The Back Label: Meet the Master Somm Who Makes Hot Dogs

Christopher Bates is a Master Sommelier, and that’s a big deal. According to the Court of Master Sommeliers (yeah, it’s a court) there are only 147 masters from the USA and only 230 worldwide. It took Christopher about 12 years to ascend to such heady heights and join the elite of an already elite industry. […]

Experience the Finger Lakes: The Best of Seneca West Wine Tour

Next, get ready to never think about wieners and burgers the same way again. The FLX Wienery is the special eatery project of couple Christopher Bates and Isabel Bogadtke. Christopher is a Master Sommelier and Isabel was named by Mobil Travel Guide as offering the Best Service in the World. Today, their collaborative energies go […]

Escape Brooklyn: A Visit to Finger Lakes Wine Country, NY

As seasoned regional travelers as we are, our home state of New York State still surprises us. Home to both the most populous city in the country, and the largest protected natural area in the contiguous US states, New York is filled with gems from downstate to upstate. One of those gems we recently discovered is the second-largest concentration of wineries in […]

Zagat: 8 Reasons to Drive to the Finger Lakes

The Finger Lakes have long been a getaway for Philly, NYC and Connecticut residents looking for a country escape. The region is home to one of the most visited state parks in New York, Watkins Glen, surrounding multiple waterfalls and a stunning gorge. Tourists head out on sunset sails on Seneca Lake aboard the traditional […]

Exploring Upstate: FLX Wienery – Dundee, NY

One of my favorite activities is to take roads in New York I’ve never driven, turn up music loud and put all the windows down while putting forth my best effort to get lost and discover some new interesting thing I want to stop and take a picture of. An interesting mailbox, a historic cobblestone […]

The Food Network: Where to Eat and Drink in The Finger Lakes

What to See, Eat & Drink With more than 120 wineries, breweries and distilleries spread across the Finger Lakes region in upstate New York, you’ll likely need more than a weekend to discover all that the area has to offer. If you’re short on time, focus on the three largest lakes: Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga. […]

Spectrum News: Wienery Getaway

This is not your ordinary winery Getaway on the wine trail! In fact…it’s a wienery! The FLX Wienery is a fairly new stop along the Seneca Lake wine trail, Dundee, New York. Hot dogs and hamburgers and everything in between with a new twist and fancier form. Brainchild of Chef Christopher Bates and his wife […]

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