At any time of year , New York wine rural area is full of opportunities to tour , taste and research the country ’s beautiful viticultural , or wine - producing , region . New York ’s wine res publica is expansive and admit vineyard in Long Island , Hudson Valley , the Finger Lakes and Niagara . All severalise , New York wine-colored country cover more than 34,000 acres ( 13,759 hectares ) and include hundreds of winery .
A short trip east of New York City , Long Island is home to the North Fork and Hamptons wine regions . This region is extensive – 120 miles ( 193 kilometers ) long – and the atmosphere can vary from the upscale Hamptons to more hick sphere like Montauk . Most of the area ’s winery are on the far easterly end , in the North and South Forks . Both fork produce a stack of red wines , particularly Bordeaux , thanks to a recollective growing season with warm atmospheric condition that ’s ideal for growing quality red grape .
Also near the city , you could insure out the arcadian Hudson Valley area . know for its stunning view , pocket-size farms and gourmet food , the valley has been home to winemaker as far back as the 1670s . The region boasts a rich chronicle , including " America ’s Oldest Winery " –Brotherhood– install in 1839 . Because the clime in this region is n’t ideal for spring up grape , many winemakers in the Hudson Valley bribe grapes from surrounding region , like Long Island and the Finger Lakes , though there are wine maker like Millbrook that do develop their grapevine in the valley .
identify for the arctic lake throughout the area , the Finger Lakes area is home to wads of wineries . The part is probably best known for its riesling , a white sweet wine-colored , and its ice wines . There ’s more to do in the country than just wine tasting , though . you may hold back out local farmers market and museum , hike or bike through Sugar Hill State Forest , rally horses or lead out on the water to enjoy the Finger Lakes themselves .
Niagara is the youngest wine region in New York . It was n’t an prescribed American Viticultural Area ( AVA ) until later 2005 , and the newly realize area has a handful of major winery , as well as dozens of little wineries in the skirt areas . Because of the chilly temperature in Niagara , its wine maker tend to rivet on ice wine-colored ( wine made from grape that have frozen on the vine ) .
Not only do wine maker in each of these region extend tastings , but you may also have the bounty of wine res publica in a political party atmosphere by checking out some local vino festival . understand on to teach more .
Wine Festivals in New York
Whether you ’re a wine newbie or a veteran sommelier , a wine-coloured festival is a fun room to expand your vino cognition while sampling some great vino . Since New York ’s wine-colored commonwealth is so large , there are festivals year - circle in many dissimilar regions , focusing on everything from different wine varieties to local food and fuddle to winemaking . you could recover wine festivals in New York City and the surrounding regions , or maneuver upstate for a more unsophisticated festival experience .
New York City
While the city is n’t an prescribed AVA , it boasts some well - cognise wine festivals fete the wine of New York state .
In the fall , you may check out theNew York City Wine & Food Festival , which benefits two organizations working to fight hunger in New York and nationwide : Food Bank for New York City and Share Our Strength . Rather than focusing on local wines , this star - studded festival features celebrity chefs and well - do it epicurean like Paula Deen and Martha Stewart , as well as noted wine-colored expert like Anthony Giglio and Mark Oldman .
Long Island
Outside of the city , in Long Island , you’re able to check out theLong Island Wine & Food Festival . The yearly summertime festival features spell and tasting at North Fork vinery , along with local intellectual nourishment pairings and medicine . Long Island ’s wines have a less than stellar reputation , and this fete is a corking chance to see how far the North Fork wineries have come up .
Hudson Valley
At theHudson Valley Wine & Food Fest , you may try out and learn about regional and non - regional wines , taste local food , and polish your culinary skills at one of the cooking demonstrations . fete organizers have alsoteamed up with New York ’s MTAtransit system , so festival departer can travel from the city without a car .
Niagara
The Niagara Wine Trail has frequent wine-colored events , and each summer they present theWine and Culinary Festival . The fete showcases local wine and intellectual nourishment in a relaxed atmosphere . The Artpark , where the fete is located , is right on the beautiful Niagara River .
Finger Lakes
Probably the most well - get laid wine fete in New York is theFinger Lakes Wine Festivalat Watkins Glen . The one-year summertime festival is a three - day political party of tastings and toga . If you ’re traveling with someone who ’s not a wine fancier , they can head down to the Brewer ’s Garden to test out some local beers while you sample wines from more than 80 local vineyards .
afterwards in the summertime , visitAmerica ’s Grape Country Wine Festival , featuring vino from across New York state along with land music from local and interior artist . reckon to try out specific varieties of Finger Lakes wine-coloured ? The fallRiesling Festivalor the winterIce Wine Festivalmay be the effect for you .
If you choose a wine country experience without the fete environment , wine tours might be more up your alley . Up next : turn back out some of the fun room to tour New York ’s wine country .
Wine Tours in New York
Wine tour are a merriment , and often educational , way to research New York vino land . There are wine-coloured spell for every character of traveler – you’re able to get adventurous in a kayak or spicy air balloon , or keep things a little more low - key and travel by car or limo .
A raging air balloon ride is one of the most breathless ways to take in the picturesque wine-colored country scene . company likeLiberty Balloon Co.take you up in the airwave for a guided wine duty tour . you may plunge from wine maker , lakeside , or a local park or bottom - and - breakfast for a unique wine country experience . Remember to dress in level , because balloon rides usually start early in the morning when it ’s chilly , and it warms up while you ’re up in the air .
More active travelers might need to jibe out New York Wine Country by bike or kayak . cyclist can take manoeuvre bike turn between winery , like a tour of North Fork wineries by Adventure Cycles & Sports . bicycle tours often include a child’s play dejeuner along with visits to regional wineries . Many New York State wineries are located near lakes and rivers , so kayak trips are a great way to see the countryside and get a piffling exercise at the same time . You wo n’t see too many rapid in upstate New York , but you will meet beautiful scene , wildlife and , of course of instruction , wine-colored !
look for a more relaxed tripper through vino country ? you’re able to experience the spell of the Finger Lakes without any paddling on a sail . company like Cayuga Lake Cruises take you out on the water where you may revel cocktail and regional food on their ferryboat boats .
A heap or limousine allows you to check out more wine maker while still taking things well-situated . Every area has double-decker and limo tours , so it ’s unspoilt to do some research to find a tour of duty that ’s right for you . enlistment can range from very specialized , private events , like the Hudson Valley Wine Country Bachelorette Wine Tour , to aprofessionally direct lavishness limo tourof Long Island wineries .
Of naturally , you’re able to also rent a car and tour New York wine state on your own . travel solo lets you explore at your own pace . The illusion is to contrive ahead , so that you do n’t expend more prison term on the route than at tastings . You ’ll ask to find wineries you want to visit , and some expanse of New York wine-colored country even havetrip - planning toolson their Web land site to help you create your own customized spell .
For more wine articles , check out the links on the next pageboy .
