Through the wine glass: Adventures in the Finger Lakes, NY

Just imagine yourself in the Finger Lakes, a wine region filled with amazing opportunities for adventure. The Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Upstate New York is located around eleven glacial lakes, with the majority of the vineyards near Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. Wines from the different lake areas have been described as having distinct flavor profiles. This has been attributed to the unique viticultural characteristics of each area. The Cayuga and Seneca Lake areas are distinct enough to have their own AVA's. 

Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Adventures in the Finger Lakes, NY
Some have compared the Fingers Lakes to Germany's Rhine region because of the similarity in growing conditions. The Finger Lakes, a cold climate wine growing region, is home to over 100 wineries that produce Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, as well as French-American and native varieties. In recent years the Finger Lakes has become well known for its world class Riesling. Last week during #WBC15 (Wine Bloggers Conference) in Corning, New York Spaswinefood visited wineries in the Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake areas. Not only were we introduced to exciting Finger Lakes wines but the equally tempting local food scene. This post will provide vignettes from these three adventures.

Vino Taxi, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

1. Cayuga Lake

Our last day in the Finger Lakes we took a post conference trip to Cayuga Lake. The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail excursion was filled with incredible wine, food and scenery. 

Thirsty Owl Wine Co., Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Our first stop was Thirsty Owl Wine Co. where we tasted wines from eight Cayuga Lake Wine Trail members (Toro Run Winery, Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery, Homer Winery, Lucas Vineyards, Bellwether Hard Cider and Wine Cellars, Americana Vineyards and Six Mile Creek Vineyard).

From the Thirsty Owl we took the vino limo across the lake to Goose Watch Winery in Romulus. There under a tent in the vineyard eight Cayuga Lake Wine Trail member wineries offered select tastings from Treleaven by King Ferry Winery, Long Point Winery, Montezuma

Winery & Hidden Marsh Distillery, Swedish Hill Vineyard, Varick Winery & Vineyard Vineyard, Knapp Winery and Buttonwood Grove Winery

Later we were dropped off at the Knapp Vineyard Restaurant. A team of chefs (Chef John McNabb, Knapp Vineyard Restaurant, Chef Lindsay, Crystal Lake Café at Americana Vineyards and Chef Scott, The Bistro at Thirsty Owl Wine Co.) prepared the most amazing dinner.

Knapp Vineyard, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Knapp Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Knapp Winery © Spaswinefood

2. Keuka Lake

One of the highlights of the conference was a series of mystery dinners at local wineries. Nothing compares to an escape to wine country for a mystery dinner. The bus we hopped on took us to the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, which is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. Our outing took place at the Manor House. All eight Keuka Lake Wine Trail members (Barrington Cellars, Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars, Heron Hill Winery, Hunt Country Vineyards, Keuka Spring Vineyards, McGregor Vineyard, Ravines Wine Cellars, and Vineyard View Winery) participated in the event.

The evening began with tasting a Riesling wine from each of the wineries.

Keuka Lake Riesling Showcase, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Dinner was served on the Manor House veranda, with stunning views of Keuka Lake. Celebrity Chef Brud Holland used locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to prepare dinner. There at Manor House  overlooking Keuka Lake this Finger Lakes wine and food event perfectly captured the essence of this beautiful wine country setting. 

3. Seneca Lake

We arrived in the Finger Lakes a day early for a pre-conference trip on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

Villa Bellangelo, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

After pickup our first stop was at Villa Bellangelo in Dundee for a welcoming reception where we were introduced to Finger Lakes wines and local foods.

Dinner was held at Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva. Here the focus was on Finger Lakes women and wine. The activities included 1) opening remarks by four female winemakers and a female research scientist and 2) a vineyard activity where we did a brixs sampling. Chef Heather prepared the most wonderful dinner, which was served on the patio overlooking Seneca Lake.

Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood

Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood

Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood

Next day we visited Anthony Road Winery, Penn Yan where we toured the vineyard, winery and did a wine tasting.

Anthony Road Winery, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Our last stop was at Fox Run Vineyards, Penn Yan. Here we visited the vineyard and winery followed by an excellent food and wine pairing. 

Fox Run Vineyards, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Food & Wine Pairing Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood


It was so exciting to taste Finger Lake wines and especially their Riesling wines. Riesling had not been on Spaswinefood’s wine list until recently when our interest peaked after discovering dry Riesling wines. Recently in the ClareValley, Australia, another wine region well known for Riesling that we were able to develop an appreciation for the wide range of Riesling wines that are now available. We were totally jazzed to be introduced to Finger Lakes Rieslings at #wbc15. An Asimov article  well illustrates what is so special about Riesling wines from the Finger Lakes.

Visitors planning a Finger Lakes wine adventure will find these websites quite helpful:

1. Finger Lakes Wine Country

2. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

3. Finger Lakes Tourist Alliance

4. Finger Lakes Wine 

Future Spaswinefood posts will showcase our adventures at Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. You can also check out other travel adventures at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

August 2015

Fingers Lakes, New York

© Spaswinefood

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