I LOVE NY: A taste of New York State’s wine regions 

With rolling vineyards, charming small towns, farm-to-table dining and award-winning wineries, it offers the perfect escape for travellers looking for something a little different.

Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or simply enjoy discovering local food and drink while travelling, New York State delivers a surprisingly diverse and sophisticated wine experience.

Home to more than 35,000 acres of vineyards, the state is renowned for its cool-climate wines. From Long Island to Niagara Falls, producers offer varietals from elegant reds to world-class Rieslings.

Alongside the wine scene, visitors can also enjoy thriving craft breweries, cideries and distilleries, making it an ideal destination for a gourmet getaway.

Whether you’re sipping Riesling beside a glacial lake in the Finger Lakes, enjoying a vineyard picnic in the Hudson Valley or discovering boutique wineries near Niagara Falls, this diverse destination offers a wine experience to rival some of the world’s better-known regions.

Here’s a flavour of what lies in store for anyone wanting to explore New York State’s vineyards, along with its wider food and drink scene.

Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley holds a special place in American wine history as one of the country’s first wine-producing regions. Today, its landscape is dotted with family-run wineries, craft breweries, cideries and distilleries, all making the most of the area’s rich agricultural heritage.

Altamont Vineyard & Winery sits on a picturesque 26-acre site in Upstate New York and produces distinctive wines from vines first planted by local pioneer Larry Grossi before being revived by the DiCrescenzo family in 2006.

Benmarl Winery, set in the rolling hills of Marlboro and spanning 37 acres, is known for its small-batch approach and commitment to expressing the unique qualities of each vineyard site. During the summer months, visitors can enjoy lively events including rosé celebrations and sangria festivals, creating a relaxed and sociable atmosphere ideal for holidaymakers.

For a taste of history, visitors should also make time for Brotherhood Winery in Washingtonville. Established in 1839, it is America’s oldest operating winery and has played an important role in shaping the country’s wine industry. Touring its historic cellars offers a fascinating insight into nearly two centuries of winemaking tradition.

The region’s dramatic geography and unique microclimate, shaped by the Hudson River and surrounding mountains, contribute to its growing reputation for quality wines and help newer producers such as Fjord Vineyards create elegant wines that reflect the character of the landscape.

Finger Lakes

Regularly ranked among the USA’s top wine regions, the Finger Lakes combines stunning lakeside scenery with more than 140 wineries and a collection of renowned wine trails. The region’s success is largely due to its unique geography.

Formed by glaciers during the Ice Age, the deep lakes help regulate temperatures throughout the year by absorbing heat during the day and releasing it overnight. This moderates the climate, extends the growing season and protects vines from frost.

The steep hillsides provide excellent drainage and plenty of sunshine, while the mineral-rich soils and the lakes’ moderating influence create ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes. This unique combination of terroir and cool climate has helped make the Finger Lakes one of the USA’s leading wine regions, particularly renowned for its crisp Rieslings and aromatic wines.

The Finger Lakes features several wine trails, each offering a mix of tastings and food-pairing events throughout the year, from cheese and chocolate to barbecue and seasonal harvest celebrations.

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail is known for award-winning wineries, while the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, the oldest organised wine trail in the USA, offers a wide range of wines from bold reds to dessert styles, and the Canandaigue Lake Wine Trail makes for a lovely day trip excursion.

For a more intimate experience, the Keuka Lake Wine Trail is home to six family-run wineries known for their warm hospitality and well-balanced wines.

Nearby Syracuse, the gateway to the Finger Lakes, and Rochester are ideal bases for exploring the region. With a thriving food scene, stylish bars and a growing craft drinks culture, Rochester is packed with independent restaurants and local producers, making it well worth including in any itinerary.

Buffalo and Niagara Falls

Buffalo has undergone a remarkable transformation in recent years, emerging as one of New York State’s most exciting cultural and culinary destinations. Revitalised neighbourhoods, a redeveloped waterfront and a flourishing craft drinks scene have given the city new energy and appeal.

The surrounding region is also home to two impressive wine trails. To the south lies Lake Erie Wine Country, while the Niagara Wine Trail stretches north towards Niagara Falls.

Thanks to Lake Erie, Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment, the area benefits from ideal conditions for grape growing.

Niagara Falls is also emerging as a must-visit wine destination, with its cool climate and rolling countryside creating ideal conditions for winemaking and a distinctive terroir suitable for a wide range of grape varieties.

Since the Niagara Escarpment was granted official American Viticultural Area status in 2005, the region has flourished, with wineries, breweries and cideries producing everything from classic table wines to sweet late-harvest and ice wines.

For visitors seeking a wine holiday with a difference, New York State offers a compelling and diverse blend of exceptional wines, spectacular scenery and authentic local experiences that reflect its history and landscapes.

LINKS:

For more information visit www.iloveny.com

Trips Beyond: www.tripsbeyond.co.uk (call 0800 270 0094)

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