02 January, 2009

Corning, NY

About a year ago Banik and I visited Corning, NY, for "academic research" and had a pretty good time. The Corning Museum of Glass is something else, and for the record glassmaking was totally relevant to my thesis.

We stayed at the Hillcrest Manor, which was beautiful. (I found a photo and posted it here.) The hosts were great and served a tasty breakfast each morning. The master suite was lovely (though you do have to trade a shower for the double walled cast iron tub), and their glass collection is rather awesome.

Before we left the Finger Lakes Region we drove to a few vineyards before we left, and Bully Hill Vineyards was the favourite. The atmosphere was casual, the marketing was amusing, and the salesperson was knowledgable. He could talk about the differences between the wines Banik was tasting and answer all his questions, but he never acted superior. We left with a bottle of Ravat 51 and one of Sweet Walter Red (both are rather sweet wines)- and for a great price. Alas, they cannot send wine to CT.

We also stopped at a couple of less awesome wineries. Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Winery was pretentious, and I don't even remember the name of the wine that we bought for a gift. Heron Hill Winery showed promise, but apparently their visiting hours are something of a suggestion. We went all the way up there after they were supposed to have opened, and even though we walked around they pretended we weren't there. >.< CMoG, Hillcrest Manor, Bully Hill: all awesome.

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