If the Finger Lakes region produces some of the finest and most exquisite wines, it also offers to its visitors memorable moments of tasting a variety of them crafted in its various wineries. The experience leaves an indelible mark pleasant to palate and cheery to the senses.
Wine Tasting
Wine tasting is perhaps the most exciting and delightful experience visitors to this region look forward to. Almost all large wineries organize wine tastings on their premises. The around 130 wine estates in Finger Lakes are mainly gathered around the four largest lakes, Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca, the largest, and Cayuga. Several wine trails have been devised to educate and entertain visitors. Cayuga Lake, the longest and second-deepest lake, for instance, is America’s first wine trail. Along the trail, one discovers the rich history of grape growing and wine making, samples award-winning wines ranging from dry to sweet, and often enjoys the rich collection of Rieslings, the emerging emblem of this region. The experience comprises tours of vineyards, wine-making facilities, and tasting rooms where one can learn the unique stories about each location and its growth.
Most wine tastings are offered at locations that provide a breathtaking view of the lake while surrounded by neatly arranged grapevines in sprawling vineyards, presenting a spectacular view while delightfully savouring the range of wines and enjoying the pairing cheese. Usually a bouquet of 16 to 20 wines are presented to the visitor. While Riesling is invariably the most common wine offered for tasting, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, sparkling wine, Ice wine, and even French-American hybrid wines, as well as native wines, are also on offer, depending upon the winery’s production line.
An Inspiration to Create
The Finger Lakes wine region is not just a place to taste excellent wines; it’s a destination where visitors can immerse themselves in the natural beauty, rich history, and vibrant culture of upstate New York. As this region continues to gain recognition and acclaim, it has attracted writers, authors, poets and painters to enjoy the beauty and bounties of the place and allow their creativity to be spurred by its breathtaking scenic pulchritude.
The beauty and charm of the Finger Lakes region have inspired writers and poets alike. While there may not be an extensive body of work specifically focused on its wine industry, the region itself has been celebrated in various literary forms.
In “The Finger Lakes” William R. Martin captures the serene beauty and pastoral charm of the Finger Lakes region eloquently. While it doesn’t focus specifically on the wine industry, it reflects the environment that supports and nurtures the vineyards.
“The Finger Lakes are quiet tonight,
Beneath a sky of starry light,
Whispering winds through vines so green,
In fields where time is rarely seen.”
A novel “Summer in the Finger Lakes” by David B. Seaburn paints a vivid picture of life in the Finger Lakes region. The vineyards and wineries serve as a backdrop to the story, highlighting their significance to the local culture and economy.
Naturalist John Burroughs wrote extensively about the Finger Lakes region in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His essays in “The Lake Country” often touch on the area’s natural beauty, including its vineyards and the burgeoning wine industry.
Local Legends
Like all beautiful and quiet places known for their serenity and tranquillity, Finger Lakes region also abound in local lore and beliefs.
One such legend describes a mysterious figure known as the ‘Grape Epicure’ who roams the vineyards at night, tasting the grapes and leaving notes for the winemakers. According to the legend, these notes contain invaluable advice that has led to some of the region’s best vintages. While the Grape Epicure is likely a myth, it adds an element of mystique to the region’s winemaking lore.
Seneca Lake, the second largest lake and one of the key wine-producing areas in the Finger Lakes, is said to be haunted by the spirits of Native Americans who once lived there. Some winemakers claim that these spirits watch over the vineyards, ensuring good harvests and protecting the vines from harm.
A Promising Future
The future looks bright for Finger Lakes, all wine producers, young and old, veterans and new entrepreneurs unanimously agree. Exports are growing and the popularity is waxing. The focus is on quality wine. “We are not price competitive in the low end on the export market,” asserts one experienced producer.
“We make elegant wines,” says another, “it’s a style that people are looking for; it’s food wines.”
“The wine industry will continue to grow; there will be more wineries attracting winemakers, we have nice expressions of pinot noir, we have sustainability, lower alcohol options etc. There is a lot of ambition,” the mood is upbeat, the spirit soaring.
“In 2020, we had many visitors from New York,” says an old hand in tourism, ‘We have far more now’. Last summer Watkins Glen, famous for its Gorge Trail, received over 1.5 million visitors, implying as many enthusiasts as possible for the local wine. There seems all around excitement and happiness, and a sense of palpable pride. “It is really special to see Finger Lakes wines on a wine list somewhere in the world.”
The evolution of the Finger Lakes from a nascent wine-producing area to a globally recognised wine region underscores its dynamic growth and potential. And this region is more than just wine. There exists side by side and beautifully complementing its exquisite wines, a thriving and vibrant craft beverage scene that extends to breweries, distilleries and ciders embracing the area’s agricultural abundance to create unique flavours
Soothing, Sublime
From the pioneering efforts of Dr. Konstantin Frank to the resilience shown during Prohibition, the region’s winemaking story is one of innovation and perseverance. Literary works and local legends further enrich its cultural tapestry, making the Finger Lakes a truly unique and enchanting wine destination. Its scenic beauty, combined with the innovation and dedication of its winemakers, continues to draw wine enthusiasts from around the world, solidifying its place among celebrated wine regions.
Exhilarating and enticing, refreshing and rewarding, a visit to Finger lakes is an experience to be savoured for long like its wines, in peace and with pleasure. Its serenity soothes your soul, its spirits sublimate your senses.
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