Last weekend we welcomed guests for our annual Candlelight Night event, but this year instead of folks mingling and walking from station to station for their five food and wine pairings, we had each group seated in our event room and tasting room.  Our staff served up five courses to guests seated at their tables and a good time out was enjoyed by all!  Some people enjoyed the pairings and asked for recipes, the number one requested recipe was the Creamy Mushroom Soup which I have shared with the public before.  This is a delicious soup, even if you don't love mushrooms, you will love this soup!  It pairs perfectly with our 2018 Traminette.  Don't skimp on the fresh thyme.  Fresh herb are best and lend a wonderful aroma and flavor to this soup that would be lost with dried thyme.  Where the recipe calls for wine, I used Deer Run's 2018 Chardonnay.  Chardonnay and mushrooms are a win-win combination!  
The Jalapeno Popper Corn Dip served with tortilla chips and Conesus White also struck a chord with many who sampled it!  I did reduce the number of jalapenos and used a combination of fresh jalapenos and canned green chiles which imparted great flavor without making it too spicy.  If I was making this for a group of friends, I would have used straight jalapenos, but I always hear my mother in law, Joan Kuyon's, voice in my head whenever I am cooking something for large groups, "Don't make it too hot-spicy!"   I added the scallions right into the crockpot, to allow those flavors to meld a bit while keeping warm in the crockpot.  This is an easy appetizer to serve to a group and the ease of having it in a crockpot means it stays warm on the counter.  In the blog post the author mentions using sour cream or mayonnaise,  I opted for sour cream in my version. 
For the Gorgonzola-stuffed prosciutto-wrapped dates, the ingredients are all listed in the name, making this one a no-brainer, but I will expand on how to pit and stuff a date for those who may have no prior experience with handling dates, just like me!  I had never purchased dates and didn't even know they contained a pit, so I had to cut a slit in the date lengthwise and push the ends together like one would do to open up a coin purse and push out the pit with my gloved finger.  The date opens up easily and is the consistency of a large raisin, sharing that sweetness level as well.  Just a side note, I was not certain if the dates needed to be washed or not, so I did rinse them off well and I would recommend a good rinse before cutting into them.  For the cheese stuffing, I used 1 part cream cheese, 1 part blue cheese crumbles and 1 part Borgonzola (a creamy Gorgonzola Brie).  Scott, my husband and winemaker, thought "Borgonzola" sounded like a cheese from Star Trek made by Borgs.... Anyhow, I whipped the three cheeses together in a stand mixer until light and fluffy.  Using a mason jar lined with a sandwich baggie, I scooped the mixture into the sandwich baggie and readied my home-made piping bag.  The dates have a natural pocket, once you remove the pit, which is perfect for stuffing and you can use a myriad of ingredients to make cute appetizers for your next party.  They are bite-size and don't crumble (depending on your filling) making them a good appetize in my book!  I piped the mixture into the date and wrapped with a third of a slice of prosciutto.  Done and easy!  This is a great recipe to pair with Deer Run's Vignoles and overall I would say it was a hit or miss appetizer with the crowd.  Some guests loved it and some didn't eat it.  Ah well, dates are unique and blue cheese can be a turn off, hence why I creamed it with cream cheese, but I did try one myself and they really were a nice balance of sweet, tang and salt and pretty darn tasty!   
Sliced beef on crostini paired with Deer Run's 2019 Marquette was a nice and easy appetizer as well.   This is a perfect recipe for those who want to serve cute appetizers, but are short on time and cooking space.  Take crostini, spread with Cabot Horseradish cheddar spread and top with thinly sliced roast beef.  We sell Cabot horseradish spread in our tasting room!  Crostini can be purchased at the store or you can make your own by slicing baguette bread, arranging the slices on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil , salt and pepper bake at 375 degrees for 12 minutes and, voila, you have crostini! Now you can easily assemble this no frills, delicious appetizer and if you want to make it a bit more fancy, add caramelized onions to the top and omit the roast beef for the vegetarians in your group!  Easy and delicious! 
For the flourless chocolate cake, I cheated and purchased this one at the store.  For my own sanity, I would say it was worth it and everyone loved it.  When hosting a large dinner or party you have to decide when its necessary to make it from scratch or to purchase at the store.  In this case, the cake was deliciously rich and fudgy and paired incredibly with our red dessert wine, Dockside - no one was disappointed!  

This November hallmarks 17 years of business for Deer Run Winery owners, George and Joan Kuyon.  I interviewed George, Joan and their son, Scott separately to find out how they each feel about reaching this milestone.

George was in the production building assembling a wood countertop for the new lab space when I came in out of the blue and asked him what he feels has been his greatest challenge as a business owner.  I believe most small business owners would agree with him when he said the greatest challenge has been "paying for things".  Deer Run Winery would not be a brand or a place for folks to get together on Conesus Lake if it wasn't for George's tenacity to keep the business afloat all these years.  It has been a blessing and a burden for George and Joan, who continue to financially support the business as it grows larger.  

Are you happy with where the winery is today? I asked George.  He replied, "Yes, very happy.  I never thought it would go this far.  By the grace of God, Scott showed up at just the right time...that made me very happy".  Scott had been working as a manager of a marina in Florida and decided to move home after George built the winery,  just before it opened.  George and Scott have worked closely together for the better part of two decades as a father and son team of commercial winemakers.  

"What has been the greatest highlight of the last 17 years?" George didn't miss a beat and answered, 'It's Scott and how he has taken the winemaking to another level."  

I phoned Joan, and asked her what she feels has been the greatest highlight as owner of Deer Run Winery for the last 17 years.  She replied , "The winery brought Scott back to us".  And are you happy with where the winery is today? I asked.  Joan replied, "I'm proud its a family-run boutique business that  has grown to include weddings and a wine club."  

I appeared in my husband's (Scott's) office and sat down opposite him to ask him what he feels he has learned about himself over the last 17 years working at Deer Run.   "Patience, lots of patience".  Scott went on to add, "I have a better grasp on critical thinking.  Farming grapes and making wine has taught me small changes can lead to large results over time if you have the patience to see it through.  Some [changes] take years to show up.  Winemaking techniques and styles can take 6-8 months to show up in a bottle.  We get better by learning and experimenting."  Lastly, I asked Scott if he is happy with where Deer Run Winery is today.  To that he replied, "Overall, I am happy we are still around!"   

Congratulations George, Joan and Scott!  Your determination and drive has led to a successful business enjoyed by so many people from all over the world!   Many folks have fond memories associated with their time spent at Deer Run Winery.  May you continue to host good times and great people over delicious glasses of wine for many years!   Cheers!!

Do you ever feel like you circle around each year wondering what to get for your loved ones at Christmastime?  If they are a wine lover, Deer Run's 12 wines of Christmas is the perfect gift for any wine lover this Holiday Season.  The line up includes 12 award-winning Deer Run wines, 12 mylar wine bottle gift bags and each wine will come with its own postcard including the wine specifics and pairing ideas!  Gift one bottle a day, gift 12 bottles on Christmas or gift one bottle to 12 co-workers or friends, any way you go about it, the case savings is a great deal you won't want to pass up! 

We are taking preorders now for pick up after December 01st.  Available for pick up at Deer Run Winery only. ​ To order your 12 Wines of Christmas case, click the link below!​

We welcomed 50 guests here this past Saturday for our Tapas in the Vineyard event and were blessed with beautiful weather, friendly faces, and delicious food & wine!   To ensure social distancing we welcomed groups of 6 guests every 20 minutes.  Guests arriving checked in with our staff in our event room, collected their wine glass and began with the first pairing: spicy polenta cake topped with smoked pulled pork paired with our gold medal awarded 2018 Corot Noir. 

Afterwards, folks strolled outside into the vineyard where we set up three additional stations.  Their first vineyard stop was at George's garden where they enjoyed a caprese skewer paired with 2018 Traminette.  The basil and grape tomatoes were picked from the garden just hours before and skewered with fresh mozzarella balls. 

Guests were close enough to smell the smoke coming from Scott's station further up in the vineyard where he was grilling up the portobello mushrooms and skirt steak with chimichurri sauce tapas paired with our gold medal awarded Runway Red.  The skirt steak was purchased from Wilson's Beef Farms in Canaseraga and the quality was phenomenal!  Scott used this chimichurri sauce recipe and marinated the meat for 24 hours resulting in an incredibly tender and flavorful bite.  Personally, this was my favorite tapas of the evening. 

Once guests finished their garlicky steak and mushroom bites they walked to the opposite side of the vineyard where they were greeted by me!  I was serving up goat cheese, fig and honey spread on crostini topped with chopped pistachios which was paired with 2018 Vignoles.  An easy appetizer to make and serve at your next dinner party.  The robust flavor profile of the Vignoles pairs very well with goat cheese and honey notes in the wine were accented by the honey in the spread; I received many compliments on this pairing!  Unlike the recipe states, I chose to whip the fig jam and goat cheese together until lit was light and fluffy and layered the dip with honey.  The base was a sea salt baguette crostini which is a newly added product made by Monk's Bread from the Abbey of the Genesee.  The final pairing was served in our tasting room.  We ended on a sweet note and paired Cherry Cocoa Cove with chocolate cherry bombs!   

​Many guests stayed a while afterwards and enjoyed the sunset while sharing a bottle of wine among friends and family in their group.  And while the evening glow and heat receded over our beautiful part of the world, the night seemed to hold a magical feeling as so many of our events do.  These special occasions give us the opportunity to meet our customers in person and listen to their candid comments about our wines.  The most popular comment heard this past Saturday evening was, "When will we be holding another Tapas event?" and to that I say hopefully we will be getting together again soon! ;)

If it has been a while since you visited our tasting room, we invite you to join us again!  But before you visit, here are a few tasting room updates post-pandemic:

•  A mask is required when walking around the tasting room.  You may remove your mask at the tasting bar while sampling. 
• Please apply hand sanitizer upon entering the tasting room.  Hand sanitizer is available at the door.
• The tasting room occupancy is limited to 10 people.  Please call 585.346.0850 in advance to schedule a wine sampling if possible.  An average wine sampling typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and includes 6 wine samples.
• Groups of 6 or more will sample the same 6 wines.  Either you can choose those wines as a group or our staff can pour your group our six best-selling wines.
• If you arrive with a group of people, send one person in your group into the tasting room to check in with the tasting room associate.  Our staff will notify you when they can accommodate you at the tasting bar 
• You do not have to have a reservation to visit us. we will not turn anyone away.  If you arrive unannounced, check with our staff to see if there is space for you at the tasting bar or you can enjoy a wine flight sampling outside​

Conesus Lake today 

Overnight Accommodations: The area has gown in residents and there are many gorgeous lake homes available for rent through sites like Airbnb and VRBO and there is no shortage of activities that one can enjoy when visiting Conesus Lake!   Not looking to stay a whole week?  Look into our local hotels: The Hampton Inn Geneseo, The Quality Inn and The Rodeway Inn. 

Craft Beverage Trail:  A few years back, five breweries and a cidery opened in Livingston County and along with Deer Run Winery and Eagle Crest Winery, the craft beverage producers teamed up to create one of the newest trails, The Livingston Libation Loop.   This trail has bold flavors, quirky characters and award-winning brews and wines that will make you want to stock-up & take home the liquid deliciousness to enjoy after your day of sampling! 

Hiking & Rafting: Just a  20-minute drive from Conesus Lake, lies "the no. 1 state park in the nation" Letchworth State Park.    Voted no. 1 by USA Today in 2015 and again in 2020 by HomeToGo, ranking Letchworth as the #1 Most Extraordinary State Park in the nation!  We are very fortunate to have a picturesque "grand canyon of the East" in our backyard!  While hiking the trails at Letchworth, you can stop for a picnic or have lunch served at the park's, Glen Iris Inn.  For those who seek a bit more adventure, check out the Class I & II river rapids  white water rafting through Adventure Calls.  I enjoyed a trip down river a few years ago with my family and it was hysterical and thrilling all at the same time.  I recommend proper footwear as my sister was disappointed to have lost her Michael Kors sandal when disembarking from the raft! 

Kayaking/Boating: Conesus Lake is a smaller lake than some of its larger sister lakes and due to its size we have smaller boats on our water.  The quaintness of our lake makes it perfect for kayaking.  Tropical Creations on Conesus Lake is open 7 days a week throughout the summer and in addition to kayak rentals, they offer private charters, paddle board and boat rentals.  Side note: Located about a 25 minute drive East of Conesus Lake, lies another Finger Lake, largely overlooked: Canadice Lake.  Canadice Lake is a watershed for the city of Rochester.  Due to its watershed status, no large boats are allowed on its waters (nor is skin contact, so no swimming here!) and its shores are completely natural and do not boast homes, like many of the other Finger Lakes.  Kayaking is allowed and those interested in a more remote and quiet setting will enjoy the serenity that surrounds Canadice Lake.  Contact John Kenny of Canadice Lake Outfitters for kayak rental information!

Dining: Now that you've worked up an appetite, our area has no shortage of restaurants to appeal to many different palates!  For pizza, check out Vincenzo's in Lakeville they have two locations and the phone number to the local pizzeria is 585-346-2030.  For hearty large-portion Italian "like Grandma used to make", visit Fratelli's.  Looking for lake front dining?  Look no further, The Beachcomber on the South West side of Conesus Lake and Hook & Spoon at the North-end of the lake got you covered!   Hankering for some BBQ? Go on over to the 3 Legged Pig for slow-roasted pit BBQ and a popular lineup of house made sauces!   Maybe you imbibed a bit too much last night and are looking for a hearty breakfast - visit our neighborhood Lakeville Diner for a classic, no frills meal that is both delicious and easy on the wallet!   

​Morning Coffee: Looking for great coffee? Visit Little Lakes Brewing for fresh house-made pastries and coffee that's roasted right in house.  It's a little location bursting with flavor and wonderful morning smells!  For those of you who are Dunkin' Donuts fanatics, we have three locations within a 5-mile radius, so apparently residents of Livingston County "runs on Dunkin'"!   Hey Canadians, we have a Tim Horton's in Geneseo too!  

For the kiddos:  The kids will love spending time in the lake or above the water, jet-skiing or boating, whatever you decide, but we also have a great little adventure center located at the corner of Rt. 256 and 20A, Minnehan's Fun Center.  Minnehan's has arcade games, go-karts (for big kids and a smaller one for smaller kids), mini golf, outdoor laser tag, a batting cage, indoor bounce house and obstacle course with a ball pit.  This place makes kids happy!!  There is also a restaurant onsite and an ice-cream service window!!! The family can spend a few hours here and leave full and happy :)

Geneseo is also home to a movie theater, bowling alley and our Main Street offers a historical feel with its own classic movie theater, restaurants and shopping.  Our little town has a lot going on making Conesus Lake a prime spot to spend with your family or honey on your next vacation!  I hope to see you soon ;)   Be sure to stop in and say hi!   -Marie K. 

Conesus Red is Deer Run's Wine of the Month throughout the month of July.  Conesus Red was introduced to the wine list in July of 2017 and has been a big hit with the customers and locals ever since.  A blend of Steuben and Delaware grapes finished at 5.5% residual sugar.  This light-bodied red wine is well-balanced & refreshing; perfect for enjoying during these hot summer days! 
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Conesus Red was awarded a double-gold in its very first competition at the 2017 New York Wine and Food Classic which made this wine an instant hit with our clientele. Conesus Red opens with a white peach bouquet and finishes with notes of ripe cherries and strawberries, perfect to pair with the fresh berries in season right now! 

We have much to celebrate at Deer Run Winery as business slowly adjusts back to normal and we are marking the onset of Summer with some great savings!  Throughout the Covid-19 experience, we have not been allowed to sample our wines for customers so we shifted with the times and added sampling pack experiences.  These sampling packs went over extremely well with our customers who enjoyed the wine sampling experience in their own homes.  One customer shared with us that she and her husband would "head to the winery" during a commercial break and sample a different wine from their sampler pack in their kitchen!  I love the creativity and  imagination that was sparked by this pandemic.   People are so highly adaptable to their current situation.  

Since our first run at a wine sampling party pack was so successful, we have added another.  This time we are showcasing our four best selling wines: Runway Red, 2018 Riesling, Max Black and Pebble Beach Blush.  To order your Best Sellers Sampling party pack, click the item below!  We also have our best-sellers wine four pack on sale at this time, so you can sample the wines and enjoy a bottle of your favorite wine right away! 

Another Summertime product featured below is the Picnic-to-go, which includes a pre-packed picnic for two including a chilled bottle of Conesus White, two stemless wine glasses, a wedge of Yancey's Fancy Bergenost cheese, a box of Back to Nature crackers, a mini jar of Mustard, two Monk's fruit and nut bars, chocolates, hazelnut chocolate Piroulines, plates, napkins and flatware.  We are now able to accommodate guests at our picnic tables on the property, so you can enjoy your picnic right here if you desire!  

Not interested in a whole picnic and just want to grab a chilled bottle of wine paired with a delicious wedge of local cheese, check out our wine and cheese combos.  These combinations are tried and true and takes the guesswork out of what wine pairs best with what cheese. 

Whatever you plan on doing this summer, be sure to bring a little bit of Deer Run along because wine always makes for a good time!   Cheers!!

The above is a Mother's Day card made by my daughter when she was small; my, my how those days have passed by so quickly!  For all Mothers, we secretly understand our plight, our struggle and our joy.  Motherhood is a slurry of all of these things, nothing is nicely packed into its own boxes; it is at best an organized chaos.  When our children are small, we wish them to be older and more self sufficient to give us a much needed break and when they have grown and no longer have a need for us, we long for them to be small and holding their outstretched arms up to us.  What motherhood looks like changes dramatically as our children grow into adults, but they will forever remain our babies, just as we remained like a child in the eyes of our own Mothers. 

Below is a poem I wrote when I a student at Monroe Community College about 20 years ago.  The assignment was to write a poem about my life starting with the present and working backwards to birth.  I felt it would be fitting to include with our Mother's Day theme, I hope you agree.  

Carrot Top

I asked my mother for advice 
on what I should write,
"How do I narrow down my life?"

"Just write about your hair, 
how wearing it short makes you look like a lady.
Tell them how you loved 
inventing new styles, with twists and pins 
Speak of times when I braided your hair, 
after your bath, before you fell asleep.  
And how the neighborhood girls loved to brush and play 
with your long, thick waves during slumber parties.
Finally, let them know
when I saw you for the first time, 
I fell in love with your bright, red hair..."

                        ###

I did end up getting an "A" on the above poem - thank you, Professor Leuzzi. 

For me this sums up how much we rely on our mothers.  We depend on them for shelter and safety when we are small and as we grow, they provide us with guidance and advice, whether or not we choose to listen!  Mom is always there until the day she is not and we must take up the reigns and do our best to fill the very large shoes of the others who came before us.  May we honor our Mothers and their memories and not let them down.  

Below is a clip of the video from our #deerrunmom photo contest.  We asked our followers on Instagram and Facebook to upload a photo of the Mom in their life and use #deerrunmom.  We received 55 pictures and have randomly chosen three winners.   Congratulations to our winners and Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms our there!  Press on!!