Finger Lakes Blog

Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with this Grilled Corn Empanadas recipe from Chef Orlando Rodriguez. As chef and owner of GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar Orlando’s philosophy is to focus on the community by feeding them locally-focused cuisine and drinks.

After an outstanding twelve-year run as Executive Chef of Veraisons Restaurant at the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars, Orlando and his wife Natacia purchased GRAFT with the intention to introduce dishes influenced by his Latin heritage. You can

When the summer heat fades to cozy cuddle weather, a romantic fall getaway in Finger Lakes Wine Country is the perfect mix of pampering and adventure. From pumpkin-infused spa treatments and fireside wine tasting to fairy-tale castles and waterfall chasing.

The leaf peeping and long walks remind you of the things that make fall magical. A picturesque getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country will allow you and your partner to take a break, create new experiences together, and turn up the heat on

If leaf-peeping or delicious fall flavors don’t grab your attention, the fun fall events in Finger Lakes Wine Country will. This list of harvest and Halloween activities includes options for the whole family and adults only. Families will enjoy pumpkin picking, trick-or-treating, and a Dia de los Muertos Celebration at The Rockwell Museum in Corning. The more mature crowd will enjoy the Haunted Wine Walk at Hosmer Winery or the Wicked Realm Film Festival. Those looking for a fright will enjoy

Chef Samantha Buyskes, originally from South Africa, has been cooking, teaching and catering in the Finger Lakes for over 20 years. Her first restaurant was Simply Red, which opened in Trumansburg in 2002. She released her first cookbook, Mama Red’s Comfort Kitchen in 2008 and has competed in several Food Network shows. You can find her now at her Simply Red Events which caters locally and hosts international culinary tours.

Her hyper-seasonal dishes highlight farm-to-table fare and regional

The Hunt family started crafting wine in 1981 and has been farming west of Keuka Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region for seven generations. Hunt Country Vineyards is committed to responsible farming and caring for the land that gives us so much. They have reduced fossil fuel use by installing award-winning solar and geothermal systems. A portion of the vineyards are certified organic and several wines are made from organic grapes. Hunt Country Vineyard received the 2020 Sustainability Award

Fall is the most popular time of year to visit Finger Lakes Wine Country for many reasons. Conveniently located 6 hours from Washington DC, 5 hours from New York City, and only 4 hours from Philadelphia, it's the perfect place to escape the big city buzz and ease into casual country living. This 3-day fall itinerary for Finger Lakes Wine Country allows you to taste the flavors of the region during harvest and explore the beauty of nature.

You can smell the grapes in the air as harvest season

As one of the best wine regions in the nation, there’s an unlimited amount of fun activities to enjoy in Finger Lakes Wine Country. That’s why we’re focusing on the ones that won’t break the bank. This list of free things to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country includes activities for the entire family and is a great starting point for visitors and residents building an itinerary.

Go For a Hike

The Tanglewood Nature Center and Museum in Elmira, New York offers free access to over 10 miles of hiking

Looking for local produce and unique handmade items? Farmer's markets can be found throughout the region almost every day of the week, and it's hard to take a drive through our countrysides without passing a few fresh farmstands.

For our Faces of Finger Lakes Wine Country campaign, we spotlighted local entrepreneurs who work to elevate the region to its award-winning status. We’re excited to continue sharing these stories and introduce Tito Chavez, a local Latino-American winemaker from humble beginnings that have blossomed into the best version of the American dream. We’ve previously shared how Wagner Vineyards is working on Diversifying The Wine Industry in the region. This is how Tito is diversifying winemaking in

Traveling with your family creates a lifetime of memories and Finger Lakes Wine Country has so much to offer families of all sizes and kids of all ages. These family-friendly wineries, restaurants, and activities cater to families by providing welcoming, easygoing experiences that visitors of all ages will enjoy.

From wineries with pet donkeys and glass-blowing workshops to kid-friendly restaurants and the New York Ice Cream Trail, we’ve found fun activities that the whole family will love.