The Grapevine

Savor Life's two-hour weekly show bringing listeners some of the most informational fine wine dialogue in the Rochester area.

Your host Michael Warren Thomas has been leading the conversation about local wines with this show since 2008!

During both hours of this show, we celebrate local wines from the Finger Lakes and Western New York, including the Niagara Wine Trail.

Tune in weekly to hear from wine makers, experts, restaurateurs, and conversation on the finest wines of the Finger Lakes and beyond.

The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

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Show Archives

The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine, May 10, 2020 – Hour 2

By Michael Warren Thomas | May 11, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine, May 10, 2020 - Hour 2
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Scott & Ruth Osborn have been leaders in the Finger Lakes wine industry for several decades. They are launching a new version of their canned series, with their Cabernet Franc/Lemberger blend.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine, May 10, 2020 – Hour 1

By Michael Warren Thomas | May 11, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine, May 10, 2020 - Hour 1
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Katarina Schwarz has been a key leader in the growth of locally produced kombucha, Rochester’s first kombucha brewery. She also teaches classes about kombucha through the Rochester Brainery. You can link to the classes on her events page.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – May 3, 2020, Hour 2

By Michael Warren Thomas | May 4, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - May 3, 2020, Hour 2
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Christopher Bates has launched a new Blind Tasting Case available to be picked up or shipped from FLX Provisions. These 6 ounce bottles represent wines from around the world and are only numbered. You can look them up on the FLX Provisions before you taste them, or perhaps after tasting and discussing them with friends and family. Blind tastings are both fascinating and humbling.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – May 3, 2020, Hour 1

By Michael Warren Thomas | May 4, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - May 3, 2020, Hour 1
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Dan Eaton hosted “Cooking at Home” on local cable in NYS for the past decade. He is now the Executive Chef at The Park Inn in Hammondsport. Before doing the cable show, Dan was a chef at several of Rochester’s best restaurants including Gerry’s Rochester Club, The Brasserie, Pearl, and Rooney’s. Herb Raymor founded Raymor Estate Cellars at his house in Bloomfield. He has expanded beyond just wine to make hard cider, beer, and a fusion of wine & hard cider.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – April 26, 2020, Hour 2

By Michael Warren Thomas | April 27, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - April 26, 2020, Hour 2
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Brendan Zugibe is one of three brothers that run Zugibe Vineyards on Seneca Lake. The FLX Collaboration Case of Dry Rose from 12 wineries is available on their website. Ted Marks is the owner of Atwater Vineyards and a long time innovator with their web cam at the winery and the satellite map of the Finger Lakes that can be purchased online. Ted is also a partner in Edible Finger Lakes, which is hoping to add many new subscribers with 10% of those proceeds going to the three regional food banks.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – April 26, 2020, Hour 1

By Michael Warren Thomas | April 27, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - April 26, 2020, Hour 1
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Erik Frarey is the Managing Partner of Heron Hill, and is hosting regular virtual tastings that are augmented by materials, wine, and glasses that can be ordered in advance. Vinny and Kim Aliperti are the owners of Billsboro Winery, and one of the 12 wineries participating in the FLX Collaboration Case of Dry Roses. They are also doing virtual tastings on a regular basis.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – April 19, 2020, Hour 2

By Michael Warren Thomas | April 20, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - April 19, 2020, Hour 2
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Barnstormer Winery is on the west side of Seneca Lake, and has planted their first vineyard on the property. The founder, Scott Bronstein, continues to work with a number of nearby wineries in a great example of the collaborative atmosphere in the Finger Lakes wine industry.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – April 19, 2020, Hour 1

By Michael Warren Thomas | April 20, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - April 19, 2020, Hour 1
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Michael talks about the impact of the shutdown on local wineries and restaurants. In addition, Esquire.com had a recent article about the devastating effects of this shutdown on small independent restaurants, which have recently begun to show up in the Midwest. The concern over small restaurants was partly fueled by the publicly traded Ruth Chris restaurant chain getting $20 million of the fund intended for small business. Also includes discussion of the Cornell report titled “The Cost of Establishment & Production of Vitis Vinifera Grapes in the Finger Lakes.”

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – April 12, 2020, Hour 2

By Michael Warren Thomas | April 14, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - April 12, 2020, Hour 2
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Will Ouweleen was the perfect guest for Easter Sunday because he is the winemaker/owner of a winery that has produces altar wine since 1872. PureWineOnline.com is their new website for the table wines. Unfortunately (or not) the altar wines are not available for purchase by consumers due to a long standing agreement with the Catholic Diocese. During this shutdown, people might want to consider ordering wine from local wineries, perhaps enough so that some of it can be stored for 5-10 years. The cool climate wines from NYS are not only excellent food wines but also age quite well.

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The Grapevine Finger Lakes Wine Podcast

The Grapevine – April 12, 2020, Hour 1

By Michael Warren Thomas | April 14, 2020
The Grapevine
The Grapevine
The Grapevine - April 12, 2020, Hour 1
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A discussion of takeout options and recent posts from RochesterFoodNet.com that highlighted articles in the Rochester Beacon and Food & Wine about the relationship between restaurants and delivery apps. With slim profit margins in good times, the 20-30% fees for delivery apps are especially difficult for independent restaurants to absorb. Randy Agness of Agness Wine Cellars called to let people know that he will feature two more Rieslings this Thursday during a live tasting on Facebook at 7pm – Silver Thread & Tierce. Last week’s tasting included his wine, Zugibe’s, and Ravines.

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