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Fairport, N.Y. - Casa Larga Vineyards is expanding its winery tour program to include tours conducted in ASL and Spanish, led by two new employees. Bob Menchel and Monica Tajkowski will lead tours and tastings at the winery, scheduled privately. Robert S. Menchel was born in Albany, NY and attended school there until he became deaf at the age of 6 or 7. After that, he attended the Rochester School for the Deaf for one year before transferring to PS 47 in NYC. Bob went on to earn many degrees, including a BS in Physics and an MBA in Business. Bob's career has taken him from working with the first computer at the United States Air Force Research Center to a teaching position at NTID/RIT. In between he worked on the Apollo Moon Mission at AVCO and spent 16 years at Xerox. Bob helped the NTID set up its employment service and taught mathematics and Physics there. He retired from NTID/RIT in 2001 and now spends his spare time volunteering at the George Eastman House, making Adirondack frames, and enjoying his retirement, four children and eight grandchildren. Monica Tajkowski was born in Mexico City and spent her youth helping in her family's stores. She moved to Rochester over 20 years ago after studying at the National Autonomous University of Mexico. In addition to being a Spanish teacher in the Greece School district, Monica also enjoys teaching the language and Mexican cooking to adults. She spends time gardening in her backyard where she grows her own grapes. "I am thrilled to be able to offer the Spanish speaking tours at Casa Larga. The Italian and Spanish cultures are very similar, focused on family, food and wine!" remarks Tajkowski. "We are so excited to be able to broaden our tour offerings to the greater community," comments Andrea Colaruotolo-O'Neill, Director of Marketing at Casa Larga Vineyards. "We are the first winery in New York State to offer these specialized tours. It makes sense, especially with the large Deaf and Spanish communities here in Rochester. We want everyone to feel welcome and be able to have the winery experience. Bob and Monica are wonderful people and we are glad to have them in the Casa Larga family." ASL and Spanish tours will be available year-round by privately-scheduled appointment. The winery also has public tours (in English) over Thanksgiving weekend. Complimentary tours leave from the wine shop at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. on November 29, 30 and December 1. To schedule a private tour in English, call 585-223-4210 x2. To schedule Sign Language tour with Bob or a tour in Spanish with Monica:
Bob Menchel Coordinator for Sign Language Tours Casa Larga Vineyards VP 585-270-7013
Monica Tajkowski Coordinator for Spanish Speaking Tours Casa Larga Vineyards 585-223-4210 585-739-0082
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Located in Fairport, NY, Casa Larga Vineyards is New York's premier wine producer, highly regarded for its production of award-winning, world-class Ice Wines. Casa Larga produces a wide range of wines, including Chardonnay, Merlot, Riesling and other proprietary table wine blends. For more information call (585) 223-4210 or visit www.CasaLarga.com. |
