Finger Lakes Living

I grew up in Jamestown, New York, situated about forty miles from Lake Erie. My fondest memories of all are of our family driving to the town of Forestville, where we would climb tall ladders to pick bushel baskets of apples. Once we were done with the apple picking, we would then get sharp cutters and head into the vineyards to snip bunches of glorious dark purple Concord Grapes.

The Concord Grapes were very popular, as Welch's was only a few towns away. Welch's used those terrific grapes to produce their grape jelly.

Today, I live in the Finger Lakes of New York State. The Finger Lakes grows several different types of grapes which are used in many of the nearby wineries. Wineries are in abundance in the area as are vineyards on many of the hills surrounding the lakes.

We aren't too far from Naples, New York. Naples was the home of Widmer Wines and Manischewitz Kosher Wine until just a year or so ago. Being located in a valley, Naples is surrounded by vineyards full of grapes.

When the atmospheric conditions are just so, one can actually inhale the scent of the grapes rising up from the valley below. It is a most awesome experience for me, carrying me back in time to long ago and far away. No wonder fall is a favorite season for me!

Since it is that time of the year when the grape harvest will soon be in full swing, I stopped along Main Street where a vineyard is located and took a few photos of my favorite fruit of all. The dark purple bunches shone as drops of rain lingered on them from an earlier shower.