1ST ANNUAL MINIS ON THE LAKE WINE RUN

jimmyd · Motorist

RE: 1ST ANNUAL MINIS ON THE LAKE WINE RUN

MINILisa · Newbie (Taking the short-cut)

I'm new to the group! I live in Florida, but am up here for the summer visiting family so I thought I would join in!

I am planning to attend. My Aunt Sue, aka KlownKrr already has her car registered for the event, but I wanted to put myself on the list in case she can't make it.

I will already be down at Keuka Lake on Saturday morning and plan to just meet the group at the 1st vineyard...however I seem to be seeing mixed plans. Are you beginning at Hunt Country or Keuka Springs?

BTW, I'll be driving my dad's '07 Astro Black MCS.

-- Edited by MINILisa on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 04:59:14 PM

PepperMINI · Motorer

Ooooh...astro black! That's the color of my car!

Mitch · Motorer

We are able to picnic at Heron Hill and I strongly suggest that option. The Tavern would have a hard time even sitting the 30-40 people we will have not to mention the art festival. Being that the art festival is going on I am also consirned about parking. Hammondsport for anyone that hasn't been there before is smaller than the Wegmans Parking lot including all the resturants and stores.

I would also suggest staring at Hunt Country and heading towards Penn Yann, this is because most tours start in Penn Yann and go towards Hunt Country. In going the opposite way we will be less in the croud for most of the day. This weekend is one of the most crowded of the year.

As I mentioned before the wineries that I think would be our best stops based on working on the Keuka Wine trail are the following:

Hunt Country

Dr. Frank's

Bully Hill (If we get there early enough we can line up with a great view of Keuka Lake behind all the MINI's

Herron Hill (Has cafe and picnic area)

Ravins (Dry only and Small)

McGreggors (Dry only tasting room is bigish but takes a long time)

Keuka Overlook

Rooster Hill (Limited Space)

Keuka Springs

I do not know much about the brewery but that does sound interesting.

Ravins and McGreggors are smaller places and feature only dry wines. Rooster Hill is kinda small also. I would reccommend we all meet up again after lunch and stops at wineries allong the east side. At Keuka Springs there is a good amount of parking and a large tasting room we would all fit in at once.

With this large of a group it will take at least 45 min at each winery and most close at 5. I need to be back in Canandaigua by 4 so I may have to leave the trail early.

Because we arn't going on a bus or limo we have the freedom to take our own root. So if anyone want to do things differently there is no problem. I am informing the wineries above that about 20 MINI's with 30-40 people will be coming through but won't really be able to give them exact times. If a largeish group decides to go on the root I am planning on then I will call ahead at each stop to give them a heads up.

-- Edited by Mitch on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 04:44:43 PM

GR8Mini · Member

Hi Everybody
Can you please let me know the Start Point and Time. I'm not clear after reading the latest threads.
We are leaving from Hamilton Ontario Canada and will need to leave at 6am.
Thanks
Mike & Mary

Mitch · Motorer

We are meeting at the Wegmans parking lot in Canandaigua at 9:00 am for sure. Other than that there may end up beingtwo groups, one group that starts in Penn Yann first and one that takes back roads to Hunt Country first.

Mitch · Motorer

One other thing, I checked into the possibility of window clings being made for this event. The cost is ~$3 a piece, if people are interested I need to know by tomorrow morrning as the place said they could have them made if I let them know on Wed. at the latest. I was thinking a MINI Wings logo with grapes in the center and "1st Annual MINIs on the Lake Wine Run" or "2009 MINIs on the Lake Wine Run," or "2009 MINIs Take the Wine," or ...?

Mitch · Motorer

Hot off the press!

Ravines is having a Jazz in July event: Live music and sweet corn chowder. This is where I am going to probably do my lunching, or maybe a combo of picnic at Herron Hill and chowder at Ravines.

Also here is the menu for the cafe at Heron Hill.

http://www.heronhill.com/heronhill/page/blue_heron.jsp

Just found another event this weekend! Keuka Springs (which doesn't open until 11) is haveing a Shrimp and Chardonay event. I will give them a call to give a heads up and see about reservations for this event.

http://host31.spidergraphics.com/ksw/ksw2_calendar.html

-- Edited by Mitch on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 06:16:00 PM

-- Edited by Mitch on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 06:22:25 PM

Mitch · Motorer

I looked up some about the brewery and it looks like it is near Dr. Franks. So any who would like to go there I am thinking it would make sense to do Keuka Brewing then meet us at Dr. Franks, or if many are interested we can all stop on the way to Dr. Franks, or maybe the group can stop and I will go and help Dr. Franks get ready since I use to work there and I want to keep them happy. Many of us will have radios so we can communicate and see where the large group is to meet up.

Many of these places are small so breaking up and reconvening like a hive of bees isn't a bad idea.

I am bringing home a bunch of the Finger Lakes Wineries maps from the NYWCC today. I can highlight the route I am planning on going for everyone so each car has a map.

-- Edited by Mitch on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 06:44:05 PM

-- Edited by Mitch on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 06:47:37 PM

Mitch · Motorer

Sorry for all of the posts but... the New York Wine and Cullinary center opens at 9:30 so... we could do a quick tasting to kick the day off, but I would need to know asap if people are interested and how many would be tasting because they like to know large groups ahead of time.

This might be pushing too many stops and would stall us getting to the actual trail so it may not be a good idea. The other option, I would not be able to make it but I can try to set it up, is to end at the NYWCC they are open until 9:30 pm.

-- Edited by Mitch on Tuesday 7th of July 2009 06:50:52 PM

tedscar · Motorer

Much as I'd like to visit the NYWCC, it seems too rushed to do it at 9:30. I think I'll pass on that one, probably at either end of Saturday. I think the tour around the lake will probably fill our dance card for the day.

I appreciate your effort on the clings, Mitch, but I think I'll pass on that too.

As for the tour route, we're pretty much for whatever, but I hope this retains some semblance of a Club 'tour'. If we get too split up / pressed for time at the different winery events, we may lose some folks (literally or figuratively).

Thanks jimmyd and Mitch for setting this up.

Welcome aboard, MINILisa!

Mitch · Motorer

I agree that the nywcc would probably be too much and I would like to keep it a club event. Even if we end up in two groups there would be ten cars a group. That being said we can go as a large group. We just my not make it to all the wineries. I will talk to them now that I know how many people we will have but some of the places may not be able to fit that many people inside at once. Ibam sure it will work out. I would just reccomend swiming upstream so we can avoid most of the tour busses. Thebpoints where I am suggesting splitingnup are right near eachother so it would only be momentary seperation.

GR8Mini · Member

HI
Thanks for the info on the meeting point
Mary & Myself want to order I window decal for $3.
We will bring our 2-way radio set at 7.21?

Cheers will see you on Saturday
Mike & Mary

Mitch · Motorer

The window clings will be a go if if have a few more interested parties. I am jndee the impression that there is no minimum order. So if you are interested please let me know asap.

CharlieCroker09 · Member

I wouldn't mind a window cling, and I'm sure my dad would like one, too

TINMAN · Motorist

I would like a window cling too. So we are having a picinic or has that not been decided yet? I like the idea of picking up subs at wegmans. See you all there on sat. I have a couple of radios too.

yellowmininy · Obsessed (Taking the long-cut)

I have to work that day, and still don't have my Mini back yet :( (new clutch), but I hope you all have a great time!

Mitch · Motorer

I am planning on picnicking and I think that can be left as an individual decision, as in some can picnic some can use the heron hill cafe and some can do the tavern if they would like.

Personally I am going to try out the heron hill cafe and get some chowder at Ravins and some shrimp as Keuka Springs.

Mitch · Motorer

Here is what I am thinking for window cling.

TINMAN · Motorist

I like it. I'll take one.

Mitch · Motorer

Ok time for another long post, I just got off the phone with each winery. I had to take Keuka Overlook off the list, but if you really want to go you are of course welcome to go on your own and catch up with the group.

1. Hunt Country 10:00 $2 a person.

2. Dr. Franks 10:45 $5 a person you keep the glass.

3. Bully Hill 11:30 $5 a person you keep the glass. Restaurant will be open, should be able to park in a line with keuka lake in background.

4. Heron Hill 12:15 $3 a person, cafe will be open picnicking is fine.

Lunch pause.

5. Ravens 1:30 $2 a person for standard tasting $5 for wine and chocolate. Corn chowder is going to be served to go along with their release of a new wine. They are going to set a tasting up for us outside if the weather is good.

6. McGregors 2:15 $5 a person keep the glass with a wine purchase. They give little snack plates and have other food plates avalible.

7. Rooster Hill 3:00 $3 a person you keep the glass. The owner has a Cooper!

8. Keuka Springs 3:45 $2 a person for standard tasting, $8 for shrimp and wine.

All times are approximate it would be really really good if we could get ahead of schedule. I will be calling ahead to each winery as we know a more exact time.

The tasting fees need to be collected ahead and have to have one person pay for the group. I would suggest getting cash for each place and we can pool the money as we go or better yet at Wegman's I will have envelopes for each winery ready. If you pay in for a winery and decided not to taste I can give you your money back. I would really like to just have each envelope ready at the beginning of the trip.

Drivers need to really pay attention to how much they have drank and may need to sit some wineries out or spit as they taste. 8 wineries is a lot for one day.

I had to beg Keuka Springs to take a reservation after as generally wineries do not take large groups after 3.

This should be a lot of fun I am looking forward to this. I made the reservations for 30-40 people and 20 cars. So if everyone could confirm how many people they are brining that would be helpful.

I am going to try to get the clings made and will put an order in for 20 so if everyone could also bring $3 for one. If don't want one that is ok, but it would be nice if everyone had one. I am not sure I can make it to the sign shop today but I am going to try and see if we can get them made for Saturday.

So if you don't do the shrimp it will be $30 a person including the cling. Please bring this amount in $5s and $1s I will bring as much change as I can.

-- Edited by Mitch on Wednesday 8th of July 2009 11:16:45 AM

TINMAN · Motorist

Just 2 people. My wife and I.

minimitch · Member

2 people, will meet you near Middlesex.

Mitch · Motorer

Keuka Overlook just called me back. The wine maker joked and said that she would want to park all the MINIs and one might dissapear. So anyway I told her that some of us may be up and she is very flexable on the time. So if you are done at McGregors or Ravines or are not interested in those wineries head up there. That would be good because Rooster Hill is worried about space so if we came to that one in stages that would work out. I will leave that up to each of you that day we can play it by ear.

Let me know what you think, we can also take Keuka Springs out if everyone wants to go to Keuka Overlook.

Mitch · Motorer

As for payment after thinking it would probably be better to collect as we go into each winery so that there is no confusion. So if you want to sit one out you can just not pay and not participate.

Anyone have any better ideas?

The wineries just stressed that they need one person to pay for the group at a time.

SPDinNY · Motorer

Trixie and I will not be attending as we are going on vacation and need to pack and get things ready =(

Mitch · Motorer

So we are down one and up one...still 20 cars then. 6 confermed passengers I am thinking my estimate of 30-40 is about right then probably closer to 40.

I ordered 24 window clings and will be picking them up on Friday. They will be $3 a piece and be trimmed to the shape of the wings.

Heron Hill called me back the cafe can accomidate all of us or some. So if I could get a count of how many would like to use that they would appreciate it although it is not requiered so you are free to change your mind that day. The picnic area is seperate from the cafe FYI.

-- Edited by Mitch on Wednesday 8th of July 2009 02:02:19 PM

TINMAN · Motorist

That's great. I might buy two if you have an extra. Keep up the good work.

sjnarde · Member

window cling ill take one.....please let me know when the finalized details/meetinng times are ready, becuase I will be leaving meeting everyone driving from watkins glen.

Thanks

Mitch · Motorer

If you would like you can meet us at Hunt Country at 10am so you do not have to drive to Canandaigua. If you want some extra motoring be at Canandaigua Wegman's by 9am