Returning to New York's Finger Lakes was a special treat. We were fortunate to spend both memorial day weekend and a late June weekend in the Finger Lakes Wine Country. Here's why Finger Lakes Wine Country is so special. This wine region has become well known for its world class Riesling. Finger Lakes Riesling wines come in different styles (still, sparkling and ice wine), with a range in sweetness levels (from sweet to dry). There is a Finger Lakes Riesling for every palate. I still vividly remember when Spaswinefood first visited the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York in August 2015. Because I discovered so many good things about the wine region, I just had to return to the Finger Lakes. Once you put some Finger Lakes Riesling in your wine glass it is hard to resist.
Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area)
The Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area) is centered around eleven glacial lakes, with the majority of vineyards near Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake.
The Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area) is centered around eleven glacial lakes, with the majority of vineyards near Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake.
Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area) © Spaswinefood
Each of these areas have been described as having unique viticultural characteristics, which result in wines with distinct flavor profiles. In fact the Cayuga and Seneca Lake areas have been recognized as distinct enough to have their own AVA's.
This east coast wine region has often been compared to Germany's Rhine region because of the similarity in growing conditions. The Finger Lakes AVA , established in 1982, is home to over 100 wineries. Besides Riesling, the Finger Lakes also produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, as well as several French-American and native varieties. During my Finger Lakes visits my focus has been on sampling Riesling wines from Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake. Let's take a look.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
A vino limo ride across Cayuga Lake on a perfect summer afternoon is hard to beat. Perhaps it is not surprising to discover water taxis on this lake given that Cayuga means "boat landing". Yes, our Cayuga Lake Wine Trail adventure in 2015 was packed with wine discoveries.
Cayuga Lake AVA was established in 1988, as a sub-region within the Finger Lakes AVA. The first Cayuga Lake wineries had their beginnings in late 1970's and early1980's. The number of wineries has now grown to 23 wineries. Most of the wineries are found on the west side of the lake, which provide more favorable growing conditions. In addition to the grape varities mentioned earlier you will also find grapes, such the Cayuga grape, The Cayuga grape was bred specifically for this region by Cornell University.
While on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in 2015 we visited Thirsty Owl Wine Company where we tasted wines from eight 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). Later at the Goose Watch Winery in Romulus, under a tent in the vineyard, eight member wineries offered select tastings (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). Our final stop was at Knapp Winery where 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 for our group.
 |
| Fox Run Vineyards, Seneca Lake © Spaswinefood |
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
A vino limo ride across Cayuga Lake on a perfect summer afternoon is hard to beat. Perhaps it is not surprising to discover water taxis on this lake given that Cayuga means "boat landing". Yes, our Cayuga Lake Wine Trail adventure in 2015 was packed with wine discoveries.
 |
| Vino Limo, Cayuga Lake, NY © Spaswinefood |
While on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail in 2015 we visited Thirsty Owl Wine Company where we tasted wines from eight 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). Later at the Goose Watch Winery in Romulus, under a tent in the vineyard, eight member wineries offered select tastings (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). Our final stop was at Knapp Winery where 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 for our group.
Thirsty Owl Wine Company, 2021 © Spaswinefood
Indeed when I returned this summer I had to enjoy a Thirsty Owl Riesling. How could I not?
Thirsty Owl Wine Company, Riesling 2019 © Spaswinefood
And YES, a Goose Watch Riesling, and others too! We also ate lunch twice at Knapp's Vineyard Restaurant.
Knapp's Vineyard Restaurant, 2021 © Spaswinefood
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
Wine making in the Seneca Lake area dates back to when the Seneca Lake Grape Wine Company opened a winery in 1866. With the arrival of Prohibition in 1919 wine making in this area came to a halt. Modern wine making however, began in the 1970's when two wineries were established by pioneers, Charles Fournier and Hermann Wiemer. There are now 40 wineries in the Seneca Lake AVA, with over 30 wineries making up what is known as the Seneca Wine Trail.
Now a few highlights from our recent excursion this summer:
1. Anthony Road Wine Company
Included in the tasting was a side by side tasting of two Rieslings produced in two different styles. That is, fermented with without skin contact and with some skin contact (skin fermented).
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Nothing compares to an escape to wine country for a mystery dinner hosted local Keuka Lake wineries. I still remember that August 2015 evening when the Keuka Lake Wine Trail was celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Our outing took place at 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.
Wine making in the Seneca Lake area dates back to when the Seneca Lake Grape Wine Company opened a winery in 1866. With the arrival of Prohibition in 1919 wine making in this area came to a halt. Modern wine making however, began in the 1970's when two wineries were established by pioneers, Charles Fournier and Hermann Wiemer. There are now 40 wineries in the Seneca Lake AVA, with over 30 wineries making up what is known as the Seneca Wine Trail.
 |
| Through the Wine Glass © Spaswinefood |
1. Anthony Road Wine Company
During our first visit to Anthony Road Wine Company we toured the vineyard, the winery and did a wine tasting.
After a tour of the vineyard and winery we returned to the veranda for a wine tasting.
 |
| Anthony Road Vineyard, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
 |
| John Martini, Anthony Road Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Anthony Road Winery, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Wine Tasting at Anthony Road, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
 |
Anthony Road, Side by Side Tasting of Riesling © Spaswinefood Fortunately this summer was a good time to return. For sure included in the wine flights that I tasted was a lineup of Riesling wines. |
Anthony Road, The Sibling Rivalry Flight © Spaswinefood
Anthony Road, The Sibling Rivalry Flight © Spaswinefood
Amongst the wines I tasted were Rieslings produced in different styles (without skin contact and with some skin contact (skin fermented)).
2. Fox Run Vineyards
2. Fox Run Vineyards
Fox Run was on our list for a return visit. We did lunch and ordered a number of wine flights. Indeed their Riesling wines was on my tasting list.
Time for Fox Run Vineyards Riesling © Spaswinefood
Fox Run Vineyards, Riesling Flight © Spaswinefood
This flight was a great overview of Riesling styles, with the 2016 illustrating unique terroir. The focus of our Fox Run Vineyards 2015 visit was on terroir. That time we visited the vineyard and the winery, followed by an excellent food and wine pairing.
While touring their vineyard in 2015 we were introduced to history and growing conditions at Fox Run.
We also chatted with the winemaker.
It was such a delight to have winemaker Peter Bell and Chef Bud Holland present during the food and wine pairing.
 |
| Fox Run Vineyards, 2015 © Spaswinefood |
We also chatted with the winemaker.
 |
| Winery Conversations, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Peter Bell, Winemaker, Fox Run Vineyards, 2015 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Fox Run Vineyards, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Food & Wine Pairing Fox Run Vineyards, 2015 © Spaswinefood |
It was an awesome food and wine pairing, with a great introduction to their Riesling wines grown in different terroir. In particular, looking at the effect of different terroirs on 2011 and 2012 vintages was an enlightining activity.
 |
| Fox Run Vineyards, 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Nothing compares to an escape to wine country for a mystery dinner hosted local Keuka Lake wineries. I still remember that August 2015 evening when the Keuka Lake Wine Trail was celebrating its 30th Anniversary. Our outing took place at 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 1st Flight, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood
|
During this summer's visit we stopped by Dr. Frank's.
Dr. Konstantin Frank, Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood
Dr. Konstantin Frank © Spaswinefood
I was delighted to visit Dr. Franks and look forward to writing a post on that visit.
Your Wine Country Escape to the Fingers Lakes
Before you plan a trip to the Finger Lakes checkout these sources:
1. Finger Lakes Wine Country,
2. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance,
3. Finger Lakes Tourist Alliance, and
4. Finger Lakes Wine.
 |
| Ravine Dry Riesling, Finger Lakes 2012 © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Tasting Riesling © Spaswinefood |
 |
| Riesling Ice © Spaswinefood |
Dr. Konstantin Frank, Riesling Nature 2018 © Spaswinefood
For further reading Asimov article illustrates nicely what is so special about Finger Lakes Riesling wines. Put some Finger Lakes Riesling in you glass. You will discover what is special about Finger Lakes Wine Country. I invite you to join me in my travels in the Finger Lakes and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Finger Lakes, New York
© Spaswinefood
No comments:
Post a Comment