I'm not drinking any merlot!

July 27, 2006 8:41 AM

Looking for New York State Wine Tasting Suggestions

After having a fantastic time at a winery in Napa Valley on vacation a few weeks ago (If you are ever there - I highly suggest the Rubicon Estate Winery) Some friends and I would like a similar experience on the East Side of the Country.

We live in New York City and are looking for wineries that have tastings. We want to make a day trip of it, so I guess the closer to the city the better.

Any wineries that you loved? Any to avoid like the plague?

We don't mind paying for tastings and we would prefer something not too crowded with a knowledgable staff.

If time of year is important - we are thinking of making our first trip in late September / Early October.

Thanks.

posted by Julnyes to travel & transportation (8 comments total)

I don't have a specific winery, but I thought I might tip you off to the "Finger Lakes" region of New York. The height of their tourist season is Sept/Oct because of the beautifulFall scenery. Plus, the lakes are known for their wineries. Spent two years living up there and it is a beautiful place.
posted by theantikitty at 8:49 AM on July 27, 2006

Well, a bit of a jaunt from NYC, but the wineries/vineyards of Long Island's North Fork offer tours and tastings.
posted by ericb at 8:58 AM on July 27, 2006

Oncork New York's website is a great resource.

BTW -- Vintage New York (two shops: 2492 Broadway and 482 Broome St.) sells only wines from New York state. I recommend a visit -- and a chat with the helpful staff there for other ideas and suggestions.
posted by ericb at 9:04 AM on July 27, 2006

Finger Lakes Wine Tours. I've never been wine tasting, but I've visited Six Mile Creek Vineyard and it looked nice.
posted by bitpart at 9:43 AM on July 27, 2006

If you end up considering something a bit further and longer, consider the Niagara region of Ontario. Dozens of good wineries, picturesque Niagara-on-the-Lake, and you can even plan in a side trip to see Niagara Falls.

The wine festival is held in late September, and you could even take in some theatre at the Shaw Festival.
posted by mendel at 9:44 AM on July 27, 2006

Another vote for the North Fork!
posted by billtron at 9:37 PM on July 27, 2006

The Finger Lakes are a great weekend trip from NYC, a little long for a day trip (about 4 hours one way).

There are tons of vineyards in the area, but I don't know which are best.

Lots of pretty countryside, beautiful lake views, nice small towns (Ithaca, Skaneateles) to walk around in, cozy B&Bs. Ithaca is the town I know best; it has really incredible waterfalls and woodsy trails; a great farmer's market on Saturday and Sunday; a central pedestrian mall with art shops, boutiques, pubs; several high-end restaurants; Cornell University with it beautiful campus and amazing view of Lake Cayuga (there's a great view from 5th floor of Cornell art museum). All the towns in that area have good antiquing.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:00 PM on July 27, 2006

Thanks for giving me some areas to look at. Finger Lakes seems like the place for me to start digging around.
posted by Julnyes at 11:36 AM on July 28, 2006