Day 2 of our Beak & Skiff celebration started slow and relaxed, with everyone waking up on their own time and enjoying breakfast out on the back deck. The morning sunshine and orchard views set the perfect tone for a day of adventure – we were heading out for a winery-hopping excursion!
To make the day extra special, we booked a 15-passenger Pearl H2 Hummer from Walkabout Limousine. Katie Curtis was amazing to work with – super kind, communicative, and flexible.
Our driver, Mike, greeted us with a smile, snapped a group photo, and we were off!
Katie let us map out our own route while also offering helpful suggestions. Since Matt and I were already a little familiar with the area (my brother and his family live in Cazenovia), we focused on wineries and breweries we hadn’t explored before. and Mike let us change the route as we went, and stay/leave whenever we wanted.
Before all the winery stops, gotta take a minute to share about a totally awesome memory thanks to Walid. We were driving, and came across a lemonade stand a couple kids were running. With about 5 seconds to process and respond, Walid pulls a 100 dollar bill out of his wallet and quick passes it down the limo to be passed out the window to the kids. The look on their face was PRICELESS. We talked about this for the rest of the day. What a guy.
1. Izzo’s White Barn Winery – Cayuga
This family-owned gem was a highlight of the day. The husband-and-wife team guided us through an intimate tasting for our whole group. Cozy, charming, and honestly, my favorite wine of the day.
2. Quarry Ridge Winery
While I wasn’t super into my wine flight, our friend Walid treated us to some specialty bottles – rare and delicious! The venue itself is stunning, and we spent time walking the vineyard, snapping photos, and relaxing on the outdoor deck.
Cheers to the friends that capture the content!
3. Heart & Hands Wine Company
We decided to skip this stop – it’s a smaller venue and wouldn’t have been able to accommodate our large group.
4. Montezuma Winery – Seneca Falls
This spot wasn’t a personal favorite. The outdoor area needs some work, though the indoor space is gorgeous. It felt more commercial, with a full gift shop and local sips. We grabbed some food and brought along a few games, which made the visit fun.
5. We had hoped to visit Anyela’s Vineyards, but their Apple Maps hours were off, so I thought they were closed. So we rerouted to Skaneateles Brewery. While we missed Anyela’s (we’ve heard it’s amazing), we loved Skaneateles Brewery – a fun mix of bourbon, beer, and wine, with both indoor and outdoor seating, food trucks, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Great day with music blasting in the stretch hummer + drinks at wineries + friends.
After an 8-hour excursion, we returned to the house and I was completely spent.
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