This weekend two of my favorite things are headlining part of the Adirondack Fall Festival tour, wine and cheese. The Adirondack Coast Wine Trail is showcasing local beer, wine, and cider while Adirondack Harvest is once again offering a unique Adirondack cheese tour.

We all know that wine and cheese go together like, well, wine and cheese. I was thinking it’s “mother’s little helper,” but didn’t want to come off like I have a problem with… cheese.

I do love it; the smell, the texture, the way my children eat it without complaint. I love its simplicity. I love how it makes complex sauces or a simple sandwich. Wine is pretty great, too.

The wonderful thing is that even though these two events are taking place on the same weekend, these festivals are scheduled on different days. These two opportunities are a chance to taste amazing products, but also meet the growers that are producing some of the finest wine and cheese.

The Adirondack Wine, Cider and Beer Festival opens its doors on Oct 10 from 2-7 pm at the Plattsburgh Crete Civic Center, right on the shores of Lake Champlain. With vendors, live music and samplings, the ADK Wine, Cider and Beer Festival is open to all ages. Advanced tickets are $45/VIP, $35/general, $10/designated driver, $3/children 15-20, FREE/children under 15. General admission includes one food ticket, a commemorative glass, wine tote bag and beverage sampling. The VIP ticket includes the transportation trolley. The designated driver receives one food and soft drink ticket. Additional food and beverage tickets can be purchased on site.

After transitioning from a sampling of Adirondack Coast local wines, beer and cider, Adirondack Harvest has pulled together three artisanal creameries for a self-guided tour on Sunday, Oct 11 from 10 am-4 pm.  Au Sable Fork’s Asgaard Farm and Dairy, Upper Jay’s Sugar House Creamery and Keeseville’s North Country Creamery are welcoming visitors to take a leaf-peeping drive through the Adirondacks to enjoy a cheese-filled meal at one or all of the creameries. The various farm stores will have a variety of food such as wood-fired pizza and gourmet sandwiches in addition to samples of their own unique products.

Of course any cheese could be perfected paired with that bottle of local wine from the ADK Wine Fest, as long as its matched with a designated driver. Enjoy your Adirondack wine, beer, cider and cheese!