Cheers to Dear, Old Dad!

Dear Old Dad always seems to get the short end of the stick. He’s our go-to Mr. Fix-It, our Financial Advisor and mechanic. And what does he get in return? A tie… A shirt… if he’s lucky, a hug (which he says is more than enough payment, and that’s why we love him). Let’s face it; Dad does what he does for us mostly on credit & IOU’s because he loves us.

This year, why not put a little more thought into thanking Dad for being the #1 guy in your life? You know he loves his Adirondack Winery wines and spending time with you. Combine those two things and you have the perfect Father’s Day gift!

Adirondack Winery is hosting its annual “Cheers to Dad!” FREE wine tasting event on Saturday, June 15^th from 11a – 7p and Sunday, June 16^th from 11a – 6p. Dad can enjoy free tastes of his favorite wines along with delicious gourmet food samples. Upgrade his tasting for $5 so that he can enjoy a few more tastes & take home his souvenir glass!

We also have a selection of specially-labeled, Father’s Day wines. Our Red Barn, Sauvignon Blanc and Wild Red bottles are adorned with sentimental, Father’s Day labels that Dad can save and cherish even after the wine is gone!

If those 3 varietals are not Dad’s favorites, we also have personalized wine available in Pinot Grigio, Strawsling and Pinot Noir. These labels allow you to include a personalized, handwritten message on 3 different label options.

Both wine and label options are available online so that you can ship in time for Father’s Day or reserve your bottle for in-store pick-up and have it ready for Dad when you attend our Father’s Day event!

If you are feeling extra generous, Adirondack Winery also offers a selection of wine-themed gifts and accessories that make perfect gifts for Dad.  From funny t-shirts & mouse pads to cork cages, bottle stoppers & wine holders, we have the perfect gift for any wine-loving Dad!

I hope to see you all at the Tasting Room this Father’s Day weekend so that we can all raise our glasses & celebrate Dad with his favorite wine & favorite people!

Cheers!

Read Full Post »

Adirondack Winery’s Best Seller, Strawsling, Snags GOLD at Tasters Guild International Wine Competition

Adirondack Winery is proud to announce that its # 1 selling wine, Strawsling, brought home a GOLD medal from the annual Tasters Guild International Wine Competition; which was held May 1-4 in Grand Rapids Michigan.

Adirondack Winery’s Strawsling (a strawberry-infused Riesling wine) was professionally judged alongside approximately 2,000 other wines entered into the competition from over 15 countries and 30 states. Founded in 1987, the Tasters Guild is a society of wine and food enthusiasts with chapters all over the nation. This competition is known for judging wines with the mainstream consumer in mind; not the wine “connoisseur”.  Adirondack Winery also earned a Silver medal for its Cabernet Franc and Bronze Medals for its Gewurztraminer and Red Coat Reserve Merlot wines.

“Strawsling has been our top seller since we opened in 2008 and its popularity has only grown exponentially since,” said Adirondack Winery President. “It’s great to be able to say that professional judges agree with our customers!” she added. Adirondack Winery’s wines are also available at about 40 liquor/wine stores throughout New York and Strawsling is the one you are guaranteed to find at almost all of them, as customers demand it.

 “Our Strawsling is a nicely balanced, semi-sweet Riesling infused with a delicate Strawberry essence, which we age in Stainless Steel tanks,” said Mike Pardy, Adirondack Winery CEO and Wine-Maker.  “This wine is best enjoyed chilled and its lower alcohol level (appox. 8.5%)allows people to enjoy it not only with food, but also as a casual afternoon drink on a summer day,” he added.

Strawsling’s wine label features a photograph of hot air balloons taking off into the sky at the annual Adirondack Balloon Festival. Ms. Pardy took this photo, as she does all of Adirondack Winery’s labels, which all feature other local scenes.

Adirondack Winery started entering International wine competitions in early 2009 and with these latest awards, 32 of its wines have earned 74 medals in total.

Read Full Post »

“Treat Your Mom” to Adirondack Winery this Year!

Mother’s Day is approaching fast…. Sunday, May 11th! It is probably a good idea to start planning a special “Thank You” for your loving mother. Something to make up for all those years of telling her she was “so unfair” or “the worst mother ever,” you know, all those things your kids are in their rooms for right now because they said them to YOU!   While it is your mother’s job to love you unconditionally, we have some ideas for you to help erase those not-so-loving moments from her memory.

Our Specially Labeled Mother’s Day Wines are Back! Orchard Blossom, Pinot Grigio, and Fireworks Red Merlot feature beautiful labels all about Mom!

Our specially-labeled Mother’s Day wine is back and is the perfect way to say “thank you” for putting up with your WINEing for all of those years. Our Orchard Blossom (Green Apple Gewurztraminer), Pinot Grigio, and Fireworks Red Merlot are adorned with Mom-themed labels so she has a special keepsake to display after she finishes her favorite bottle of Adirondack Winery wine!

Our Pinot Grigio, Strawsling, and Pinot Noir are available with blank labels that can be personalized with a handwritten message!

For an extra personal touch on this special day, Adirondack Winery is now featuring our Strawsling, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Noir with labels that can be personalized with a handwritten message! These blank rose petal heart-adorned labels come blank and you can choose to write a message yourself, or have us write it for you!

If you are looking for a fun way to spend some quality time with your mom, join us for this special event:

“Treat Your Mom” FREE Mother’s Day Weekend Wine Tasting Event >>

 When & Where:

Sat. 5/11 (11a -6p) & Sun. 5/12 (11a – 5p) at

Adirondack Winery’s Tasting Room, 285 Canada St, LG

Adirondack Winery is treating mothers to a FREE wine tasting session on Mother’s Day Weekend!

Plus, we’ll have free samples of cheese, chocolate and fine foods out, too.

To treat your Mom, bring her with you to the winery; or Moms – bring a picture of your kid(s) to the winery.

SEE THIS EVENT ON FACEBOOK>>

If you want to treat mom EXTRA SPECIAL this Mother’s Day, our Custom Mother’s Day Winery Package is the way to go! >>

STARTING at ONLY $38! 

Buy this package for Mom to upgrade her experience during our Mother’s Day Wine Tasting Event  OR  Have this awesome custom gift shipped!

This Package includes:  Bottle of Specially Labeled Mother’s Day Wine; Fun Wine Glass “Woozie”; Gift Certificate for an Upgraded Tasting at the Winery including:  Wine Tasting Session for 2 (Incl. souvenir wine glasses), A small plate of Adk Cheese to enjoy with your tasting, 2 Tastings of Dessert Wine , and 2 delicious Champlain Chocolate Squares.  Gift Cert can be used the day of event, or any time!

While you are there, treat her to some of her favorite wine-themed accessories. A handbag-shaped cork cage, a wine-themed rhinestone shirt or a hand-painted wine glass make great Mother’s Day gifts and will be a cherished keepsake to remember your special day out together.  Need more ideas? Check out our Gift Guide for Her>>

Not able to see mom this year because she lives out of town or state? That is no excuse! Shop our online store and have her favorite wines & gifts shipped right to her door! Be sure to check our shipping policies for states we can ship to and take advantage of our great deals, just in time for Mother’s Day!

Mom gets one special day a year so make sure you show her what a wonderful mother she is and let Adirondack Winery treat her for a job well done!

Cheers!

Read Full Post »

Adirondack Winery’s 5th Anniversary… A Look Back

Adirondack Winery’s 5th Anniversary… A Look Back. Click to Play.

Mike & I want to thank all our Customer for 5 great years!

It’s been quite a ride and we couldn’t have done it without you!

Thanks for:

• Visiting the Tasting Room
• Enjoying your Wine Tasting Experience
• Sharing your Experience with Friends, Family
• Posting Reviews of us Online
• BUYING OUR WINE
• Telling liquor stores near you that you want them to carry our wines
• Coming to our Special Events – both on and off-site
• Including us as part of your special days – weddings, birthdays, anniversary, family reunions, and so on.
• Sharing your lives with us

We are really looking forward to many years more of the same!

CHEERS!

Sasha & Mike Pardy and the Adirondack Winery Staff

Read Full Post »

Let the Spring Season Flourish!

If you’re like me, you got your hopes up when Puxatony Phil predicted that an early Spring was on its way! And if you’re like me, each additional snowfall makes you more and more stir crazy! Cabin Fever has officially set in and I can’t help but look forward to spring!

While summer is the season that most of you associate us with, springtime at Adirondack Winery is one of the most exciting times of the year! It means a new, seasonal wine, free tasting events and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Lake George. It is a teaser of what’s to come in the summer months ahead.

Season’s Flourish (Pomegranate Zinfandel) is Back!

Many of you wait all year for our Spring wine, Season’s Flourish, to hit the shelves, and don’t worry, it is right on schedule! If you are one of our wine club members, you will  be the first to enjoy this seasonal, Pomegranate Zinfandel! A fan favorite, this easy-drinking, tart and slightly spicy-sweet red wine will leave you wanting more, so it is best to stock up while you can, since it only comes around once a year! Season’s Flourish is out!

Free Wine Tasting Event March 16th & 17th!

Itching to get out? Relieve Your Cabin Fever, FREE Wine Tasting Event on St. Patrick’s Day weekend (Sat. 3/16 11:30a – 5:30p & Sun. 3/17 11:30a – 4p)! Always a fun event, it will take place during Lake George’s Shamrock the Block celebrations! Stop into the Tasting Room to see us for free tastes of your favorite wines and gourmet foods while enjoying the St. Patrick’s Day parade and festivities on Lower Amherst Street.

Red Carriage (Cranberry Chianti) Won Gold!

While you are here, it is a great time to check out some of the new things we have at the winery and maybe even try some wines you haven’t tried yet… if there are any left! Have you tried our Red Carriage yet? This cranberry Chianti is our newest gold-medal winner! Entered among more than 800 other wines from wineries across the country, we are proud to announce that Red Carriage brought home a gold medal from the 2013 Florida State Fair International Wine Competition!

Adirondack Winery’s NEW Big Red Wine Glass!

With an upgraded tasting, you can now try our wines in our new, bigger, red wine glass!  What’s that you say? You haven’t seen our NEW Big Red Wine Glass! Most of you that collect our wine glasses know that we change our wine glass logo color each year. Well, this year, it’s silver; but we have added a big red wine glass as an option too! For an additional $2 on your tasting session, you can take home our Big Red Wine Glass – that’s right, only $2.00 extra – It holds almost a full bottle of wine and is a great quality, too!

AND NOW FOR THE BIGGEST NEWS OF SPRING FOR ADIRONDACK WINERY!

Olivia Kay Brown born 2/28/13

Our Marketing Coordinator, Danielle Brown, is out on Maternity Leave! On February 28, 2013 she became the proud Mama of her first child, Olivia Kay Brown! Darling Olivia was born healthy and happy at 8lbs, 8oz and 21 inches long!

Danielle is doing well at home with Olivia, relishing this time. She will return in May, and until then, you will see us slacking a little bit on our email newsletters, blog posts, social media posts, and more. Danielle does so much she is missed!

Read Full Post »

Adirondack Winery Saves the Day…. Valentine’s Day!

If you are like many of us, Valentine’s Day tends to sneak up on you. You think you’re in the clear after Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve and then the next thing you know, February 14th is just a few days away and you are left scrambling for the perfect (last-minute) gift that says, “thoughtful” not “forgetful!”

Luckily you are a friend of Adirondack Winery and we always have your solution for gifts for any occasion; especially when it comes to gifts for your wine-loving Sweetheart! We even have special hours this week so you can get in all of your last-minute shopping! We will be open both February 13th & 14th so that you have plenty of time to pick up all of your Valentine’s Day necessities!

Wine, chocolates & flowers are always a nice gesture for your Valentine’s Day celebration, but why not take it to the next level and pair one of our specially-labeled Valentine’s Day wines with our delicious, Gourmet Lake Champlain Chocolates! Not sure how to pair them? Ask one of our Tasting Room staff and they will be happy to help you create the perfect combination! Our Valentine’s Day wines are available in Red Coat, Gewurztraminer and Red Carriage (our most recent Gold Medal Winner at the Florida State Fair!)  and are all adorned with romantic labels for you and your Valentine to treasure & enjoy! As for the flowers, you’re on your own!

If one of these wines doesn’t suit you or your Sweetheart, or maybe you just want to give your gift more of a personal touch, try one of our NEW, Personalized Wines with a handwritten message! Choose from Strawsling, Pinot Noir or Pinot Grigio (our best-selling fruity, red & white wines) and 3 different labels and we will customize your label with a heartfelt, handwritten Valentine’s Day message that you provide!

If you are lucky enough to live close by to the Tasting Room in Lake George, our FREE Valentine’s Day Wine Tasting Event is the perfect event for Sweethearts & Wine Lovers! Treat your Valentine to free tastes of our wines, gourmet food & chocolates as well as a champagne toast! All this event will cost you is a kiss with your Valentine and if you treat her to a little shopping spree while you are here, we think you are sure to get that kiss! We have picture frame cork cages, love-themed bottle stoppers and corkscrews and many more gifts for people in love to sweep your Valentine off her feet!

I hope we have taken some of the pressure off of you this year & given you some unique ideas to wow your Valentine! Once again, Adirondack Winery saves the day…. this time, Valentine’s Day!

Cheers!

Read Full Post »

No Need to Whine… We’ve Got Custom-Labeled Wine for Your Wedding Day!

Wedding season may be a little ways away, but that just means there is still time to plan! Whether you are newly engaged or are scrambling to finish those last-minute details, we can help you add those personal touches to your special day & ease your mind when it comes to favors, gifts and wine for your wedding!

It is never too soon to start planning, and with so many options available to you, it is important to take the time to research and plan to ensure that your once-in-a-lifetime event has all of the special touches you have always dreamed of.

You may have run into me at some of the local bridal shows, and if not, you can stop by & say hi to me at the next few shows coming up! One of my favorite parts of this job is meeting all of you local brides-to-be and playing a part in making your special day! I love to show off all of our unique wine-themed gifts and favors, such as our custom-labeled wine, bottle stoppers, bridal party gifts & more!

We know that it is also easy to get lost in a sea of wedding options. With so many vendors, venues, favors & menus to choose from, it gets hard to tell the difference, right? Not when you stop at Adirondack Winery. Adirondack Winery not only stands out among the long list of bridal services available to you, but we will put a classy & personal touch on your wedding day that will set your wedding apart from the rest!

Our custom-labeled wine is our bridal service that I am most proud of & am always excited to work on. In fact, I love it so much that I am creating the label for my sister’s custom-labeled wine favors at her wedding this spring!

Our custom-labeled wine is a classy and unique way to separate your wedding from the rest. We have all accumulated enough Jordan Almonds, picture frames & matchbooks to last us a lifetime. Why not give your guests a favor that they can take home and enjoy, or save and cherish for years to come? Capture your favorite photo; incorporate a seasonal landscape; or simply use a monogram & color scheme that matches your theme to create a memorable keepsake that adds to the décor of your tables.

Our custom-labeled wine can be used as more than just favors. Use it to thank your bridal party and family members, leave as a gift for out-of-town guests in their hotel rooms, use as centerpieces and table markers or use to serve to your guests during your shower, rehearsal dinner or even your wedding, itself! There are endless uses for our custom-labeled wine and with our mini bottles starting at just $4.95 & our large bottles at $10.95, it kind of seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it?!

With all of the stress that comes along with wedding planning, you are entitled to a little WINEing! That’s why we have come up with a fun and wine-filled bachelorette party package for you and your closest girlfriends. Our bachelorette party package is the perfect way to start out your night in Lake George. With wine tastings and cheese plates for all of your guests, a custom-labeled bottle of wine and hand-painted bridal glass for the bride, souvenir glasses for the girls and fun add-on’s such as our wedding Woozies & Wedding Crasher Bottle Stoppers, this party is sure to relieve your wedding stress!

For more ways that Adirondack Winery can help complete your special day, check out our wedding services section of our online store, stop into the Tasting Room & take a look at our custom-label display and wedding services book or come see me at one of these upcoming Bridal Shows!

For more information or reserve your wedding services today, call (518) 668-WINE or email ilovewine@adirondackwinery.com.

Happy Wedding Planning, Wine Lovers!

Cheers!

-Danielle

Read Full Post »

Our Wine Glasses Have Runneth Over! A Look Back on 2012, With Gratitude.

As we reflect back on yet another great year here at Adirondack Winery, we realize that we have so much to be thankful for. With new awards and new employees, as well as customers, both new and old visiting us again and again, each year seems to be better than the last and 2012 was no different.

We welcomed tens of thousands of customers to the Tasting Room in 2012 and are thankful to our loyal customers who return time and time again as well as our new customers that gave us a chance to please their palates! From sharing your positive experiences with us on Trip Advisor and Facebook to requesting us on your local liquor store shelves, you are the reason we continue to grow and love the business that we are in.

Our customers have become our friends over the years and we love that you are able to share in our milestones and allow us to be a part of yours. We celebrated our 4^th Anniversary this year with some of our closest customers and friends, since you are the reason we are able to keep bringing you your favorite locally-made, hand-crafted wines year after year. We celebrated with games, delicious wine-infused foods and of course, tastes of Adirondack Winery wines! We look forward to celebrating year 5 with all of you in 2013!

We love seeing all of your pictures on Facebook of your visits to the Tasting Room and how you have incorporated Adirondack Winery into your holidays, family gatherings or just Friday nights at home with your friends and loved ones. It is so great to be able to see our wines in the homes of the people that love them the most!

Some of you have even allowed us to be a part of the most important days of your lives. More and more of you have given us the opportunity to have our wines on your tables as favors and gifts at your weddings this year. We are glad to see that so many of you find our custom-labeled wine to be a classy and personal touch to your wedding day that not only provides your guests with delicious wine, but a personalized keepsake to remember your special day. We are thankful to all of our brides for allowing us to share in such an important day in your lives.

We have had so much fun celebrating bachelorette parties with many of you as well! With tastes of our wines, cheese, a hand-painted bridal glass & custom-labeled bottle of wine, we have created a party package that gives you a fun “last outing” with your closest girlfriends as well as a keepsake to remember it!

Many of you don’t live nearby, which used to cause Adirondack Winery withdrawals after the summer season, but thanks to more of you that are shopping online and requesting us in your local liquor stores, there is more access than ever to your favorite wines!

We can finally please our NJ & MI customers year-round! We recently added Michigan and New Jersey to our list of states we can ship to, allowing us to now ship wine directly to 21 states! For those of you who do not live in those states, our online partners, WeSpeakWine.com, EmpireWine.com and Exit9WineandLiquor.com can ship to many of you.

In addition to our online partners, we are thankful for our wholesalers who continue to support us and provide our customers with their favorite wines year-round. With their help and our wonderful customers who have asked for (& some demanded) our wines be carried at these stores, we are able to reach more of you each year.

Some new awards can be added to our list of achievements in 2012 as well. Our Pinot Grigio, Semillon and Strawsling won us 3 silver medals at the World Value Wine Challenge while Cabernet Franc brought home the silver in the American Wine Society. Our Wild Red, Blue Twilight and Gewurztraminer are some of the other wines that added to our collection of Bronze medals as well!

Our employees have also played an indispensable role in our success this year. Thank you to our knowledgeable & fun Tasting Room staff, Maryellen, our dependable Tasting Room Director who is the backbone of our excellent customer service and who keeps our store running smoothly; Danielle, our creative and friendly Marketing Assistant whom without we would have no blogs, Facebook posts, emails, parties or custom-labeled wine services! Last but not least, we would like to thank Brad, our Assistant Wine Maker and Richard Pardy (Mike’s dad), who work diligently and with great care behind the scenes, helping Mike to make award-winning wines & keep the wine flowing!

Thank you to all who continue to play a part in the success of Adirondack Winery. We look forward to 2013 and bringing you the wines and experiences you have come to know and love here at the Tasting Room.

Cheers!
Sasha & Mike

 

As we look forward to 2013, we are starting the year with a clear mission and value statement that we hope communicates our vision of what Adirondack Winery is now and wants to be.

Adirondack Winery

“Selection is our Specialty; Taste is our Priority”

MISSION STATEMENT

At Adirondack Winery, our mission as a small, family-owned business is to provide our customers with delicious, award-winning, quality wines that are all hand-crafted locally. We provide an unparalleled selection of wines with something to satisfy every palate, from unique fruit-infused wines to traditional white and red varietals and more! Our ultimate goal is for Adirondack Winery customers to hold us close to their hearts as the best, most memorable winery they have ever crossed paths with.

VALUE STATEMENT

We will accomplish our mission by adhering to the following values:

Customer Relationships:

• We treat our customers as we would good friends, combining accurate, timely, dependable and exceptional customer service with a friendly rapport and welcoming atmosphere.

Wine Experience:

• We invite our customers to join us in our journey through wine enjoyment, providing a wine tasting experience that is relaxing, fun and educational. We are proud that we foster many non-wine drinkers into wine learners and then wine lovers through this experience; Becoming as much a part of the customers’ lives as they are a part of ours.

Love Local:

• We aim to support our local area. We do this through sharing the beauty of the Adirondacks with visitors from all over via the local photography on our labels; by providing a wine experience that brings customers back to the region time and time again; and by donating to local charitable causes.

Continuous Improvement:

• We are dedicated to the continuous growth and development of our people and business. We are consistently working to improve our wines and customer experience, as well as working to increase the availability and awareness of Adirondack Winery’s products and services to the general public.

Wine Making Passion:

• Adirondack Winery believes that great wine-making starts with a passion for wine. We have successfully translated our passion into a business we love and are proud of.   We take pride in selecting the best ingredients and using a traditional, hands-on approach to wine making that is guided by our talented winemaker every step along the process.   It is our dedication to quality and process that results in our outstanding, award-winning wines that can be enjoyed by everyone!

 

Read Full Post »

Be Thankful for Thanksgiving Wine!

Thanksgiving is just over a week away which gives you just enough time to get your menu set, grocery list together and most importantly, stock up on Adirondack Winery wine! Wine is an essential part of perfecting your Thanksgiving menu and with a helping hand from us & some great holiday deals, you are sure to give your guests a feast to be thankful for!

With turkey being the star of the show, you want to be sure to serve wines that best compliment this Thanksgiving staple. It’s best to have at least one white, one red and one fruity wine available to your guests so that every type of wine lover can fully enjoy their dinner experience.

For a white wine, we suggest our Sauvignon Blanc. The well-balanced acidity of this light and crisp white wine makes for a perfect pairing and the beautiful label featuring Shepard Park in fall will add to the décor of your Thanksgiving table.

For a red wine, we suggest our Pinot Noir. Not only is it our #1-selling red wine, but the fairly tame tannins, subtle earthy undertones and fruit features will show well with the traditional flavors of turkey and stuffing.

For a fruity wine, we suggest a Thanksgiving favorite at Adirondack Winery… our Red Carriage! This cranberry Chianti started out as a limited-edition wine that was so well received, we decided to make it one of our regular varietals. The crisp taste of fresh cranberries and velvety richness of Chianti make this wine the perfect companion for your Thanksgiving turkey, stuffing and just about all of your Thanksgiving sides & desserts!

For a twist on your traditional Thanksgiving menu, don’t just serve wine with the food, serve wine in the food! Try these Port Wine Cranberry  Brownies made with Calm After the Storm for a dessert that will leave mouths watering! For added enjoyment, serve with Red Carriage or Calm After the Storm.

White wine mashed potatoes are another way to take your holiday menu up a notch! Our Chardonnay will take your boring old potatoes to another level; and if your guests don’t like the food… serve more wine!

There is still plenty of time to stock up on Adirondack Winery wine before the holiday and we have some great holiday deals that will leave you truly thankful this Thanksgiving!

We here at Adirondack Winery would like to wish you all a very happy, healthy and wine-filled Thanksgiving.
Cheers!

Read Full Post »

Meet our Assistant Wine Maker, Brad!

There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to keeping Adirondack Winery running smoothly and successfully. One of those parts is our Assistant Wine Maker, Brad. Brad joined Adirondack Winery about a year and a half ago and has been a key component in our growth. Sometimes bottling up to 1,200 bottles of wine in a day, he is one of the people you can thank for keeping your favorite wines stocked!

Brad has watched and taken part in the accelerated growth of Adirondack Winery since he joined us. With his help, larger tanks and faster pumps, our wine-making process has become faster and more efficient, keeping our shelves stocked and your glass full! When Brad first started, the old tanks produced approximately 350 bottles of wine. With our newer, larger tanks, each one can produce up to 1200 bottles! As I looked at the cases and cases of wine stacked all the way to the back wall of our 4,000-square-foot facility, I asked Brad how many more cases we have in our warehouse compared to a year and a half ago – he said it’s about doubled!

At different stages throughout the wine fermenting and aging process, Brad & Mike will extract a bit of wine straight from the tanks to taste and lab-test  for things such as sulfites, sugar and acidity levels, as well as consistency in flavor from batch-to-batch. Sounds interesting and like a pretty good perk of the job, if you ask me!

Testing the wines is an important part of the job and Brad recently had the opportunity to take a class in the Finger Lakes to expand his knowledge. This two-day lecture and lab, run through Cornell University allowed him to learn and practice alternate testing methods to ensure our wines are just right, every time!

Prior to working for Adirondack Winery, Brad worked in the Sponsorship Department for a professional hockey team in Florida. After developing a love for wine and making his own wine at home, he decided to turn his hobby into a profession. When asked what drew him to Adirondack Winery, Brad responded, “Other than a love for wine, I like that it’s a local business that cares about its employees.”

In addition to wine-making, Brad’s other hobbies and interests include sports and traveling. His most recent, favorite place to travel to is Key West.

I decided to ask Brad a few questions about his likes & dislikes about wine-making as well as what his favorite wines are and what he considers to be Adirondack Winery’s “hidden gem.” Here’s what our Assistant Wine Maker had to say:

What is your favorite and least favorite part of wine-making?

“Once in a while we will have a wine that will ferment very slowly, which can be a pain.  But I enjoy bottling our wines. It can make for a long day but it’s nice to see the wine go to a finished product.”

Which wine is your personal, overall favorite?

“I’d have to go with Tempranillo, it’s a nicely balanced dry oaky red, which I tend to lean towards for my palate. “

Is there a wine that you would consider a “hidden gem” or our “best kept secret” / a wine that maybe isn’t as popular as you think it should be?

“Semillon, it’s got a nice crisp taste to it which makes it great for a hot summer day.”

Brad is not the only person who feels that way about our Semillon. Not only has it started to gain popularity with our customers, this distinct, dry white wine is also a gold medal winner of the 2011 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition.

We hope you enjoyed getting to know Brad and getting a small glimpse into what goes on “behind the bar” at Adirondack Winery!

Cheers!

Read Full Post »