Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Wine Festival, held Saturday at the Oncenter Convention Center, offered attendees an opportunity to explore a wide variety of local wines, spirits, and specialty products from New York-based vendors. This year marked the first time the festival was hosted at the larger venue, a move designed to accommodate the growing popularity of the event.
Among the diverse offerings, Rock Valley Spirits, a small craft distillery located along the Delaware River, made its debut at the festival. Owners Jim and Terry Milk, who retired to the farm they’ve operated for generations, showcased their handcrafted spirits made in a 150-year-old barn. Jim Milk shared his excitement about seeing festival-goers’ reactions to their products, saying, “It’s very affirming, it’s very rewarding,” when people expressed delight at the quality of the spirits.
Festival-goers enjoyed unlimited tastings of wines, spirits, ciders, and specialty foods while interacting with local vendors. This included products from vineyards, distilleries, and specialty food artisans from across New York state. The event also featured entertainment such as a DJ, a photo booth, and a paint-and-sip activity, providing a festive atmosphere for attendees of all ages.
Tim Cianciola, the owner of Craftproducers, the Vermont-based event management company that organizes the festival, noted that the larger venue at the Oncenter Convention Center allowed both vendors and visitors more space to enjoy the festivities. The move also provided an enhanced experience for attendees, who could sample products and purchase bottles to take home at the end of the day.
For many attendees like Tammey Smith, the festival was an opportunity to bond with family while exploring new local products. Smith, who sampled a range of wines, cheeses, and balsamic vinegars, said, “It’s nice because they have stuff for everybody, even if you don’t like wine.”
In addition to beverages, attendees could shop for unique items such as feathered jewelry, hand-painted glassware, and artisanal candles. Joan Cofield-Bridges, owner of L and J Creations, shared that her hand-painted glassware collection—including designs ranging from flowers to sports team logos—was both her passion and therapy.
The festival also highlighted the diversity of local offerings, with some vendors providing products beyond wine and spirits. Avery Magee, who attended with her partner Jordan McGriff, found it exciting to support local farmers and wineries. “It’s nice to try samples out of your comfort zone,” Magee said, referencing the opportunity to sample products like orange cream whiskey without committing to a full bottle.
Other unique offerings included Pail Shop Vineyards, which produces “party in a pouch” sangria, blending red and white wines with fruit juice. Owners Brad Carso and Greg Lowry were thrilled to see festival-goers who don’t usually enjoy wine or sangria taste their product and return with a positive response. “When people try it for the first time and say, ‘Wow, this is different,’ that’s the best part,” Lowry said.
Alongside the beverages and artisanal products, the festival featured an interactive painting experience with Bobby Padilla of Roc Paint Sip. Padilla, who also owns a mobile paint-and-sip business in Rochester, found the event to be both enjoyable and rewarding, especially as attendees embraced the process of painting while sipping their favorite drinks.
For attendees like McGriff, the event highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses. “The bloodline of a community is local businesses,” he said. “That’s what helps keep the community building and thriving.”
As the festival wrapped up, visitors left with not only bottles of their favorite spirits and wines but also a renewed appreciation for the local businesses and artisans that contribute to the vibrant culture of the Syracuse area.
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