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Wineries in the FINGER LAKES
Today close to 100 vineyards carpet the hillsides of the Finger Lakes while just a handful of vineyards existed in the Finger Lakes in the early 1960s. And finally Finger Lakes wines are being recognized as standing with the best in the world
The majority of wineries are sprawled on the hillsides of three lakes: Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka. More are huddled around the southern end of Canandaigua, and within the past two years, several acres of land on the west shores of Skaneateles have been planted with grapes (see related story). Three new vineyards have recently been established on Seneca Lake and Ravines Wine Cellars, a boutique winery on the eastern slopes of Keuka Lake is producing elegant European-style wines.
A must-visit is the New York Wine and Culinary Center in Canandaigua. This handsome facility which highlights wines and agricultural products from the state, contains tasting rooms, dining rooms for small private parties, a restaurant with a deck overlooking the water, a culinary kitchen where classes are taught, gift shop, culinary garden, and history exhibits.
Finger Lakes vineyards are typically owned and run by families whose roots are sunk deep here. Often their families and ancestors were farmers who sent their children to college to study marketing, business, agriculture, and viniculture. After obtaining their degrees, these sons and daughters have returned, armed with new knowledge of how to use the land to build a first-class winemaking business.
Whereas the Finger Lakes region is best known for its white wines, in particular Rieslings, reds like Fox Run’s Cabernet Sauvignon, and Hazlitt’s, Hosmer’s, and Lakewood’s Cabernet Franc are becoming prominent. In four recent international and national wine competitions, 25 Finger Lakes wineries took gold medals for close to 60 wines.
The Finger Lake Book features mor than 50 wineries.
For more information........ purchase.
The Finger Lakes Book, the area's first and only comprehensive guide.
Jim Nocek, Anyela's co-owner, and his daughter, Meredith
New vineyard thrives on Skaneateles Lake
Skaneateles finally has its first commercial vineyard and winery, Anyelaís Vineyards. Sitting high above the lake on West Lake Road, the winery is housed in a handsome timber and stone building with a large patio, dining room with fireplace, wine cellar and tasting room.
One of our favorite things to do is to sit on their patio as the sun starts to go down, and sip one of their wines, perhaps a semi-dry Riesling or a Pinot Noir accompanied by a selection of cheeses and fruits. Owned by the Nocek family with roots in Eastern Europe, Ayelasís was first planted in 2001 and now has three vintages in development.
One of our favorites is their Avail, a pleasing blend of 40% Rieslings, 25% Cayuga White and 35% Chardonnay. It's a good buy at around $15.
Anyelaís is the venue for a number of weddings, wine dinners, private parties, concerts and other events during the year with the gazebo being a particularly popular site to tie the knot.
Unique to area vineyard, Anyelaís extensive gardens are planted with organic vegetables. Bring your basket and fill it with fresh produce in season like lettuce, squash, herbs, mesclun,† spinach, radishes, snap peas and tomatoes. Along with your produce, Anyelaís chef will include a recipes and wine pairing suggestions.
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315--685-3797;† www.anyelasvineyards.com; 2433 West Lake Road, Skaneateles, NY
Wine Trails
Four of the lake areas, Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka, and Canandaigua, have established wine trails, with maps and listings of the participating wineries. All sponsor wine-related events.
Cayuga Wine Trail www.cayugawinetrail.com
800-684-5217.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail/Seneca Lake Winery Association: www.senecalakewine.com
877-536-2717, 607-535-8080.
Keuka Lake Wine Trail: www.keukawinetrail.com
800-440-4898.
Canandaigua Wine: www.canandaiguawinetrailonline.com,
877-386-4669
More information: www.fingerlakeswinecountry.com