Buying Guide > All Regions > US > New York >

Finger Lakes Wines

Located in western Upstate New York is the Finger Lakes Wine Region. The AVA encompasses 11,000 acres of vineyards and is subdivided into the smaller Cayuga and Seneca Lake AVAs. A number of deep glacial lakes are found throughout the region, which helps to retain heat in the vineyards and ultimately extends the growing season. White varieties tend to fare better than reds due to the area’s cooler climate. This leads to the production of clean, intense Rieslings and mineral-driven, lean Chardonnays. Not only have the wines gained popularity over the last decade, but so has the area in general. With its scenic views and plenty of cozy tasting rooms, the region has become quite the tourist attraction. For more information on the wines of the region, be sure to check out our Finger Lakes Wine Guide.

Sort By:

Hermann J. Wiemer 2008 Bunch Select Late Harvest Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Price $95

Virtually dripping with honey, dried apricots and orange blossoms on the palate, this sunkissed Trockenbeerenauslese-style Riesling is liquid gold in a glass. Despite it’s whopping 25.8% residual sugar level, it’s orange marmalade and waxy honeycomb sweetness is balanced perfectly with a bright acidity and elegant darjeeling tea astringency, making this wine… — A.I. (2/1/2011)

Sheldrake Point 2007 Ice Wine Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Price $65

The multi-layered nose is immediately compelling with appealing notes of peaches and berries. Archetypal Riesling notes of apricots and wet stones shine through on the extremely concentrated palate. Crisp acidity adds a lift to the long, lingering finish. — W.E. (2/1/2009)

Dr. Konstantin Frank 2008 Bunch Select Late Harvest Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Price $70

The first producer in the United States to craft traditional Trockenbeerenauslese-style Riesling, Dr. Frank’s is still one of the very best. Deep gold in color, this luscious nectar fills the glass with aromas of candied orange and honeysuckle. Honey, dried mango and pineapple and exotic potpourri notes undulate persistently on the palate, ending in a languid tea… — A.I. (2/1/2011)

Standing Stone 2008 Vidal Ice Vidal Blanc (Finger Lakes)

Price $25

Just a whiff of this deep gold Vidal Blanc reveals layers of smoke melded with honey and fresh apples. The palate is deeply complex with flavors that include pretty florals, rich pineapple, citrus and a compelling smoked nut skin note. The super-long finish is marked by zippy acidity and a lovely astringency. — A.I. (7/1/2011)

Standing Stone 2008 Ice Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Price $25

Intensely aromatic of honey, wildflowers and juicy, sweet tangerines, this is a gorgeously complex icewine that balances richness with concentrated flavor and a nervy acidity. Deep gold in color, this silky-smooth elixir carries mouthwatering notes of citrus, honey and flowers all the way through its super-long finish. — A.I. (7/1/2011)

Standing Stone 2000 Gewürztraminer (Finger Lakes)

Online Exclusive

Solid varietal Gewurztraminer, brimming with grapefruit, litchee, lemon, melon, fig, spice and anise flavors. It's bright and fresh, yet full and lush on the palate, finishing with a long, mineral edge. Delicious. — J.M. (12/11/2002)

Red Newt Cellars 2009 Davis Farms Vineyard Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Price $20

Powerful and complex, with layer upon layer of smoky mineral tones, musky florals, and crisp, tart tangerine and peach fruit flavors. Just off-dry in style, Red Newt’s Davis Farms Vineyard is spectacularly refreshing, full of zingy lime-juice acidity and boasts a piercing steeliness that reverberates long after each sip. — A.I. (4/1/2012)

Hermann J. Wiemer 2009 Dry Riesling (Finger Lakes)

Online Exclusive

Price $18

Smoke, honey and delicate white flowers meld luxuriously on this not-quite-dry beauty. Sweet white grapefruit juice flavors are intensely concentrated on the palate, highlighted by a shower of lime zest and a stony minerality on the finish. — A.I. (4/1/2011)

Most Reviewed Sub Regions

Cayuga Lake Lake Erie Seneca Lake

Most Reviewed Producers [All]

Americana Anthony Road Arbor Hill Atwater Belhurst Bellangelo Billsboro Bloomer Creek Brooklyn Oenology Buttonwood Grove Casa Larga Cascata Castel Grisch Catharine Valley Cayuga Ridge Estate Château Frank Chateau Lafayette Reneau Damiani Dr. Konstantin Frank Eagle Crest Four Degrees of Riesling Fox Run Fulkerson Glenora Goose Watch Great Western Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Heart & Hands Hermann J. Wiemer Heron Hill Highland Cellars Hosmer Winery Hunt Country Vineyards Imagine Moore Inspire Moore Keuka Lake Vineyards Keuka Spring Knapp Lakewood Lamoreaux Landing Logan Ridge Lucas Vineyards Macari Mazza Chautauqua Cellars McGregor Miles New Land Penguin Bay Prejean Ravines Red Newt Cellars Red Tail Ridge Rock Stream Rooster Hill Sakonnet Seneca Shore Seventy-Seven Days Shalestone Shaw Sheldrake Point Silver Thread Standing Stone Stony Lonesome Swedish Hill Thirsty Owl Wine Company Treleaven Ventosa Wagner White Springs

2009 Merry Edwards Flax Vineyard

A distinguished Pinot Noir, notable for its pure, refined structure…

(Sponsored)