Self-Guided Wine Tour of the Finger Lakes

America’s great cool-climate Riesling comes from an unlikely place: a set of deep glacial lakes in upstate New York, whose stored warmth makes the whole region possible.

KWWritten & edited by Ken Wytsma, Wine History Tours
Cool-climate wine-tour hosts, Oregon

The Finger Lakes, in upstate New York, are one of North America’s finest cool-climate wine regions — and the continent’s benchmark for Riesling. On paper the winters look too harsh for fine wine; in practice, the lakes themselves make it work, which is exactly what makes the region so fascinating to explore.

Why the lakes matter

The Finger Lakes are long, narrow, and remarkably deep. They absorb heat through the summer and release it slowly through the cold months, moderating temperatures on the surrounding slopes, extending the growing season, and shielding the vines from frost. Of the eleven lakes, Seneca (the deepest) and Cayuga are the winegrowing heart — both recognized as their own AVAs within the wider Finger Lakes appellation.

Without the lakes, this would be too cold for fine wine. Their stored warmth is the whole game.

What to taste

Riesling is the star — dry, off-dry, and sweet, with the bracing acidity only a cool climate delivers. You’ll also find excellent Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wine, and a growing range of other cool-climate varieties. It’s a region that rewards curiosity over big names.

On paper it’s too cold for wine. In the glass, it’s some of America’s finest Riesling.

Self-guided tips

The wineries cluster on the slopes around each lake, so pick a lake — Seneca and Cayuga have the most — and follow its wine trail rather than hopping between lakes. Base yourself in a lakeside town like Geneva or Watkins Glen, bring a designated driver, and note that the region is glorious in fall.

Finger Lakes at a glance
Where	Upstate New York, around Seneca & Cayuga lakes
Signature wine	Riesling (dry to sweet), plus Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, sparkling
The secret	Deep glacial lakes that store heat and protect vines from frost
Getting around	Follow one lake’s wine trail; base lakeside; bring a driver

The short versionThe Finger Lakes are North America’s benchmark for Riesling, made possible by deep glacial lakes that store summer heat and protect the vines from frost. Seneca and Cayuga lakes are the heart of it. Pick one lake, follow its wine trail, base lakeside, and bring a designated driver.

Want to understand the grape itself? Read our profile of Riesling — a versatile, terroir-expressive grape, or trace the wider story on the Wine History Timeline.

A gentle note from your hosts. We happen to run guided wine tours ourselves, out in Oregon’s Willamette Valley — so take this with a grain of salt. But if the planning and driving ever start crowding out the joy of the day, that’s the quiet advantage of going guided: someone else carries the logistics, and you just taste. However you explore the Finger Lakes, we hope it’s a memorable one.

Frequently asked questions

What wine are the Finger Lakes known for?
Riesling above all — dry, off-dry, and sweet — along with Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wine. It’s considered North America’s finest cool-climate Riesling region.

How do the Finger Lakes grow wine in such a cold climate?
The deep, narrow lakes absorb summer heat and release it slowly in winter, moderating temperatures on the surrounding slopes, extending the growing season, and protecting the vines from frost.

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