Live, work, play, and enjoy! The Southern Finger Lakes is ideally situated for those who wish to be close to metropolitan areas, yet live a life made far richer by connecting to nature and community, making a difference in the lives of their neighbors, and enjoying a fulfilling work/life balance that ideally suits who they are.
Innovative career opportunities abound near picturesque towns, lakes, and waterfalls in upstate New York. Outside of work, engage with nature, indulge in destination experiences, take part in cultural activities, and build your community. Enjoy the pace of life away from traffic jams and frenzied crowds, while retaining access to high-quality healthcare and education to ensure you and your family thrive.
Celebrate the season with the perfect wine, beer, and non-alcoholic pairings for your holiday favorites. Whether you’re serving roast lamb on Easter Sunday, matzah at your Passover seder, or nibbling on jellybeans and chocolate bunnies, we’ve got you covered.
Beer: West Coast IPA – The hoppy bitterness balances the creamy filling. (Try: Lucky Hare Brewing Co. Who Runs the Word West Coast IPA—all-women brewed)
Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling lemonade or citrus seltzer – Bright acidity works like bubbles to cleanse your palate.
🥗 Spring Salad with Vinaigrette
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris – High acidity complements the tang of vinaigrette and freshness of greens. (Try: J.R. Dill Winery Pinot Gris)
Beer: Witbier – Citrusy and herbal to match fresh veggies. (Try: Lucky Hare Conan the Barvarian Hefeweizen)
Non-Alcoholic: Cucumber or lime-infused water – Crisp and hydrating, perfect with fresh produce.
🍖 Roast Leg of Lamb
Wine: Lemberger or Cabernet Franc – Full-bodied reds with tannins that cut through the fattiness of lamb. (Try: Fox Run Vineyards Lemberger or Lucas Vineyards Reserve Cabernet Franc)
Beer: Scotch Ale or Syrah-inspired brews – Malty depth balances the gamey richness. (Try: Grist Iron Brewing Co. Scotch Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Blackberry or cherry juice spritzer – Bold flavors mimic a red wine experience.
🍯 Honey-Glazed Ham
Wine: Off-dry Riesling or Gewürztraminer – Sweetness echoes the glaze while acidity refreshes. (Try: Boundary Breaks Off-Dry Riesling or Wagner Vineyards Gewürztraminer)
Beer: Saison – Earthy and dry, a perfect foil to the ham’s salt and sweetness. (Try: Brewery of Broken Dreams Change of Saisons)
Non-Alcoholic: Apple cider or pear juice – Natural sweetness and a touch of tartness play well with salty meat.
Non-Alcoholic: Herbal iced tea (chamomile or mint) – Light and botanical to match the chicken’s herbal profile.
🥦 Asparagus with Hollandaise
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Grüner Veltliner – Herbaceous and crisp to match the vegetal notes and creamy sauce. (Try: Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards Grüner Veltliner)
Beer: Pilsner – Clean and bubbly enough to refresh the palate. (Try: Steuben Brewing Co. Pedersen Pilsner)
Non-Alcoholic: Lemon-infused sparkling water – Citrus brings brightness without overpowering the sauce.
Non-Alcoholic: Pomegranate juice or unsweetened cranberry blend – Earthy and tart to balance sweet veggies.
✡️ Traditional Passover Foods
Although the suggested Passover pairings are not certified Kosher, they are thoughtfully intended to honor the spirit of the holiday by offering flavor profiles that complement the traditional foods of the Seder and during Passover.
🌿 Karpas (Greens in Salt Water)
Wine: Dry Rosé – Light and refreshing, just like the veggies. (Try: Anthony Road Wine Company Dry Rosé of Cabernet Franc or Dry Rosé of Lemberger)
Beer: Golden Ale – Clean and mild with a soft malt profile. (Try: Brewery Ardennes Belgian Golden Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Ginger tea or sparkling apple juice – Warmth and spice enhance the broth.
🍖 Main Courses (Brisket, Chicken, Lamb)
Wine: Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot – Rich and tannic wines stand up to meaty, hearty dishes. (Try: Lucas Vineyards Cabernet Franc or Idol Ridge Merlot)
Beer: Porter or Bock – Dark beers echo the depth of flavor in roasted meats. (Try: Keuka Brewing Company Imperial Bock)
Non-Alcoholic: Spiced plum juice or pomegranate molasses spritz – Adds depth and richness without alcohol.
🐟 Fish Dishes
Wine: Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris – Acidic whites cut through the richness of oilier fish. (Try: Lamoreaux Landing Pinot Gris or Hosmer Sauvignon Blanc)
Beer: Blonde Ale or Kölsch – Crisp and not overpowering. (Try: Grist Iron Brewing Blonde Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Citrus seltzer or coconut water with lime – Bright and palate-cleansing.
🍰 Passover Desserts (Macaroons, Apple Cake, Chocolate Matzah)
Wine: Late-harvest Riesling or Muscat – Sweet and aromatic wines enhance coconut and chocolate. (Try: Weis Vineyards Riesling Ice Wine)
Non-Alcoholic: Sparkling grape juice or cinnamon apple tea – Adds warm spice and sweetness.
🍬 Easter & Springtime Desserts & Candy Pairings
🥕 Carrot Cake
Wine: Sweeter-style bubbly or late-harvest Riesling – Sweet and lightly sparkling to mirror the spices and sweetness. (Try: Atwater Vineyards Bubble Riesling or Lakewood Vineyards Glaciovinum)
Beer: Barleywine – Rich, complex maltiness enhances the spiced cake. (Try: Ithaca Beer Co. Old Habit)
Non-Alcoholic: Chai or spiced orange tea – Warms the palate and complements the nutmeg and cinnamon.
Beer: Cream Ale – Soft and smooth to match milk chocolate’s texture. (Try: Scale House Brewing Cream Ale)
Non-Alcoholic: Chocolate almond milk or strawberry soda – Rich and sweet with a playful twist.
🍫 Dark Chocolate Bunnies
Wine: Port or Cabernet Franc – Deep and rich enough to meet the cocoa intensity. (Try: Glenora Wine Cellars Port or Keuka Spring Vineyards Cabernet Franc)
Beer: Imperial Stout – Roasted malt flavors blend with bitter chocolate. (Try: Two Goats Brewing Goatmeal Stout)
Non-Alcoholic: Espresso with vanilla syrup or dark chocolate almond milk – Bitterness and body match dark chocolate.
Beer: Tart Gose or fruity sour – Contrasts the sugar with tangy brightness. (Try: Scale House Brewing Das Fruity Kettle Sour)
Non-Alcoholic: Strawberry lemonade or pink soda – Sweet and colorful to match the candy.
🥜 Peanut Butter Eggs
Wine: Red Blend – Bold enough to hold its own with chocolate and peanut butter. (Try: 3 Brothers Winery Red Wine Field Blend)
Beer: Chocolate Porter or Peanut Butter Stout – Classic pairing that mirrors candy’s richness. (Try: Abandon Brewing Chocolate Porter)
Non-Alcoholic: Café Mocha – All the flavor, none of the booze.
🧁 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re observing sacred traditions or just enjoying the sweets of the season, don’t overthink your drink. The best rule is to enjoy what you love. But when you’re ready to elevate the table? These pairings will make your springtime meals a celebration to remember.
🥂 L’chaim, Cheers, and Happy Spring! 🌼
Thinking about a trip to Finger Lakes Wine Country, New York? Good news — it’s super easy to get here! Whether you’re coming from a big city like New York or a smaller one like Harrisburg, there are major highways and interstates that lead straight to beautiful Finger Lakes Wine Country.
Here’s how you can get here:
From Boston (Approx. 6 hours)
Route: Take I-90 West (Massachusetts Turnpike) across Massachusetts into New York State.
· Stay on I-90 West (New York State Thruway) until you reach an exit near Syracuse or Rochester, depending on which lake or town you want to visit.
From New York City (Approx. 4 hours)
Route: Take I-80 West across New Jersey.
· Merge onto I-380 North toward Scranton, PA.
· Continue onto I-81 North toward Binghamton, NY.
· From Binghamton, head west on NY-17/I-86 West into eastern Tioga County — perfect for starting your journey to Finger Lakes Wine Country!
From Philadelphia (Approx. 4.5 hours)
Route: Take I-476 North (Northeast Extension) toward Scranton.
· Connect briefly to I-81 North near Scranton.
· Stay on I-81 North into New York.
· Near Binghamton, merge onto NY-17/I-86 West.
· Take the exit for Owego, NY — a great starting point for your trip!
From Washington, D.C. (Approx. 6 hours)
Route: Take I-270 North to I-70 West.
· Then hop onto I-76 West (Pennsylvania Turnpike).
· Near Harrisburg, pick up US-15/I-99 North.
· Stay on I-99 North into Corning, and you’ve arrived!
From Harrisburg (Approx. 3 hours)
Route: Take US-15/I-99 North straight into New York.
· You’ll pass through beautiful countryside and end up in Corning, right at the doorstep of Finger Lakes Wine Country.
From Pittsburgh (Approx 4.5 hours)
Route: Take I-376 East to connect to I-76 East (Pennsylvania Turnpike).
· Exit onto I-99 North near Bedford.
· Stay on I-99 North into New York, where it becomes US-15.
· Continue north to Corning — you made it!
From Cleveland (Approx. 4.5 hours)
Route: Take I-90 East across Ohio toward Erie, PA.
· Near Erie, switch to I-86 East.
· Follow I-86 East into New York, arriving in western Steuben County.
· Get off at exits for Hornell, Bath, Hammondsport, or Corning, depending on where you want to start your adventure.
From Buffalo (Approx. 2 hours)
Route: Take I-90 East toward Rochester.
· Then head south into the Finger Lakes region, using local highways to reach towns like Penn Yan, Watkins Glen, Corning, and Elmira.
No matter where you’re coming from, it’s mostly major highways and easy drives. Once you’re here, you’ll be rewarded with gorgeous views, charming small towns, and, of course, amazing wineries!
Pack a bag, cue up your favorite road trip playlist, and come enjoy Finger Lakes Wine Country!
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