The Finger Lakes Wine Region

Located in the heart of New York’s scenic Finger Lakes region, the Finger Lakes wine country is centered around four main lakes with Native American names: Canandaigua (“The Chosen Spot” or “The Chosen Place”), Keuka (“Canoe Landing” or “Crooked Lake”), Seneca (“Place of the Stone”), and Cayuga (“Boat Landing”) with the latter two also recognized as separate viticultural areas due to their unique grape-growing conditions.

Some of the newest growth in this region, however, is coming around the “Little Lakes” – Conesus (“Always Beautiful”), and Hemlock (the only lake named for European settlers) found in the west.

The smaller lakes in the east – Owasco (“Floating Bridge” or “Crossing Place”), Cazenovia (“Lake of the yellow perch “), and Skaneateles (“Long Lake”) are also seeing wineries open in their vicinity.

This region specializes in Sparkling Wines, Riesling, Pinot Noir and Ice Wine, and is also known for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc, as well as several French-American and Native American varietals.

Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake are also recognized as separate AVA’s within the Finger Lakes AVA. More information about AVA’s can be found in the New York Wine Course and Reference.