New York: Finger Lakes Wine Travel Guide

The 11 lakes that make up the Finger Lakes area were formed over two million years ago by receding glaciers and they resemble the fingers of a hand since they are long and narrow, generally running on a north-south axis. Hence the name, Finger Lakes. While the lakes themselves are huge draws, the Finger Lakes region is also New York State’s largest wine producing region, with the riesling grape being dominant. The wines and scenery of the Finger Lakes rival that of California’s wine regions. The scenery is really quite spectacular, filled with wonders like gorges and waterfalls created by the receding glaciers as well as having a perfect climate for growing grapes.

Named by Wine Enthusiast as one of the Top 10 Worldwide Wine Destination, along with numerous other accolades, the Finger Lakes wine country isn’t just growing grapes. Today, it’s growing in popularity as an affordable and beautiful wine country destination. A region that wine lovers and those who simply like to sip their way through the weekend should not miss.

Finger Lakes wine travel guide

NYC Wine & Food Festival
Oct. 11-14, 2018
The NYC Wine & Food Festival is considered the largest food and wine festival in New York City. With more than 100 events, it is widely recognized for its tastings in celebration of America’s favorite foods, intimate dinners with world-renowned chefs, late night parties, hands-on classes, educational seminars, coveted wine tastings and more. Headed into its 11th year, guests return year after year to sip, swirl and savor world-class cuisine, wine and spirits served up by the industry’s finest and America’s most beloved television chefs all in support of the fight to end hunger. To date, the festival has raised$11.5 million to help fight hunger, with 100 percent of the net proceeds benefiting the No Kid Hungry^® campaign and Food Bank For New York City.

Finger Lakes Wine Festival
July 13-15, 2018, Watkins Glen, NY
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival—named “Best Wine Festival in the USA” by USA Today readers—is held each July at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, NY—also named “Best NASCAR Track” by readers of USA Today. The event fuses wine tasting with regional artisans, music, culinary classes, cooking demonstrations, and breweries and draws thousands of visitors each year. Camping, glamping, and pace car rides at Watkins Glen International are also available during the event.

Ice Wine Festival
February 24^th, 2018
This unique winter festival, hosted by Casa Larga Vineyards, celebrates the sweet dessert wines produced from grapes that have been left to freeze naturally on the vine. The festival offers visitors ice wine samples from a variety of New York wineries, an ice wine infused menu, horse-drawn wagon rides through the vineyard, ice wine tours, seminars, chef cook-offs, and more.

Long Island’s Winterfest
February 22 – March 18, 2018
Entering its 11^th year, Winterfest is a must-experience wine festival this season. The festival takes place on Long Island’s East End on the famed North and South forks home to dozens of vineyards, charming B&B’s and pristine beaches. From February to March, the four-week long Winterfest combines locally-made wine selections with live music, dance and theater performances and farm-to-table culinary delights. Featured events include private tastings with winemakers, VIP tours, exclusive specials and yoga/wine activities all paired with transportation and luxurious hotel accommodations.

Hudson Valley Wine & Food Fest
September 8-9, 2018
Rhinebeck, NY
The Hudson Valley Wine and Food Fest is a celebration of the bounty of New York. The food and wine festival features hundreds of wines from Hudson Valley wineries, NY distilled spirits, craft beers and gourmet specialty foods from all over the country. Visitors can learn more about wine through the festivals educational seminars and brush up on their culinary skills with cooking demonstrations from regional celebrity chefs throughout the weekend.

New York Wine Experience
Oct. 18 – 20, 2018, Marriott Marquis, New York, NY
Hosted by Wine Spectator, the event includes sit-down seminars, and a VIP Critic’s Choice Grand Tasting, a two-night event featuring 250+ wines from the world’s best wine-growing regions. Guests will also enjoy wine pairing lunches and a grand award banquet featuring the wining wines from the Grand Tasting.