With Finger Lakes often viewed as a sweet wine destination, and it certainly has sweet wines worth trying, it’s actually a world-class wine region. There are so many different Finger Lakes wineries to choose from, and that’s not even getting started on the wine options available.
The best wineries in Finger Lakes have allowed the region’s wine industry to boom to the point where it has become a must-visit destination for wine lovers.
We could keep going on and on about how amazing the wineries in Finger Lakes are, or we could share our top 10 list for you to go and check out yourself.
The Best Finger Lakes Wineries
If you’re planning your next wine-tasting adventure, we have to recommend heading over to Finger Lakes. And to help you get started with planning it all, we’ve compiled a list of wineries and vineyards that are worth seeing.
Dr. Konstantin Frank
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We start our list with one of Finger Lakes’ most famous wines, and while most other famous brands rely on their name to make sales, this one has built its reputation on producing high quality wines – and managed to maintain this level over the years.
The experience of tasting the award-winning wines is well worth the wait as the winery is always busy. That being said, the staff and management at Dr. Konstantin Frank handle all guests with professionalism and respect to ensure a pleasurable experience.
Anthony Road
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For a delightful spread of dry white and red wines, look no further. Located on the western slopes of Seneca Lake, it offers a unique view to be enjoyed with some of their fantastic wines. Their specialities include Lemberger, Riesling and Chardonnay – to name but a few. Something worth trying while there is their Tierce which was made in collaboration with v and Fox Run.
Other things worth seeing while at the winery include the grapevines as well as a herb and spice garden.
Hermann J. Wiemer
For one of the best Riesling wines in Finger Lakes, Hermann J. Wiemer definitely makes the cut. The converted barn houses the tasting room along with all of the stainless steel tanks and gives guests the opportunity to enjoy the best that the winery has to offer.
Keuka Lake Vineyards
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If you are looking for a winery that offers the must-see lake, this small tasting room ticks all the boxes. It’s a comfortable, relaxing tasting experience with an impressive view – what more could you need? Well, spectacular wines of course, which are a given when visiting Keuka Lake Vineyards. They mostly specialise in white wines, specifically Riesling, Vignoles and Sauvignon Blanc.
Boundary Breaks
This winery has to be one of Finger Lakes’ best-kept secrets. It’s one of the newest wineries in Finger Lakes having only started making wine recently. As a result, they also don’t have any tasting rooms yet although they are in the process of being built. That being said, tastings can be arranged by appointment and we highly recommend that you do.
McGregor Winery
Stop here if you want the best view in Finger Lakes – as simple as that. This is because it’s on the eastern side of Keuka Lake and has the best possible viewing angle of the split in the lake – the reason people visit the lake in the first place. They make great Riesling and red blends that we recommend tasting while there.
Heron Hill Winery
Travel and Leisure magazine has labelled this winery as one of the most beautiful tasting rooms along Keuka Lake. The design of the rooms features large vertical windows, vaulted ceilings and an alpine feel – all looking out on the vineyards and Keuka Lake.
In addition to this has to be the magnificent wines. Their Cabernet Franc is an amazing red wine with moderate tannins and a long-lasting flavour, something most red wines in the region lack. The servers are also experts in the wines on the properties, offering tastings of wines that they believe will appeal to your palette.
Damiani Wine Cellars
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This winery offers a spread of some of the more conventional wine blends, and one of them that should be on your list is their Sole e Terra which is made of Lemberger, Saperavi and Pinot Noir. Another great blend is their Meritage which is a mix of Merlot, Cab Franc and Cab Sauv.
Lamoreaux Landing
They say variety is the spice of life, and that’s certainly the case at Lamoreaux Landing. The winery has everything from Blanc de Blanc to Riesling and even Cabernet Franc, the choice is yours. All you need to do is take the time to visit the stunning winery.
Standing Stone
Rolling hills as a backdrop and a view of Seneca Lake, it’s the ultimate all-rounder. The Saperavi grape is found here and is relatively new to the region, with this winery having the most available stock on hand to produce wines.
Finger Lakes Wineries Deserve A Lot More Credit
The region has received a reputation as one where sweet wines flourish, and while this may be the case, there has been a distinct shift in recent years. As a result, dry red and white wines have begun to emerge, attracting wine lovers from all over the state – and even the country.
While it is one of the less popular wine locations, a quick visit to a few of the vineyards will turn you into a fan of what would otherwise have been left off of your next wine weekend getaway.
So the next time you’re looking to get away and see Keuka Lake, why not schedule a stop or two along the way to see what the wineries have on offer? Who knows, you may unleash your inner wine enthusiast and develop a passion for finding some of the world’s best wines.