Finger Lakes, New York: Wineries to check out

In the heart of central New York, the Finger Lakes region has become a top wine spot. It's home to over 100 wineries across 11 beautiful lakes. This area is famous for its amazing Riesling and other cool-climate wines like Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.

Visitors can enjoy everything from small family wineries to big producers. But which wineries are a must-see? Let's dive in and find out.

Key Takeaways

• The Finger Lakes region is home to over 130 wineries, offering a diverse range of wine-tasting experiences.
• The region is renowned for its world-class Riesling, as well as an impressive array of other cool-climate varietals.
• Wineries in the Finger Lakes region often require reservations to ensure an optimal experience for guests.
• The Finger Lakes has been recognized as one of the 10 must-visit wine regions in the United States by USA Today's 10Best.
• Several Finger Lakes wineries have received prestigious awards and accolades for their exceptional wines.

Introduction to the Finger Lakes Wine Region

The Finger Lakes region in central New York is a gem for wine lovers. It's nestled between the Catskill Mountains and Lake Ontario. The area gets its name from the 11 long, narrow lakes that shape its landscape and Finger Lakes terroir.

These glacial lakes create a unique microclimate. This, along with the area's mineral-rich soils, makes it perfect for growing cool-climate grapes. The region is famous for its Riesling grape, but it also excels with Chardonnay and reds like Cabernet Franc and Blaufränkisch.

Overview of the Finger Lakes AVA

The Finger Lakes AVA is New York State's largest and most famous wine region. It covers over 35% of the state's vineyards. The climate here is tough, with cold winters and short summers. But, this makes it ideal for growing a wide variety of grapes.

The 12,000-year-old glacial lakes help control the temperature. This creates the perfect conditions for cool-climate winemaking.

Significance of the Riesling Grape

The Finger Lakes has a long history of growing Riesling. Early winemakers like Dr. Konstantin Frank played a key role. They introduced Vitis vinifera grapes and proved their quality.

Today, the Finger Lakes is a top spot for Riesling in the U.S. Winemakers make everything from dry to sweet Rieslings. Each one highlights the grape's crisp acidity and rich flavors.

"The Finger Lakes region is particularly renowned for its world-class Riesling, which thrives in the area's long, cool growing season."

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery: A Pioneering Force

Dr. Konstantin Frank, a viticulture Ph.D. from Eastern Europe, changed the Finger Lakes wine scene in the late 1950s. He planted European vitis vinifera grapes, unlike the hybrids used before. This move led to the production of Old World-style wines in the Finger Lakes. Today, the Frank family continues to make high-quality wines at their Keuka Lake property.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is also a leader in making Méthode Champenoise sparkling wine in the Finger Lakes. They offer tastings from $15 per person to a $75 "1886 Food & Wine" tour. This tour takes visitors deep into the winemaking process.

The winery has been around for over 60 years, showing its deep history in the wine world. They recently released a mini-documentary, "Celebrating 60 Years of Excellence." It tells the story of the family's journey and success over four generations. Their focus on quality and innovation has helped make New York wines, especially Finger Lakes Rieslings, more popular.

The Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is also known for introducing new grape varieties to the Finger Lakes region. They recently released the Dr. Konstantin Frank 2023 Dry Rosé of Saperavi, priced at $24.99. This shows their innovative spirit and dedication to the Finger Lakes terroir.

Keuka Lake Wineries: Gems Along the Shore

Keuka Lake is a gem in the Finger Lakes region. It's home to wineries that highlight the area's great terroir and winemaking skills. You'll find everything from crisp Vignoles and Rieslings to bold reds. These vineyards offer a wide range of top-notch wines.

Keuka Lake Vineyards: Exceptional Vignoles and Rieslings

Keuka Lake Vineyards is known for its Vignoles wine. This wine is vibrant, aromatic, and reflects the lake's cool climate and rich soils. Their Rieslings are also top-notch, with a perfect mix of crispness and fruit flavors. Enjoy these wines and the beautiful lake views.

McGregor Vineyard: Scenic Views and Eastern European Varietals

Close to Keuka Lake Vineyards, McGregor Vineyard offers stunning views and focuses on Eastern European grapes. They're known for their Rieslings, Saperavi, and Blaufränkisch. These red wines are bold and unique for the Finger Lakes. The tasting room and grounds are perfect for exploring these wines.

Heron Hill: Beautiful Tasting Room and Robust Reds

Heron Hill Winery sits on the hills above Keuka Lake. Its tasting room is as beautiful as the view. They're famous for their Rieslings and Cabernet Franc, a full-bodied red. This winery is a top spot for wine lovers in the Finger Lakes.

"Finger Lakes, New York: Wineries to Check Out"

The Finger Lakes region in central New York is a top spot for wine lovers. It offers world-class wines, stunning views, and memorable tasting experiences. With over 100 wineries, there's always something new to discover.

This area is famous for its aromatic whites like Riesling and Gewurztraminer. These grapes love the cool climate here, thanks to the lakes. But, you'll also find great red wines, like Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.

Visiting these wineries is an adventure. You can walk through vineyards, enjoy the lake views, and try wine with food. Some places even have breweries or restaurants right there.

Looking for a relaxing day or want to learn about winemaking? The Finger Lakes has it all. It's perfect for wine lovers, with many tasting options and experiences.

When planning your trip, check for special events or deals at the wineries. Booking ahead is a good idea for the best experience. The Finger Lakes is a hidden treasure for wine fans, with its beauty, great wines, and welcoming atmosphere.

Seneca Lake Standouts: World-Class Vintners

Seneca Lake is the largest and deepest Finger Lake. It's known for top-notch wineries. These wineries make some of the best wines in the region.

Hermann J. Wiemer: Riesling Royalty

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard leads in Finger Lakes Riesling. Hermann Wiemer, an immigrant from Germany, started the winery in the 1970s. He planted vines that made the winery famous.

Now, the winery makes dry, off-dry, and sweet Rieslings. These wines show how great the grape can be in this area.

Anthony Road: Diverse Offerings and Visitor's Garden

Close to Hermann J. Wiemer, Anthony Road Wine Company stands out. They make a variety of top-quality whites and reds. Their wines include Rieslings, Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay.

Visitors can check out the beautiful garden. It's filled with herbs and grapevines. It's a great way to experience the Finger Lakes.

"The Finger Lakes region offers high-quality wines for $25 to $30 per bottle, making it a compelling destination for wine enthusiasts seeking exceptional value."

Boundary Breaks: A Rising Star

In the heart of the Finger Lakes region, a winery has quietly made a name for itself - Boundary Breaks. It's a new player that's quickly becoming a star. This is thanks to its focus on making top-notch Finger Lakes Riesling.

Boundary Breaks is all about single-clone vineyards. They take great care of these vineyards. This lets the Riesling grapes ripen fully and show off their unique traits. Their Rieslings are known for their depth, complexity, and true taste of the region.

People can try these amazing Rieslings by making an appointment to visit. Soon, they'll have a new tasting room. This will let even more wine lovers discover the unique tastes of the Finger Lakes.

"Boundary Breaks' focus on single-clone Riesling vineyards has allowed us to create wines with unparalleled depth and character. We're excited to share these exceptional Finger Lakes offerings with wine lovers from near and far."

The Finger Lakes region is getting more famous for its top-quality wines. Boundary Breaks is a standout, showing what's possible with the Riesling grape.

Cayuga Lake Highlights: Sustainable and Experimental

Cayuga Lake, the longest of the glacial lakes, is known for its stunning beauty. It's home to wineries that lead in sustainable and innovative winemaking. Hosmer Winery and Bright Leaf Winery are two examples of this, pushing the limits in the Cayuga Lake wine scene.

Hosmer Winery: Eco-Friendly and Flavorful

Hosmer Winery is one of the oldest and most respected on Cayuga Lake. They focus on sustainable farming and winemaking. Their use of renewable energy and precision farming has made them leaders in sustainable winemaking.

What makes Hosmer stand out is their top-quality wines. Their Rieslings and cool-climate varietals show off the region's unique taste.

Bright Leaf: Limestone-Infused Expressions

Bright Leaf Winery is a new name in Cayuga Lake's wine world but has quickly gained attention. They focus on experimental wines that showcase the area's limestone soils. Their Chardonnays, Lembergers, and Cabernet Sauvignons have a unique mineral taste.

Their commitment to innovation and respect for the land makes them a top spot for wine lovers looking for something new and flavorful.

"At Hosmer and Bright Leaf, we're not just making great wines – we're doing it in a way that respects the land and pushes the boundaries of what's possible in the Finger Lakes."

Off-the-Beaten-Path Gems

Beyond the well-known Finger Lakes wineries, there are smaller, boutique producers worth finding. Kemmeter Wines and Ravines Wine Cellars are two hidden gems. They offer unique experiences and exceptional wines.

Kemmeter Wines: Intimate Riesling Encounters

Kemmeter Wines is a must-visit for Riesling fans. It's on the shores of Seneca Lake. Johannes Reinhardt makes exceptional Rieslings and a light Pinot Blanc in a cozy setting.

Visitors get personalized tastings and learn about Reinhardt's winemaking. He focuses on the true taste of the Finger Lakes.

Ravines Wine Cellars: Wine and Food Pairings

Ravines Wine Cellars stands out in the Finger Lakes. It's all about wine and food together. They make dry Rieslings, complex red blends, and small plates to go with their wines.

Whether you're tasting in the tasting room or having lunch, Ravines offers a deep dive into wine and food.

Kemmeter Wines and Ravines Wine Cellars show the depth of the Finger Lakes wine region. They offer intimate Riesling tastings and innovative wine and food pairings. These small wineries give visitors a unique and memorable experience.

Conclusion

The Finger Lakes region in New York has become a top wine spot. It offers a wide range of excellent cool-climate wines. From Dr. Konstantin Frank's early days to new stars like Boundary Breaks, the area is known for its talent and innovation.

If you love Riesling, bold reds, or exploring new wine areas, the Finger Lakes is perfect for you. The region's wines score high, with whites averaging 14.65/20 and reds 14.23/20. This shows the quality and consistency of its wines.

When planning your next wine tasting trip, don't forget the Finger Lakes. Visit the beautiful shores of Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga Lakes. Experience the area's rich history, green practices, and spirit of experimentation. The wineries here offer not just great wines but also memorable experiences that will stay with you.