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This wine tour of New York State needs to be on your bucket list

Have you visited these acclaimed wine regions?
Arial shot.[Photo: Getty]


The Empire State Building. Broadway. Central Park. The Big Apple is teeming with iconic landmarks and bucket list destinations worthy of flying halfway across the globe to experience. But how often do tourists travel beyond the world-famous hotspots?

As the nation’s third-largest wine-producing state, New York State is home to over 35,000 acres of wine country divided into five distinct wine regions, each offering unique charm. From Long Island’s white sand beaches to The Finger Lakes lakeside wineries, there’s a diverse landscape to explore beyond the city limits. Below, we break down the best places to eat and drink in New York’s wine country.

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The boardwalk at Long Island. [Getty]

Long Island

A short drive from the city, Long Island is a haven of white sand beaches, breezy boardwalks and sprawling farmland vineyards featuring over 50 wine producers. As such, it’s the perfect place to kick off a wine tour of New York. With a moderate climate and sandy soil, the region produces full-bodied, rich red wines like merlot and cabernet franc.

Winery pick: Pindar Vineyards in North Fork
Follow the luxurious vineyards along the North Fork Wine Trail and you’re bound to come across Long Island’s largest winery: Pindar Vineyards. Encompassing more than 500 scenic acres, this vineyard grows 17 varieties of grapes — promising a drop to suit every taste. The winery does private tours and holds regular events.

Drink: Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in North Fork
Greenport Harbor beer is made in two small craft breweries also in North Fork. Drop by for signature beers and seasonal styles like their Bramble Paradise, a blackberry and raspberry-infused twist on a Berliner Weisse.

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The indoor dining room at Noah’s in Greenport. [Photo: Instagram]

Eat: Noah’s in Greenport
Noah’s farm-to-table fare showcases the diversity of Long Island’s farmland, vineyards and coastal surrounds in an elegant dining room (pictured above) and outdoor patio.

The Hudson Valley

One of America’s oldest grape-growing areas, the Hudson Valley is a scenic wine region with vineyards interspersed between mountains and farmland. Here, winemakers use an array of American, French American and European grape varieties — specialising in the hybrid white variety Seyval Blanc. Follow the Hudson Valley’s wine trail through the Shawangunk Mountains and along the Hudson River to discover 12 historic wineries.

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Winery pick: Brotherhood in Washingtonville
As the oldest winery in America, Brotherhood is well worth a visit for its historic white wines and expansive underground cellars.

Drink: Dassai Blue Sake Brewery in Hyde Park
Discover something new at an hour-long tasting of high-quality sake crafted with Yamada Nishiki rice, local water, koji mold and carefully selected yeast.

Eat: Wm. Farmer and Sons in Hudson
Located within a boutique hotel, this high-end restaurant and cocktail bar is a luxurious addition to any New York wine tour.

The Finger Lakes

View of Canandaigua Lake and vineyard from County Road 12, Naples, NY, Ontario County, Finger Lakes Region. Photo: Supplied
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Named after the group of 11 pristine, glacial lakes spread across the region, The Finger Lakes offers over 130 wineries and four distinct wine trails. In this cool climate wine country, the temperature-moderating influence of the deep lakes supports high-quality grape growing. Though there’s more to discover beyond premium wines: locally produced beer, distilled spirits, juices and ciders are also abundant in The Finger Lakes.

Winery pick: Buttonwood Grove Winery in Cayuga Lake
The wineries along the Cayuga Lake wine trail boast incredible lakeside views, and Buttonwood Grove Winery is no exception. Expect extensive outdoor seating year-round, complete with cosy fire pits and a spectacular vista.

Drink: Ithaca Beer Company in Ithaca
Ithaca is a US college town, so it knows its beer. This seven-barrel brewhouse brews approximately 20,000 barrels of beer a year, including several IPAs and a Double IPA.

Eat: F.L.X. Table in Geneva
One of the premier dining experiences in The Finger Lakes, this fine-dining venue serves a prix fixe tasting menu that constantly evolves based on seasonality. Expect a drinks menu stacked with local wines.

Niagara and Lake Erie

The wine trails within these regions promise lakefront wineries dotted along the shores of two of the Great Lakes: Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. As one of the warmest wine regions with rich soil in New York, Niagara produces some of the most unique drops in the country, ranging from riesling to cabernet sauvignon and hybrid grapes. And while most of Lake Erie’s grapes are of the Concord variety and primarily used in grape juices, the region also produces superb fine wines.

Winery pick: 21 Brix Winery in Portland
Lake Erie is renowned for its ‘ice wine’, the legal name for sweet dessert wines made from grapes that have ripened and frozen naturally on the vine, and 21 Brix Winery (pictured below) is the perfect place to give it a whirl. 

Hartman’s Distilling Co. in Buffalo. (Credit: Supplied)
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Drink: Big Ditch Brewing Company in Buffalo
The two-level restaurant offers innovative craft beer paired with bar snacks and American cuisine. Try the company’s signature IPA, Golden Ale, and Rye Brown Ale alongside the seasonal offerings.

Eat: Hartman’s Distilling Co. in Buffalo
A distillery, cocktail bar and tasting room all in one, this establishment is located in downtown Buffalo with a lawn to unwind in the sunshine.

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