Through the wine glass: Adventures on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Keuka Lake in Upstate New York was the location of a mystery wine outing in the Fingers Lakes last week. Each year one of the highlights of the Wine Bloggers Conference (#WBC) is a visit to a mystery wine location. Just before 5 pm last Thursday we were asked to board buses heading out to various locations in the Finger Lakes. Shortly after I hopped on a #WBC15 bus I discovered that the bus was headed to Keuka Lake. The bus took us to the Manor House on Keuka Lake for dinner hosted by Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Nothing compares to a wine country escape for a mystery dinner.

Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

This year the Keuka Lake Wine Trail is celebrating their 30th Anniversary. The Keuka Lake Wine Trail is located within the Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area). The AVA established in 1982 is centered around eleven glacial lakes. Most of the vineyards are found near four lakes Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. This wine region is home to over 100 wineries that produce Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, as well as wines made from French-American and native grape varieties. 

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 that Spaswinefood attended. 

Riesling Tasting at Keuka Lake
The Finger Lakes is well known for its world class Riesling. When we arrived at Manor House on Keuka Lake our hosts began the evening with a tasting of Riesling wines from each of the member wineries.

Keuka Lake Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood

 We tasted two flights with four wines. The first flight included four dry Riesling wines.

Keuka Lake Dry Riesling Showcase, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

 The second flight was a flight of four semi-dry Riesling wines.

Keuka Lake Semi-Dry Riesling Showcase, Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

These Keuka Lake Riesling wines hit high marks on my palate. Riesling had not been on my wine list until recently. My interest I must admit peaked after discovering dry Riesling wines. Recently in the ClareValley, Australia, another wine region well known for Riesling, I was introduced to a wide range of Riesling wines. The opportunity to compare the taste variation within and between the two different flights of Keuka Lake Riesling was Riesling perfection at it best.

Tasting Keuka Lake Riesling © Spaswinefood

Keuka Lake Riesling © Spaswinefood

We ate dinner on the Manor House veranda, with stunning views of Keuka Lake. Celebrity Chef Brud Holland used locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to prepare a variety of exciting dishes for 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. 

Keuka Lake Wine Trail, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Dinner at Keuka Lake
Diner was served small plate style with many tempting dishes for selection. 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) also provided wines to pair with the dishes. The following photos capture some of the wine and food pairings from that evening:

1. McGregor Vineyard

McGregor Vineyard Wines and Potatoe Pastries  © Spaswinefood

Potato Pastries  © Spaswinefood

McGregor Vineyard, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

2. Heron Hill Winery

Heron Hill Winery, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

3. Ravines Wine Cellars

Ravines Wine Cellars, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

4. Keuka Spring Vineyards

Keuka Spring Vineyards, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Keuka Spring Vineyards Wine with Cheese & Meat © Spaswinefood

5. Vineyard View Winery

Vineyard View Winery © Spaswinefood

Vineyard View Wines with Cheese & Meat Plate © Spaswinefood

 6-8. Barrington Cellars, Dr. Konstantin Frank’s Vinifera Wine Cellars & Hunt Country Vineyards

Wine Tasting at Manor House © Spaswinefood

But of course there was salad and cheese too.

Salad, Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

Cheese Plates, Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

The setting for dinner was not only special but we were treated to a rainbow during our visit.

Rainbow over Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

Keuka Lake took on a special look, as sun began to set over the lake on that warm August day.

Sunset at Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

It was indeed a special evening on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. 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 

I was totally jazzed to be introduced to Keuka Lake wines at this #wbc15 mystery dinner. Do not forget to check out Spaswinefood adventures in the Finger Lakes. You can also check out other travel adventures at Spaswinefood.

Sharon

August 2015
Keuka Lake

Fingers Lakes, New York

© Spaswinefood

Follow me on Twitter and Facebook