Some of our Favorite Things

When the calendar turns to March, our thoughts turn to the Damiani-Stonecat Winemaker's Dinner held, conveniently for us, at Magnolia Place B&B.  We were fortunate enough to be able to attend again this year and we were not disappointed.

The evening started with a cocktail hour and the Damiani 2010 Bollicini, a bright, minerally, and refreshing Cayuga-based Proseco.  It was paired with two crostini: an aged French muenster with brandy-braised golden raisins; and a pear and fennel crostini with warm local (Lively Run) chevre.  Both were delicious and worked beautifully with the Bollicini, but I think the muenster was my favorite.  The only problem was my inability to juggle the raisins which insisted on rolling off of the crostini and onto to the carpet!

The first course was my favorite pairing of the night.  The 2010 Gewurztraminer was served with a pan seared mustard-crusted haddock with a lemon-caper beurre blanc served over spicy greens.   The nose on the Gewurzt was roses leading to peach on the palate and spices on the finish.  It was a beautifully balanced dish that was in perfect harmony with the haddock!

Course two paired the 2010 Lemberger with a chevre and mushroom tart with Stonecat's bacon and a black currant port reduction.  I am not a fan of Lemberger but the earthiness of the mushrooms worked perfectly to bring out the beauty of the Lemberger.

The third course was all about showcasing the 2010 Reserve Syrah.  The dish, dubbed the "Double Date", consisted of a cardamom and maple-cured pork loin with a raspberry beurre blanc "spooning" with duck confit in sour cherry compote.  The pork was tender and delicious and the duck was succulent and the Syrah is unbelievable.  It's young but it's a huge, kick ass wine with some serious aging potential and I can't wait to check on it in a year or so.

Finally, the dessert course: "Opera" by Christian Thiron.  A gorgeous, delicate layered pastry composed of cake, espresso butter cream, and Belgian chocolate ganache served on a salted caramel sauce.  It was heavenly and it might very well be the best dessert I ever had.  The pairing?  It was a cellar secret...and shall remain so...

The Finger Lakes, Damiani Wine Cellars, Magnolia Place B&B, Stonecat Cafe - some of our favorite things and people, all wrapped up into one awesome evening!

Magnolia Place: Southern Hospitality in the Finger Lakes

I've never been much for B&B's but, as we approached this pale pink house on a beautiful summer day, something felt different.  The snow white rocking chairs on the wrap-around porch reminded me of a southern plantation.  The window boxes overflowed with blossoming pink geraniums and the finches tended to their nests in the eaves of the porch roof.  We pulled into the driveway, past the manicured lawn, and were immediately welcomed by a big black Lab named Irish! 

We received just as warm a welcome from innkeepers Terri and Ted.  After comfortable conversation and some suggestions for dinner, we were shown through the guest areas of the fully air conditioned house and to our suite.  We made our way from the country kitchen, into the dining room where off to the side is a pantry with a small refrigerator stocked with bottled water, all types of glassware, and a great assortment of movies/DVD's and games.  From there into the beautiful cozy living room with a wood-burning stove - I can just imagine curling up on one of the overstuffed sofas with a book on a cold winter's night.

Our perfectly appointed room had lake views, an en-suite bath with whirlpool tub and shower, a gas fireplace, queen size bed with tons of pillows, a TV and a private entrance from the porch.  We found robes in the closet and locally made soap in the bathroom.  Oh, this was looking good! 

After we settled in, we joined other guests on the porch to watch the sun set over Seneca Lake.  A wonderfully relaxing way to end our day's journey. 

We rose from our comfortable bed to explore the rest of the property.  We were told there was a pond and fire pit so we started up the hill and were quickly led by Irish, stick in mouth, to his private swimming hole!  The lake and vineyard views from there were stunning on this clear morning!  We made our way up a little further through a vineyard, which we were later told were Riesling grapes planted by Dr. Frank, a winery on Keuka Lake.

As we made our way back to the house, we heard the triangle sounding the start of breakfast.  A huge country breakfast is served daily in the sunny kitchen or on the wrap-around porch.  On this morning, breakfast was buffet-style and tables were set on the porch to enjoy the view and cool breeze.  Stufffed to the gills, we were ready to face the day of wine tasting!

This gem is an historic 1830's farmhouse nestled in the heart of the Finger Lakes, just 11 miles north of Watkins Glen. It sits on the east side of Seneca - in the middle of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail - right on the main drag, if you will.  It is convenient to amazing local dining and shopping, spectacular waterfalls, and the Finger Lakes National Forrest.  

Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway, to explore the wine scene, or just enjoy relaxing on the porch by day and stargazing at night, you'll find it all here.   We give it a 5/5 wine glass rating!!