Food & Drink

WINTER WINES & FINGER LAKES FOOD

It would seem as though "hibernation season" is the perfect time to indulge our sense of taste. On the heels of the fall harvest, eating and drinking your way through the Finger Lakes vibrant food scene is one of the best ways to experience the region without braving the elements.

If there’s one thing the Finger Lakes are known for, it’s our remarkable food and wine. Some say that New York’s Finger Lakes are an unlikely place to cultivate delicious varietals, but we’d tell you otherwise! In fact, New York is the country’s third-largest wineproducing state: its pure, sparkling glacial lakes and its gentle hillsides have their own micro-climate, ideal for growing grapes. You'll find 140 wineries in the region, each with a unique style and selection of wines. The Finger Lakes are well-known for producing delicious Rieslings, but visitors to the area find that the region produces a wide assortment of delicious and complex wines – dry, sweet, white, red, sparkling, dessert, and everything in between. Feeling lost? Schedule a wine-tasting class during your visit and learn the ropes from a professional.

A trip focused on wine is made even more entertaining when you follow a wine trail. Take a day to follow these trails, stopping at wineries along each one. Cayuga, Seneca, Canandaigua, and Keuka Lake each have a wine trail of their own, and there are plenty of others to help connect the dots along the way. Hire a guide or travel safely with a designated driver, and enjoy!

Getting crafty

If you’re giddy about our wine, you’ll be blown away by the rest of the craft beverage scene in the Finger Lakes. The Finger Lakes are booming with warm, welcoming, and up-and-coming breweries, cideries, and distilleries. Friendly purveyors and their teams greet you with a smile and serve brews crafted in small batches, with a whole lot of heart. Many of these watering holes also serve up local specialties and spectacular views of the lakes at the same time. Check out the Finger Lakes Cider Trail as a starting point.

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Feasting in the FLX

Looking for a meal in the Finger Lakes? You’ll find yourself pleasantly overwhelmed with choices, from fine dining and upscale farm-to-table eateries, to global cuisine, to cozy local joints focused on seasonal ingredients. This range of options allows for a multitude of experiences, with room for both the white tie celebration or cocktail party and the jaunt through town, familiarizing yourself with local specialties, and new go-to dishes. Take a chef-lead cooking class at a culinary center, hire a private chef to help you explore the flavors of the area, or embark on a Finger Lakes Food tour for a guided adventure. The Finger Lakes even has it's own "Cheese Trail," linking a dozen family-run dairy farms to sample from.

Locally-sourced produce and homemade goods run rampant in the Finger Lakes all year round. You can find farmers’ markets in most Finger Lakes towns, with tasty treats like pies, jams and jellies, and local meats for sale. Stroll the Geneva Winter Market, and visit the Finger Lakes Visitor Center for a focus on local fare.

New York State is also the second largest maple syrup provider in the country. Tap into the growing industry in late winter to learn how it’s made while enjoying endless pancakes.

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2023