Finger Lakes Wine Region: A Deep Dive Into America’s Most Underrated Wineries
The Finger Lakes are a collection of 11 lakes created when glaciers from the Ice Age melted over 10,000 years ago. Aside from being one of the most beautiful destinations in upstate New York, it’s deeply historic and criminally underrated unless you’re already aware of how amazing it is.
For example, the fact that the region is one of the most distinctive wine landscapes in the U.S., where glacial lakes, steep slopes, and cold winters somehow work together to make some of the best Riesling on the planet.
Whereas Napa is known for being flashy and even intimidating, the Finger Lakes feel more accessible while focusing on precision, acidity, and balance. In fact, it’s easily the best value in the country for wine tourism.
Let’s dive into what makes this place special, from geology and climate to grapes, sub-regions, culture, and why the Finger Lakes deserve a permanent spot on any serious wine lover’s radar.
How the Finger Lakes Became a Wine Region
I was surprised to discover that the Finger Lakes wine story starts all the way back in the mid-1800s, when the region was already producing wine commercially. To put that into perspective, that was decades before California became the powerhouse it is today.
Unlike most other wine regions in the America’s, the Finger Lakes’ first wineries were often sprouted due to religious communities and immigrants bringing Old World grape knowledge with them.
In the mid-20th century, a Ukrainian viticulturist named Dr. Konstantin Frank, who basically changed American wine history, proved that Vitis vinifera grapes (European varieties like Riesling) could survive cold climates if grafted onto the right rootstocks. That breakthrough unlocked the Finger Lakes’ true potential.
Today, the region has over 130 wineries, most of them small, independent, and focused on quality over scale.
Geography & Climate: Why Lakes Matter
The Finger Lakes region is defined by (as no surprise to anyone) the lakes. The long, narrow, group run north to south, acting as massive climate moderators.
Lake Effect = Survival Mode
The winters here are frigid, but the deep lakes (some over 600 feet deep) store heat and release it slowly, protecting nearby vineyards from extreme temperature swings and deadly frosts. I didn’t even know that was possible, but it was cool to learn about, and it explains how the vineyards continue to flourish here!
This creates:
- Extended growing seasons
- Delayed spring frosts
- Slower, more even ripening
- Bright, natural acidity
Cool-climate grapes thrive under these conditions, while heat-loving varieties aren’t big fans of them. That’s why the Finger Lakes really focus on their whites, and do a great job of it.
Soils & Terroir
The Finger Lakes’ soils are a mix of glacial debris left behind by retreating ice sheets.
Common soil types
- Shale
- Limestone
- Gravel
- Clay
- Silt
Each type of soil carries its own set of unique characteristics that benefit yet affect grapes differently. These well-draining soils put vines into a position to struggle just enough, producing grapes with concentration, acidity, and distinct minerality. Add in steep slopes along the lakes, and you get excellent sun exposure plus air drainage, which is essential in a humid climate.
The AVAs: Small Regions, Big Personalities
The Finger Lakes AVA is large, but the heart of the region lies around a few key lakes, each with its own microclimate and stylistic lean.
Seneca Lake
The heavyweight. It’s the deepest lake, which also equals to the greatest temperature moderation. It absorbs summer heat (aided by the surrounding slopes to provide max sun exposure) and releases it slowly (what I’d mentioned up above).
- Best known for Riesling
- Also strong in Cabernet Franc and Chardonnay
- Many benchmark producers are here
Keuka Lake
The original wine epicenter.
- Cooler, more wind-influenced
- Elegant, mineral-driven whites
- Steep vineyard slopes
Cayuga Lake
Often slightly warmer, Cayuga is also one of the deeper lakes that works to release summer heat.
- More experimental plantings
- Great aromatic whites
- Growing reputation for reds
Canandaigua Lake
Smaller but emerging.
- Boutique producers
- Focus on site-specific wines
Each lake kind of operates like its own ecosystem, which is so cool! You can literally drive 20 minutes, and the wines will significantly change.
The Grapes: Riesling Is the Star, But the Bench Is Deep
Riesling
This is what put the Finger Lakes on the world map, and it makes sense. After all, the conditions found in the Finger Lakes are ideal for it.
Expect:
- Lime, green apple, stone fruit
- Slate and wet-stone minerality
- Ranging from bone-dry to lusciously sweet
- Razor-sharp acidity
Finger Lakes Riesling regularly squares up with German and Alsatian examples, and often wins.
Chardonnay
Lean, cool-climate style.
- Citrus, green apple
- Minimal oak
- Fresh, precise
The Chardonnay found here more closely resembles Chablis energy rather than California butterbomb.
Cabernet Franc
This is the red that thrives the best here.
- Red cherry, raspberry
- Herbal notes
- Medium-bodied
- Fresh acidity
It’s elegant, not heavy, and perfect for cool evenings. I actually suggest this red if you’re typically a white wine lover and want to break into reds that aren’t overwhelming.
Gewürztraminer
Aromatic, floral, spicy, and balances rich fruit with cooler climate acidity.
- Lychee
- Rose petal
- Ginger
The Finger Lakes produce some of the best versions in the U.S, and tend to be full-bodied and textural and sometimes leans more lean and crisp.
Other Standouts
- Pinot Noir (challenging but rapidly gaining recognition here)
- Grüner Veltliner
- Sparkling wine (underrated)
- Ice wine (when winters cooperate)
Wine Style: What Finger Lakes Wines Actually Taste Like
If you had to sum it up in one word: freshness.
Finger Lakes wines are:
- Acid-driven
- Food-friendly
- Lower in alcohol
- Highly expressive of site
What I love about their wines, is that you can find everything perfect from tasting room-quality to more casual options made for the table. They pair wonderfully with seafood, cheese, vegetables, and lighter proteins. They age fantastically (typically), thanks to their naturally high acidity and wonderful flavor development. In fact, some of their Rieslings are capable of aging a whopping 20+ years!
A Day in the Finger Lakes: The Experience Beyond the Glass
The Vibe
Relaxed. Authentic. Zero pretension.
This is wine country where:
- Winemakers often pour their own wines
- Tasting rooms feel homey, like you’re with longtime friends
- You’ll really learn about the wine and everything involved
You’re more likely to hear about soil composition than celebrity sightings, and honestly, that’s a huge part of the charm.
The Landscape
If you’re on the hunt for quieter, but more serene landscapes, Finger Lakes wineries are the place to be. You won’t find these kinds of dramatic gorges alongside stunning water views in any other wine region in the US.
You not only have incredible lake views, but waterfalls, and fall foliage or winter snow views.
Harvest Season: Controlled Chaos
Harvest typically runs from September into October, sometimes even November for late-harvest and ice wines. As the weather can be so extreme in this area, winemakers have to be borderline obsessed over weather forecasts, acidity levels, and sugar balance.
Rain and snow here can be intense, and frost is pretty much always a possibility, which can be very destructive. Essentially, timing is everything and during harvest, there’s always movement happening -tractors trucking around, fermentations bubbling, and cellars running late into the night.
Sustainability & Cold-Climate Grit
Growing grapes here isn’t easy. That’s a huge part of why sustainability is so important.
Many Finger Lakes wineries focus on:
- Sustainable farming practices
- Minimal intervention winemaking
- Native yeast fermentations
- Long-term vineyard health
- Some wineries are almost entirely solar powered
The mindset is resilience over convenience, which lends directly to the climate and environment here.
When to Visit the Finger Lakes
Spring
- Bud break
- Fewer crowds
- Cool, crisp air
Summer
- Vineyard views in full green
- Lake activities
- Peak tasting season
Fall (Best Overall)
- Harvest energy
- Autumn foliage
- Cooler temps
- Cozy vibes
Winter
- Quiet, introspective
- Ice wine season (when conditions align)
- Snowy vineyard views
Each season changes the personality of the region, but fall is pure magic. You won’t find this anywhere else in US wine country during the fall.
Why the Finger Lakes Still Fly Under the Radar
Finger Lakes wineries lack the mainstream marketing you find backing regions like Napa or Sonoma. Not only that, but when most people think of New York, they tend to think just about New York City – not that upstate has a ton of beauty and amazing food and wine to offer.
In addition, the region places more of a focus on the cool-climate varietals it does best (like Riesling and Ice Wine) rather than the bigger appeal stuff.
But among sommeliers and serious wine people? The Finger Lakes are already respected. It’s just taking longer for mainstream recognition to catch up.
The 5 Best Wineries in the Finger Lakes Region
Konstantin Frank Winery
It remains the gold standard for Old World-style wines in the region. Dr. Frank proved back in the 1960s that vinifera grapes could thrive here, and the winery continues that legacy with exceptional Rieslings that show remarkable aging potential. Their Grüner Veltliner is also outstanding—crisp, mineral-driven, and among the best examples you’ll find outside Austria.
Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
They produce some of the most elegant Rieslings in North America. Josef Meier, who trained in the Mosel, crafts wines with precision and restraint. The dry Rieslings have this beautiful tension between fruit and acidity, while their late harvest bottlings are pure liquid gold. They’re also doing interesting work with Chardonnay and sparkling wines.
Ravines Wine Cellars
This is where Morten Hallgren makes wines that feel both European and distinctly Finger Lakes. His dry Rieslings are textured and complex, with real personality. The Argetsinger Vineyard bottling is quite amazing. it has fruit notes that taste just spectacular!
Red Newt Cellars
The winery stands out for their red wine program, which isn’t easy in a cool climate region. Their Cabernet Franc shows what this grape is capable of! It’s got that characteristic herbaceousness but with depth and structure. Their Rieslings are also excellent, ranging from bone-dry to lusciously sweet.
Fox Run Vineyards
They consistently well-made wines across the board. Their Riesling and Gewürztraminer are aromatic and food-friendly, but I’m particularly impressed by their work with Lemberger (Blaufränkisch). It’s a savory, peppery red that pairs beautifully with food and shows the region’s potential beyond white wines.
Final Takeaway: The Finger Lakes Are Quietly Exceptional
The Finger Lakes don’t need to shout about how fantastic they are. Many already recognize the region’s vast beauty and world-class products, and how it’ll reward you with some of the most expressive, honest wines in the country.
If you love wines that feel refreshing, thoughtful, and deeply tied to their environment, the Finger Lakes aren’t just worth visiting – they’re worth revisiting over and over again.
Katarina Jelks is a professionally trained sommelier from Hawaii. She received her Wine & Management Diploma from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. Her experience working across the wine industry, in locations all around the world (France, Australia, New Zealand, the US & more), has resulted in a global perspective. She loves sharing her passion with others and helping them to chase their thirst for interesting wine and great food.