Great Times on the NYS Winery Trail
Wine tasting at Weis Vineyards
Written and sponsored by New York State Counties.
Indulge in a Memorable Journey through the Picturesque Keuka Lake Wine Trail in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate NY
Offering breathtaking views, world-class wines, and unique tasting rooms, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail is a haven for wine novices to enthusiasts. Keuka Lake is a true gem of the Finger Lakes—an area you don’t want to miss when visiting.
The summer season boasts long days, beautiful nights, and endless things to do—but don’t be deterred from visiting any time of year!
Unlock a world of flavors, styles, and experiences along the way with the Keuka Lake Wine Trail Tasting Passport. This pass is all digital, and the most convenient way to visit the member wineries of the trail. Pass holders are granted access to a tasting experience at each winery, as well as exclusive discounts on wine and merchandise. Simply purchase your pass and redeem at your leisure. The pass doesn’t expire until the end of the year, so you don’t have to use it right away.
Additionally, many wineries host special events, such as live music, food and wine pairings, happy hours, and educational opportunities. For wine lovers and travel enthusiasts of all ages, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail is a must-visit destination this summer.
For more information, visit www.keukawinetrail.com.
Keuka Lake. Image courtesy Ravines Wine Cellars
Redefining How Good Wine Can Be
There’s something incredibly rewarding, if not a bit ironic, about being the place where one of the world’s premier wine regions got its start nearly 200 years ago, and still being under the radar. Of course, while being the place where it all started is certainly significant, being the place where grape growers and winemakers continue to raise the bar on just how good wine can be—well, that’s the sort of secret that’s worth sharing with the rest of the world. The sort of discovery everyone who enjoys wine deserves to experience for themselves.
The small town of Hammondsport, which sits quietly at the southern tip of the most unusual of all the Finger Lakes, is where the first winery in the region was founded in 1860, and where, seven years later, it became the first American winery to win awards in Europe for sparkling wine. In that same small town, about 100 years later, Dr. Konstantin Frank disproved the long-standing and previously insurmountable belief that the delicate Vinifera grapes used to make world-class wines could not be grown in the Eastern United States. As a result, he forever changed winemaking in the region and beyond.
And it’s in Hammondsport, today, where you’ll find third, fourth, and fifth-generation winemakers carrying on that same won’t-be-denied determination, as well as the next generation of award-winning winemakers who have helped establish the Finger Lakes with connoisseurs, sommeliers and wine writers as one of the Top 10 Wine Destinations of the world.
Here’s just a glimpse of recent acclaim in Hammondsport:
• New York State’s “Winery of the Year” for 2022 — Weis Vineyards
• New York State’s “Best Pink Wine” for 2022 — Weis Vineyards
• New York State’s “Best White Wine” for 2022 — Weis Vineyards
• New York State’s “Best Red Wine” for 2022 — Keuka Lake Vineyards
• New York State’s “Best Sparkling Wine” for 2022 — Dr. Frank’s Winery
• “Best Winery Tour in US for 2022” — Dr. Frank’s Winery
• “Top 100 Wineries” in the World for 2022 — Ravines Wine Cellars
• “100 Best Wines in the World” for 2022 — Heron Hill Winery
Visit Hammondsport and discover for yourself why the Finger Lakes has been garnering a reputation as the country’s premiere cold-climate wine region and one of the world’s greatest Riesling regions, helping New York ascend from simply being one of the largest wine producing states in the country to one of the very best.
Visit ExploreSteuben.com to learn more.