- All classes will take place in the seminar room at Marketview Liquor
- Each class holds a maximum of 30 people
- Reservations are required (for free and paid events)
- All reservations must be made through the links below
Bully Hill Vineyards Seminar
Bully Hill Vineyards has been a leader in the Finger Lakes wine industry since 1970 but their
story begins much earlier. In 1958, Walter S. Taylor and his father Greyton decided to buy back
the vineyards where their family had once started the Taylor Wine Company before the turn of
the century. Forging a new path forward as a French-Hybrid based winery, Walter made new
wines out of then unheard-of varieties such as Seyval, Baco Noir and Vidal Blanc. Bully Hill is
famous for its irreverent and colorful label design. Walter S. Taylor used his own art to create
legendary wine labels like Love My Goat Red and Sweet Walter Red. Bully Hill’s unique
marketing strategies have propelled them into the largest family-owned winery in New York
State. Today, Bully Hill produces over 35 wines and is sold in 26 states.
Speaking at this event are two of Bully Hill’s own Stephen Taylor and William King.
Stephen Taylor comes from a long winemaking tradition. His great-grandfather started the
Taylor Wine Company in 1880, and his father started Bully Hill Vineyards in 1970. After working
as a Congressional Staffer on Capitol Hill and a Social Media Director for a public relations firm,
Stephen returned home to work for the family winery in 2013. Stephen’s passions include wine
education—he’s earned both an Enocert and WSET 3 certification.
A native of the Finger Lakes, William grew up working in his family’s vineyards as well as
working for various local wineries and restaurants. He has a MS in Education from the
University at Albany and has earned certifications from Wine Scholars Guild, Court of Masters
and WSET. He currently is the Director of the of the Greyton Taylor Wine Museum.
Date: Friday, June 16th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: FREE
Rosé Date Night
It’s International Rosé Day! Like we really need an excuse. Since our last few Friday night class received such a great response, let’s do it again. And it is also the first week of summer, so no better time to taste some of the newly released Rosé wines from around the world. These wines are tailor made for the season – dry, but blessed with refreshing fruit flavors and minerality. They also make great partners for the foods of summer. Get your wine cellar prepped for the warm months ahead and join us for a celebration of PINK!
Date: Friday, June 23rd
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
The Wines of the Loire Valley
This region has been called “Le Jardin de France”, meaning The Garden of France. Although the Loire Valley of France is best known for the 300 beautiful Châteaux that line its shores, it is also a treasure trove of GREAT food and wine! The river itself starts in the central region of France (the Massif Central) and flows directly north before taking a sharp turn left, and finally emptying into the Atlantic Ocean in the city of Nantes. It is the longest in France – over 600 miles. Along its path, you’ll find every style of wine imaginable – whites, rosés, reds, still, sparkling, dry and sweet.
Date: Tuesday, June 27th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
All-American Zinfandel
God Bless America! Since we are celebrating all things American this week, we must have a toast to the most All-American grape out there – Zinfandel! We’ll be tasting a selection of the “Red” style of this signature California wine, from regions all over the state made in a variety of different styles. Zinfandel can be made light and fruity, much like French Beaujolais, or lively, complex and age worthy, like Cabernet or claret. It can also be made into big, ripe, high alcohol style wines that resemble Port! We’ll taste through a selection, accompanied by some All-American foods. 😊
Date: Wednesday, July 5th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
Spicy Gewürztraminer
Gewürztraminer originated in the northern part of Italy, specifically near the village of Tramin, where it was called the “traminer” grape. When it traveled to Germany, it was renamed “gewürztraminer”. The pre-fix “Gewürz” translates to “spice”, which perfectly describes the flavors in the wine. This doesn’t mean spicy in terms of jalapeno pepper, but instead spicy in terms of baking flavors, like clove, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg. It is the trademark of a good Gewürztraminer, and once you get hooked, you’ll be in love for life! Due to its spicy character, it tends to pair well with spicy foods – Thai, Indian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, Moroccan and Cajun dishes are all great matches for Gewürztraminer. The grape grows widely in Germany, Austria, Alsace (France), and all over the United States, including of course – the Finger Lakes!
Date: Tuesday, July 11th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
Bastille Day – Fête de la France!
Just 10 days after America’s Independence Day, on July 14, the French also have their own red, white and blue holiday — Bastille Day! This annual celebration, known to the French as “La Fête Nationale” is a nationwide holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of France marked by the storming of a medieval prison called the ‘Bastille”. You can commonly hear people exclaim “Vive la France!” during this holiday, as they celebrate with parades, fireworks, and parties. Let’s join them and celebrate with some classic French wines for another Friday night special!
Date: Friday, July 14th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
Old World versus New World
Back by popular demand! When we refer to the “Old World” of wine, we are talking Europe. Aptly named for the fact that these countries have been making wine for a long time, and they are steeped in tradition. The “New World” refers to everyone else – the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, etc. They may be growing the same grapes as the Old World, but there can be a slight difference in philosophy, labeling, and even in taste. Put your taste buds to the test and join us for some fun side-by-side comparisons of the two very different styles, and discover your own preferences!
Date: Tuesday, July 18th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
A Taste of Puglia, Italy
Puglia (or Apulia as it is often called in English), is “the heel of the Italian boot”. This region has a relatively hot and dry climate that’s tempered by cool breezes from the surrounding water, resulting in expressive and delicious wines. It has been called “The California of Italy” due to its microclimate, and it produces as much as two-thirds of all the olive oil in Italy! Red wines are the bread and butter of Puglia, making up most of the region’s wine. If you like fruit forward, full red wines then this is the region for you! We’ll travel the peninsula and taste some of the outstanding wines being produced there – including Primitivo and Negroamaro.
Date: Wednesday, July 26th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
Finger Lakes Summer Update
OK – it’s time for a review of what is happening in our own backyard! So many new wineries have sprouted up. Sparkling wines have become an FLX signature. Single Vineyard Rieslings are becoming the norm in a region that is reaching a keen understanding of its glacial terroir. Dry Rosé has made its mark worldwide. And the spectacular 2020 reds are drinking beautifully, but will happily live in your cellar for years to come. Let’s get caught up and taste some of the latest releases!
Date: Wednesday, August 2nd
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
Back to Portugal
There is always something new happening in Portugal! Our selection of Portuguese wines has increased three-fold, and it is no surprise. The secret is out. Regional names that used to be very foreign like Vinho Verde, Dao and Alentejo have become mainstream wine-speak. And those hard to pronounce grapes like aragonez, jaen and trincadeira are no longer scary. Bottom line – these wines are some of the best values in the wine stores today. Don’t fall behind. Come and join us for a tour of modern day Portugal an prepare to be blown away!
Date: Wednesday, August 9th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
National Pinot Noir Day
Another wine holiday has warranted a Friday night class. It’s August 18th and that means that it is National Pinot Noir Day! It’s the perfect red for summer, and one of my personal favorites. This grape became famous in the French region of Burgundy, but is now making wine in just about every country in the world. Known for its red berry and earthy flavors, it is a wine that can pair incredibly well with everything from vegetables to fish to poultry to meat. We’ll do some globe-trotting and taste versions from both northern and southern hemispheres!
Date: Friday, August 18th
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35
Honey Wines and Mead
Have you checked out the Mead shelves lately? It is a category that has grown immensely over the past few years. Although honey wines and meads are nothing new, they have suddenly caught the attention of wine and beer drinkers alike. Consider this a “101” class as we start from the beginning and explore the history of mead and the different styles on the market. Of course, we will taste a few too!
Date: Tuesday, August 22nd
Time: 6-7pm
Cost: $35