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Finger Lakes provide a destination for weeklong escapes to wine country
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There are many wineries in Maryland that are good day trips from the Baltimore region. If you would like to spend a week or longer in a wine region, you do not have to travel to Europe or California. A five-hour drive to New York’s Finger Lakes will have you heading north on Interstate-83 then connecting with Route 15 North in Harrisburg. Take Route 15, through Pennsylvania to New York. A few other roads will take you to Watkins Glen at the bottom of Seneca Lake. This region is home to more than sixty wineries, breathtaking scenery, hiking, boating and many other recreational activities.
Eleven lakes make up New York’s Finger Lakes region. Most of the areas wineries are along three of the largest lakes, Cayuga, Seneca, and Keuka. These three lakes are also close to each other. Seneca Lake has thirty-five wineries. They are located on both sides of the lake from Watkins Glen to Geneva. Cayuga Lake’s sixteen wineries stretch between Ithaca on the south of the lake to Rt.-20 to the north. Most of the wineries are on the western side of the lake. Twelve wineries are located along Keuka Lake. Some wineries along these lakes are a minute apart, others a bit further. Cayuga Lake is the longest lake measuring 40 miles from one end to the other. Once you arrive in this wine region, you will not have to do a lot of driving to visit wineries. You can plan several days to three or more weeks to visit all the wineries.
The lakes have an effect on vineyards, extending the growing season in the fall and delaying bud break in the spring. By delaying bud break, vines garner some protection from spring frosts. Although the cooler climate vinifera do well in this region, many growers will have cool climate hybrid grapes planted in the vineyards. You will recognize vinifera wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. However the king of the vinifera grapes in this region is Riesling. The grape does exceptionally well in the Finger Lakes region. Visitors to tasting rooms can often find three to five different Riesling wines from dry to dessert. Common hybrid grapes used for wine include Baco Noir, Vignoles, Seyval, Cayuga and Vidal.
On our first visit to the wine region in January of 2007 we found it difficult to find a restaurant and had to drive 40 miles. During the summer and fall, several wineries have restaurants or bistros opened daily. On one visit we ate lunch at Knapp Vineyards Winery and Restaurant along Cayuga Lake. I enjoyed the crab cake paired with the Knapp Brut sparkling wine. On another visit we had lunch at Bully Hill Vineyards along Keuka Lake. I chose crab cake and scallops over a portabella mushroom paired with a dry sparkling made with the Seyval Blanc grape. On a trip to Seneca Lake we spent the evening at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars. We ate dinner and breakfast in their restaurant. From our room we had views of the vineyard and Seneca Lake.
The blue water lakes make an excellent background for vineyard photos. One of my favorite views of Seneca Lake is from Miles Wine Cellars. This winery has a tasting room in a historic house, where romance, ghosts and wine intermingle. The high elevation of the property affords wonderful views of the lake. My favorite views of Keuka Lake are from Heron Hill Winery on the west side of the lake and Rooster Hill Vineyards on the east side of the lake. Vineyards at Sheldrake Point Vineyard offer wonderful views of Cayuga Lake.
The Finger Lakes offer a wonderful wine region to visit. You can spend weeks visiting wineries and exploring small towns. The lakes offer water recreational activities. Eat and drink locally at several winery restaurants. Geneva, Watkins Glen and Ithaca have numerous lodging possibilities. Bed and breakfasts are scattered throughout the lakes.
If you are interested in reading more about many of the wineries along the Finger Lakes visit the Wine Trail traveler site. The four New York trip itineraries can help with planning your exploration of this wine region.
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