Skip to content

Five Under-the-Radar Regions for Your Summer Vacation

Tuscany’s golden hills. The Cabernet-filled vineyards of Napa. These iconic wine regions represent the pinnacle of aspirational travel. Yet, such popularity and prestige come with crowds and high price tags. Lodging in the heart of Napa’s wine country can be expensive, as are some of the castle hotels that dot Chianti’s hilltops, many of which can command up to $1,000 per night.

Here are summer getaway ideas that won’t break the bank.

Finger Lakes

With its proximity to New York City and the tony Hamptons, Long Island’s North Fork has evolved into a haven for limos and party buses.

Instead, drive northwest from New York City. The Finger Lakes region delivers thrilling wines in a sleepy setting. Its wine country is dispersed predominately around three deep lakes that make viticulture viable in this cool climate: Cayuga, Seneca and Keuka.

Instead of the red blends of Long Island, you’ll sip on some of America’s best Rieslings. Pinot Noir and other delicate reds have gained traction too, like at Heart and Hands Winery on Cayuga’s eastern shores.

On Cayuga’s west side, taste racy white wines at Sheldrake Point, then head over to Seneca Lake for the experimental, bottlings of Bloomer Creek Vineyard and the textural wines of Forge Cellars. Stop by Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard, a regional pioneer, and head toward Geneva for racy Rieslings by Ravines. Also on Seneca are Fox Run and Red Tail Ridge.

On Keuka Lake, Dr. Konstantin Frank winery dates to the 1960s and was one of the first to experiment with planting Vitis vinifera grapes in the Finger Lakes.

Food and lodging are as scattered as the wineries. Stay at the Aurora Inn on the east side of Cayuga to enjoy a bit of history In Geneva, Geneva on the Lake offers old-school romance on 10 garden-filled acres. To eat, score a reservation at F.L.X. Table, run by master sommelier/chef Christopher Bates. With his wife, Isabel Bogadtke, he also owns F.L.X. WieneryF.L.X. Fry BirdF.L.X. Provisions and Element Winery.

Share
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn

More to Read

Press

GREAT VALUE WINES: 7 FINGER LAKES RIESLINGS FOR UNDER $40

After World War II, there was a growing interest in drier, European-style wines in the United States, but no such grapes were grown in the Finger Lakes until Dr. Konstantin Frank, a Ukrainian viticulturist, relocated to Cornell University’s Geneva Experiment Station in 1953 and began planting European varieties. Dr. Frank had written his PhD thesis on cold-climate growing techniques of Vitis vinifera and ultimately proved that common grapes could be grown in the region with proper grafting and care.

Articles

Washington Post: Rkatsiteli 2020 Extraordinary

This bracing white wine is one of my perennial favorites from the Finger Lakes. Dr. Frank pioneered European vinifera grape varieties in the Eastern United States. Still family-owned, the winery is now in the hands of Dr. Frank’s grandson, Frederic, and great-granddaughter, Meaghan Frank.

Articles

Doctor’s order: Riesling

With the Dr Konstantin Frank Winery gearing up for its 60th anniversary next year and heading into its 2021 harvest, we look at the techniques behind its flagship wine…

Articles

Top 7 Best Dry Riesling Under $20

One of the most popular wineries in the Finger Lakes, this Dry Riesling is a balanced and tropical dry white wine with fresh acidity and excellent persistence with hints of citrus. But beyond the crispness, there’s a unique subtle creaminess that will keep you reaching for a second taste.

Dr. Frank holding a wine glass with Eugenia on their front porch.
Articles

Featured on Jancis Robinson

Jerry Smith’s entry to our old-vine writing competition is about an acre of 53-year-old Riesling named after Eugenia Frank.

Get The Latest

Join our email list and stay connected with updates on new releases, special offers, and events.

Skip to content