A Guide to Finger Lakes Wine

Tucked between the cities of Rochester and Syracuse in upstate New York, the Finger Lakes wine region meanders between the slender, knuckled glacial lakes that give the AVA its name. With its vineyard-dotted, lakeside landscape and tasting rooms galore, the region is ripe for weekend exploration. Ready for your own Finger Lakes wine adventure to take flight? Check out our itinerary for eating, sleeping and sipping across the region.

WINERIES TO VISIT

On and Around Canandaigua Lake

Casa Larga Vineyards
This Italian-inspired villa serves more than just Finger Lakes Riesling and ice wines—the tasting room sits atop a picturesque vineyard, and come summer, the Thursday patio parties are not to be missed.
2287 Turk Hill Rd., Fairport, NY; 585-223-4210; casalarga.com

Inspire Moore Winery
Housed in a former pub and stagecoach shop, this winery and tasting room pours sips of its small-production vino—most of which doesn’t make it outside of the region.
197 N. Main St., Naples, NY; 585-374-5970; inspiremoorewinery.com

Wilhelmus Estate Winery
Both vinifera and hybrid grapes share the spotlight at this mom-and-pop winery and tasting room.
3627 E. Lake Rd., Canandaigua, NY; 585-394-2860; wilhelmusestate.com

On and Around Keuka Lake

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Cellars
A must-visit, this Riesling-rich estate put the Finger Lakes region on the international wine map.
9749 Middle Rd., Hammondsport, NY; 800-320-0735; drfrankwines.com

Heron Hill
Set into the hills overlooking Keuka Lake, this expansive estate features a state-of-the-art tasting room pouring close to two-dozen house wines.
9301 County Road 76, Hammondsport, NY; 800-441-4241; heronhill.com

Keyuka Lake
This small farmstead operation sticks to the dry side of things, crafting low (or no) residual sugar vino from vinifera grapes.
8882 Country Road 76, Hammondsport, NY; 607-868-4100; klvineyards.com

McGregor Vineyard
Stop by McGregor’s rustic, wood-walled tasting room, which boasts sweeping views of Keuka Lake. Or pack a picnic on a sunny day and take advantage of the estate’s outdoor tables and benches.
5503 Dutch St., Dundee, NY; 800-272-0192; mcgregorwinery.com

Pleasant Valley Wine Company
Established in 1860, Pleasant Valley is a regional landmark for all things relating to wine in the Finger Lakes. With eight building listed on the historic register, it’s well worth a visit.
8260 Pleasant Valley Rd., Hammondsport, NY; 607-569-6111; pleasantvalleywine.com

Ravines Wine Cellars
This Provencal-inspired estate hits a tourism trifecta—highly acclaimed wines, killer views and an on-site chef. (Also check out their second location just off Seneca Lake.)
14630 State Route 64, Hammondsport, NY; 607-292-7007; ravineswine.com

On and Around Seneca Lake

Fox Run Vineyards
The wine team at this beloved estate practices minimal intervention with its wines, allowing a taste of the local terroir to shine through.
670 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY; 800-636-9786; foxrunvineyards.com

Glenora Wine Cellars
Wine tastings have you all tuckered out? Tuck yourself in at the inn at this sprawling wine estate—after you visit the tasting room, of course.
5435 State Route 14, Dundee, NY; 607-243-5511; glenora.com

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
Go for the lauded late-harvest Riesling, but stay for first-class sips of native yeast-fermented reds.
3962 State Route 14, Dundee, NY; 607-234-7971; wiemer.com

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars
Warm wood and floor-to-ceiling windows greet guests at this sustainably minded estate.
9224 State Route 414, Lodi, NY; 607-582-6011; lamoreauxwine.com

Red Newt Cellars
Hungry for lunch? Hit up this winery and bistro where single vineyards Rieslings and Gewurztraminers are paired with more than just your typical tasting room fare.
3675 Tichenor Rd., Hector, NY; 607-564-4100; rednewt.com

Red Tail Ridge Winery
Visit the regions first LEED-certified winery for tastes of regional favorites alongside more experimental offerings like Teroldego and Dornfelder.
846 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY; 315-536-4580; redtailridgewinery.com

Standing Stone Vineyards
Just look for the big yellow farmhouse—a sure sign that sips of dry Vidal and Saperavi are not too far behind.
9934 State Route 414, Hector, NY; 607-582-6051; standingstonewines.com

On and Around Cayuga Lake

Heart & Hands Wine Company
Book an appointment at this small-production winery for sips of dry Riesling, cool-climate Pinot Noir and a sparkling brut rosé.
4162 State Route 90; Union Springs, NY; 315-889-8500; heartandhandswine.com

Hosmer Winery
With six decades of farming in the Finger Lakes, the Hosmer family’s understanding of Finger Lakes viticulture is evident in every sip.
7020 State Route 89, Ovid, NY; 607-869-3393; hosmerwinery.com

Sheldrake Point
Estate-grown grapes from Sheldrake’s own 44-acre estate find their way into bottle at this tasting room overlooking the vineyards.
7448 County Road #153, Ovid, NY; 607-532-9401; sheldrakepoint.com

WHERE TO EAT

Seneca Farms
A local institution for more than 50 years, Seneca Farms serves up a slice of diner-style Americana—think burgers, dogs, homemade ice cream and shakes.
2485 State Route 54A, Penn Yan, NY; senecafarmsny.com

Stone Cat Café
A local favorite and for good reasons—farm-fresh organic ingredients and deckside dining overlooking Seneca Lake, to name two.
5315 State Route 414, Hector, NY; stonecatcafe.com

Veraisons
Warm wood and loads of natural lakeside light set the ambiance at this regionally focused restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars.
5435 State Route 14, Dundee, NY; glenora.com

Top of the Lake
Stellar surf-n-turf, lovely local wines and a stunning view of Keuka Lake—three very good reasons to check out this recent addition to the region’s restaurant scene.
310 Lake St., Penn Yan, NY; Topofthelakepennyan.com

WHERE TO SLEEP

The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars
Take in the killer vineyard and lakeside views from your private patio at The Inn at Glenora. Best yet? The winery’s tasting room and acclaimed restaurant, Veraisons, are just a quick stroll away.
5435 State Route 14, Dundee, NY; glenora.com

Savannah House Inn and Cottages
Perched on 26 acres on the west side of Seneca Lake, and smack in the middle of the Seneca Wine Trail, the Savannah House charms with its cozy, lakefront accommodations and personable hosts (the free wi-fi and complementary coffee doesn’t hurt, either).
3927 State Route 14, Himrod, NY; savannahhousevacation.com

Admiral Peabody’s Lakeside Lodging
Looking for inexpensive lodging with lots of personality? Book one of the five cottages at this nautically themed lakeside inn. Then, descend the dozen or so steps to the 200+ feet of shoreline where a private dock awaits casual angling and cannon balls into Lake Seneca.
3305 Salt Point Rd., Watkins Glen, NY; lakeseneca.com