Finger Lakes Blog

Finding the freshest produce of the season, handicrafts, baked goods, local ingredients and pantry items like meats, cheeses, honey, maple syrup, and seasonings is easy to do in Finger Lakes Wine Country.

Our region boasts some of the best farmland in the state and with that comes food and handicraft products that are direct from the farmer or artisan to the customer, who can easily access these goods at our various farm stores and stands.

When planning a trip to our region, don’t miss out on

Chicken Panzanella and J.R. Dill’s Sauvignon Blanc

Traditionally a summer salad consisting of juicy tomatoes and stale bread, panzanella makes a perfect light supper. Here we’ve swapped out the summer produce with the abundance of herbs and greens that are the hallmark of spring in the Finger Lakes. Tangy sourdough bread and creamy fresh cheese from some of our region’s finest dairies make every bite of this salad a delightful contrast in texture and flavor. The herbaceous notes of J.R. Dill’s

This gnocchi is very light in texture but robust in flavor – the parsnips’ sweetness is brought out further by roasting before incorporating it into the dough, and the tang of the goat cheddar sings cheerfully alongside the bay leaves and Meyer lemon punctuating the brown butter. The candied shallots are mellowed and deepened by caramelizing with maple sugar and rosemary, followed by a simmering bath in a cup of the Riesling. The bacon, which could easily steal the show, settles in comfortably

Calling all cheese lovers! In Finger Lakes Wine Country, you can sip your way around our wine trails and taste your way through our dairy farms for a cheese lover's experience. Farm-to-table is a way of life here, so we’re highlighting the best creameries and dairy farms in the region. You can also visit Finger Lakes Farm Country, a local organization promoting agri-tourism within the region.

Agri-tourism is a travel trend that focuses on visiting farms, dairies, and ranches, to get a

It's time to learn how to experience the incredible fall flavors Finger Lakes Wine Country has to offer! For inspiration to help plan your trip, please visit our 3-Day Fall Finger Lakes Wine Country Itinerary and FLX Family-Friendly Fall Travel Guide.

New York State is the second-largest apple-producing state in the country. From apple cinnamon, apple cider, caramel apples, and candy apples, the fall flavor profiles are endless, and we haven’t even mentioned pumpkin. Locally harvested produce

Collard greens have roots in the African American community and to celebrate Black History we’re sharing a Finger Lakes Wine-Braised Collard Greens recipe and tracing the history of this ancient vegetable.

Collard greens date back to prehistoric times. They are the oldest leafy green within the cabbage family. Collard greens originated near Greece, but it wasn’t until the first Africans arrived in Jamestown, Virginia in the early 1600's that America got its first taste of the delicious dark

This free-form, rustic tart straddles the line between sweet and savory, making it the perfect last course after a rich holiday dinner. Or try slicing it into thin wedges and adding it to a cheese board! Either way, don’t miss pairing it with Wagner Vineyard’s Riesling Ice Wine– the smooth, balanced sweetness of the wine plays nicely against the blue cheese and rosemary. A note about the cheese: baking it on top of the tart results in a pleasantly chewy caramelized texture, but if you prefer

Celebrate spooky season with this homey loaf, leavened with beer instead of yeast. Horsehead Brewing Pumpkin Ale brings warm autumnal notes to this bread, and topping it with a brown butter glaze adds a luxurious finish. Without the glaze the bread is vegan, so simply omit if you avoid dairy. If there are nut sensitivities in your household, substitute toasted pumpkin seeds for the pecans and prepare to chase away the ghosts and goblins with a hearty slice of bread!

YIELD: 1 loaf
EQUIPMENT:

Mushroom and Kale Risotto with Albee Hill Still Dry Cider

As the golden light of September illuminates the fields and lakes with its warm glow, the harvest celebration in the Finger Lakes begins. A simple and satisfying risotto for dinner helps calm the busyness of early autumn. Earthy mushrooms and kale compliment the creaminess of the rice, and Eve’s Cidery Albee Hill still dry cider lends the dish a gentle, apple-y sweetness. Raise a glass of cider to celebrate the enormous bounty of the

Finger Lakes Wine Country has a long list of creameries that will delight ice cream and cheese lovers. A hot summer’s day and ice cream are best friends and what would a cheese-lover love more than learning how to milk a goat by hand?

We’ve got the scoop on the best places to get your frozen fix. Along with where to shop for artisan cheeses. From cow cuddling to cheese and ice cream flights this guide will give you a sweet look at wine-and-cheese country. We’ve also included locations with