By Joe Olenick
Lockport Union-Sun & Journal
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The Niagara Wine Trail will be one of the first things visitors to Western New York will see when they step off the plane at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport.
An exhibit in the airport’s Regional Gallery Showcase shows off some of the region’s wineries in “Sip, Swirl, Savor the Experience.” The exhibit touts the Buffalo Niagara region as a growing leader in the nation’s wine industry. The exhibit runs through October.
The exhibit provides a view of the local vineyards and is a collaborative effort between the Chautauqua-Lake Erie Wine Trail and the Niagara Wine Trail. The display is supported by America’s Grape Country and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation. There are 35 wineries between the two trails, with 13 on the Niagara trail.
Oscar Vizcarra, who owns Becker Farms and Vizcarra Vineyards in Gasport, said the exhibit gives both the Chautauqua-Lake Erie trail and the Niagara Wine Trail an opportunity to get their names out. And to draw tourists, there are few spots better than an airport.
“It’s such as excellent venue,” Vizcarra said. “We’re so glad to be there.”
Visitors to the gallery enter through a handcrafted grape arbor to see some agricultural artifacts, some of which date back to 1818. They include an antique wine press, a grape cart and oak wine barrels used to age the region’s award-winning wines.
The 18-panel exhibit consists of contemporary photographs, old postcards, grape labels and little-known facts about the wineries. Wine trail brochures, calendars of events and maps are also available. But, there’s no wine at the exhibit, just some encouragement for visitors to come to the wineries for that.
The exhibit is the latest promotion for the Niagara Wine Trail, which has been very active in getting its name out. Tamre Varallo, whose Spring Lake Winery had wines featured at the 2010 Primetime Emmys on Sunday, said the wineries have been working together to promote the trail.
“You market one, you market all,” she said.
The Niagara Wine Trail has been featured in magazines for U.S. Airways and Southwest Airlines. AAA has called the wine trail one of its “Hidden Gems of Western New York.” The wineries have also brought home a number of awards in competitions such as the California Rotary International, the New York Cork Report, the International Eastern Wine Competition and the New York Wine & Food Classic.
Contact reporter Joe Olenick at 439-9222, ext. 6241.
