Perennial Favorite

“The first year of the festival saw 100 people, the second year,
200,” says Leslie Kroeger, who has organized the fest for the past
three years. “We have a big estate here and a tent will house
three-quarters of the vendors. The others bring their own tents, and
they’re all mixed up: entertainment, cooking demonstrations and
lectures, and music. And lots of festival food that includes lots of
garlic.”

The garlic festival was started in 1993 by Fox Run’s previous owners
Larry and Adele Wildrick. When Scott Osborn took ownership of Fox Run a
year later, he wanted to continue the event to showcase the
relationship between wine and food. “Every great meal has some garlic
in it,” he says, “and every great meal includes wine, especially Finger
Lakes wine.”

But the symbiosis doesn’t end there. This festival features cool
climate garlic, smaller bulbs that pack a flavorful punch. You could
say the same for the grapes that yield Finger Lakes wines: fruity and
flowery. “Cool climate garlic is harvested at the end of June,” Kroeger
notes, “and from then until the festival the farmers are very busy
drying the garlic, the last step before they bring it to market.”

In addition to farmers, the 37 vendors who will be on hand include
Gambino Garlic Growers of Hornell, who will be giving garlic braiding
demonstrations; Steve Kettell, owner of Pine City’s Hendy Hollow
Organic Farm and president of the Ithaca Farmers Market, who will talk
about growing garlic organically; and Hooke ‘n Crooke Garden Tools of
Burlingston who have designed equipment specifically for farming
garlic. 

Garlic and wine: It might not be a vampire’s favorite
combination, but the non-fanged will surely enjoy the Garlic Festival
at Fox Run Vineyards.

Chefs will be cooking up garlic-infused dishes, fine artists and
crafters will be selling their wares, Geneva’s Red Jacket Orchards will
be showcasing their fresh juices, and there will be a great deal more.
“We have tried to concentrate these last three years on local vendors
and having them focus more on bringing fresh produce,” Kroeger says.
“People are interested in picking up local goods, especially the
garlic. They come here and they get their garlic for the whole year. I
still have one bunch left from last year. I store it in the basement in
the dark in a container that lets the air flow through.”

Peter Gambino, along with his brother Matthew, have had a booth at
the festival for the past 15 years. “This is the first year I’m doing a
braiding demonstration there,” he says. “In the past we’ve sold garlic.
We sell seed garlic and show people how to grow it, so they can have a
good product out of their garden. Our seed has been in the family for
years and it grows good in the Northeast. You want to buy garlic to
plant from someone that grows it in the area. Quite often people will
buy it out of a seed catalog, and it’s pretty expensive and you have to
pay shipping, and there’s no guarantee it will grow.”

As for the braiding, Gambino says it’s merely one way to store the
bulbs. “The old-timers braided it and hung it in the kitchen for
convenience. The whole bulb just seems to keep better.”

For the past five years Kettelle has lectured to festivalgoers about
growing garlic organically. “Surprisingly, that’s a big topic that a
lot of people want to know about,” he says. He also praises the
festival itself. “It’s a great, very well-run festival, very well
attended and it’s in a beautiful spot. We like attending.”

Since this festival is being held at a winery, expect plenty of Fox
Run vintages to be available at the tasting room and cafe, by the glass
or bottle. Non-imbibers will have beverage options as well. Plenty of
locally sourced foods will be available, in addition to the garlic. 

After all, 8,000 people can’t be wrong. “It’s amazing how many
people call ahead of time and ask about the festival,” Kroeger says.
“They have heard of it either because they have been here before or by
word of mouth.”

Fox Run Vineyards is located at 670 Route 14, Penn Yan, along Keuka
Lake. The festival is open Saturday, Aug. 7, and Sunday, Aug. 8, 11
a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free; food and beverages come at
a price. For more information, call 536-4616 or visit www.foxrunvineyards.com.

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