Our Great Northern Adventure: New York State's Finger Lakes Wine Country

We began our Great Northern Adventure (US Highway 2 (US 2)) in Maine. Just in case you are wondering US 2 is an east–west United States Numbered Highway, covering 2,571 miles (4,138 km) across northern continental United States. From Maine we traveled along US 2 through New Hampshire, Vermont and into New York State. After visiting New York's Thousand Islands Winery we took a detour to return to the Finger Lakes. Since our wine supplies were running low, a two night stop-over in the Finger Lakes was in order. I was indeed quite happy to return to the Finger Lakes. This time we stayed at Seneca Lake State Park. For sure we did Seneca Lake winery explorations. We also drove to Keuka Lake to visit Dr. Franks Winery. We concluded our stay with a dinner at Knapp Restaurant.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

Returning to New York's Finger Lakes was a special treat. Yes, I was fortunate to spend both memorial day and a late June 2021 weekends 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. Besides Riesling, this region also produces Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, as well as wines from French-American and native grape varieties. I still vividly remember when Spaswinefood first visited the Finger Lakes in Upstate New York in August 2015. Since then I discovered so many good things about this wine region, I just had to return. Once you put some Finger Lakes Riesling in your wine glass it is hard to resist. 

Finger Lakes Riesling in the Glass © Spaswinefood

Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area)

New York State's Finger Lakes American Viticultural Area (AVA), established in 1982, is centered around eleven glacial lakes, with the majority of vineyards located near Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake, and Seneca Lake. When you find yourself in the Finger Lakes, it is a wine region filled with amazing opportunities for adventure. Wines from the Finger Lakes AVA in Upstate New York from the different lake areas have been described as having distinct flavor profiles. This has been attributed to the unique viticultural characteristics of each area. In fact the Cayuga and Seneca Lake areas are distinct enough to have their very own AVA's. 

Finger Lakes, New York © Spaswinefood

Wine Adventures in the Finger Lakes, NY
Some have compared the Fingers Lakes to Germany's Rhine region because of the similarity in growing conditions. The Finger Lakes, a cold climate wine growing region, is home to over 100 wineries, now  producing wines from Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, as well as French-American and native grape varieties. The Finger Lakes has become well known for its world class Riesling. I first visited wineries in the Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake areas in 2015. Fortunately summer 2021 I was able to revisit. Both times, not only was I able to enjoy Finger Lakes wines, but also the equally tempting local food scene. This post will feature vignettes from three areas (Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake).

Vino Taxi, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

1. Cayuga Lake

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, Cayuga Lake Wine Trail adventures are packed with incredible wine, food and scenery. 

Thirsty Owl Wine Co., Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

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 grown to over 20 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 varieties 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.

Knapp Vineyard © Spaswinefood

Indeed, when I returned summer of 2021, I had to enjoy a Thirsty Owl Riesling. How could I not?

Thirsty Owl Wine Company,  Riesling 2019 

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

2. Keuka Lake

One of the highlights from my earlier 2015 visit to the Finger Lakes was a series of mystery dinners at local wineries. Nothing compares to an escape to wine country for a mystery dinner. The bus we hopped on took us to the Keuka Lake Wine Trail, which was celebrating their 30th Anniversary. Our outing took place at the 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.

That evening began with tasting a Riesling wine from each of the wineries.

Keuka Lake Riesling Showcase, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Dinner was served on the Manor House veranda, with stunning views of Keuka Lake. Celebrity Chef Brud Holland used locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to prepare dinner. There at Manor House overlooking Keuka Lake this Finger Lakes wine and food event perfectly captured the essence of this beautiful wine country setting. 

Summer 2021 I just had to visit Dr. Franks. I had heard so much about this winery that I could not leave the Finger Lakes without visiting. I was not disappointed.

Dr. Konstantin Frank, Keuka Lake © Spaswinefood

One of the Riesling wines I tasted was a sparkling wine.

Dr. Konstantin Frank, Riesling Nature 2018

Dr. Konstantin Frank, Riesling Nature 2018 © Spaswinefood

I was delighted to visit Dr. Franks and look forward to writing a post on that visit. 

Seneca Lake Wine Trail © Spaswinefood

3. Seneca Lake

Seneca Lake American Viticultural Area (AVA) was established in 2003. It is a sub-region within the larger Finger Lakes AVA because of its uniqueness. Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes, contributes to the climatic conditions around the lake. The result is a longer growing season, plus protection from the freezing winters in Upstate New York. Given the unique viticultural characteristics within the Seneca Lake AVA the wines have been described as having their own distinctive flavor profiles. 

Villa Bellangelo, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Summer of 2015 I arrived in the Finger Lakes a day early for a pre-conference trip along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Our first stop was at Villa Bellangelo in Dundee for a welcoming reception where we were introduced to Finger Lakes wines and local foods.

Dinner at Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva  focused on Finger Lakes women and wine. The activities included 1) opening remarks by four female winemakers and a female research scientist and 2) a vineyard activity where we did a brixs sampling. Chef Heather prepared the most wonderful dinner, which was served on the patio overlooking Seneca Lake.

Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood

Next day we visited Anthony Road Winery, Penn Yan where we toured the vineyard, winery and did a wine tasting.

Anthony Road Winery, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood

Our last stop was at Fox Run Vineyards, Penn Yan. Here we visited the vineyard and winery, followed by an excellent food and wine pairing.  

Fox Run Vineyards, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood

Summer of 2021 I returned to Anthony Road and Fox Run wineries once more. I did wine flight tastings at both wineries.

Anthony Road, Sibling Rivalry Flight

Sibling Rivalry Flight, Anthony Road Winery © Spaswinefood

Amongst the wines I tasted in this flight were Rieslings produced in different styles, without skin contact and with some skin contact (skin fermented), and vintages, etc.

Next, at Fox Run we ate lunch and ordered a number of wine flights. For sure their Riesling wines was on my tasting list. The Riesling flight was a great overview of styles, with the 2016 Rieslings illustrating unique terroir. 

Riesling Flight, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood

The List, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood

Besides the Riesling flight there were others to explore, such as a dry flight.

Dry Flight

Dry Flight, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood

It is always enlightening to do wine flights during winery visits. 

I am always excited to taste Finger Lake wines, especially their Riesling wines. For sure Riesling was not on my wine list until, I discovered the wide range of Riesling wines in the Finger Lakes. Later in Germany's Mosel Valley, and the ClareValley, Australia, another wine region well known for Riesling I was able to develop a deeper appreciation for the amazing range of Riesling wines that are available. For sure after my introduction to Finger Lakes Rieslings in 2015, I became totally jazzed to continue exploring Riesling wines.

Mosel Valley, Germany © Spaswinefood

Visitors planning a Finger Lakes wine adventure will find these websites quite helpful:

1. Finger Lakes Wine Country

2. Finger Lakes Wine Alliance

3. Finger Lakes Tourist Alliance

4. Finger Lakes Wine 

Previously I have described our travels crossed the US, mostly on I-80, to Maine as (Prelude to a Great Northern Adventure). When we reached Maine, given we had time, we explored Maine for about two weeks, before heading back to the West Coast on the Great Northern Route (US 2). Also summer 2021 I was able to revisit  some of my favorite Finger Lakes wineries. I am glad we took a detour from US 2 to revisit Finger Lakes wine country. For sure, both my 2015 and 2021 visits, allowed me to discover what is special about Finger Lakes Wine Country. I invite you to join me in my travels in the Finger Lakes and elsewhere in the sharing of these adventures at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood  on Bluesky and Facebook. 

CHEERS!!

Sharon

Remembering Summer 2021

Finger Lakes, New York

© Spaswinefood

A Summer Afternoon 2021, Cayuga Lake © Spaswinefood

Atwater Estate Vineyards, 2021 © Spaswinefood

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See also Thousand Islands Winery

Our Great Northern Adventure: Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay, New York

Our Great Northern Road Trip included overland travels filled with outdoor adventures, and were possible visiting wine country along the way. We traveled from Vermont to Alexandria Bay, NY to visit Thousand Islands Winery (Harvest Host). Thousand Islands Winery is in the Northern part of New York State, which includes the Lake Erie, the Thousand Island, and the Niagara Escarpment wine regions. On this trip we visited the Thousand Island wine region. Later before leaving New York State we took a detour south to the Finger Lakes wine country.

Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay, New York State © Spaswinefood

Before starting our Great Northern Road Trip in 2021 we traveled to Maine to connect with US 2 on the east coast. This post covers one of our wine country stops at Thousand Islands Winery. Our route west took us along US 2, then 37 and 12 to arrive at the winery. Along 37 & 12 we traveled along the St. Lawerence River, we passed crossings into Canada along the way. While our original plan was to leave the west coast on US 2 journeying east across the US, and enter Canada, returning across Canada, from the east coast to the west coast, and then back into the US. We realized that was not possible in the spring of 2021; so instead we crossed the US to Maine on the east coast and returned via US Highway 2, as much a possible. While we traveled the Great Northern Route, we stayed on the US side because of the Canadian travel restrictions during 2021.

Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay, New York State

Tuesday, June 22 our travels from Vermont to Alexandria Bay, NY look us along US 2, then 37 and 12 to arrive at Thousand Islands Winery. Thousand Islands Winery is on the Thousand Islands-Seaway Wine Trail, which was established in 2007. Winding through 78 miles of the scenic Thousand Islands region there are eight member wineries and vineyards. Wherever you are in the Thousand Islands, at least one winery is a short drive away. Our route took us to the Thousand Islands Winery.

Off to Thousand Islands Winery on Highway 12 © Spaswinefood

Along Highways 37 & 12 we traveled along the St. Lawerence River, passing crossings into Canada along the way.  In fact while at the winery we viewed a few transport trucks crossing over the bridge into Canada.

Bridge into Canada, Thousand Islands Winery © Spaswinefood

Bridge into Canada, Thousand Islands Winery © Spaswinefood

Occasionally we would see a transport truck on the Bridge into Canada.

Bridge into Canada, Thousand Islands Winery © Spaswinefood

We had traveled onto Alexandria Bay to visit Thousand Islands Winery because it is also, a Harvest Host.

Thousand Islands Winery, New York State © Spaswinefood

The Thousand Islands Winery is located along the St. Lawrence River on a historic 40-acre farmstead established in 1836. The winery began in 2002 with the purchase of the farm by Erika and Steve Conaway. The primary cold-hardy grape varieties grown here include Frontenac, Frontenac Gris, Marquette and La Crescent. Undoubtedly the introduction of these grapes to the Thousand Islands region has brought benefits to Northern New York Craft Beverage Trail.

Arriving at Thousand Islands Winery © Spaswinefood

Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay © Spaswinefood

During our visit we enjoyed a wine tasting and stayed overnight as Harvest Host guests. 

The tasting room was quite busy when we arrived. We choose a number of wines to taste from their tasting list.

Thousand Islands Winery, Alexander Bay Rosé  © Spaswinefood

This rosé is a hand crafted blend of Delaware and Isabella grapes.

Later, I explored the vineyard on my own to get insights into the grapes grown there. What follows is a vineyard story.

A Vineyard Story

Vineyard, Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay © Spaswinefood

On that late spring day the vineyard at Thousand Islands Winery was just perfect for grape filled exploration.

Vineyard, Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay © Spaswinefood

Vineyard, Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay © Spaswinefood

Vineyard, Thousand Islands Winery, Alexandria Bay © Spaswinefood

During our evening stay on the property I checked out some of the vines. Amongst my discoveries is that they have wines produced from grapes developed by University of Minnesota. We managed to taste a few of those during the tasting. What was most interesting was visiting the vineyard to gain more insights.  I always like to take a peek in the vineyard when I visit a winery. This vineyard visit was most rewarding for me. For not only did I discover cold-hardy grape varieties produced by University of Minnesota but also, few others that do well in this cold climate region. Here are some discoveries from my vineyard walkabout:

1. Valiant

Row 26 Valiant © Spaswinefood

One of the grapes that I encountered planted in Row 26 was Valiant. According to Wine Searcher:

Valiant is an early-ripening, red-skinned grape variety grown in the northern regions of United States and Canada’s prairie provinces. This hybrid of Vitis riparia and Vitis labrusca is extremely cold-resistant and hardy in marginal grapegrowing conditions.

The variety was developed at South Dakota State University by Dr. Ron Peterson in the mid-20th Century. It has low acid and high sugars, meaning that despite its early ripening, the berries need to stay on the vine longer to be suitable for winemaking.

Valiant is predominantly grown in its home state of South Dakota and neighboring Minnesota. It is used for non-alcoholic grape juice as well as wine.

2. Frontenac

Frontenac, Row 27 © Spaswinefood

Frontenac, Row 27 © Spaswinefood

Still early in the season and the Frontenac vines were doing well.

Budding Frontenac Vines © Spaswinefood

Frontenac was develop by University of Minnesota. It is used for the production of dry red wines, rose, and fortified port style wines. 

3. Frontenac Gris

Frontenac Gris Row 33 © Spaswinefood

Row 33 Frontenac Gris © Spaswinefood

Frontenac Gris Vines, Row 33 © Spaswinefood

Frontenac gris, a white wine version of Frontenac, introduced in 2003. It started as a single bud mutation of Frontenac, yielding gray (thus named gris) fruit and amber-colored juice. Frontenac blanc was later  introduced in 2012 from white fruited mutations found in both Frontenac and Frontenac gris vines in Minnesota and Canada. While I did not record any Frontenac Blanc vines in my photos it is a suitable candidate for this region.

4. La Cresent

La Cresent, Row 35 © Spaswinefood

La Cresent Vines, Row 35 © Spaswinefood

La Crescent, a cold-hardy white hybrid grape, was released by the University of Minnesota's grape breeding program in 2002.

La Cresent, Row 37 © Spaswinefood

5. Brianna

Brianna, Row 37 © Spaswinefood

Brianna, Row 37 © Spaswinefood

Brianna Vines, Row 37 © Spaswinefood

According to Wine-Searcher, Brianna is a relatively new and little-known hybrid white grape variety bred in 1983 by Elmer Swenson in Wisconsin.

6. Marquette

Marquette, Row 38 © Spaswinefood

Marquette Vines, Row 38 © Spaswinefood

The Marquette according to Wine-Searcher, is a premium cold-hardy hybrid red grape. It was designed by the University of Minnesota's grape-breeding program to thrive in severe winter.

7. Junpiter

Junpiter, Row 38B © Spaswinefood

Junpiter is the best seedless American hybrid muscat. Jupiter grape was developed at the University of Arkansas in 1998. It is a cross of Arkansas 1258 x Arkansas 1762. Its Muscat flavor comes from “Gold” (vitis vinifera) variety; the grape's seedlessness comes from “Reliance” (vitis labrusca) variety.

As you might have guessed by now I spent considerable time gaining a few insights into the grapes grown in this area. This made our visit Thousand Islands Winery quite worthwhile and insightful. After leaving Thousand Islands Winery we returned to Finger Lakes. Since our wine supplies were running low, a two  night stop-over in the Finger Lakes was in order before continues onwards on our Great Northern Adventure.  

Thousand Islands Winery, New York State © Spaswinefood

I invite you to join me in the sharing of our overland travels, and adventures along US 2 elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on  Bluesky  and Facebook. 

CHEERS!!

Sharon

Memories of Great Northern Adventure Travels, June 2021 

January 2026

© Spaswinefood

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See earlier post on travels in Maine