The Finger Lakes-'Gateway To American Wines' by Philip S. Kampe

          Finger Lakes- The Gateway to Wine In America

On the spur of the moment, we decided to hop into the car, a 2012 Honda Civic, and drive the three plus hours to the heralded ‘Finger Lakes’, eleven lakes, shaped like fingers, hence the name, The Finger Lakes.

Located in central New York state, somewhere in-between Buffalo and Albany, the Finger Lakes occupy four Interstate 90 exits. Some lakes are as long as 34 miles long, others have a depth of up to 415 feet. The glacier, ice age period in history created what now is a wine destination for the world.

This was our first visit-odd, since we live so close.

My wine history is traced to the close to eight years I lived in Europe, specifically in southern Germany, Nuremberg. No, I wasn’t in the military. I was a high school journalism, photography and movie-making teacher for the high school kids whose parents worked on the base or nearby. Those years were the years where my wine curiosity peaked-a time when you could purchase, what is known today as ‘classic’ wines for affordable prices.

But, when you live in Germany, only German wines are offered for sale in the wine shops and supermarkets. Looking back, that was a perfect solution for a novice wine drinker. Consume what the locals consume and through osmosis, you become the wiser about the styles of wines your adopted country produces. As time went by, we attended harvest parties in the Mosel, drank classic wines in the Ratskellers of quaint villages and had the opportunity to sample wines with high enough residual sugar to turn you into a diabetic.

With that history and fast-forwarding 35 years later, my wine knowledge is finally in full-stride, thanks to workshops, intensive wine seminars and travel to wine destinations worldwide.

Unfortunately, Germany has not been one of those destinations. But, after three full days in the Finger Lakes, why go to Germany? The Finger Lakes has it all….

Not to toot my own horn-but, quite the opposite-I feel like the missed opportunities during the years by not visiting the Finger Lakes years ago will be one of the ten biggest mistakes in my life. Having lived in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, on and off since 1982-and only three plus hours to the Finger Lakes and not visiting was a big mistake.

Being a free spirit and working only for myself-Fabulous Phil’s Gourmet Ice Cream-The Candy People-Board Stiff Snowboard and Skateboard Shop-just to mention a few of my entrepreneurial experiences made me blind to the Gateway to Wine in America-The Finger Lakes.

Now that I have seen the light, it’s time to suggest to you to wake up and visit the Finger Lakes. With an abundance of vineyards, beautiful scenery and people who live their life worshipping their favorite varietals, why not take the plunge?

In a three day, two night visit, we had the chance to visit close to ten vineyards-taste barrel samples, chat with winemakers, see wine cellars and learn what makes this area special. Add great vineyard restaurants to the mix with incredibly positive staff and the opportunity to over sample the wines from vineyard tasting rooms to your bed and breakfast-ours came equipped with a resident winemaker, an acre plot, and a host who seemed to feature ‘social hour’ all day long.

If wine hospitality is what you are looking for-visit the Finger Lakes.

There are over one hundred twenty wineries in the Finger Lakes region. The area is known for ‘cool climate’ wines, focusing on those varietals that survive in cold, long winters. Riesling is one of the varietals that is the superstar of the region, thanks to  its both sweet and dry personalities.  Focusing on stone fruits interpretations has made the regions winemakers ambitious and willing to experiment with other varietals. Some of the wineries are just fun-they provide music, food and a fun loving clientele, while other wineries focus on the art of winemaking. A few do both.

During our life changing visit to the Finger Lakes, I am very happy to suggest that you visit the following vineyards to get a perspective of what the Finger Lakes have to offer. Yes, some vineyards are 45 minutes from the others, but, well worth the drive. Along the way, definitely pop into the numerous restaurants and BBQ mom and pop facilities that offer  the ‘BYOB Finger Lakes’ wine logo, offering no corking fee.

Vineyards to Visit:

                                                          Anthony Road

                                                             Heart & Hands

                                                             Hermann J. Wiemer

 

                                                                Fox Run

                                                      Dr. Konstantine Frank

                                                             Keuka Springs

                                                                  Red Newt

                                                          Shaw Vineyard BYOB

                                                        New Vines Vineyards & B&B    

Anthony Road   1020 Anthony Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527  (315) 536-2182
Heart & Hands   4162 NY-90, Union Springs, NY 13160  (315) 889-8500
Shaw Vineyards  3901 NY-14, Himrod, NY 14837  (607) 243-7000
Hemann J. Wiemer  3962 NY-14, Dundee, NY 14837  (607) 243-7971
Fox Run  670 NY-14, Penn Yan, NY 14527  (315) 536-4616
Dr. Konstantin Frank  9749 Middle Road, Hammondsport, NY 14840 (800) 320-0735
Keuka Springs  243 Route 54, East Lake Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527  (315) 536-3147
Red Newt  3875 Tichenor Road, Hector, NY 14841  (607-546-4100)
New Vines 1138 Travis Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527 (315) 536-4087

Bed & Breakfast suggestion (with an acre vineyard of award winning wines)
New Vines Bed & Breakfast: 1138 Travis Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527  (315) 536-4087)

There are numerous complimentary ‘Wine Trail’ maps, offering a list and a map of where the vineyards are located.

Remember, The Finger Lakes are ‘The Gateway To Wine In America.’

Philip S. Kampe

Philip.kampe@thewinehub.com 

Finger Lakes "New Vines' Vineyard Could Be Your Home Away From Home by Philip S. Kampe

 Seneca Lake 'New Vines' Vineyard is Also a B&B

There are many ingredients that are necessary for a memorable wine vacation. One of those ingredients, possibly the most important, to many, is where you are going to spend the nights while vineyard hunting during the day.

Well, that problem of where to stay and feel welcome has been solved if you visit the Finger Lakes region of central New York state. Logistically, it is a two plus hour drive from Albany, five from Manhattan and five plus from Boston.

The Finger Lakes are named for a series of eleven, long, thin lakes, roughly running from north to south. The lakes shapes reminded early map-makers of human fingers and the name was given to this cluster of lakes. The lakes are glacial and some are the deepest lakes in America. Cayuga Lake is 435 feet deep, while Seneca boasts a depth of 618 feet and is 38.1 miles in length.

The eleven Finger Lakes from west to east are:
Conesus Lake
Hemlock Lake
Canadice Lake
Honeoye Lake
Canandaigua Lake
Keuka Lake
Seneca Lake
Cayuga Lake
Owasco Lake
Skaneateles Lake
Otisco Lake

Close to two million years ago, the first of many continental glaciers of the Laurentide Ice Sheet moved southward from the Hudson Bay area. The movement initiated the Pleistocene glaciation, which widened and deepened the existing river valleys. Glacial debris left behind by the receding ice acted as dams, allowing lakes to form. The deep cutting of the thin ice left some tributaries hanging above the valley floor.

With so many lakes and numerous microclimates, the Finger Lakes region is New York’s largest wine producing region. Over one hundred and fifty vineyards are located around Seneca, Cayuga, Canandaigua, Keuka, Conesus and Hemlock Lakes. It is a #winelover paradise featuring many grape varieties including Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir , Lemberger and Cabernet Franc.

There is a romantic charm to the region-vines, lakes and small hills. It’s a splendid setting and one that was enhanced by our stay at New Vines B&B, where award winning ‘Estate Wines’ are made by co-owner Todd Eichas.

In 2016 at the New York Wine and Food Classic, which awards the Governor’s Cup to the best wines in New York, New Vines Dry Riesling was awarded a Gold medal and New Vines Gruner Veltliner won a Silver medal.

That’s not too shabby for a one acre vineyard that was planted and one hundred per cent cared for by Todd, alone. To me, Todd is the true definition of a focused winemaker who knows every inch and leaf in the vineyard. His support system is Dani, his wife, a gourmet cook who runs New Vines and a true cheerleader for the Finger Lakes region. Her breakfasts, along with homemade baked goods, vineyard grown concord grape juice, revolve around what is fresh from the garden that morning, to what local vendor can she buy homemade cheese from or who is selling maple syrup that day.

During late afternoon, Dani and Todd Eichas host a ‘Wine and Cheese’ get to know you social hour where Todd pours his wines and Dani serves locally made cheese and snacks from the Finger Lakes. Todd reflects on his wines by saying that the cool climate results in crisp acidity in New Vines white wines and fruit forwardness in the reds. Todd goes on to say that winemakers from the Finger Lakes benefit from the cooperative nature of the industry, where honest feedback is shared by all, which ultimately benefits vineyard quality and production.

New Vines B&B was built in 2007. There are seven wineries within two miles (you can walk or bike it) and is located on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.

Besides a garden full of tomatoes, onions and seasonal vegetables, which Todd tends to, his one acre vineyard is home to Riesling, Gruner Veltliner, Lemberger, Marquette (for Rose), Cabernet Franc, Concord and Niagara.

New Vines B&B is located off Route 14, south of Geneva at 1138 Travis Road. There is a New Vines B&B signpost on the road. Literally, New Vines is a one minute drive to the Anthony Road Winery. You can reach Dani and Todd at (315) 536-4087 or find them at the New Vines Bed & Breakfast webpage on Facebook.

Philip S. Kampe
philip.kampe@thewinehub.com