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Feature
Article:
Favorites
from The Finger Lakes
In early July, we made our first (and long-awaited) trip to the Finger
Lakes region of New York. Although we couldn't visit every winery in the
three days we were there, we did manage to visit 24 of them. There are so
many marvelous things happening in this area that I wanted to share some
of my favorite experiences from our journey.
Most
Interesting Tasting Room: Miles Wine Cellars.
The tasting room at Miles Wine Cellars is located in their 1802 Greek
Revival home which sits directly on the shore of Seneca Lake. It has a
haunted past, which I read about on their website before our visit. I
emerged from the tasting room with quite an eerie feeling.
Most
Beautiful Tasting Room: Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars. The Greek
Revival building which houses this winery's tasting room is absolutely
magnificent. From a distance it beckons you to come inside. When you step
in, the high ceilings and airy feeling take your breath away.
Favorite
Accommodations: The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars. This is where
we stayed and every time we mentioned to someone where we were
staying...they said we had booked the best accommodations in the Finger
Lakes region. I certainly believe they were right. Glenora offers
beautiful spacious rooms, a large deck or patio on every room complete
with a view of Seneca Lake and the surrounding vineyards, champagne
check-in, a free bottle of wine in your room, free after-dinner port,
on-site winery and restaurant (that also serves breakfast). We couldn't
have asked for more.
Favorite
Wine Tasting Experience: Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars. When
you visit Dr. Frank's, you are ushered in to your own personal host or
hostess and you have their undivided attention during your entire tasting.
Our hostess helped us select which wines to sample and she was very
knowledgeable about the wines, the winery and the area. We were not rushed
and were able to ask questions...and we received informed answers.
Favorite
Restaurant: The Restaurant at Bully Hill Vineyards.
The food here was extraordinary.
I highly recommend the portabella mushroom stuffed with crabmeat and
topped with sea scallops. A delight for your taste buds!
Favorite
Wine: Bandit Red from Torrey Ridge Winery.
I tasted many exceptional wines while in the Finger Lakes, but this
semi-sweet Baco Noir won my heart. I wish I had purchased several more
bottles of it, because I'll probably end up ordering some online within a
few months.
Winery
with my Favorite Fruit Wines: Earle Estates Meadery.
I know this winery is best known
for its honey wines...but their fruit wines are spectacular. All are made
from 100% of the fruit and taste so fresh. Favorite
Port:
Glenora Wine Cellars. Aged in French Oak...this Port is a blend
of Cabernet Sauvignon and Baco Noir and has a wonderful raspberry
flavor. Favorite
Winery
Gift Shop: Fulkerson Winery. I spent more time in this gift
shop than I did sampling their wines. There were so many interesting
things to look at. Best
View:
Thirsty Owl Wine Company. When you first pull into the drive,
the view of the Thirsty Owl tasting room along the shore of Cayuga Lake is
breathtaking.
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