Finger Lakes Wine Trail
Last month the Hubster and I visited the Finger Lakes Wine Country in New York. The Finger Lakes are comprised of eleven different lakes, looking like fingers, geographically speaking.
Out of the eleven different lakes, there are seven different lake wine trails. Out of these seven, the
Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the Canadaiga Lake Wine Trail, The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, and the Keuka Lake Wine Trail are the most popular. We concentrated primarily on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail because it had the most wineries. With around 110 wineries in the entire Finger Lakes region, there is just so much one mature Mid-Western couple could do.
How did the Finger Lakes Wine Country get started?
This is how it was explained to me by one of the vineyards; between 1860-1880, many wineries came and went around Keuka Lake. However, by 1880, the Taylor Wine Company became successful in the region. The Taylors sold mostly Riesling and Catawba grapes to the farmers, convincing them with the steep slopes surrounding the lakes that the region was perfect for grape growing. The Taylor Wine Company became successful and all was well. However, the Taylors abruptly left the area mid-twentieth century. This left the farmers with vineyards and no knowledge or apparatus of what to do with said grapes.
So, the farmers' spirit we all know and love arose, and farmers began making their own wine from their vineyards. Not knowing what they were doing, their wine was extremely sweet and contained everything but the kitchen sink.
This wine making activity continued until the early 1960's, when two Europeans, Charles Fournier and Dr. Konstantin Frank introduced different grape varieties, especially the vinifera grape. Dr. Frank moved to the area because he had taken a position with Cornell University, a well known leader in viticulture research. He applied his knowledge of grape growing to the Finger lakes area, and by the 1970's to the 1980's, the Finger Lakes Wine Industry was firmly established. The Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is still in business, and now run by 4th generation family members.
The Hubster and I became interested in the Finger Lakes Region as a result of visiting Wisconsin Wineries. Some of these wineries outsource their grapes from this area, and even compete in wine competitions in the Finger Lakes Region.
What did we like?
While it was impossible to visit more than 100 wineries in the region in a week's time, we did visit quite a few, there were several that stood out as unique:
The Bellhurst Castle Estate Winery and Brewery (you read right, I said castle), outsource their wines from other wineries, and then put their label on the bottle. For as grandeur as the estate is, once inside it had a down home feel. I think this is due to the wine guides employed at the castle who make sure you are taken care of while there. Their wine is not earth shattering, but is quite good. The Hubster and I especially enjoyed their "Natural Sparking" with notes of green apple on the front of the palate and lemon-lime on the back. Also quite good was the "Carrie Blush," which had cherry pie and cinnamon notes. Without being too sweet, I would say it was a good deck-drinking wine.
The Anthony Road Wine Company was another favorite. They were the twelfth winery to be established in the area. They had a delicious wine called "Devonian White," which was a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. The name Devonian comes from the geological period, Devonian, which is when the Finger Lakes were formed.
It is interesting to note that you can talk to anyone in the area, and they will share some morsel of info about the wineries. In this instance, while enjoying a Friday Fish Fry at the American Legion, (the Hubster was excited about this,) a server told us about Anthony Road Wine Company. Apparently, the winery was looking for investors to start up the business. So, to this day, those initial investors receive a case of wine each year as a dividend.
The Hubster and I came to "Sheldrake Point Winery," by way of a recommendation from another winery. The Sheldrake Point Winery is definitely off the beaten path, but quite crowded when we got there. I guess the word was out about how good this winery is. Their "2018 Dry Rosé/ Cabernet Franc" was very good, a light wine with grapefruit and peach notes at the beginning and ending with a creamy finish on the palate. This is another good deck-drinking wine. I have to say, all the wineries said 2018 was a good year for wine.
However, the real surprise came from their "Sparkling Apple Ice Wine." The Hubster enjoys a sweet wine, but in this case, I enjoyed this sweet wine of honey apple blossoms, and apple pie spice notes on the palate. With over 18% alcohol content, a small sampling is all that one would want.
The "Frontenac Point Winery" recommended Sheldrake Point Winery to us when we visited the, The brotherhood among wineries is refreshing. It is the same spirit, I see in Wisconsin. As one Wisconsin winemaker told us, "There is always room for more."
The Frontenac Point Winery is the forty-forth winery to be established in the region. A small family-owned business, there is no outsourcing for this small craft winery of seventeen acres. This was an unpretentious, no frills enjoyable winery. Their "Vignoles 2012," was an especially delicious wine. A late harvest creamy wine, it is unfortunate they no longer will be making a vignoles wine. This winery, as many others did, would recommend what to serve with a particular wine. For their wine, "Starboard," a late harvest wine with hints of honey and orange blossoms, the winery suggested serving it with apricot cookies. Does anyone make apricot cookies? Please share if you do.
What to take away from our visit?
We always enjoy visiting wineries. The people are always open to conversation about what winery they have visited and where to visit next. The Finger Lakes was no exception. While the wineries were the main draw for our visit, there are opportunities for hiking and viewing scenic waterfalls.
There were wineries we didn't have a chance to visit, and so if given the opportunity the Hubster and I would go again.
Until Next Time,
Minnie & The Hubster
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| Artistic sculpture of the 11 Finger Lakes, found at Captain's Cafe in Geneva, NY. |
Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the Canadaiga Lake Wine Trail, The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, and the Keuka Lake Wine Trail are the most popular. We concentrated primarily on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail because it had the most wineries. With around 110 wineries in the entire Finger Lakes region, there is just so much one mature Mid-Western couple could do.
How did the Finger Lakes Wine Country get started?
This is how it was explained to me by one of the vineyards; between 1860-1880, many wineries came and went around Keuka Lake. However, by 1880, the Taylor Wine Company became successful in the region. The Taylors sold mostly Riesling and Catawba grapes to the farmers, convincing them with the steep slopes surrounding the lakes that the region was perfect for grape growing. The Taylor Wine Company became successful and all was well. However, the Taylors abruptly left the area mid-twentieth century. This left the farmers with vineyards and no knowledge or apparatus of what to do with said grapes.
So, the farmers' spirit we all know and love arose, and farmers began making their own wine from their vineyards. Not knowing what they were doing, their wine was extremely sweet and contained everything but the kitchen sink.
This wine making activity continued until the early 1960's, when two Europeans, Charles Fournier and Dr. Konstantin Frank introduced different grape varieties, especially the vinifera grape. Dr. Frank moved to the area because he had taken a position with Cornell University, a well known leader in viticulture research. He applied his knowledge of grape growing to the Finger lakes area, and by the 1970's to the 1980's, the Finger Lakes Wine Industry was firmly established. The Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery is still in business, and now run by 4th generation family members.
The Hubster and I became interested in the Finger Lakes Region as a result of visiting Wisconsin Wineries. Some of these wineries outsource their grapes from this area, and even compete in wine competitions in the Finger Lakes Region.
What did we like?
While it was impossible to visit more than 100 wineries in the region in a week's time, we did visit quite a few, there were several that stood out as unique:
The Bellhurst Castle Estate Winery and Brewery (you read right, I said castle), outsource their wines from other wineries, and then put their label on the bottle. For as grandeur as the estate is, once inside it had a down home feel. I think this is due to the wine guides employed at the castle who make sure you are taken care of while there. Their wine is not earth shattering, but is quite good. The Hubster and I especially enjoyed their "Natural Sparking" with notes of green apple on the front of the palate and lemon-lime on the back. Also quite good was the "Carrie Blush," which had cherry pie and cinnamon notes. Without being too sweet, I would say it was a good deck-drinking wine.
 |
| Pictures of Bellhurst Castle Estate as well as the view from the castle itself. |
The Anthony Road Wine Company was another favorite. They were the twelfth winery to be established in the area. They had a delicious wine called "Devonian White," which was a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and Riesling. The name Devonian comes from the geological period, Devonian, which is when the Finger Lakes were formed.
 |
| The Hubster's Friday Fish Fry at the American Legion. |
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| Picture of the Anthony Road Wine Company sign as well as a view of the vineyard from the doorway of the winery. |
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| The front of Sheldrake Point Winery. From the winery, you can see all the beautiful boats sailing past. |
The "Frontenac Point Winery" recommended Sheldrake Point Winery to us when we visited the, The brotherhood among wineries is refreshing. It is the same spirit, I see in Wisconsin. As one Wisconsin winemaker told us, "There is always room for more."
The Frontenac Point Winery is the forty-forth winery to be established in the region. A small family-owned business, there is no outsourcing for this small craft winery of seventeen acres. This was an unpretentious, no frills enjoyable winery. Their "Vignoles 2012," was an especially delicious wine. A late harvest creamy wine, it is unfortunate they no longer will be making a vignoles wine. This winery, as many others did, would recommend what to serve with a particular wine. For their wine, "Starboard," a late harvest wine with hints of honey and orange blossoms, the winery suggested serving it with apricot cookies. Does anyone make apricot cookies? Please share if you do.
 |
| Here is the Frontenac Point Vineyard sign. This winery is unpretentious and may be overlooked however, the view from the deck, seen here is magnanimous. |
We always enjoy visiting wineries. The people are always open to conversation about what winery they have visited and where to visit next. The Finger Lakes was no exception. While the wineries were the main draw for our visit, there are opportunities for hiking and viewing scenic waterfalls.
 |
| This waterfall is a 215 foot drop. Anyone want to go cliff diving? |
Until Next Time,
Minnie & The Hubster
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