Category: Naples, NY

Bake like a Finger Lakes local with a grape pie recipe from Naples, NY

Oct. 06, 2016

With purple fire hydrants dotting the downtown streets and vineyards defining its hills and valley, the village of Naples takes its grapes, and grape pies, very seriously. These inky purple pies are the unofficial mascot of the community, sold at roadside stands and at farm markets during harvest season and at small retail shops throughout the year. There's even a local pizzeria that has a grape pie pizza on its dessert menu…

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Finger Lakes Destination: The Great Naples Grape Festival!

Sep. 21, 2016

For over 50 years and counting...the great Naples Grape Festival has transformed the quaint, peaceful village of Naples, NY into the center of the universe for one amazing weekend in September…

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Finger Lakes sunsets: An impromptu competition where everyone wins

By Valerie Knoblauch on Dec. 07, 2015

All people of the world share the same sun, but in New York’s Finger Lakes we were blessed with a special treat of “Sunset Spectacular” a few nights ago. Less than five minutes later my sister posted the sunset view from her home in Gorham - different than my pinks, purples and blues. Captured at the same time, her sunset was made of oranges and golds with a barn backdrop and a window teasing the sunset to come in. I was deep into some kitchen event when my husband alerted me to the beautiful sky out our western window…

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Who is bringing the dessert for Thanksgiving?

By Valerie Knoblauch on Nov. 24, 2015

With Thanksgiving upon us, I’ve heard a lot of discussion lately about desserts for the infamous holiday dinner. Certainly, this is one of the key components of our American traditions for this holiday. Jake, our newest team member, is fresh out of college and going home for his first Thanksgiving as a working professional in the real world. He wanted to contribute to the dinner and got a great suggestion from Karen, our second to the newest team member (and a former food writer and in-house culinary expert), that he should consider taking a grape pie. I heartily endorsed that suggestion…

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10 photos we loved from the Naples Grape Festival!

By Melissa Knoblauch on Sep. 30, 2015

The Naples Grape Festival, held the last week of September since 1961, celebrates the area’s grape harvest, as well as local business owners, artists, farmers, musicians... I could go on. For me, it also means celebrating the close of summer, and welcoming the start of fall. Knowing that some of you may have missed the festival this year or in past years due to other obligations – work, school, travel, Sunday football – let’s take a trip down festival memory lane and look through some of my favorite Instagram photos from the last few years of the Naples Grape Festival…

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Thanks for asking: Where to find fresh cabbage and cauliflower in the Finger Lakes

Sep. 17, 2015

A Pennsylvania traveler called the office yesterday, pining for the delicious cabbage and cauliflower purchased here years ago when visiting the Finger Lakes. The caller is returning to our area next week and wanted to know where more cabbage and cauliflower could be purchased…

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Seeing Naples beyond the grapes

By Valerie Knoblauch on Aug. 20, 2015

“Grape Pie Capital of the World” or “Finger Lakes Simplicity” or “Easy like Sunday Morning” or “Nooks and Crannies” or “Where People are Just Plain Nice.” What is the potential tagline for Naples, New York? When you work in tourism your mind often goes to taglines. What quick phrase can sum up the feeling you have when you’re in a place? Naples is a small village of approximately 1,200 residents who are gearing up for what some estimate to be visitors to the tune of 70,000 or more for the Naples Grape Festival. The folks in Naples sure appreciate all those visitors, and the festival remains our most requested special event. Why not, we all agree.  It’s fun, it’s busy, it’s purple, it’s tasty. And, despite all of this, I suggest that people take the time to visit the “non-grape-festival-weekend” Naples as well. Why?  Well, let’s get back to the title conundrum. What is Naples, NY…

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How to stay cool in the Finger Lakes

Jul. 15, 2015

While there are activities galore to keep everyone entertained on a Finger Lakes vacation, sometimes when it’s hot out I just want to find a way to beat the heat and relax. Here’s a quick guide to some of my family’s go-to places to do just that. All of them are family-friendly, so pick one or two from the list, or if you’re in the area for several days, try to fit them all into your itinerary. It’s fun to be one of the “cool” ones in the summer. Of course, since we’re right here in lake country, boating, water skiing, knee boarding and swimming are the standard ways to experience the water. But I also like to explore opportunities that are a little less traditional when we think of going to the lake, so here are my top choices for fun ways to get wet and cool down…

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National Simplicity Day is simply spectacular in the Finger Lakes

Jul. 08, 2015

One of my favorite quotes is “Live simply, laugh often, love deeply.” I have found that living in the Finger Lakes is the perfect environment to live by these three simple and important ideals. As National Simplicity Day (July 12) approaches, I like to celebrate the simple things in life. Simplicity is defined as the state, quality, or an instance of being simple . Too often we complicate our lives and forget that the simple things in life matter most. I could never give up my life in the country. There are so many instances where I give thanks for the simple beauty of the world around me…

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National Trails Day in the Finger Lakes

Jun. 03, 2015

National Trails Day falls on the first Saturday in June. I really don't see the need for a special day to honor all of the phenomenal hiking trails in our country. I believe they deserve recognition each and every day, especially the beloved trails in the Finger Lakes that I explore regularly with my dog Shadow. Hiking and discovering new trails is a personal passion. Another passion is finding trail signs as Shadow and I trek around Ontario County. These signs share the story of the trail that lies ahead. They guide you on your adventure. They also provide a history of the trailblazers who came before us. Please join Shadow and me as we share our passion for the path less traveled, and a passion for the signs that guide us on our way…

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