Freedom Run Winery

Be Ours With Wine

Once again thanks to all of those who braved the frigid conditions and came out to taste wine and sample chocolate this past weekend. The "Be Mine with Wine" Niagara Wine Trail event was another success and we hope that everyone got their sweet tooth satisfied. Denise did a heck of a job making a wide range of treats -- and they kept our busy tasting room happy. We got to see several hilarious reactions by those who didn't read the cayenne pepper chocolate label before trying them as well as those seductive jalapeno truffles.

In what was a surprise to those of us working there on Saturday, our winemaker Bob Green was up with his wife doing some cellar work on our soon to be bottled 2006 and barrel aging 2007 vintages. Laura from North Tonawanda and Dave from Newfane, just happened to walk in just before closing and we didn't pass up the opportunity to make them our guinea pigs. We tasted some chardonnay, variations on our Manning Manor Blanc, and barrel samples from our 2007 pinot noir. It was a learning experience for everyone as Bob had us smell and taste in a very controlled manner. Based on our feedback, he can now make decisions in the cellar. Even Bob seemed excited about the pinot which is sure to be one of our flagship wines in the future.

Chocolate and Wine... need we say any more?

This coming weekend the Niagara Wine Trail is celebrating Valentine's Day with the "Be Mine with Wine" trail event. We are making some homemade chocolate treats to give out to our guests. With winter still having such a firm grasp on Niagara County, we hope that a little chocolate and wine will warm up everyone who comes out for this event. It's a perfect opportunity for you to try our Manning Manor Rose with some chocolate. It's a match made in heaven, so see you there!

Limo Train Fundraiser for the Salvation Army

Last month we hosted the 90 person Limo Train fundraiser for the Salvation Army. On a quiet Tuesday night in October, a huge caravan of limos and RV's pulled in to our winery parking lot for some wine tastings. Each person involved helped out the fundraiser by buying a ticket which included stops at a Attitudes, Danny Sheehan's, Spring Lake Winery, and our winery. We have hosted large groups in the past during wine trail events, but rarely will they all arrive at the same time as with this group of 90.

With our staff working as fast and furious, we managed to provide everyone that wanted a thorough tasting of our wine list, and we also gave a casual tour of our wine production room. A portion of all the wine bought that night was donated to the salvation army. It seemed like everyone had a good time and we are proud to help out by hosting events like this. As it turns out, the organizers are planning in doing the limo train event twice a year after the success of this fall's event.

Hallowine Event Murder Mystery

Halloween has come and gone, and we hope everyone who made it out to the Niagara Wine Trail's Hallowine Wine Trail Event had as much fun as we did last weekend. Once again the turnout was amazing, with costumed guests of all ages piling out of cars, trucks, limos and buses, with wine glasses in hand. Our very own Kurt Guba was playing the role of Mayor Brady in the murder mystery theme of the event. His interaction with guests was a sight to see all day Saturday and Sunday.

Since Kurt is normally pouring wine during these events, we needed some more tasting room help while he entertained the crowds with clues. Luckily Larry and Sandra's son Matt came up from Pennsylvania to help out with a few friends from school. They worked their tails off for us and we owe them a big thank you for being thrown in to work during such a busy weekend.

We were happy to play host to another private party in our barrel room after that busy Saturday in the tasting room. In the past few months we have hosted several private tastings for groups. With more and more people finding the wine trail and encouraging friends and family to come along, a private tasting in our winery is a relaxing and casual way to get familiar with our wines and winemaking facility. If you are interested in hosting an event at Freedom Run Winery, give us a call and we'll get you started with some information on rates and availability.

Wine pairing Dinner at Danny Sheehan's

We are really seeing crowds this season at our winery. It's amazing how far the wine trail Niagara Wine Trail has come in its few years of existence. With local wines reaching the dinner tables of many area residents, it's great to see the restaurants working with the wineries to give locals the option of drinking and eating local as well.

Danny Sheehan's Steakhouse has been very supportive of local wines in the past and we are proud to announce a wine pairing prix fixe dinner featuring our wines on October 29th, 2007 at 6 PM. The steakhouse has been open for over 40 years and is a local landmark in Lockport. We hope you can join us there for what is shaping up to be a fabulous dinner.

Here's a peek at the menu:

Appetizer: Baked Stuffed Clams with Riesling & Stuffed Hot Peppers
with Freedom Run Semi-Dry Riesling 2005

Second Course: Caesar Salad
with Freedom Run Chardonnay 2005

Main Course: New York Strip Steak, twice baked potato & garlic toast
with Freedom Run Cabernet Franc 2005

Dessert: Homemade Cheesecake
with Freedom Run Manning Manor Rose 2005

The cost is $45, call 716.433.4666 for reservations or questions.

Manhattan's Wine Pairing Dinner

Last week Manhattan's Restaurant in Lockport, NY put together an ambitious six course wine pairing dinner featuring our wines with each dish. The turnout was great and the restaurant presented a huge menu that left no chance of anyone leaving hungry. The food and wines were well received and we had a chance to really get feedback as to how the pairings went. Since we didn't taste the menu ahead of time, it was exciting to get a sample after each guest was served. We poured a splash of wine with each dish and evaluated our pairings.

It was a bit nerve racking at first, but after the first plate went out and we tasted the soup with our Manning Manor Blanc, we knew we had chosen correctly. The easiest wine decision was serving our Cabernet Sauvignon with the Veal Braciole pictured here. As the wine trail grows and the restaurants open up to stocking local wines, there are likely to be more and more events like this. A big thank you goes out to Manhattan's for choosing our wines to compliment their menu.

Eating, Drinking, Merriment

It's practically impossible to feel any happier with the turnout at our Grand Opening celebration this past Saturday. Pouring our wines for a packed house was thrilling to say the least! But you guys know as well as we do that there was so much more to experience -- and that's just the way we wanted it.

For one, our winemaker Bob Green was on hand to lead tours of our winemaking facilities and to take groups out amongst the vines so visitors could get up close and personal with the grapes. Of course, the proof of his dedication and skills is, as they say, in the pudding -- it can literally be tasted in our 11-wine lineup. Bob also pitched in behind the tasting bar at one point. Yep, we were that busy!

Speaking of crowds, Sean held court for most of the day behind his potter's wheel, demonstrating to how lumps of clay become the beautiful pieces of art that adorn the tasting room. Talk about passion: after the last visitor left, Sean even gave a demonstration to tasting room staff!

Then then there's the edible art -- Argentine-style barbecue -- Chef Warren Drew served up to our visitors. Fire-roasted lamb, beef and duck were served up alongside grilled vegetable kabobs pretty much all day long, and Chef Drew did an excellent job at keeping the line moving and bellies full.

Oh, and he also carved an ice sculpture that served as the focal point of our fruit and cheese display -- amazing doesn't even begin to describe it. We were lucky to have such a beautiful day where our guests could sit outside, share a bottle of wine, and sample some gourmet bites from a chef that we will surely be cooking for us again. Cheers!

Our Grand Opening Gala is History

WOW... That could only be the word to sum up our reaction to yesterday's Grand Opening Gala here at Freedom Run Winery. The turnout was amazing! Thanks to everyone who came in and enjoyed themselves.

We can't possibly tell you everything about yesterday so soon after the event but we thought the above picture is worth 10,000 words alone. We have loads of photos to share from the opening, so stay tuned to our blog to see and read so much more. Once again, a heartfelt thank you to everyone who celebrated with us yesterday and we hope to see you again. Because like Sean Manning says, "You ain't seen nothing yet." Cheers!

You Are Invited to Our Grand Opening!

The menu is set, the band is booked, and the wine is ready to pour. It's official! We're celebrating our grand opening with a gala to remember on August 11, 2007. It's going to be a great day of wining and dining in our tasting room -- definitely not an event to be missed!