Are You Ready for Some Wine Tasting in the Finger Lakes?

Explore the Finger Lakes Wine Region

Have you had a chance to explore the burgeoning collection of Finger Lakes wineries in upstate NY?  If you have, then you probably already know just how great the Finger Lakes wine region truly is.  If you haven't, then now is the perfect opportunity to do just that!

The Finger Lakes Region, located in upstate New York, is one of the fastest-growing and most popular wine tasting regions in the country. In addition to being home to a number of highly-rated Finger Lakes Wineries, the area is also home to some wonderful breweries, distilleries, and restaurants. 

During normal times, which we hope to return to soon, the area is also home to several food-and-wine-centric events. Needless to say, the Finger Lakes is a fantastic destination for food, wine, and craft beverage lovers of all varieties, not to mention an exquisite place to relax, unwind, and soak up the pretty natural surroundings. 

Though the Finger Lakes wineries are one of the star attractions of this area, it's certainly not the only reason to visit this charmingly romantic getaway destination.  The area is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts!

As you get ready to plan your spring, summer, and even fall vacations this year, make sure to add Finger Lakes wineries to the list!  You'll be rewarded with plenty of delicious sips and tastes along the way. To make your stay something extraordinary, there are numerous Select Registry properties spread throughout the Finger Lakes Region.  Stay and play with us, and get to know this incredible part of the country in-depth! During your winery exploration, we highly recommend side trips to all of the waterfalls in the area.  Check out this great guide to Finger Lakes Waterfalls.

Great Finger Lakes Wineries to Visit

The Finger Lakes region is absolutely beautiful, and perhaps best known as a great getaway destination in upstate New York. That is especially true for wine-lovers! Finger Lakes wineries have worked hard over the past several decades to cultivate their reputations and produce some of the country's top wines. It's actually the 3rd largest wine-producing region in the country. 

Today, there are more than 100 Finger Lakes wineries calling this area home, mostly scattered around Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga Lakes - but with a few up near Canandaigua Lake and beyond as well. The Finger Lakes Region is particularly well-known for its production of aromatic white varietals like Riesling and Gewurztraminer but it's also gaining popularity with cool-climate reds like Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir.  In short, Finger Lakes wineries really do offer something for everyone. 

Most Finger Lakes Wineries are open year-round, and tasting appointments are generally not needed during normal times. We've included some of the top-rated Finger Lakes Wineries here, broken down by the lake it's on/near, to help you plan your adventures through New York's scenic wine country. 

Seneca Lake

1. Don't miss Glenora Wine Cellars, known as the original Seneca Lake winery. They consistently produce award-winning wines year after year, and should definitely be on your shortlist of the best Finger Lakes wineries to visit. 
2. Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery is one of the most popular Finger Lakes wineries on Seneca Lake and offers a broad range of regional varietals, including those made from native and hybrid grapes like Delaware and Cayuga to vinifera like Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Noir.
3. Lamoreaux Landing’s Rieslings are delightful, but what you should really taste here is the T23 Unoaked Cabernet Franc, made from one of the major regional red grapes. Their 2017 vintage was awarded 91 points from Wine Enthusiast and International Wine Review and won the Double Gold Medal at the Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition.
4. Boundary Breaks Vineyard is not only exceptionally beautiful, especially at sunset, but offers some of the most well-respected Rieslings in the area. 
5. Hermann J. Weimer Vineyard was one of the first Finger Lakes wineries to put this wine region on the map, and they are best known for their impeccable Rieslings.

Cayuga Lake

1.  Hosmer Winery, a quaint 70-acre, family-run estate, is one of those not-to-be-missed Finger Lakes Wineries.  They offer a delightful range of tastings, including both Rieslings and Pinot Noirs.
2. For great lakeside views as a side with your wine tasting, head to Sheldrake Point Winery. The views are great, but so is their wine, including one of the rare Gamay Noirs found in the region.
3. Americana Vineyards is perhaps one of the most interesting Finger Lakes Wineries on this list.  Not only do they offer a delicious range of hybrid and European-style wines, but they offer 20 varieties of homemade fudge - a two-for-one treat for your tastebuds!
4. Heart and Hands winery is a delightful boutique winery on Cayuga Lake that focuses on small-lot Pinot Noirs and Rieslings. They may be small, but their reputation has been quickly growing. Add this one to your list!
5. If you follow Finger Lakes Wineries, you've probably heard of Swedish Hill.  They include the Goose Watch and Penguin Hill brands and offer a range of affordable wines from European-style bottlings to the Svenska line, made from native American grapes.

Keuka Lake

1. Keuka Springs Vineyard offers everything from crisp, dry rosé and a typically floral Gewürztraminer to sweet ice wine - both incredibly refreshing on a warm summer's day!
2. At Ravines Wine Cellars’, enjoy the taste of local cheeses along with a glass of Cabernet Franc, red Meritage, and their mostly dry rieslings.
3. If you're looking for something a bit more unique, try the Black Russian Red at McGregor Vineyard. It's a unique blend made from Saperavi and Sereksiya Charni, two grapes with origins near the Black Sea, but which happen to thrive in the microclimate of the Finger Lakes Wine Region.
4. Stop in and enjoy a broad tasting of wines produced by the Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery. This wine-growing family was one of the first to experiment with cool-climate grapes in the area, thus helping to birth the Finger Lakes wine region many decades ago.
5. Heron's Hill Winery offers a delicious Grüner Veltliner Reserve that you'll want to sample. Travel + Leisure listing this winery as having one of the most spectacular tasting rooms in the world, too, so you know you're in for a treat here. 

There are, of course, many more Finger Lakes Wineries not included on this list that are just as fantastic including plenty of Finger Lakes Wineries up by Canandaigua Lake. 

More Things to do in the Finger Lakes

While these 15 Finger Lakes Wineries should certainly be on your short list of things to do in the Finger Lakes Area, much more doesn't involve sipping and swirling!  In fact, the Finger Lakes area is home to an incredible diversity of things to do, as well as some truly beautiful destinations. 

Here are just a few of our recommendations for how to spend the rest of your getaway to the Finger Lakes this year: 

1. Take a hike at the popular New York State Parks in the area, including Robert Treman State Park. Alternatively, head out to the Finger Lakes National Forest for the variety of trails there. 
2. Chase waterfalls at popular parks like Taughannock Falls State Park and Watkins Glen State Park. There are way more than just those two places to chase waterfalls in upstate, NY, though.  Here's a list of over 50! Here is another guide to the best Waterfalls in the Finger Lakes.
3. Get out and enjoy a peaceful afternoon on any of the lakes themselves. You're welcome to bring your own kayak, canoe, or paddleboards, but there are also plenty of places to rent boats around the area. 
4. Go golfing!  The Finger Lakes Golf Trail certainly doesn't disappoint. 
5. Explore the area on a bike (and maybe hit a few Finger Lakes Wineries along the way!).  A great ride is the Between the Lakes Ride, but there are also many other scenic rural roads to bike and enjoy in the area. 
6. The Finger Lakes area is great for birdwatching, especially in spring and fall.  Head to the Sapsucker Woods Bird Sanctuary or the Montezuma Wildlife Sanctuary.

Most importantly, while you're visiting our Select Registry Bed and Breakfast properties in the Finger Lakes, make sure you take plenty of time to relax and soak up the natural beauty of your surroundings.  Our innkeepers are local experts and will be more than happy to recommend additional activities for you to enjoy in the area. 

As you gear up to get back out and explore this year (in a covid-safe way, of course!), we look forward to seeing you at these incredible Finger Lakes wineries. Check out our regional Select Registry member properties below, and get ready to book your getaway!

Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfasts

Inn at Gothic Eves

The comfortable luxurious suites at The Inn at Gothic Eves are the perfect place in which to relax and unwind after a day of wine tasting or exploring in the Finger Lakes Region. Each room is beautifully decorated and outfitted with modern amenities, and outside you'll find beautifully landscaped grounds on which to relax. 

We'll serve you a fresh and delicious breakfast each morning, and at night, unwind under the twinkle of the stars from our jacuzzi tubs or fire pit - a great way to unwind from the day!

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Geneva on the Lake Boutique Resort Hotel

Settle into luxurious comfort at Geneva On The Lake, a historic boutique resort hotel and restaurant in the Finger Lakes.  Our hotel overlooks Seneca Lake and is in the heart of the Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Rich with history, filled with beauty, and inspired by a family passion for hospitality, Geneva On The Lake is an exceptional place to get away while enjoying a bit of wine tasting in the area. We offer a variety of suites and studios, breathtaking views, wood-burning fireplaces, Jacuzzi tubs, and plenty of modern amenities. 

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Chalet of Canandaigua Bed and Breakfast

Be our guest at The Chalet of Canandaigua Bed and Breakfast, which is tucked away on a 30-acre estate in the wooded hills of the Finger Lakes. Our location offers guests a peaceful retreat, complete with a grand pond and walking trails, all within easy reach of the top regional attractions. 

Relax and unwind in our 3-bedroom suites, each with plenty of modern and luxurious amenities, or unwind in one of our cozy common spaces inside and out. You'll love the rustic elegance with all the right contemporary touches throughout the duration of your stay. 

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BrickInn

A stately 1915 Brick Colonial situated on a five-acre wooded parcel in the Historical Village of Mt Morris. Huge mature trees and seasonal flower gardens grace the large front yard.

The interior and five guest rooms at BrickInn are completely updated, bright, fresh, and comfortable with a touch of vintage flair honoring the home’s original detail. We all need a special place to get away and pause, BrickInn was created to be that special place.

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