'Makers and Masters Classic' beer, wine judging date set

Earlier this year, a half-dozen winemakers and a half-dozen brewers from the Finger Lakes got together to judge each others' products. After analyzing the results of that get-together, they have decided to do it again. So, circle March 4, 2017, on your calendar.

That's when the 2nd annual Makers and Masters Classic will be held at Lakewood Vineyards. Last February, the inaugural event saw 48 beers and 62 wines entered in the event -- the brewers judging the wines, the winemakers judging the brews -- and a good-sized crowd came out to enjoy what Lakewood's Chris Stamp says "began as a highly controlled professional scientific enquiry [that] quickly spiraled into something much more fun."

No word yet on how many entries will be up for judging and public sampling this time, but you can check with Lakewood at (607) 535-9252 or (877) 535-9252 for information and ticket availability. Tickets will go on sale online, but they're not up as of today.

Lakewood Vineyards is located at 4024 State Route 14, Watkins Glen. Click here for directions.

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