & reading time. Let me know if you like this or want them back in the email!

Trivia - click here

Kid Friendly - click here

Wednesday

Thursday

  • Good Dog & Nathan El @ South Hill Cider (Ithaca) - Enjoy farm-to-table fare and cider all day, plus live music from Good Dog and special guest Nathan El—acoustic vibes, vocal harmonies, and country charm.

  • Psycho! @ Smith Opera House (Geneva) - Catch Hitchcock’s classic Psycho on the big screen—murder, mystery, and the unforgettable Bates Motel.

  • Dark Side of The Rainbow (Homer) - Remember syncing up Dark Side Of The Moon with The Wizard Of Oz? Ok, maybe it’s just me…but now you can do it in an even bigger group!

  • Brushes & Beers (Penn Yan) - Brushes & Beers at Seneca Stag Brewing—join Michelle from White Dog Arts every 4th Thursday for a fun, guided painting night. $35 includes your first drink and all materials.

Friday

  • Chef’s Table Class @ NY Kitchen (Canandaigua) - Be the star at the Chef’s Table! Cook, sip, and learn in this hands-on class with seasonal recipes, pro tips, and a perfectly paired NY drink—your perfect night out. If sold out, look for other dates on the calendar!

  • More Wine & Pickles! (Rock Stream) - Wine and pickle pairings are back at Toast Winery! Taste your way through sweet, spicy, and savory pickles matched with local wines—Fridays to Sundays through June 1. No reservations needed for groups under 7.

  • GlassFest 2025 (Corning) - Kick off summer at Corning’s GlassFest! Enjoy a full weekend of free live music, food, shopping, glass art, family fun, and fireworks—plus a Memorial Day tribute to close it all out.

  • Jeremiah Craig @ Bet the Farm Winery (Trumansburg) - Sip local wine and enjoy live music from singer/songwriter (and cowboy boot expert) Jeremiah Craig at Bet the Farm Winery—5 PM.

  • Blue Eyed Soul @ Hazlitt Winery (Hector) - Kick off the weekend with live music from Blue Eyed Soul (rock, funk, & soul) and eats from My Eva—Friday night at the Oasis outdoor bar & lounge. Family-friendly, no cover!

  • The Roast of Ithaca (Ithaca) - Get ready for The Roast of Ithaca—a no-holds-barred comedy night taking aim at everything we love (and love to gripe about). Starts at 8 PM—brace yourself and bring your sense of humor to the Kitchen Theatre Company!

  • The Analogue Sons @ Two Goats (Hector) - Live music in Hector at Two Goats with some dub soul groove.

  • Davey O. @ Grist Iron (Burdett) - Singer, songwriter, and storyteller, Davey O. will be at Grist Iron Brewing from 6-9 pm.

  • TrailWise Clinic: TrailMates Ride (Hector) - Ready to level up your trail riding skills? TrailWise Academy at Painted Bar Stables helps riders gain the confidence, knowledge, and support to explore new trails independently—because trail riding is more than “just riding.”

  • Farm Dinner Series (Dundee) - Savor a four-course farm-to-table dinner with Chef Michael Dean, blending global flavors and French technique using the freshest local ingredients—$65 per person, with optional wine pairing.

  • The Ende Brothers @ Apple Barrel Orchards (Penn Yan) - Live music with Kenny & Tom Ende from 4pm—7pm at Apple Barrel.

Saturday

  • Farmer’s Market Cruises (Ithaca) - Hop aboard a Farmer’s Market Cruise from the Ithaca Market dock—1-hour narrated tours on Cayuga Lake every weekend. No reservations needed; pay onboard.

  • Paddington In Peru (Geneva) - Join Paddington and the Browns on a jungle adventure to find his missing aunt—rainforests, treasure, and heartwarming fun await at Geneva’s Smith Opera House at 2pm.

  • 2025 NYS Real Ale Festival (Rock Stream) - Raise a pint at the 2025 NY State British Real Ale Festival—sample cask ales from top NY brewers, enjoy live music, food trucks, and family-friendly fun.

Sunday

  • Fly-In / Drive-In Breakfast (Weedsport) - Fly or drive to Whitford’s Airport for a hearty breakfast on Sunday, May 25 from 7:30 AM to noon—just $12 for adults, kids under 5 eat free!

  • Shapes The Band @ Steuben Brewing (Hammondsport) - Catch Toronto’s genre-blending Shapes The Band—rock, blues, afrobeat, and funk—live at Steuben Brewing, Sunday at 3 PM!

  • Run To Remember 5K (Watkins Glen) - Join the inaugural Run to Remember 5K in Watkins Glen on Sunday, May 25—honoring fallen heroes with high spirits, community, and a healthy dose of movement.

Honorable Mention Monday

Monday being Memorial Day - enjoy your day off (hopefully!) and check your local area for parades and other fun - a good example is Geneva’s parade, food truck rodeo, and duck derby!

Got an event we should feature in the Finger Lakes Effect? Click the button below and add your event details!

Ready For Your New Pet? 🐱🐶

Meet Wally!

Wally is an adorable 1 year, 9 month old Terrier, Pit Bull mix, who is weighing in at 58 pounds! He’s a big (in every sense of the word) cuddler and loves to get outside.

Need a furry friend? Check out adoptable pets here (Auburn), here (Syracuse), or here (Ithaca) and set up a visit at the closest SPCA. But act fast—word on the street is that animals rarely last more than a week or two before finding homes.

Shout Out 📢

Lots of amazing CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture) in the area. It can be a great way to get a steady flow of veggies and fruit during the spring and summer. Here’s a short list of some CSAs that appear to still have availability.

See You Out There

Thanks for being part of the Finger Lakes Effect!

Adam Moody

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P.S. The Finger Lakes Effect will be evolving as it goes - if you have an idea for the style, look, or topics, hit reply and let me know.