ONE LOOK AT A MAP OF upstate New York quickly explains how the Finger Lakes earned their name. The long, narrow lakes resemble the grooves of a hand, an image Native Americans used when describing the region’s waterways. Geologists offer a different origin story, but the poetic name endured.
Today the Finger Lakes are best known for wine, particularly Riesling, though plantings of Cabernet Franc, Pinot Noir and other varieties have grown in recent decades. The area’s cool climate and lake-moderated growing conditions create distinctive, award-winning wines.
The idea of cultivating grapes here dates back centuries. When the Italian explorer Giovanni Verrazano first saw wild grapes along these shores in the early 1500s, he suggested planting vineyards. However, it wasn’t until the mid-1800s that growers were able to produce wine consistently through the region’s harsh winters. Commercial production expanded significantly in the late 20th century, and a boom of new wineries in the 1980s helped raise both output and quality.
Today the Finger Lakes AVA (American Viticultural Area) encompasses roughly 11,000 acres of vineyards, and its wines regularly earn national and international recognition. Many wineries are small, family-owned operations, each with a distinct personality and reason to visit—making the region ideal for groups of friends seeking a relaxed getaway.
Organized wine trails make it easy to plan circuits around the major lakes—Canandaigua, Keuka, Seneca and Cayuga—linking tasting rooms and other local attractions. Trails often include nearby craft breweries, cideries and distilleries, reflecting the region’s growing craft beverage scene. Visitors can learn about wine pairings, watch production demonstrations, stroll vineyards, picnic on lakefront terraces and enjoy live music in tasting rooms.
Tasting venues range from renovated barns and historic Greek Revival homes to contemporary spaces inspired by pubs and bistros. For example, Moore Winery in Naples emphasizes sustainability in both vineyard practices and its tasting room, while Arbor Hill Grapery, also in Naples, complements its wines with a broad selection of local foods and gift baskets.
Americana Vineyards pairs wine with local specialties, producing a variety of fudges and serving lunch at its Crystal Lake Café, plus hosting live music on Fridays and Sundays. Barnstormer Winery on Seneca Lake offers live music year-round in its tasting room. Goose Watch Winery produces less common Finger Lakes varieties such as Aromella, Viognier and Pinot Grigio, and Knapp Winery in Romulus crafts méthode Champenoise sparkling wines and operates a restaurant that hosts monthly wine-pairing dinners.
Montezuma Winery began with honey wines and now produces both fruit and grape wines. Varick Winery in Romulus manages a cherry orchard and sells house-made fruit jellies in its tasting room. Casa Larga Vineyards brings an Italian influence to the region, producing ice wines and sparkling wines alongside more traditional styles.
Belhurst Castle exterior © BELHURST CASTLE
Belhurst Castle, a grand stone landmark on Seneca Lake dating to the 1880s, houses Belhurst Estate Winery along with two restaurants, a hotel and a spa. Several other wineries provide on-site lodging or guestrooms, and a handful operate restaurants—though many dining rooms close by early evening.
The New York Wine and Culinary Center celebrates the state’s agricultural bounty with a blend of tasting rooms, demonstration kitchens and a boutique focused on local food and wine. The center’s schedule includes classes and demonstrations covering wine and beer pairings and hands-on cooking lessons from pasta-making to sushi rolling.
If no one in your group wants to serve as designated driver, there are multiple alternatives. Organized tour companies offer scheduled and private winery tours, while limo and chauffeured services can create customized itineraries. Main Street Designated Drivers & Wine Tours provides professional drivers who will chauffeur your own vehicle, and Water to Wine Tours runs daily five-hour boat tours that combine scenic lake travel with winery visits departing from Interlaken and Aurora.
Seneca Indian elm bark longhouse at Ganondagan State Historic Site © STILLMAN ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY
Beyond wineries, the Finger Lakes region offers abundant outdoor and cultural activities. Stock up for a picnic at a farm stand, then explore more than 2,000 miles of hiking and biking trails that open onto dramatic lake overlooks, waterfalls and gorges. Watkins Glen State Park is a highlight: a two-mile trail winds past 19 waterfalls and stunning rock formations.
History is everywhere, with sites dating back to the 1600s. Ganondagan State Historic Site features a full-sized replica of a Seneca longhouse furnished with period implements. Seneca Falls, the birthplace of the 1848 women’s rights convention, is home to the Women’s Rights National Historical Park and the National Women’s Hall of Fame—important stops for anyone interested in American history and social reform.
Finger Lakes Info to Go
The region is served by two nearby airports: Syracuse Hancock International and Rochester International. Limousine and transfer services provide convenient rides to lodging and wineries, though renting a car remains the most flexible way to explore the area at your own pace.
Where to Stay in the Finger Lakes
BELHURST CASTLE CHAMBERS HOTEL Antiques and fine art furnish this historic stone castle overlooking Seneca Lake. Guests can enjoy complimentary pours from the estate’s wine spigot. 4069 West Lake Road, Geneva $$$$
THE INN AT GLENORA WINE CELLARS Rooms feature Stickley furniture and private balconies with vineyard and lake views; guests receive a complimentary bottle of wine and winery tastings. 5435 N.Y. Route 14, Dundee $$$
THE INN AT VARICK WINERY & VINEYARD An 1833 stone farmhouse with sweeping views over Cayuga Lake, surrounded by vineyards and orchards; guests are treated to complimentary afternoon hors d’oeuvres and wine. 5102 N.Y. Route 89, Romulus $$$$
Restaurants in the Finger Lakes
GENEVA ON THE LAKE Candlelit dinners with live music on the terrace in summer or elegant dining indoors at this villa overlooking the lake. 1001 Lochland Road, Geneva $$$$
THE UPSTAIRS BISTRO Located at the New York Wine & Culinary Center, this bistro focuses on local ingredients and seasonal preparations. 800 S. Main St., Canandaigua $$
VERAISONS RESTAURANT The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars emphasizes local terroir for its menu; meats, produce and cheeses are sourced from nearby farms. 5435 N.Y. Route 14, Dundee $$$