October 29, 2010 by Mark H. Anbinder
After years of dreaming, discussion, design, delays, and development, the new, cooperative Finger Lakes Wine Center has opened its doors in downtown Ithaca. On the ground floor of the city-owned Cayuga Street parking garage, the wine center features a tasting bar, function space, historical displays, and a gift shop offering regional foods as well as Finger Lakes wines.
The new facility opened this Thursday night with live music and a tasting menu of local cheeses and other munchies, several Finger Lakes wines by the glass, and affordable tasting "flights" of multiple wines. Tasting flights will be available whenever the wine center is open, and a weekly Thursday night event will offer food and glasses of wine.
Alongside the gift shop is a rack with winery brochure and other tourism guides.
Organizers hope the Finger Lakes Wine Center will provide a downtown hub for the region's wineries, exposing both residents and visitors to the existence of one of the area's most popular tourism opportunities.
