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With over 100 wineries in the Finger Lakes, choosing a tasting, can be a daunting task. Instead of agonizing over choices, we let the Water To Wine Tour choose for us.
We arrive at the Silver Strand Bed and Breakfast, the launching point for our Water To Wine Tour.
The bed and breakfast whispers relaxation. If I return to the Finger Lakes, staying here would be enchanting.
Hoping for a laid back day, I’m glad we are paired with two other couples, instead of the exuberant, Game of Thrones themed bachelorette party, who depart ahead of us.
As a boat ride enthusiast, I’m already filled with bliss as we set out on the water.
The day is perfect. Sunlight and fluffy cloud reflections dance across the water.
We inhale the pleasant breeze, as the boat bounces along Cayuga Lake.
Our first stop is Sheldrake Point Vineyard.
If you are familiar with wine touring, you know that every wine region has a specialty. In the Finger Lakes, Riesling is queen.
Like most wine tours we take, we end up favoring the reds. We especially like Sheldrake’s Meritage.
Stop two is Long Point Winery.
First order of business, lunch.
Long Point has a gourmet sandwich shop.
Prosciutto and mozzarella, nestled between fluffy focaccia, is accompanied by a glass of Riesling.
We sip and munch atop picnic tables, enjoying the view and fresh air.
Leisurely lunch completed, it’s time to commence with the tasting.
Russ knows his wines. His descriptions have a touch of poetry. We’re romanced by Long Point’s reds.
Wind in our hair once again, the boat docks at our final winery.
The first two wineries are small and low key, so the crowd and bustle of Thirsty Owl is a bit jarring at first.
We scourer the bar, searching for a spot to squeeze in for a tasting.
Extra time gives us a chance to lounge on the dock, listening to the water as it laps against the nearby rocks.
Wine lingering on our pallets and a light spray of lake water on our faces, we savor the last of our serene water views.
Wine tours are always fun, but a wine tour out on the lake, makes the day extra special. If you are visiting the Finger Lakes, I recommend a Water To Wine Tour.
Extra Stops
Although wine dominates the Finger Lakes, there are new breweries popping up, and Finger Lakes Distilling.
We stopped by for a tasting during our week in the Finger Lakes, and were impressed by their offerings.
When I asked people what winery we had to visit while in the Finger Lakes, the top recommendation was Dr. Konstantin Frank.
The winery offers two tastings.
A tasting of their Reserve wines will set you back $10.00, but a tasting of their classic wines is free. For the best of both worlds, I recommend doing both tastings.
The wines at Dr. Konstantin Frank’s are fantastic. We like all them. Several bottles make it into the car to be consumed at home.
If you are in the Finger Lakes, Dr. Konstantin Frank is a worthy tasting.
Lakes, waterfalls, glass, and countless wineries, the Finger Lakes region of New York has plenty to offer. It’s a place everyone should visit.
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Comments are closed.
Meghan & Melissa
atI’ve always wanted to go to the finger lakes! I had no idea there were wineries up there! That is an added bonus!
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atI don’t think you can drive for more than 5 minutes without coming across a winery. So many of them are so pretty, I wish we were there longer so we could have visited more.
Jaime
atDid you travel between wineries by boat?!! That’s amazing. Although I’d be more careful about my intake if I knew I’d be bobbing along on water, ha!
obligatorytraveler@gmail.com
atYes. We visited three wineries that have docks on the lake so we could get them by boat. It was a really fun experience. It was more peaceful travel than the jeep wine tour we one time.
Esther
atOMG, that is one awesome trip. I absolutely love visiting wine countries and vineyards and this looks like a spectacular tour. What fun! Have a great weekend! Cheers from The Netherlands, where we are celebrating Kingsday today (which is more about beer than wine, hehe).
#WeekendWanderlist.
Rhonda
atWine tasting by boat? That sounds like my kind of tour. I think I would be a fan of the Rieslings.
Sharon
atWhat a grand idea — wine tasting without worrying about driving! And that gives you time on the lake between wine tastings. One reason we haven’t spent a day wine tasting in nearby Temecula is that one of us would need to be the designated driver — ha ha!
Jill
atYou had me at “wine” and “water”! This looks wonderful and right up my alley. And I, too, would be happy to avoid cruising with the GOT bachelorette crew, though I’m sure they were having fun. 🙂