Grape Geography
The heat-trapping properties of the Finger Lakes and their valleys make for relatively stable temperatures and an extended growing season. Most of the area's wineries are perched on the valley slopes above the lakes, where fertile soil and favorable air movement produce some of the best grapes in the United States.
There are almost one hundred wineries dotting the hills surrounding the Finger Lakes (http://www.fingerlakeswin...). Their reputation grows each year, as travel writers and wine connoisseurs alike discover the area in ever-expanding numbers. Finger Lakes wineries utilize a wide variety of grapes, but the area's Rieslings turn out especially well; they can compete with the best of Germany's products.
Also not to be missed are the region's many ice wines. Made from grapes harvested while frozen, the local ice wines benefit from upstate New York's harsh winter weather.
If you're just starting out exploring the Finger Lakes wine area, an excellent first stop is the New York Wine & Culinary Center (http://nywcc.com) in Canandaigua. The Center has an array of wine tastings and instructional programs, and also features other gastronomic delights from throughout Western New York.
The Cayuga Wine Trail has a flavorful and educational tour every spring featuring herbs and food at each wine tasting stop. The Seneca Wine Trail is the most active of the wine trails, boasting the biggest lake, most reputable wineries, and most activities.
Individual wineries vary in the number of amenities available. Most have tastings, of course, but many go beyond that; you'll find tours of the fields and bottling areas, gift shops, and sometimes cafes or restaurants.
One of the most award-winning of the individual wineries is Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars (http://www.drfrankwines.com) in Hammondsport. Other popular wineries are Bully Hill Winery (http://www.bullyhill.com) in Hammondsport and Fox Run Vineyards (http://www.foxrunvineyards.com) in Penn Yan.
Of course, if you can't get to the wineries themselves, countless restaurants throughout Western New York have local wines on their wine lists.
