East coasters might not have Napa and Sonoma at their fingertips, but just a few hours’ drive upstate – or a quick flight up to Syracuse or Rochester – the Finger Lakes is a wine escape that’s often overlooked. Named for the eleven lakes that make up its surroundings, the region’s cool climate lends itself to ideal winemaking conditions. The area is home to over 140 wineries and a bevy of farm-to-table restaurants that incorporate the local agriculture, not to mention a number of beautiful boutique hotels with chic spa and wellness services.
When you’re not sipping on a Riesling or a Cab Franc, here’s what to do and see.
Where To Wine and Dine
With a growing reputation for world-class wines, the Finger Lakes is home to several can’t-miss wineries. The best-known is Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery on Keuka Lake, home to the excellent Eugenia Dry Riesling and the Old Vines Pinot Noir, among others. Also worth a visit are Hearts & Hands Wine Company, Ravines Wine Cellars, and Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard.
Unsurprisingly, the region’s wine reputation has led to several top chefs coming to town, including former New York City chef Jeff Monsour at Main Deck, Orlando Rodriguez at Graft Wine + Cider Bar, and Christopher Bates and Isabel Bogadtke at F.L.X. Table, a James Beard Award semifinalist.
Where To Stay
Miles away from New York City, you might not expect this region to be a hospitality hotbed. But travelers might be surprised to find that the Finger Lakes is home to some of the state’s most beautiful boutique hotels. For lakeside luxury, The Lake House on Canandaigua is a family-owned property with a Napa-meets-Cape Cod atmosphere. Dedicated to sustainability, its lively restaurants – Rose Tavern and Sand Bar – both highlight local ingredients, and the daily tours of its beautiful garden are not to be missed.
Owned by Pleasant Rowland, best known as the creator of the American Girl dolls, The Inns of Aurora is one of the country’s most elegant boutique hotels. Curated with antiques and contemporary art, the property is located in postcard-worthy Aurora, New York, on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. A true aesthetic wonderland, fans of the legendary ceramics brand MacKenzie-Childs should keep their eyes peeled for the hotel’s tiling and tableware (the brand is also owned by Rowland).
Where To Play
