Party: Solo
Designed with a vista overlooking the vineyards and Seneca Lake, The Ginny Lee is the ideal place to enjoy a delightful and relaxing meal whether on a casual outing or for a special occasion. The contemporary design of the large open dining area with its cathedral ceiling and vast expanse of windows provides a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Celebrating over 30 years of exceptional vacation memories along the Finger Lakes, where timeless moments meet unmatched comfort and beauty.
We’ve created guides for almost every type of traveler; Ice Cream Lover’s, Glampers, Cheese Enthusiasts, The Sober Curious, and now, the Art Lovers Guide. Finger Lakes Wine Country offers plenty of opportunities to captivate your creativity at art museums, and galleries. In classes and workshops and at art festivals and events. Often you’ll find local art displayed at wineries and breweries. Many local shops and small businesses feature locally-crafted items in their gift shops.
This guide is ideal for art lovers and DIYers, and most of these activities are great options for a rainy day. Use the suggestion below to build the perfect itinerary for your group. Then pack your bags and don’t forget to bring a padded wine bag or two, and prepare for a fantastic trip in Finger Lakes Wine Country!
Where to Stay
Are you wondering where to stay? These accommodations have an artsy angle that you’ll love.
Belva Lockwood Inn
In the Village of Owego, New York you’ll find the Belva Lockwood Inn. This charming adults-only historic hotel is steeped in history and luxury. Belva Lockwood is the local 19th-century heroine who fought for equal rights from the age of 14. You’ll find striking artwork of her all over her beautifully restored home, which is now a B&B.
Belhurst Castle
The Belhurst Castle in Geneva, New York is a living piece of art and was named a World’s Best Wine Hotel by Wine Enthusiast. The historic rooms in the 1800s castle hotel are perfect for relaxing after an artful weekend. Ask for a room with a soaking tub, a fireplace, and a view of Seneca Lake.
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
At the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, in Watkins Glen, New York guests are Many of the spacious guest rooms and suites have panoramic lake views and balconies. Guests have access to an indoor swimming pool and hot tub and a fully-equipped fitness center where they’ll find an art gallery for car lovers.
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is the area’s only AAA Four Diamond property and is within walking distance of Watkins Glen State Park, the most famous State Park in the region. It’s home to 19 waterfalls and 9 great walking trails.
Art Organizations
Tioga Arts Council
Tioga Arts Council (TAC) is on a mission to enrich the cultural lives of Tioga County residents and visitors by initiating and facilitating creative opportunities and collaborations. From galleries to workshops and concerts in the park. For over forty years TAC has provided a central platform for a creative community and is a great starting point to explore the past, present, and future of Tioga Country.
Community Arts of Elmira
Located on the Elmira Creative Corridor, the Community Arts of Elmira is more than a community center, it’s a center for creative expression. Connect with the history and community of Elmira through events, workshops, satellite galleries, and educational classes as well as with the public art program Elmira Infinite Canvas. Community Arts of Elmira is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the National Park Service Network to Freedom Underground Railroad.
171 Cedar Arts Center
For more than five decades, 171 Cedar Arts Center has been the artistic and cultural hub for the greater Corning area. Enriching lives by providing accessible arts education, collaborative outreach programming, free exhibitions of regional artists, and live performances. Here you’ll find representation of music, dance, theater, culinary arts, ceramics, visual arts, and more!
The Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes
The Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes supports regional artists, making the Southern Finger Lakes an arts haven filled with talented and creative people, inspiring a vibrant and accessible multi-county arts scene. This regional organization empowers artists and encourages arts advocacy, fosters creativity and economic vitality, creates diverse connections and collaborations, and champions innovation and equity within the arts to cultivate a dynamic community.
Arts Center of Yates County
The Arts Center of Yates County is a nonprofit community arts center with a mission to enrich the lives of Yates County residents, artists, and visitors by providing opportunities to actively participate in the arts. The Arts Center includes the Flick Gallery, the Rosenfeld Studio upstairs—where the bulk of the Center’s workshops are held—and Sunny Point, a seasonal facility on the east side of Keuka Lake that includes housing for visiting instructors and artist residencies, a studio barn for workshops and events, and a lakeside pottery studio.
Museums
Arnot Art Museum
Located in Elmira, New York in a historic Greek-Revival mansion from 1833, is the Arnot Art Museum. Founded by local banker Matthais Hallenback Arnot who gifted the museum to the city of Elmira. The museum houses a permanent collection of 17th-19th century European paintings, 20th-century American art, and contemporary art from the 21st century. In addition to the permanent and original art collection, you can also experience their temporary exhibitions featuring artwork from all over the world.
The Rockwell Museum
The Rockwell Museum is an official Smithsonian Affiliate, the first in the state of New York outside of New York City. Here you’ll find a mix of contemporary Native American art from landscape paintings to bronze sculptures to modernist pieces that represent the people, land, and ideas that shaped America through the work of American artists housed in a 19th-century historic Old City Hall building.
Visit The Rockwell Museum Store and take home some incredible artisan-made pieces. Including artful USA-made, Native-made, and fair-trade products. The pieces in the Museum Store reflect the art on the walls. With one-of-a-kind turquoise, silver, and precious stone jewelry, artisan-made pottery, and sculptures by award-winning artists.
Corning Museum of Glass
Dive into over 3,500 years of glass-making history at the Corning Museum of Glass. Explore the history, art, and science behind glass through the museum’s collection of nearly 50,000 objects related to glass. Enjoy live narrated glass-making demonstrations, or try your hand at making your own glass in the Innovation Center. A typical museum visit requires 3 to 4 hours but could easily be longer.
After visiting the museum, stop in The Shops at The Corning Museum of Glass to see the beautiful original works of art by more than 200 emerging and established artists. From jewelry and accessories to home decor, the Shops’ selection of 15,000 items offers a piece at every price point.
Glenn H. Curtiss Museum
Those who consider motorcycles, bicycles, boats, and aircraft art, must visit the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum in Hammondsport, New York. Here, you’ll experience a priceless collection of artifacts and learn the history of the “Father of Naval Aviation,” and the “Fastest Man on Earth,” local legend Glenn H. Curtiss.
Art Galleries
If you want to take some art home visit one of these art galleries.
West End Gallery
On Market Street in Corning, New York you’ll find the West End Gallery. For over 40 years this family-owned and operated gallery has featured a diverse selection of fine art created by more than 50 exceptional professional artists, primarily residing in the beautiful Finger Lakes region!
Aroma Coffee Art Gallery
At Aroma Coffee Art Gallery in Hammondsport, New York their vision is to create an environment to feed the mind, body, and soul. This art gallery accomplishes this by serving breakfast, lunch, and early dinner to guests six days a week.
Sommerville Pottery
If you’re looking for hand-made pottery head to Sommerville Pottery in Pulteney, New York. From bowls and plates to lamps and toothbrush holders, you’ll find pieces that are both beautiful and practical. Classes in pottery can also be arranged. With more than 25 years of experience, pieces from Sommerville Pottery are designed, hand-thrown, glazed, and fired in their studio on the West side of Keuka Lake.
Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar
Upon entering Carol’s Coffee and Art Bar in Owego, New York a few things are apparent, they love food, they love coffee and they love art! Every month you can be inspired and discover new local talent as they update the gallery. You’ll even be able to see some of Carol’s personal work.
Do It Yourself
We’ve mentioned the pottery-making classes at Sommerville Pottery and glass-making workshops at Corning Museum of Glass. If getting your hands dirty sounds like a good time, here are a few more DIY classes and workshops to choose from.
Hands-On Glass Studio
Corning, New York is known as x so it should come as no surprise that Corning has lots of glassy places to visit, shop, and create custom glass art. At the Hands-On Glass Studio, your girl gang can experience glass-blowing creating keepsake ornaments and paperweights.
KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab
Get crafty at the KIDS ROCKWELL Art Lab, an interactive family studio just around the corner from The Rockwell Museum. All activities at the Art Lab are inspired by the art and themes of The Rockwell Museum!
Vitrix Hot Glass Studio
If you’d rather shop, visit the Vitrix Hot Glass Studio located in the historic Hawkes Crystal building. Unlike many studios, you’re invited to watch these artists at work. Then head to the gallery and shop for items like vases, ornaments, and perfume bottles.
Pop & Paint
For over a decade Pop & Paint has offered a special space where creative types. From wooden signs and décor to more, this mobile paint studio offers public and private paint parties for all ages on-site or at Ill Eagle Taphouse in Elmira, New York.
Art Festivals & Events
Elmira Street Painting Festival
The Elmira Street Painting Festival is a family fun festival hosted by Elmira Downtown Development every July to celebrate the rich local arts community. Stroll through our historic downtown and masterpieces evolving right before your eyes as artists take to the streets with chalk in hand. Local and regional artists use the pavement as a canvas to transform downtown Elmira streets. The streets become a living art gallery.
Browse the fine regional crafts and artwork of numerous vendors. Sample the varied tastes of local restaurants, step into a pop-up gallery, move to the rhythm of live music. Personal squares are also available for those who are interested in creating a masterpiece.
There’s also a Kid’s Kanvas area where aspiring young artists can be creative. In addition, there will be face-painting, ice cream, popcorn, and many other kid’s activities for them to enjoy. Come for the day or the weekend!
Keuka Art Festival
The Keuka Arts Festival is a fine art and skilled craft show held annually on the second weekend in June, in Penn Yan, New York. The mission is to foster community in the Keuka Lake area and promote the nurturing and financial support of the local Arts. By presenting an event of high quality, original artwork, and entertainment for the enjoyment of Keuka Lake area residents and visitors.
Palettes of Keuka
Since 2007 Palettes of Keuka (PKAT) scholarship has celebrated the beauty of Keuka Lake through the talented work of local artists. This Chamber-funded event raises funds to donate to a student of Hammondsport High School who is pursuing art education.
When traveling around Seneca Lake and toward neighboring Keuka Lake, you will surely come upon the Village of Dundee, NY, and the nearby hamlet of Himrod, NY. Here are a few interesting facts about Dundee, a worthy stop during your travels around Finger Lakes Wine Country:
- Formerly known as Harpending’s Corners, the Village held a contest in the mid-1800s in search of a new name. Dundee, the name of a Scottish hymn and a much larger city in Scotland, won out.
- While Seneca Lake is often the main attraction, Big Stream, a stream flowing through the village, is a popular spot for seasonal fishing.
- The Village of Dundee was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2007 and is home to over 78 contributing buildings and six contributing objects in the historic core of Dundee.
Stays that Call Back to Old New York
1897 Beekman House Bed & Breakfast is a beautifully restored Victorian manor in the heart of Dundee. The house retains many of its original features, from the pocket doors to stained glass windows and grand staircase, transporting guests back to the beauty of the Victorian age.
Back-Achers Campsite is a private campground facility located on beautiful Seneca Lake with private lake frontage. They offer cottage rentals, RV hookups, and tent camping. In addition, they provide boat hoist rentals and three of their cottages feature a dock for personal use.
The historic Inn at Miles Wine Cellars is a Greek Revival mansion located along the shores of Seneca Lake. Guests can choose from two newly furnished rooms, William Miles Suite and Drake’s Landing, making this the perfect getaway for a romantic retreat or relaxing vacation. Don’t miss out on the wine and signature cocktail experience offered by Miles, which can be enjoyed, space and weather permitting, on their dock, which is also accessible by boat.
For a quintessential Wine Country experience, book your stay at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars. Wake up to a beautiful sunrise overlooking lush vineyards and sparkling Seneca Lake. Dine at Veraisons Restaurant right on premise, and no stay at Glenora is complete without a visit to their tasting room to enjoy their award-winning wines.
Experience Wine Country Farm-to-Table
Dean Lane is a three-generation family farm operated by Chef Michael and Lisa Dean. The Dean Lane dining experience consists of an intimate, prix-fixed, four-course farm dinner of seasonal, locally-sourced menu items served with the best local wine, beer, and cider. Guests can extend their experience with a stay at their B&B, located on the family farm.
Sapalta offers a wonderful locally-sourced menu that changes with the seasons and is paired with local wine from local winemakers and tastemakers. Weather permitting, reserve a table outside to enjoy beautiful views of Seneca Lake. Guests can also book a stay at the newly-renovated Plum Point Lodge on the same lakeside property.
Driving through hungry or planning a lakeside picnic? Make sure to stop at Dutch Kuntry Store. What started in 1999 as a small, family-run bulk food store offering discount and bulk grocery items is now a market with a full-service deli, fresh meat market, fresh produce, and all your grocery needs for your stay in Finger Lakes Wine Country.
Stop by and enjoy a bite to eat at FLX Wienery right on State Route 14 in Dundee. We guarantee you’ll have a great time and be satisfied with the quality of food and drink they offer. Their pet-friendly patio is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a cold drink and their upscale fair food, featuring an array of gourmet burgers, hot dogs, sausages, and french fries. Don’t forget to check out their large selection of beer and wine.
Start Your Winery Tours Here
Tabora Farm and Winery offers a wine portfolio focusing on native and hybrid varieties and, more recently, has expanded on Vinifera plantings in their beautiful, welcoming tasting room. Their winemaker’s approach consists of minimal intervention and pristine, traditional winemaking practices. All of Tabora’s wines are 100% estate grown, harvested, and produced from 200+ acres of vines. Tabora is also a popular destination for home-crafted baked goods and delicious fresh salads, sandwiches, and more.
World-class wines await you at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. The team at Wiemer offers wine by the glass and bottle, as well as the option to design your own flight and mix and match carafes of wine with your friends and family. Choose from Wiemer’s full menu of wines and enhance your wine knowledge as their Wine Educators guide you through your tasting experience.
McGregor Vineyards is one of the oldest wineries in the Finger Lakes, featuring estate-grown and bottled Vinifera wines. The ambiance is friendly and experienced. Enjoy a selected series of wine pairings with a seated tasting and a small plate of cheese, pesto, and chocolate. Dogs are welcome at McGregor Vineyards.
More Fun Activities
Enjoy seasonal fruits and vegetables and some zen time surrounded by flowers at LaBarr Farms. Shop their small roadside farmstand, or, when in season, hand-pick your favorite blooms or select the perfect produce to enjoy back home.
Sweet Farm was founded in Half Moon Bay, CA in 2015. After the California wildfires and drought became too real of a threat to the farm, they became the next in a growing community of climate refugees and relocated their 120+ farm animals to climate-stable Finger Lakes Wine Country. Their new farm is over 50 acres, and has allowed them to expand their programs and reach, while providing a safe and loving home to their Sweet Farm Animal Ambassadors. Visit their website for tour information.
Tin Barn Brewing was founded in 2015 in the Hudson Valley of New York as a farm brewery with a focus on some of the juiciest Hazy IPA’s in the northeast. In 2022, Tin Barn’s Finger Lakes location opened in Dundee. A perfect stop for good food, great beer, and a stunning view. Tin Barn is proudly female owned and operated.
Have the need for speed? Check out Outlaw Speedway for a fast-paced, unpredictable, dirt track racing experience. Enjoy Friday night racing from April through October, perfect for the whole family.
Visiting during fall harvest season? Make sure to visit Fulkerson Winery for their U-pick experience! Guests can pick grapes and apples, and, when in season, there are also cherries, asparagus, and more. Complete your visit in their tasting room with a glass of wine (or non-alcoholic grape juice made right at the farm).
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Vineyard Inn and Suites is located in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine country, just minutes from The Windmill Farm & Craft Market. Our hotel has been awarded the highest accolades for cleanliness standards and customer service, providing you with a stay marked by excellence and comfort.
Surrounded by over 200 wineries, breweries, and distilleries, our hotel offers the perfect base for your wine country adventures. Enjoy our state-of-the-art amenities, including a heated indoor pool and spa, a 24/7 fitness center equipped with a Peloton bike, and a complimentary full hot breakfast each morning.
Experience the best of Finger Lakes hospitality when you stay at the BEST WESTERN PLUS Vineyard Inn and Suites.
Visit Two Museums & Save
| Visitor | Daily Admission at Rockwell | Daily Admission @ Corning Museum Of Glass | Combination Ticket Admission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adults; 18 to 61 | $12 | $22 | $30.30 |
| Adults; 62+ | $11 | $18.70 | $28.15 |
| AAA and Military* | $11 | $18.70 | $28.15 |
| College students with ID | $6 | $17 | $28.15 |
| Local Residents with ID** | $6 | $11 | $16 |
| Kids & Teens under 17 | FREE | FREE | FREE |
J.R. Dill features small batch wines with focus on dry reds, but we have options for everyone.
Drawing inspiration from Peter’s family’s time-honored winemaking traditions and Ashlee’s deep-rooted connection to the region, Weis Vineyards produces exquisitely handcrafted wines that showcase the exceptional terroir of the Finger Lakes. With meticulous attention to detail and an unwavering commitment to quality, each bottle is crafted to be savored by all who seek a truly remarkable wine experience. Discover why we were named New York State’s Winery of the Year in 2022 and 2024!
Our cozy 30 room Inn provides amazing views of Seneca Lake from every room, while Veraisons Restaurant delights guests with a wide variety of vegan options, all set against the backdrop of beautiful scenery and rich history.
Come experience the excellence of Glenora Wine Cellars: Winery | Inn | Restaurant
As one of the best wine regions in the nation, there’s an unlimited amount of fun activities to enjoy in Finger Lakes Wine Country.
That’s why we’re focusing on the ones that won’t break the bank. This list of free things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country includes activities for the entire family and is a great starting point for visitors and residents building an itinerary.
What Can You Do For Free in FLWC?
Go For a Hike
The Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum in Elmira, New York offers free access to over 10 miles of hiking trails, exhibits, and programs on environmental education. It houses over 40 live animals, both native and exotic. Tanglewood Nature Center is committed to local preservation efforts. The trails here offer hiking year-round and winter activities including cross-country skiing which allow you to experience the natural beauty of the Chemung Valley.
The Keuka Outlet Trail starts in the small town of Penn Yan and has more than seven miles of scenic trails, perfect for cycling, running, or leisurely walks. Along the way you’ll find Seneca Mills Falls and the Cascade Mills Falls In the winter snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are very popular here.
For scenic, wooded hiking trails head to Italy Hill State Forest in Branchport, New York, or trek along an abandoned railroad path from Montour Falls to Horseheads on the Catharine Valley Trail. The Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector, New York has over 30 miles of interconnecting trails that traverse gorges, ravines, pastures, and woodlands. It’s the only National Forest in New York State and is another great location for snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing during the winter.
Stroll through one of our charming Small Towns
Finger Lakes Wine Country has many charming small towns to visit during your trip. You’ll find antique centers and vintage stores everywhere, which is great for window shoppers, vintage lovers, and collectors. Be sure to read some of our guides to a few of our featured small towns, including Corning, Owego, Hammondsport, Watkins Glen, Penn Yan, and Elmira.
Go Bird Watching
Our natural landscapes are a haven for wildlife and natural habitats, including great bird-watching opportunities. In the spring, birders can find great blue heron, sandhill crane, osprey, snow geese, wild turkeys, many species of songbirds, and even bald eagles.
Some great places to visit for bird watching include Cold Brook Wildlife Management Area in Hammondsport, Urbana State Forest and Italy Hill State Forest off of Keuka Lake, Tanglewood Nature Center in Elmira, Brick Pond wetlands in Owego, Spencer Crest Nature Center in Corning, and the Finger Lakes National Forest between Seneca Lake and Cayuga Lake.
Visit Farmer’s Markets
Finger Lakes Wine Country boasts some of the best farmland in the state, so finding the freshest produce of the season, handicrafts, baked goods, local ingredients, pantry items, and seasonings is easy to do at a local Farmers Market.
From season markets to year-round farm stores here you’ll find something for every season. For over 35 years Windmill Farm & Craft Market in Penn Yan, New York has been offering food, produce, and handicrafts on Saturdays, from April through mid-December. With over 200 vendors Windmill Farm & Craft Market is the largest of the farmers markets in Finger Lakes Wine Country.
Go For a Drive
One of the best ways to see the sweeping views the region is famous for is a scenic drive. The most well-known scenic drive in Finger Lakes Wine Country is the Seneca Lake Scenic Byway running along the east side of Seneca Lake. You’ll be passing wineries, cideries, distilleries, breweries, restaurants, and farms. Most of which are great places to catch one of our stunning Finger Lakes sunsets overlooking Seneca Lake. Learn more about our local scenic drives.
Take a Dip
During the warmer months of summer, the best way to cool off is to enjoy a day at the lake swimming, paddling, or kayaking. There are several beaches for swimming in the region, including Champlin Beach in Hammondsport, New York, and the shores at Keuka Lake State Park in Penn Yan. Along with hiking trails and picnic areas, there is no shortage of lake activities to enjoy at Keuka Lake State Park. Keuka Lake is one of the warmer water lakes in the region.
Clute Memorial Park in Watkins Glen has a scenic swimming beach on Seneca Lake. Seneca Lake is not only the largest of the Finger Lakes it’s also the deepest lake within New York State.
Chase Waterfalls
Visiting the region’s iconic waterfalls is a quintessential part of the Finger Lakes Wine Country experience. Our region has a reputation for having over 50 waterfalls which are a visual delight waiting to be explored. Walking through Watkins Glen State Park you can enjoy an enchanting hike through the two-mile Gorge Trail, which boasts 19 cascading waterfalls.
Let our Finger Lakes Wine Country Waterfall Guide lead you to the gorgeous waterscapes of Finger Lakes Wine Country.
With over 120 wineries in Finger Lakes Wine Country, how do you choose which ones to visit? What should you be prepared for when visiting a winery? What should you expect and plan for during a day of wine tasting? And when is the best time to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country?
How Do You Get Around?
While wine tasting, a designated driver is a must. If you decide to taste wine and get behind the wheel, be sure to spit the wine out into the dump buckets that are provided at each winery. Another great option is hiring a transportation company for a worry-free day.
Which Wineries Should I Visit?
With so many to choose from, how do you know which ones are right for you? First, plan on visiting just two to three wineries in any given day. Plan for time to become familiar with the wines and enjoy your tasting. Many wineries have great gift shops and cafes to explore. And make sure to allow time for travel between wineries. In order to decide what wineries you want to visit, a little research is necessary. Do you like whites or reds? Sweet or dry? Are you interested in fruit wine or ice wine? With so many options, it can become overwhelming, but rest assured, the information is out there for you to familiarize yourself with. Start by going through our list of wineries in the region. Decide which region you want to visit or variety you’d like to taste and you’ll have your wine tasting itinerary in no time!
When is the Best Time of Year to Visit?
Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York is a year-round destination. During the summer and fall, the wineries are the busiest, as this is peak travel season but is also a great time of year in the Finger Lakes. However, during the off-season of winter and spring, your wine tasting experience is likely to be more personal and comfortable. It is these months of the year when you are likely to speak with the owners and winemakers themselves in the tasting room. Each season has its perks. Be sure to take into consideration what you would like to do during your visit outside of wine tasting: boating and swimming? Leaf peeping and harvest festivals? Skiing and snowshoeing? Considering all of the Finger Lakes activities available should give you a great idea of when is right for your visit to Finger Lakes Wine Country.
When are the Wineries Open?
In the summer and fall most of the wineries in the Finger Lakes are open seven days a week. During late/fall early winter and spring it is important that you confirm each winery’s hours as some have more limited tasting room hours, especially during the week. It is most common for wineries to open 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and close around 5:00 p.m. each day, including Sunday. Again in the summer, some wineries extend their hours to accommodate the increased number of visitors.
Do I need to make a reservation?
In most cases, yes. It’s best to visit the winery’s website or give them a call to see if they require or suggest reservations. Most wineries offer seated tasting experiences with a flight of wine and some offer snacks or small bites to enjoy with your wine. Some wineries will do their best to accommodate walk-in visitors, but to ensure you have a spot, reservations are your best option. If you’re traveling in a group of six or more, reservations are almost always required.
Don’t Forget Lunch
Before your day of wine tasting, be sure to have a full breakfast. This will not only give you the energy you need to make it through the day, it will make wine tasting easier and more enjoyable. For lunch, many of the wineries have areas for picnicking that offer breathtaking views of the lakes and countryside. Pick up some sandwiches at a café or deli in town and select a bottle of wine to enjoy while taking in the surrounding beauty of the Finger Lakes. There are also many wineries with restaurants and local restaurants in town to choose from. Check out great restaurants in our region.
Hydrate!
This may seem like a given, but it is so important to drink plenty of water while touring the wineries or any of our wonderful craft beverage establishments. We promise you’ll have more fun if you feel better and hydration is key to ensuring you feel your best.
Where Should I Stay?
Finger Lakes Wine Country offers a variety of lodging options to suit every person and budget. From luxury hotels to campgrounds, there really is something for everyone. Accommodations can be researched ahead of time in our accommodation database. Options include:
- Charming bed and breakfasts
- Hotels, motels, & inns
- Family-friendly or romantic cottages by the lake for vacation rentals
- Campgrounds & cabins
Experience the Essence of Wine with the Seven S’s of Wine Tasting
- SEE the wine: the color, the clarity, and intensity.
- SWIRL the glass to release the aromas.
- SMELL the wine. This begins your tasting experience; discover the qualities and aromas of the wine like spicy, nutty, fruity, floral, or anything else you can use to describe what you are experiencing. There is not right or wrong answer.
- SIP the wine. Take a small amount of the wine in your mouth along with a small bit of air, almost slurping the wine in – this will aerate the wine further releasing more aromas onto your palate.
- SAVOR the wine. Swish the wine around, hitting every part of your mouth.
- SPIT/SWALLOW the wine. It is perfectly acceptable to utilize the spit buckets, especially when you are driving from winery to winery.
- SCORE the wine. Create your own scoring system and take notes. This reflects your personal experience of the wine, keep a wine journal that you can take with you to the gift shop after your tasting or to the wine store at home in the future to make your purchasing choice easy.
When you’re shopping for a great wine and cheese pairing, the quest to match the right bottle with the right wheel to enjoy together can feel like a guessing game.
Sure, there are a few standard guidelines you can follow—like serving wines and cheeses with similar intensities together. A light, crisp pour of Pinot Grigio and a fresh, citrusy goat’s cheese complement each other well, and a brawny blue wedge may need a bigger-bodied red to match its pungency, for example.
Sometimes, opposite flavor profiles attract, as when a sweet, boozy sip of port or vin santo tames that same bold, salty blue. And when in doubt, choosing a cheese and a wine from the same region is often a good move. But even with these guidelines in mind, the decision sometimes feels like a shot in the dark.
Here’s one tip from a professional: Don’t stress about choosing the “correct” pairing, because the right pairing is the one you enjoy. When we get away from that black-and-white, right-or-wrong mindset, pairing becomes more of an exploration of flavor, of your own likes and dislikes. Enjoying good food and drink is supposed to be fun, after all.
That said, a great way to discover new wine and cheese pairings—and learn more about how our favorite flavors change and evolve when combined—is to start with a few versatile bottles. Styles often described as “food friendly,” like these three fantastic Finger Lakes varieties, can be your go-to for pairing not just for a single cheese, but for handful of styles with contrasting textures and flavor profiles.
You can still anchor your selections with those handy guidelines, as I’ve done here. But pairing a bottle with a whole board rather than just one wedge can illuminate your understanding of how quality cheese and fine wine play together.
Use these pairings as the starting point for a delicious cheese board for your next no-cook weeknight dinner, at-home happy hour, or holiday meal. Pair these wines and cheeses one-on-one, then try each sip with a few different styles. You’ll learn a lot more about pairing wine and cheese—and your own palate—that way.
Pairing 1
The Wine: Glenora Wine Cellars Blanc de Blanc
The Cheese: St. Stephan, Four Fat Fowl
St. Stephen, a pillowy cow’s milk triple-crème from New York’s Hudson Valley, needs something bone-dry and bubbly to stand up to its silky, creamy texture. Effervescent varieties like this Blanc de Blanc from the sparkling wine specialists at Glenora cleanse the palate between bites of luscious bloomy rind cheeses like this one.
Serve this celebratory pairing with sweet treats like fresh berries, squares of dark chocolate, or a drizzle of spring wildflower honey. Pop that bottle to kick off your holiday feast, or save this decadent combination for midnight on New Year’s Eve.
Pairing 2
The Wine: Wagner Vineyards Pinot Noir
The Cheese: Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Uplands Cheese Company
Medium-bodied reds—think Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Noir, like this vibrant vintage from Wagner Vineyards—are another versatile option to pair with savory foods from roasted mushrooms to wild game. For this reason, they’re also a match with long-aged, umami-rich cheeses like Pleasant Ridge Reserve, Wisconsin’s answer to the vaunted varieties of the Alps. It’s made only in summer months, when the cows are grazing fresh, verdant pastures.
Pleasant Ridge Reserve is renowned for its deep, complex flavor: the sweetness of that summer milk, nuts and roasted meat, and fruity, floral endnotes. This bright-tasting bottle is the perfect sip to bring out that sought-after fruitiness in the cheese. Taste them together with accompaniments that will amplify the cheese’s multidimensional flavor, like walnuts, slices of prosciutto, and dried tart cherries.
Pairing 3
The Wine: Ravines Wine Cellars Argetsinger Riesling
The Cheese: Saint Agur, Savencia Fromage & Dairy
When tasting through a selection of cheeses, it’s a good idea to save the most intensely flavored wheels for last. Produced by century-old French maker Savencia, Saint Agur has a rich, buttery flavor and pleasantly peppery finish. With such a creamy, spreadable texture, it might as well be dessert.
Some may consider pairing white wine and blue cheese unorthodox. But a dry Riesling like this one from Ravines, made with fruit grown on the long-established vines at Argetsinger Vineyard, can be just the thing to marry with a milder, more approachable blue cheese like this one.
Remember that rule about pairing blue cheeses with sweet beverages? That still holds true, but the “sweetness” that comes through in this dry Riesling isn’t residual sugar. It’s citrusy, floral flavor of the fruit. With a bright acidity and grounding minerality, this bottle makes a compelling match for this lush cow’s milk blue. Contrast the cheese’s salt-forward profile with the warm, round sweetness of fresh Fuyu persimmon and the nutty, caramelized crunch of candied pecans.
I hope I’ve inspired you to pick up a bottle of your favorite Finger Lakes wine, grab a few quality artisan wedges from your favorite cheese counter or farmers’ market, and explore some new flavor profiles. It’s the best—and most delicious—way to develop your palate and discover amazing new combinations. Cheers!