Fred Collins stands in the loft of Glen Park Vineyards, located at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y, the only farm winery in Tioga County. The winery is open for wine tastings on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m., or by appointment for larger groups, and is booking private events. (Photos by JoAnn R. Walter)
Fred Collins waves from the entrance to Glen Park Vineyards, located at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y. Nestled amongst dense trees in a park-like setting, the winery is open for wine tastings on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m., or by appointment for larger groups, and is booking private events.
Fred Collins stands behind the wine tasting area at Glen Park Vineyards, located at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y. – the only farm winery in Tioga County. Proprietors Fred and Chris Collins hope that Glen Park is the start of a “mini beverage trail,” including the Farm House Brewery Tap Room at 14 George St.
Fred and Chris Collins welcome visitors to relax by a warm fire at Glen Park Vineyards, located at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y. The winery is open for wine tastings on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m., or by appointment for larger groups, and is booking private events.
Glen Park Vineyards, located at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y. is open for wine tastings on Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m., or by appointment for larger groups, and is booking private events. Pictured are five varieties of Glen Park Vineyards wines, featuring the creative label designs of artist Chloe Collins.
The opening of Glen Park Vineyards, a family owned and operated business located at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y. is exciting news for Tioga County.
The only farm winery in Tioga County, Glen Park Vineyards has recently begun holding wine tastings on Sundays, and is accepting reservations for private events.
The property, just off North Avenue/Route 96 via Dean Street to Allen Glen Road, is nestled amongst beautiful dense trees in a park-like setting.
Proprietors Fred and Chris Collins, Tioga Center natives and residents of Owego, were inspired to pursue a small prototype vineyard after a Finger Lakes wine tour a few years ago. A tour guide had explained, “The best vineyards are on southern exposed slopes.” Words that accurately described the Collins’ property, Glen Park was underway.
A self-taught vintner for the most part, Fred has read and researched the craft, attended seminars, and consulted and received recommendations from various Finger Lakes wine makers. In addition, expertise is sought from the Cornell viticulture program and the Cornell Cooperative Extension.
An engineer by day and farmer on nights and weekends, Fred has spent many hours picking and raking rocks, planting and replanting, and putting up deer fencing and bird netting, among other extensive farm work that goes into making a successful vineyard.
The couple has focused their energies on a smaller scale business and shared, “The quality of the grapes transfers into the quality of the wine. Being small has huge advantages to maintaining quality control.” Fred and Chris are confident that most of their 600 French-American hybrids will be successful with the 2014 harvest coming up soon.
To get started in 2014, the Collins’ acquired some inventory from White Springs Winery and Arcadian, in addition to their own Glen Park wine selections, their specialties being dry red and white wines.
Visitors will be amazed at the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Glen Park Vineyards building, completed by local master craftsmen Paul Reeves and Mike Wales. Hallstead Lumber sourced all of the lumber used locally and provided custom milling. The facility is also complete with a purpose built production area.
After passing through the gated driveway, visitors are welcomed into a grand entrance. Inside, your eyes are immediately drawn to a mix of old and new world style beams, custom accents, beautiful stairs and balustrades, salvaged Douglas fir on doors, and red oak flooring in the loft. The front of the tasting bar is unique with a salvaged door from the original barn that was on the property, and guests can warm up by a cozy fire nearby.
The Collins’ daughter, Chloe, added her creative touch to the spectacular lighting throughout the building, and also shared her artistic talent by creating and designing the labels for the Glen Park Vineyards wine bottles.
The Collins’ are hopeful that Glen Park Vineyards will also be the start of a “mini beverage trail” in Owego, to include the Farm House Brewery Tap Room located at 14 George St. Farm House Brewery, offering craft ales, hard cider and old-fashioned sodas, is only 1.4 miles from Glen Park Vineyards, a quick three minute drive on most days.
Glen Park Vineyards is open Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m., or by appointment for larger groups. Reservations are being accepted for private events on Friday evenings, and Saturday or Sunday afternoons / evenings.
Contact Glen Park via their web site to inquire about available services and information, or by email to glenparkvineyards@stny.rr.com.
Using a refractometer, Fred Collins checks the sugar content of grapes on the Glen Park Vineyards property at 633 Allen Glen Rd. in Owego, N.Y.
Upcoming events at Glen Park Vineyards, including a grand opening, will be announced once the Collins’ complete their October harvest.
You can find Glen Park Vineyards on-line at glenparkvineyards.com. A Facebook page is forthcoming.
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