Your Culinary Compass, Innovative New Tour Biz, Sets Your Senses Full Sail!
On the last Sunday in August, I had the pleasure of setting sail on Your Culinary Compass‘ maiden voyage, a day-long tour of Seneca Lake East. But before you get discouraged that you missed it, take note that their next adventure takes place on October 2 and will feature a tour of Cayuga Lake East.
One of Muranda's zesty-flavored cheeses
Your Culinary Compass is a new initiative launched by food and wine gurus Karen Deyle, Holly Howell and Jen Matteson. These three women piloted an educational and innovative tour filled with laughter and camaraderie, in spite of the fact that we set off in the midst of hurricane Irene. If anything, that added to the adventure of the day (but didn’t help the outdoor photography)!
Our first stop was at Muranda Cheese Company in Waterloo where not only did we get to sample eight of the Murray family’s delicious hand-crafted cheeses, we also got to step into their aging room to see the cheese wheels lining the shelves. It was interesting to discover how a longer aging process firmed and strengthened the rich flavor of their cheeses.
Garlic drying at Six Circles Farm
From there, we headed to Six Circles Organic Farm where interns from across the world come to learn the organic methods practiced by the two brothers who own the farm. This farm’s specialty is cold climate garlic, and they grow at least a half-dozen different varieties. The brothers use the scapes (flower stalks) from the garlic to create scrumptious pestos that they call scape-a-moli. They also grow a wide variety of tomatoes (who knew there were so many?!) and beans that they served us in a delightful warm bean and tomato salad seasoned with the delicate flavor of sesame oil. We trekked out to the garlic drying barn where a deck off the back gave a stunning lake view of their farm being buffeted by hurricane Irene. Their products are available at the Ithaca and Trumansburg farm markets.
The owners of Two Goatss Brewing
Next stop…Two Goats Brewing in Hector. Craft beer brewer Jon Rogers and his wife bought a 19th Century barn, moved it up the road a piece to enjoy a magnificent view of Seneca Lake, renovated it and opened what has become a favorite after-work hang-out for wine makers and other fellow brew lovers. Jon brews three delicious ales – IPA, Oatmeal Stout and Cream Ale. The head butt, a blend of the cream ale and oatmeal stout, was my favorite. If you’re hungry, the sole food item on their menu is a savory roast beef sandwich, cooked -of course – to perfection. If you stop there, be sure to look at the ceiling. Brewery goers use half dollar coins and thumbtacks to launch and affix paper dollars to the ceiling. I wonder who was the first to come up with that idea?!
Skyland Farm Craft Gallery Garden
On to Skyland Farm Art, Craft Gift Gallery and Cafe in Hector. Skyland Farm is as exotic a craft gallery as you’ll find anywhere, with the gardens beautifully decorated with a variety of flowers and glass globes surrounding a labyrinth you can walk. Two cats inside to bid you welcome and a winding spiral staircase mounts to the second floor around a tree that grows in the midst of the art barn. This gallery features a vast variety of hand-crafted work by some 300 local, regional and U.S. artists. The art includes everything from glass globes and garden products to jewelry, cookware, lamps and clothing items. Although I did not sample it, I’m told the hand-dipped gelato is “to die for.” From the thought put into every aspect of the gallery, I’m sure the food in the cafe would be delicious as well.
The first course of a delectible 3-course pairing meal
In spite of sampling along the way, we were all hungry, so we ventured on to Red Newt Winery & Bistro, also in Hector. Red Newt has long been a trendsetter in the locavore movement and their passion for the innovative use of local produce, products and grapes shows in their food and wine. We were treated to an absolutely sumptuous 3-course sampling meal where each course paired one of Red Newt’s culinary specialties with one of its delightfully notable wines for a truly memorable meal.
Our final fascinating stop was Eremita Winery in Lodi where Joshua Parker, a former native of Utica, NY, opened the Finger Lakes’ newest winery in a formerly
The home of the Finger Lakes' Newest Winery
dilapidated church that he renovated using mostly recycled material. The winery is named after his grandmother. I can’t comment on the wine at this stop, because I knew I’d be driving soon, so I’ll have to return to try the wines.
Most of Your Culinary Compass' maiden voyage passengers
The next Culinary Compass Tour takes place on October 2 and will take in the East side of Cayuga Lake. It’s sure to be a “honey” of a trip, with stops at Bee Attitudes Honey, Happy Bee Heirloom Farm, Bet the Farm, King Ferry Winery/Treleaven Wines and Keeley’s Cheese Company and a final stop at Pumpkin Hill Bistro. For more information and to register for this tour, visit Your Culinary Compass’ Facebook page.
Take a tour with Your Culinary Compass… guaranteed to set your senses full sail!