A Warm Winter Collaboration:
The Fredonia Farmers' Market Glögg Adventure
Saturday, January 18th, at the Fredonia Farmers' Market's beloved indoor winter space—the only one of its kind in Western New York—an extraordinary collaboration unfolded, showcasing the heart and spirit of our vibrant community. What started as a casual conversation about Swedish traditions turned into an inspiring group effort to create something delightful: homemade glögg.
Paul Jackino of Paul's Rocket Stoves, Tom DeGolier of DeGolier Maple Products, Lauren Northrop of Sunset Sky Farm, and Mary Damiano of Fredonia, NY.
It all began when Mary Damiano, a cherished regular at the market, shared her fond memories of glögg after hearing about my trip to Sweden. Intrigued, we wondered if we could make this cozy, spiced wine drink using local ingredients. Enter Lauren Northrop from Sunset Sky Farm in Westfield, NY, a fellow vendor known for her exceptional wines made with organic grapes. She enthusiastically agreed to provide her Niagara Fall white wine as the base.
Our first attempt was promising but lacked the balance we were after. That’s when Tom DeGolier, a maple farmer renowned for his delicious syrup, joined the team. We suggested sweetening the wine with his locally produced maple syrup. To complete the recipe, Mary contributed cinnamon sticks and fresh ginger, bringing warmth and spice to the mix. Using my wood-fired rocket stove, I gently heated the wine with these ingredients, carefully avoiding too much heat to preserve the flavors.
After some trial and a little more maple syrup, the result was magic: a beautifully balanced, aromatic glögg that tasted like winter in a cup. It had the cozy warmth of mulled cider, but with the unique character of Lauren's wine and the subtle sweetness of Tom's syrup.
This simple yet extraordinary experience sparked excitement among vendors and visitors alike. It’s just the beginning of what we’re calling our “glögg series,” where we’ll experiment with different wines, local honey, citrus peel, and more ingredients from our community. It feels like a modern-day “stone soup,” where everyone contributes to create something greater than the sum of its parts.
This is the essence of the Fredonia Farmers' Market: connection, creativity, and collaboration. Every Saturday, it’s more than just a place to shop—it’s a place where ideas come to life, traditions are shared, and community bonds are strengthened.
Stay tuned for updates as we explore more flavors, and join us in celebrating the joy of coming together at the Fredonia Farmers' Market!