Vineyards are welcoming visitors again across Upstate
By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
As New York’s attractions continue to slowly reopen and return, many wine tours and tasting rooms are ready to welcome tourists. More than 300 wineries dot the state among specific grape growing regions, including those on the wine trails, and independent wineries and tasting rooms.
To plan a wine tasting day, select the region where you want to explore. Many B&Bs and other places of lodging offer discount packages with wineries for easy getaways. Peruse organization sites to settle on a region (see below) and within that region, choose what sites pique your interest. Some of the wine regions offer far too many sites to take in over a weekend.
Not all wineries offer tasting rooms, so if you like to try before you buy, it pays to visit each winery’s website. Usually, the social media page is updated more often. The sites also specify if the site would prefer cash or card and other points of interest nearby.
Bring along some snacks and water or plan to stop for food as you tour. Some wineries also serve food. Although wine tasting doesn’t always include swallowing, eating food and drinking water as you tour will help your body absorb alcohol more slowly.
Plan to see a natural wonder or historic site or shop at some local stores along the way. That helps you get in touch with the local flavor of the region and support small businesses.
Designate a driver who will not imbibe or hire a driver or tour to ensure that you will not be impaired as you enjoy the vino.
Quick Guide to NYS Vineyards
Seneca Lake Wine Trail
29 wineries in Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Yates counties, https://senecalakewine.com
Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail
22 miles in Monroe and Ontario counties, www.canandaigualakewinetrail.com
Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail
Locations throughout Albany and Columbia counties, www.facebook.com/Hudson-Berkshire-Beverage-Trail
Adirondack Coast Wine Trail
33 miles through Clinton County, featuring six wineries, http://adkcoastwine.com
Niagara Wine Trail
Various locations in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties, https://niagarawinetrail.org.
Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
17 stops in Cayuga County forming the first wine trail in America, www.cayugawinetrail.com.
Keuka Lake Wine Trail
Seven wineries between Steuben and Yates counties, www.keukawinetrail.com.
Lake Erie Wine Country
20 sites in Chautauqua County, www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.
Lake Ontario Wine Trail
Monroe, Oswego, Wayne counties, www.lakeontariowinetrail.com.
Dutchess Wine Trail
Three wineries in Dutchess County, www.dutchesswinetrail.com.
Upper Hudson Wine Trail
Albany, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington counties, www.uhwt.wine.
1000 Islands – Seaway Wine Trail
78 miles in Jefferson County, www.tiswinetrail.com.
Looking for more information?
New York Wine & Grape Foundation, Penn Yan —
https://newyorkwines.org
Finger Lakes Wine Center, Canandaigua —
www.sonnenberg.org/wine-center
To search for wineries by name or region —
www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/food/wineries.
Photo: Atwater Estate Vineyards is a family-owned winery located on eighty scenic acres on the eastern side of Seneca Lake.