Fall is the most popular time of year to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country and it's no wonder why. The fall foliage is some of the most gorgeous in the country. Rolling hills and even the vast landscape of vineyards become speckled with rich red, orange, and gold.
The fall also means harvest time in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Take part in harvest festivals where you can pick, sample and buy the freshest Finger Lakes produce and even take part in grape stomping. U-pick farms are a wonderful way to spend time with the family. The Finger Lakes offers a variety of locations to pick apples, berries, pumpkins and a plethora of other fruits and vegetables. Finger Lakes Wine Country, is the ultimate destination for fall fun!
Harvest time in Finger Lakes Wine Country begins with the first crushing of the grapes usually in mid-August. Depending on the weather and fruit quality, harvest can continue into November and even December and January for the prized Ice Wines. Fall is one of the most exciting times of the year to visit the region's many family-owned wineries. See first hand the grapes being harvested both by hand and machine from the vineyards and brought in for the big crush. To begin your grape harvest experience, click here to discover the complete list of the wineries in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Get great wine tasting tips and enjoy tasting world-class Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir, and many other award-winning varietals. And remember to keep your eyes and mouth open for one of the region's legendary grape pies!
Locally harvested produce is one of the main attractions during fall in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Take a bite into a freshly picked apple when hiking through the orchards or carve the perfect jack-o-lantern from the pumpkin you picked in the pumpkin patch. There are multiple U-Pick farms that allow you to do the work, or if you’d rather just do some sampling, visit a Farmers Market.
The use of local food in the restaurants is very important for the chefs in Finger Lakes Wine Country. Fall is a wonderful time to taste the local flavors of the region. Enjoy the region's rich agricultural resources through seasonal menus, wine pairings, and special event offerings.
Pumpkins aren’t only in the patches this year in Finger Lakes Wine Country, there is also the Glass Harvest at the Corning Museum of Glass. To make this event even more exciting, the talented gaffers at the Museum have created the world’s largest blown-glass pumpkin. Make your own glass pumpkin while visiting the museum in a Make Your Own Glass workshop. For further information on the world’s largest glass pumpkin and making your own glass pumpkin, visit CMOG.org.
Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin at The Corning Museum of Glass, through December 1. More
Fall is a beautiful time of year to bring the family to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country. More
