Finger Lakes

Within the world of fine wines, the Finger Lakes wine region in upstate New York is a soon-to-be revealed secret. Nestled amidst bucolic farmland and the spindly glacial lakes for which the region is named, it’s home to some of the best cool-climate wines in America. Known particularly for world-class Riesling, it’s also home to an increasingly diverse array of wines, from Grüner Veltliner to Teroldego. Over 100 wineries surround the three main lakes, Cayuga, Seneca and Keuka. But with spectacular sights and a blossoming local food culture, the region is unlikely to stay hidden for long. —Anna Lee C. Iijima

Where to Dine

With specialties like the Whole Hog (housemade sausage topped with local cheese curds, bacon and egg), poutine and a boozy Oreo Stout milkshake, FLX Wienery is a cardiologist’s worst nightmare, but it’s irresistibly delicious. To savor local wines and international standards side-by-side, head to Microclimate Wine Bar, a popular winemaker hangout. For dinner, enjoy sunset views over Seneca Lake at Dano’s, an Austrian heuriger, or wine tavern, which offers modern spins on classics like schnitzel and spätzle.

Where to Stay

The Harbor Hotel in Watkins Glen is the region’s mainstay for upscale accommodations. Overlooking Seneca Lake, it boasts a convenient downtown location and plush bedding. If visiting with a group or children, seek out one of the region’s numerous vacation rentals. The Villa, a duplex guesthouse owned by Seneca Lake winery Bellangelo, is both luxurious and family friendly. Appointed with fully equipped kitchens, grill and laundry, the house is located just steps from the lake and neighboring wineries.

Other Activities

Hiking through the 19 waterfalls within the 500-foot ravine at Watkins Glen State Park feels like you’ve stumbled into Middle Earth from J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novel, The Hobbit. If traveling on horseback is more your style, Painted Bar Stables, located just minutes from Watkins Glen, offers guided trail rides through the Finger Lakes National Forest.

Budget Tip

Dine like a king at pauper’s prices by taking advantage of the spectacular local produce, meats, cheeses and more available at the many farm stands found along the wine trails.

When to Go

In spring, the weather is mild and vineyards verdant, but summer and fall are the best seasons.

Where to Taste

Because the wine trails frame the lakes, it’s best to plan your itinerary by lake. On Seneca, which has the greatest concentration of wineries, the pioneering Hermann J. Wiemer remains one of the best ambassadors of Finger Lakes Riesling. Shaw Vineyards offers rich, concentrated Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and more. Other Seneca Lake notables like Kemmeter, Red Tail Ridge and Bloomer Creek are so focused on small-volume winemaking that their wines are scarcely available outside the region. Their tasting rooms let you savor latest releases while often chatting with the winemakers themselves. Keuka Lake is home to Dr. Konstantin Frank, one of the oldest and most celebrated wineries in the region, as well as standout producers like Keuka Lake Vineyards, Ravines and Heron Hill. On Cayuga Lake, classic, pristine wines from Sheldrake Point and Hosmer offer a contrast to the unusually earthy Bellwether wines (also a fine stop for hard apple cider).

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