If you’re a wine lover looking for your next great adventure, let me introduce you to the Finger Lakes wine region in New York. This isn’t just a beautiful place to sip wine – it’s a whole experience! Picture rolling hills, glistening lakes, and some of the friendliest wineries you’ll ever visit. Let’s dive in and explore what makes the Finger Lakes such a special spot for wine enthusiasts.

A Bit About the Finger Lakes

First things first, where exactly are the Finger Lakes? This stunning region is nestled in Central New York, characterized by its eleven long, narrow lakes (which, fun fact, look like fingers from above – hence the name!). The area is not only known for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its rich history and culture. But let’s be real, we’re here to talk about the wine!

The Wine Scene

The Finger Lakes is all about cool-climate wines, with Riesling reigning supreme. The unique climate, influenced by the lakes, creates the perfect conditions for this varietal, resulting in some of the best Rieslings you’ll ever taste. Crisp, aromatic, and often with a hint of minerality – it’s no wonder Riesling is the star here. But don’t stop there! The region also boasts fantastic Gewürztraminers, Chardonnays, and even some impressive reds like Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

Unforgettable Winery Visits: A Personal Journey

With over 100 wineries scattered around the region, it can be a bit overwhelming to decide where to start. I sent out a note ahead of time to a group of Somms and checked it with some local wine experts. Here are the wineries that I have visited and would absolutely recommend:

West Side of Seneca:

1. Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard & Winery: what I loved about this winery is the sit-down Tasting with a menu where you can select from a list of over 20 wines or choose their special flight. They do also have a nice selection of flatbreads to order. On the day I was there, they had a special flight of their 2016 Library wines. You can also select to do 2.5 ounce tastes, enjoy a 5 ounce glass or purchase wines by the bottle or the case..Led by Winemaker and Co-Owner Fred Merwarth, Wine Enthusiast’s 2021 WInemaker of the Year, Merwarth has led the pack with the discussions around finding terroir or a sense of place in the Finger Lakes. This way of thinking is taking the entire Finger Lakes region – and other New York regions – to not just looking at what grapes they can grow and which wines they can sell, but to ask the deeper questions about how to produce grapes and wines that truly evoke the sense of the Finger Lakes. In just the few days I was there, I experienced wines from the Banana Bend, the austere shale slopes on Keuka Lake, and the Fruit Belt on the east side of Seneca Lake. By the way, the day I visited, I met Fred on the way out, while he was loading boxes. He never seems to get away from the core of the business. Reservations are required and available online.

East Side of Seneca

1. Boundary Breaks: we were greeted outside by the owner, Bruce Murray. We chose to sit on the patio overlooking the lake so that I could capture all of my notes. I did share with Frank that I have a wine education business and that this was my first visit to the Finger Lakes and that I would love to learn more about his wines and winery. He sat down for a bit and shared with us a high-level history of the region and the fact that he purchased land in 2008, planted vines in 2011 and had his first harvest in 2013. Bruce started us off with a Cabernet Franc followed by a Dry Rosé. We enjoyed three Rieslings there – a dry sparkling, an extra dry, and a dry style that is very food-friendly (in my opinion). We also sampled two Gewurtztraminers – a dry style and a bubbly. Bruce explained how the grapes from the east side of Seneca Lake have more developed fruity notes (primary flavors)
2. Red Newt Cellars: we arrived at Red Newt to find that they had just held their 25th anniversary party the day before. Lucky for us, they still had some of their newly released 2015 Sparkling Riesling to share. Created by Mags Goodwin, the assistant winemaker at the time (who now specializes in producing Sparkling wines only for Red Tail Winery), they had been holding onto this wine for 9 years, waiting for just the right time to release it to the public. We sat outside admiring the view during out tasting. There is an RV park about a 100-yard walk down a pathway and we did see several folks making that trek. We asked the staff to select our wines – the ones they felt best represented their brand and what they are most excited about. After the lovely sparkler with small, fat bubbles we sampled a 2019 Dry Riesling, a 2023 Pinot Noir Rose, followed by the “Circle” signature Riesling and their Blue Newt 100% Riesling. We finished up with a blend, their Red EFT and their fortified Hellbender Port that is made from Brandy, which is, of course, wine-based.
3. Forge Cellars: At Forge we found ourselves at a Salon, rather than a tasting room: a nod to the Burgundian Methods and philosophies adopted here at Forge. They have an 8-mile stretch along the east side of Seneca Lake and sister wineries in France. There is a standard flight curated and offered as well as Edibles and artisanal tinned fish available for purchase. We started with four Rieslings – the Willow, Railroad, Tango Oaks and Classique – all with high acidity that this region is known, with flavors unique to each wine. We also sampled a Pinot Noir Classique, a Chardonnay and Arlo – a Cabernet Franc. Following the Burgundian tradition, their wines are named by the specific plots where the grapes originated, called a lieux-dits (pronounced loo-DEET)  NoteL The Caywood Chardonnay has been recognized as one of the top 30 US Chardonnays by Decanter magazine, May 2023. The Classiques are blends of multiple plots to make a signature (house) wine. Tech sheets can be found on their website (link in the winery title)

   It’s a communal place to celebrate art, enjoy wines and light fare, and take pause.

Keuka Lake:

1. Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery: A pioneer in the region, this winery offers stunning views of Keuka Lake and a history lesson with each sip. Their Rieslings are legendary, but don’t skip the sparkling wines. Dr. Konstantin Frank was a German immigrant with a PhD in Agricultural Science and experienced in the vineyards since the age of 15. In 1951, Konstantin and his family arrived in the United States. After 3 years of working as a dishwasher and janitor, Dr. Frank was finally able to communicate with a Frenchman with one of his 6 mastered languages (none of them English) long enough to convince him that planting Vitis Vinifera (traditional international grapes) was actually viable in New York. Gold Seal Winery hired him in 1954 to develop a vinifera program. In 1957, Dr Frank became the proud owner of 116 acres on the West side of Keuka Lake. When Dr. Frank founded his winery, there were 12 wineries in New York. Today there are over 400. Konstantin was succeeded by his son Willie, and later his grandson, Fred, Today, it is great-granddaughter Meaghan Frank who leads the winemaking after studying at Cornell, the University of Adelaide in Australia and a second Master’s degree also from Cornell. Some of my favorite wines here include the line of Rieslings created by Meaghan Frank, as what I would call a love letter to the women of the Frank Family who’ve made such a lasting impression on the wine business, but often went without credit, nor their names included in the history – until now.Eugenia, Margrit and Lena derive from separate plots and have their own personalities and flavors. Eugenia, named for Konstantin’s wife and Willie’s mother, is produced from the oldest vines (first plantings from 1958) and evokes a floral nose and flavors of a tart, sharp lemony crispness.
2. Ravines Wine Cellars: Known for their dry, food-friendly wines, Ravines is a small, family-owned winery that truly captures the essence of the Finger Lakes. Their Pinot Noir is a personal favorite.

Cayuga Lake

Heart and Hands Wine Company: I received numerous recommendations to go here but even locals described making a day of this one winery due to the distance and drive time. However, if you have more time than I did, consider adding this to your list. On my next trip, this will be at the top of my list.

Wine Trails and Tours

One of the best ways to explore the Finger Lakes wine region is by following one of the wine trails. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail, Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, and Keuka Lake Wine Trail each offer a unique route through beautiful scenery and top-notch wineries. Most wineries are open for tastings, and many offer tours that give you a behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process.

A great way to experience more is to purchase the Digital Wine Travel card that offers discounts and Two-for-Ones at participating wineries. If you have a list of wineries you plan to visit, be sure to review the participating wineries before you invest in the card, just to be sure it’s a good value for you.

Cheese Trail

Did you know? The Finger Lakes also has a Cheese Trail. There are several creameries in the area, and cheese is featured on the menu at many of the local restaurants (be sure to check out the Cheese Board at Kindred | Fare). Simply packaged cheese selections for a picnic or charcuterie are available at the local Wegman’s grocery store.

Beyond the Vines

While wine is the main attraction, the Finger Lakes region has so much more to offer. After a day of tasting, why not explore some local history at the Corning Museum of Glass or hike through the stunning Watkins Glen State Park? And if you’re visiting in the summer, a boat tour on one of the lakes is an absolute must.

Final Sip

The Finger Lakes wine region is a true treasure trove for wine lovers. It’s a place where you can savor world-class wines, enjoy spectacular scenery, and experience the warmth and hospitality of the local winemakers. So pack your bags, bring your taste buds, and get ready to discover why the Finger Lakes is New York’s hidden gem in the world of wine. Cheers!