How to Visit New York Wineries

Before booking your trip to Napa, consider an excursion to New York wine country. Wineries have proliferated in New York since the late 1970s. Today, New York is the third largest wine producer in the U.S. New York wine trails can be found on the shores of the Hudson River, overlooking the pristine New York Finger Lakes, or dotting the seashores of Long Island.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bottled water to drink while driving from one winery to the next
• List of local restaurants
• Notepad to take notes about wines you enjoyed
• Maps of the region you are traveling

1. Determine when you would like to travel. While most New York wineries are open throughout the year, some hotels and restaurants close during the winter months. Summer and autumn are the most popular times to travel.

2. Contact the New York Wine and Grape Federation to obtain maps of the regions and lists of wineries.

3. Select a specific New York wine trail you would like to follow in the region you have chosen. Most of the main regions are divided into specific trails.

4. Identify approximately four wineries you would like to visit each day. Once you have identified the wineries, call them to verify their hours of operation.

5. Locate lodging along the wine trail you have chosen. Book your reservations early. During summer and autumn months, hotels fill up quickly.

6. Make your trip more enjoyable by pacing yourself as you tour wineries. Visit with the staff and owners. Many New York wineries have owners on site.

Tips & Warnings

• Start your wine tasting with white wines and gradually move to heavier red wines. Finish your tasting experience with dessert wines.
• Don't hesitate to pour unwanted wine into a bowl. While New York wine is good, you may not like everything you taste.
• Cleanse your palate to optimize your tasting experience.
• Don't miss the scenery as you tour from one winery to the next.
• Never leave wine you have purchased in a hot car.
• Always choose a designated driver. Even though you think you may not have had a lot to drink, many small tastes can add up.