Grape Discovery Center gets license to expand beverage sales

Front row: manager Christina McKane, president Patricia Hathaway, board member Bob Patterson holding the new farm winery license. Back row: board members Deb Philips, Helen Baran, Bob Green, John Piper, Carolyn Bills, and Phil Baideme.

The Grape Discovery Center in Chautauqua County has moved another step toward being a full-service visitor center. It has just been issued a farm winery license by the state, which allows it to sell New York State-made wines, spirits, beer and cider by the bottle for off-premises consumption. Previously, it had been limited to selling beverages by the glass for on-premises use only.

"It's been quite a journey for the Center to be able to achieve this goal, but with the support of Senator Cathy Young and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, our license has arrived," said  Christina McKane, manager of the three-year-old facility. "Thanks to their help in obtaining this license, visitors will be able to make a purchase and enjoy these locally made beverages in their hotel rooms or homes."

In addition to gradually building its wine inventory, the Center has added to its events calendar. For example, next Thursday, February 16, Bob Green of the Mercyhurst North East Wine & Culinary Institute from nearby Erie, PA, will conduct a "Tasting Series for Wine, Spirits and Craft Beer."

Also on the calendar, on March 24 the "Grape Discovery Center Wine & Culinary Dinner Experience with Pairings from the Tasting Series" is planned. And, on April 15, A "Children's Happy Easter Party" inclding an egg hunt is planned.

Other events such as a bonsai gardening workshop, a classic cars show, wine parties, live music and so on are scheduled right through the end of summer. Details are available on the facility;s website and its Facebook page.

The Center is located at 8305 West Main Road (Route 20) in the Village of Westfield. Phone: (716) 326-2003.

Arrow shows location of Westfield, Chautauqua County.

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• Go here to visit the Capital Region Brew Trail
• Go here to visit Dowd's New York Wines Notebook
• Go here to visit Notes On Napkins 

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