Discovering Wine & More in New York State's Finger Lakes Region

[Linda Stewart]

               (Photo:  Keuka Lake & Vineyard Courtesy Luke Petrinec - Steuban County CVB)

As a member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA), I was fortunate to attend a webinar on the Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes  area presented by Kevin Costello, President & CEO of The Steuben County Conference & Visitors Bureau, and Dave DeGolye, the Bureau’s Communications Manager.  I was only somewhat familiar with the wine region, so I was pleased to learn more about the wineries, and to be introduced to all the fascinating museums, delightful small towns, and an abundance of outdoor activities. 

 
Located in upstate New York, just over four hours from New York City and Philadelphia, and an easy day’s drive from Washington, D.C., this scenic area has won accolades from Conde Nast Traveler, Rand McNally, and USA Today.   With eleven lakes and 650 plus miles of shoreline, the Finger Lakes AVA wine region has over 100 wineries.  The lakes influence the microclimate by moderating the cold temperatures and reducing the risk of frost, similar to the Rhine District in Germany, producing cool climate wine such as Riesling and Gewurztraminer.  There are fourteen wineries around or near Keuka Lake (the only lake that takes the shape of a “y” instead of a finger) in Steuben County. My fellow writers and I received complimentary wine from three of the county’s wineries:  Weis Vineyards, Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, and Domaine LeSeurre Winery.

Weis Vineyards was founded in 2016 by Hans Peter Weis and his wife, Ashlee.  Born into a long line of winemakers in Zell, Germany, Weis worked in Sonoma before moving to the Finger Lakes region.  From the beginning their dry German-style wines won awards from the New York Wine & Food Classic Competition, and the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition.  Located on the east side of the Keuka Lake, a one-room schoolhouse, built in the 1800s, serves as their tasting room. I received a bottle of Weis 2019 Dry Riesling.  This fresh, assertive wine had aromas of citrus and stone fruit, bright acidity and minerality on the palate, with a robust finish. 

 Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery lies on the southwest hills of Keuka Lake and was established in 1962 by Dr. Konstantin Frank.  In the late 1950s, Dr. Frank planted the first vinifera vines (native European grapevines) in the Finger Lakes area, resulting in a successful mission to grow exceptional cool climate wines.  The grapes planted included Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Rkatsiteli, an ancient Georgian varietal that can be traced back to 3000 B.C.  More wineries followed in the region because of Dr. Frank’s classic grape growing vision.  His winery is now run by the family’s fourth generation.  I was delighted to receive a bottle of the Rkatsiteli, as I had not tasted this wine before.  I enjoyed the bold citrus and wet slate aromas, with flavors of stone fruit, pear, and a light touch of herbal tea.  This wine has a full body, and a pleasant acidic long finish.

Domaine LeSeurre Winery is owned by Céline and Sébastien LeSeurre, both whom come from a family of winemakers in France.  Sébastien is from a six-generation family of grape growers and winemakers in Champagne, where he studied viticulture.  Céline grew up in Toulouse near her grandparents’ vineyard in the Pyrenees, and was captivated by her sommelier classes.  They produced their first vintage in 2012, and opened their tasting room on the east side of Keuka Lake in Hammondsport a year later. The fusion of their French-style winemaking and New World wine experience, delivers an elegant wine.  I was sent a bottle of their unoaked 2017 Chardonnay to taste.  This wine is aged in stainless steel for nine months, with bâtonnage (stirring settled lees/sediment to add more complexity to wine).  It has a touch of floral on the nose, citrus and honey on the palate, and a crisp minerality on the finish.

Steuben County is home to The Corning Museum of Glass , a world-renowned museum of glass art collections from around the globe, dating back over 3,000 years.   Established by the Corning Glass Works company on its 100^thanniversary in 1951, the museum is also an esteemed library on the scientific and technologic aspects of glass.  Learn about how Corning scientists invented fiber optics and developed windows for the Space Shuttle.  An acclaimed glass-working school, classes and demonstrations on glass blowing are offered to the public. 

The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum on aviation and transportation is located in Hammondsport.  Glenn Curtiss, a noted early motorcyclist, received the Scientific American Trophy for taking his “flying machine” up in the air for over 5000 feet in 1908, just four and a half years after the Wright Brothers’ inaugural flight.  Curtiss was known as “The Father of Naval Aviation” after designing the first seaplane, training the Navy’s first pilots, and building the Navy’s first aircraft.  Along with a collection of twenty-two historical aircraft, the museum showcases exhibits of motorcycles, cars, and the history of women in aviation. 

 

Three additional museums of note:  The Hornell Erie Depot Museum, containing history and artifacts of the Erie Railroad; The Rockwell Museum, founded by Bob and Hertha Rockwell, a Smithsonian Affiliate displaying exceptional Native American and Western Art from artists such as Frederick Remington and Charles Russell; and The Finger Lakes Boating Museum, whose mission is to preserve boating history, e.g., steamboats and handmade wooden boats, while offering classes on boat restoration.

Art galleries, jewelry stores, antique shops, boutiques, churches with Tiffany glass windows, and restaurants with creative menu fare abound in Corning, Hammondsport, and the surrounding area. Hiking, camping, and other outdoor activities are plentiful in this picturesque region, flush with waterfalls, verdant hills, and scenic parks.  Corning and the Southern Finger Lakes are on my short list to visit in the near future.  As travel continues to open throughout our country, visit the website Corning and the Southern Finger Lakesto check on the hours of operation for the wineries and shopping districts.