The Ideal First Timer’s Guide to the Finger Lakes

This post was updated February 26th, 2024

Oh how I love the Finger Lakes. With stunning scenery, beautiful lakes, and of course, endless wineries to sip from, what’s not to love? 

A little fun story for you – when I was a little girl growing up in South Carolina, I was enchanted by  a book about a winemaker in the Finger Lakes. The area sounded so idyllic and I imagined what it would be like to visit. As I’d never heard of the region before, I assumed it was a fictitious setting, made just for the book. Imagine my surprise when I moved to the northeast as an adult and learned that the very Finger Lakes I had read about as a girl was actually a real area! 

As you can imagine, I am absolutely in love with the Finger Lakes wine region and I know you will be too. Here’s the ideal first timer’s guide to the Finger Lakes to help you get a taste of what the area has to offer.

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Why Visit the Finger Lakes?

You can find the Finger Lakes in upstate New York. It’s a region that encompasses over 9,000 square miles. It’s one of my favorite parts of the United States and for good reason because it truly offers so much to see and do. 

The lakes themselves are beautiful and you can easily spend an afternoon sipping a glass of wine while enjoying a beautiful view. Though I’ve only visited in the spring and fall, I can imagine that there would be no better way to spend a warm summer day. 

There are also plenty of hiking trails, gorges, and waterfalls. You can spend so much time here surrounded by the serenity of nature. 

And, of course, the region is also famous for producing top-quality wines. Trying wineries along the Finger Lakes wine trail is likely the main reason you’ll check out this area. 

There are eleven lakes but three of them are the most well known for wine – Cayuga Lake, Seneca Lake, and Keuka Lake. 

What wines are the Finger Lakes known for?

You’ll find award-winning wines across 120 wineries in this region. Don’t worry, if you’re anything like me and you feel like you’re going to panic at the thought of narrowing down 100+ wineries to decide which ones to visit, I got you. I have a list of my favorites later on in this post. 

Given the cool climate of the area, the area is really known for its white wines, especially Riesling and Gewurztraminer. You can also find Chardonnay and Pinot Gris and red wines such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. 

If you’re into sweet wines, you’ll also find that some wineries make ice wines, a type of wine that originated in Germany and Austria. This wine is a dessert wine that is made from grapes that have been frozen while still on the vine. 

How to get around the Finger Lakes

The easiest and best way to get around the Finger Lakes is by renting a car (or bringing your own). Just be sure you have a designated driver within your group and drive responsibly. 

If you don’t want to drive yourself (which I totally get), there are a few transportation companies in the Finger Lakes that can do private tours. A few options are PALS Wine Tours, Wine Wagen Tours, and Finger Lakes Limo.

You can also talk to your hotel for recommendations on transportation services. 

Where to stay in the Finger Lakes

Ithaca

Located at the edge of Cayuga Lake and a short drive from a majority of the wineries, Ithaca is a great home base for your visit to the Finger Lakes. 

A great option is to stay at the Firelight Camps. These luxury safari tents were the perfect base for our trip to the Finger Lakes. We had the King tent with our own private balcony and I easily could have spent all my days here. There’s nothing like waking up to views of the woods and the serene sound of nature. I couldn’t recommend this glamping stay enough!

Not keen on glamping? Here are a few more options:

1. La Tourelle Hotel & Spa – serene location near hiking trails. Beautiful rooms and a full service spa
2. Argos Inn – housed in a historic building with a lovely bar serving up cocktails. If you love boutique hotels and inns, this is a great place for you
3. New Park Venue & Suites – idyllic countryside location. Close enough to the city but far enough to feel secluded and serene. Rooms are absolutely stunning and cozy

Watkins Glen

Located at the base of Seneca Lake, Watkins Glen is another ideal spot to base yourself for your trip to the Finger Lakes.

A few options for you:

1. Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel – A beautiful property with a fantastic location and stunning views. What’s not to love?
2. Lakeside Resort – Perfect if you want to lean into the lake vibes. This resort has lake views, hiking trails, and a restaurant on site
3. Hudson Manor Bed & Breakfast – Great B&B in an ideal location. Friendly and knowledgeable owners

Seneca Falls

If you’re planning on visiting the wineries along the Cayuga Wine Trail or the Seneca Lake Wine trail, Seneca Falls is another great area to stay in. 

The cozy Barrister’s Bed & Breakfast is a perfect option if you love a good B&B. This spot is known for their multi course breakfast and impeccable attention to detail

Where to stay with a large group

We stayed at this Airbnb for my birthday and it was absolutely incredible. The house is stunning with plenty of room for at least 16 people, a wood fire pizza oven, and so much more! 

It’s also located on a massive property with private hiking trails so you can easily spend hours just walking around.

Best Finger Lakes Wineries

Okay, let’s get to the drinking part of this post: the best wineries to visit in the Finger Lakes. 

A few things to note:

1. Even if you’re just wine tasting solo or with one other person, it’s a good idea to just double check to see if you need reservations. Check the winery’s website or give them a quick call
2. If you’re a large group (6 or more) you will more than likely need a reservation. Some wineries don’t allow really large groups so be sure to check this in advance so you don’t end up disappointed!
3. Most wineries offer a seated tasting experience and some include some light bites but don’t forget to plan a lunch stop (recommendations below) or you may find yourself a bit drunker than you anticipated (this has totally never happened to me…)

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Hickory Hollow Wine Cellars

This winery focuses on dry wines and you can taste wines in their tasting room or outside on their deck. 

This was our first stop in the Finger Lakes and what a stop it was. Nathan, the winemaker, is absurdly talented and it was so hard to choose a favorite. Not usually a fan of Cabernet Franc? Try it at this winery because I guarantee you’ll change your mind. Definitely one of the better Cabernet Francs I’ve tried.

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

Hermann J. Wiemer has gained national and international recognition for not only the quality of its wines but also its growing practices. 

The winery was the ideal introduction to sparkling wine in the area and that’s what we focused our tasting on. Not a fan of sparkling wine? Don’t worry they have plenty of other wines for you to try. 

The outdoor seating area was right next to the vines which made it the perfect place to sit and stay awhile. 

I originally visited during the COVID-19 pandemic so I did not get to tour their production facilities but I believe the tasting area is housed in the facilities so you get the opportunity to taste while you see the winemaking process in action.

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars

Open year-round the Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars boasts wines that express the cool-climate of the region. 

Another winery where it was hard to pick a favorite (seeing a theme here?). I recommend getting a flight and tasting as many wines as you can!

Cayuga Lake

Sheldrake Point Winery

To say I fell in love with this winery would be an understatement. This is a must stop on your trip to the Finger Lakes. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable and you’ll have a chance to try some really eclectic wines. I recommend trying as many as possible but be sure not to miss the Ice Wine (a sweet wine) and the Gamay Noir.

Lucas Vineyards

Not only is this winery woman founded and owned, it’s also the first winery to exist on Cayuga Lake. It’s easily a must stop on your trip. 

Be sure to try as many as their wines as possible and check out their Nautie Wines collection which are equally as delicious as they are fun

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery

Easily my favorite of the Keuka Lake wineries. This winery went above and beyond for my birthday and even arranged a custom tasting for my group. We loved every bit of this experience and it was some of the best wines I’ve tried in the Finger Lakes. 

My favorite wine from them is their Rkatsiteli. We all had to purchase a few bottles to take with us. 

Stever Hill Vineyards

This family owned winery features an extensive selection with dry, semi-dry, and sweet wines. 

My favorite thing about this vineyard is that you can do a wine and chocolate pairing or a wine and cheese pairing. If you’re looking for a tasting that incorporates food, this is a great winery to check out.

Other wineries on my list that I didn’t make it to

Of course, every time I visit a wine region there are plenty of wineries that I have on my list that I don’t get a chance to make it to. 

Here are just a couple of the many wineries I didn’t get a chance to try:

1. Pleasant Valley Wine: This is the oldest winery in all of the Finger Lakes, established in 1860. The winery has an old-world ambiance about it from its stone buildings to the original equipment of the winery
2. Keuka Spring Vineyards: With a hillside tasting room, you can taste wines while taking in the view of Keuka Lake. They also offer a wide selection of both non vegan and vegan wines

Best Restaurants in the Finger Lakes

Knapp Winery

This is an absolute must stop for lunch. Not only are their wines perfect to go along with your lunch but their food is to die for. I highly recommend FLX poutine, roasted beet & chevre flatbread, and knapp burger. You will not be disappointed.

Seneca Sunrise Coffee

Seneca Sunrise Coffee is an artisan coffee roaster in the Finger Lakes. This is the perfect place to stop and get some caffeine in between wineries. We had a chance to chat with the owner who shared their grand visions for the future and we can’t wait to continue to follow their journey! Be sure to try their beetroot latte. I still crave it.

Tabora Farm and Winery

This was a happy little find in between wineries. I highly recommend stopping here to grab a sandwich, their mac and cheese, and some dessert before continuing on your way to the next tasting.

Things to do in the Finger Lakes Besides Drinking Wine

Nothing.

Just kidding. There’s plenty to do.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park

Did you know that Seneca Falls is known as the “birthplace of women’s rights”? Yup. It was in this tiny town where the first women’s right convention was held in 1848. 

The park celebrates that historic event while simultaneously reminding its visitors that there is still work to be done for women’s rights today. 

Kayak on the Lake

Why not get out on the lake during your trip? If you need a break from wine tasting, grab a kayak or a stand up paddle board and enjoy the beautiful waters. 

You can head to Summit to Stream Adventures for rentals. 

Hot Air Balloon Ride over Canandaigua Lake

We sadly didn’t get a chance to do this because the weather was bad during our visit. This would be a wonderful way to see the scenic rolling hills and lake from the sky.  

Watkins Glen State Park

This is truly a must visit in the Finger Lakes. The park features a series of waterfalls and gorges. We did the Gorge Trail and Indian Trail Loop which closes seasonally so make sure it’s open before planning your trip.

This is such an easy hike and oh so worth it. The trail is absolutely stunning and you are hiking along the gorge the entire way. You also get to see different waterfalls and if you visit in the fall, the foliage is also lovely.

Cascadilla Gorge Trail

The Cascadilla Gorge Trail connects downtown Ithaca with the Cornell Campus among one of the most picturesque gorges in the Finger Lakes Region. Sadly, I didn’t get to make it on this trip but it’s definitely on my list for the next one!

Bottom Line

Wine enthusiasts look no further than New York state for your next wine adventure. The Finger Lakes boasts a long history of producing different grape varieties and quality wine. 

Not a fan of wine? We can’t be friends. Just kidding. Kind of. 

Even if you’re not a fan of wine, there is still plenty to do in the region from hikes to hot air balloon rides.

This beginner’s guide to the Finger Lakes is perfect for everything you need to know to ensure you have a fantastic trip! 

Tried a winery and loved it or have other recommendations for readers? 

Be sure to comment and let me know!

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