Local Food and Community at Early Morning Farm

the Pumpkin Hill catering crew

We are passionate about using local and organic ingredients at the Bistro and were happy to be invited to participate as a local vendor at an open house at Early Morning Farm on Sunday.  For those who don't know them already, Early Morning Farm is a local organic farm, founded in 1999, that has grown primarily through its well known CSA (community supported agriculture) program.

We're impressed with the wide range of produce that is available through Early Morning Farm and the dedication they show to sustainable farming and community involvement.  

a cute alpaca from Angel Tree Farm

tomatoes, all strung up and happily growing in one of the many hoop houses

raspberry bushes, growing strong for a solid crop next year

beets

winding strips of fresh lettuce

trying to decide on this one:  squash or cukes?

bees are happiest on organic farms

Nancy from Bet the Farm, in Aurora, sharing tastings of her local wines

The Piggery served up some AMAZING pulled pork sandwiches

My favorite take home of the day - Chevre from 4 Tin Fish Farm

they also make some yummy goat feta

creamy farmstead cheese from the very local, Keeley's Cheese Co.

mushroom logs in process (I promise a link to this soon)

Early Morning Farm is so much more than local, fresh, organic, produce.  It's a beautiful model of sustainability and ideals in action.  We hope that you'll take a moment to check out some of the local foodie businesses that surround us in the Finger Lakes.  We loved sampling the local foods and have a feeling that you'll enjoy them, too.

It was a pleasure to tour the farm and to meet so many like minded folks in this idyllic setting.  We heard a rumor that they might do this again in the fall.  Will we see you there?

Our House Wines are Here!

After years of serving wines in our restaurant, we are thrilled to finally be adding three of our own to the list.  Our own grapes are not yet ready, so we worked with a local winemaker to develop bottles that could be enjoyed with a meal or on their own.  The results are two table wines and a fruity red for those who like a sweeter flavor.  

Pumpkin Hill's Farmhouse Red

Proud Red is something to crow about!  Our winemaker put together a superb blend of Finger Lakes grown Leon Millot, Dechaunac, Baco Noir and Marachal Foch.  The results we think are most pleasing.  A clear, bright red, dry on the pallet, yet smooth on the finish, with a light aroma of harvested berries and the subtle flavors of cherries and plums.

Pumpkin Hill's Farmhouse White

This big rooster is very proud!  Made from 100% Cayuga White, it's the perfect wine for the porch on a summer's day or a cozy nook inside when the weather turns.  You'll first be greeted by the aroma of peaches and strawberries.  A taste will reveal an additional hint of mandarin followed by a clean and dry finish.

Pumpkin Hill's Wild Chick

This one is full of personality!  Our wine maker took our house blend red and added a generous dose of Finger Lakes Concord and we were so excited about the results that we had to call it our "Wild Chick".  From the moment it hits the glass, you can't help but notice its burnt red color and the explosion of fragrance that could only come with the Concord addition.  A taste reveals the full flavor of Concord grapes, plums, and cherries.  This little number is definitely on the sweeter team, but we feel it will be pleasing to many pallets who also enjoy a dryer wine.  We've been told it's like Sangria in a bottle.  So, maybe our Wild Chick has a little Spanish accent... salud!

Cheers!

Farm Fresh Local Organic Produce!

We are so blessed living here in the Fingerlakes to be surrounded by farms producing the most amazing summer produce. Whether its the sweet local strawberries (that we will be turning into Strawberry Shortcake this weekend) or the fresh organic bib lettuce that were just harvested a few short hours ago, we are thrilled to keep it local by supporting our farming neighbors and bringing our customers the most delicious and most nutritional fruits and vegetables around.

Abbot Greenleaf delivering his freshly picked, organic zucchini........Roasted veggies anyone?

A Lovely Summer Wedding

This Weekend Pumpkin Hill was honored to Cater the wedding of Sarah Brady and William Thiel.

What a fabulous event;  glorious weather, a spectacular setting, a beautiful bride and her handsome groom, lashings of champagne and of course, wonderful food from the hors d'oeuvres through to the wedding cake, all prepared  by our wonderful Executive Chef and General Manager, Cookie.

Congratulations, Will And Sarah......From everyone here at Pumpkin Hill.


p.s.  We'd love to cater your next event, too!

Roses are blooming on the hill!

Summer is here!......with temperatures pushing 90 at the beginning of the week we have said "good by" to the Peonies and " Hello Roses!"

Check out the view of our new vineyard from my flower garden.

Did you see our tent?

No, Its not a circus! Its our new summer addition just off the pergola and flower garden.

We have already used it for a few rehearsal dinners and Wells College, Cornell and Ithaca College graduation weekend.....everyone loves it!

The grapes are in at the Bistro!

We are so excited!  Our vineyard has finally been planted.  We have been hard at work laying out the new rows of grapes and chose Vidal Blanc and Leon Millot as our fist crop.

It will take three year before we harvest our first crop, but this has been a dream in the making for the past eight years, so another three doesn't seem so long. 

Next up: our own house wine (and, no we're not waiting another three years). 

Stay tuned...

"Come on Down"

Did you hear? We are now open 11am till 9 pm every day except Sunday.

Yes, its not a great week for sitting on the porch or in the garden....but its the perfect week for Cookies chicken pot pie or her yummy home made soups.

Farming the vineyard!

Farmer Terry and Alex clearing the land ready for the planting of the grapes this coming week.....so exciting!

The rain delayed us last week so fingers crossed for this week.