Note: This is a blog post for my IST 600 Blogging for Information Professionals class. For our final exam we are writing a series of blogs for a fictional company, Lake Onondaga Vineyard, a new wine company. The following post does not refer to any company past or present, and is entirely fictional.

August is one of the hottest months of the year, so it’s a good time to sit outside in the shade by the lake and feel the cool breezes wafting over you while you enjoy a cold glass of Lake Onondaga Vineyard wine. Here’s why you should come visit us this month:

1. Our Wine

When the early French settlers came to Lake Onondaga in the 17th century, they brought their wine making expertise with them. Today the remnants of their vineyards are still producing the best grapes and wine in Central New York. At Lake Onondaga Vineyard, we continue the ancient art of fine French wine making, utilizing the same proven techniques used for centuries. We have a variety of fine white and red dry wines as well as select sweet dessert wines.

Our 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon is now available for purchase. It tastes like a serious dry red wine from Southern France, yet it’s made right here on the shores of Lake Onondaga.  It has dark intense colors that will tempt your eye and warm aromas of sandalwood, cassis, and black raspberry that will awaken your olfactory glands.  The taste of the black fruits offer a deep sweet richness with stony notes that carry into a long finish. It’s rated 91 Points by the Wine Advocate and retails for under $20. To celebrate there will be a free wine tasting open to the public from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from now until the end of September.  Mention that you saw it on our blog and we’ll give you $5 off your first bottle.

2. Our French Restaurant, Le Restaurant d’Onondaga de lac

After an afternoon of wine tasting, feel free to join us for dinner at our new French Restaurant, Le Restaurant d’Onondaga de lac. We have indoor and outdoor dining overlooking beautiful Lake Onondaga. Come for dinner and choose from our fabulous menu entrees: Steak au poivre, Blanquette de veau, Coq au vin or one of many others paired with our famous Lake Onondaga wine; stay for dessert and try the Chocolate Souffle or Crème brûlée while watching the sun set over the lake for a beautiful end to your day. Call us at 1-888-LAC-WINE for reservations.  We are offering 2 for 1 dining in August for diners seated prior to 5:30 p.m. who mention this post.

3. Our Bed & Breakfast

After dinner why not stay the night at our cozy, but modern Bed & Breakfast next door? We have comfy beds and more beautiful views of Lake Onondaga out your window. Our French chef will prepare you an amazing breakfast each morning and a complementary bottle of our wine is yours to enjoy during your stay or take home with you. Call us at 1-888-LAC-WINE for reservations and turn your wine tasting trip into an elegant weekend with us.  Mention this blogpost and save $20 a  night off the regular room rate.

4. Destiny USA

With all the money you’ve saved on our special August offers, you’ll have extra money to shop.  The former Carousel Mall has just completed a recent expansion and been renamed “Destiny USA“.  It is now the second largest shopping mall complex in the United States and provides unparalleled shopping, entertainment, and dining for all ages. If you tire of sipping our wine and gazing at the beautiful views of Lake Onondaga, take our complementary shuttle bus over to Destiny USA and you’ll be able to “shop till you drop” and soothe your inner shopper.

5. The New York State Fair (August 23 through September 3, 2012)

The Great New York State Fair runs daily from August 23rd through September 3rd this year and it’s just a mile from Lake Onondaga Vineyard. With any purchase from our wine shop, restaurant, or bed & breakfast, we’ll provide complementary shuttle service to and from the fair. Once there you’ll find entertainment, food, competitions, the midway, and much, much, more.

We want to know why you visit us.  Do you come for the wine? The French Food?  An overnight visit?  Do you have any other nearby attractions you like to take in when you come to visit us?  Leave us a comment below and we’ll enter your name in our drawing for a free bottle of wine.