Wine Tours and Tastings

Atwater Estate Vineyards is a family-owned winery located on eighty scenic acres on the eastern side of Seneca Lake.
Atwater Estate Vineyards is a family-owned winery located on eighty scenic acres on the eastern side of Seneca Lake.

Vineyards are welcoming visitors again across Upstate

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

Wagner Vineyards’ prime location on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake contributes to the superior quality of the grapes.
Wagner Vineyards’ prime location on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake contributes to the superior quality of the grapes.

As New York’s attractions continue to slowly reopen and return, many wine tours and tasting rooms are ready to welcome tourists. More than 300 wineries dot the state among specific grape growing regions, including those on the wine trails, and independent wineries and tasting rooms. confidential rehab for alcoholics

Be mindful that Alcohol has an impact on both the body and the psyche. People drink because these effects can be enjoyable, but it’s critical to be aware of both the short- and long-term implications of alcohol usage.

Can you become addicted to wine? Yes, according to experts from this alcohol rehabilitaion company. Wine is still an alcohol, even if excessive drinking is typically associated with beer or liquor. A 12-ounce glass of beer or 1.5 ounces of liquor have the same amount of alcohol in them as a 5-ounce glass of wine. Whether you consume wine or liquor is irrelevant for assessing your alcohol intake. It has to do with how much booze you’re taking in.

To plan a wine tasting day, select the region where you want to explore. Many B&Bs and other places of lodging offer discount packages with wineries for easy getaways. Peruse organization sites to settle on a region (see below) and within that region, choose what sites pique your interest. Some of the wine regions offer far too many sites to take in over a weekend.

Not all wineries offer tasting rooms, so if you like to try before you buy, it pays to visit each winery’s website. Usually, the social media page is updated more often. The sites also specify if the site would prefer cash or card and other points of interest nearby.

Bring along some snacks and water or plan to stop for food as you tour. Some wineries also serve food. Although wine tasting doesn’t always include swallowing, eating food and drinking water as you tour will help your body absorb alcohol more slowly.

Plan to see a natural wonder or historic site or shop at some local stores along the way. That helps you get in touch with the local flavor of the region and support small businesses.

Designate a driver who will not imbibe or hire a driver or tour to ensure that you will not be impaired as you enjoy the vino.

Quick Guide to NYS Vineyards

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

29 wineries in Ontario, Schuyler, Seneca, Yates counties, https://senecalakewine.com

Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail

22 miles in Monroe and Ontario counties, www.canandaigualakewinetrail.com

Hudson-Berkshire Beverage Trail

Locations throughout Albany and Columbia counties, www.facebook.com/Hudson-Berkshire-Beverage-Trail

Adirondack Coast Wine Trail

33 miles through Clinton County, featuring six wineries, http://adkcoastwine.com

Niagara Wine Trail

Various locations in Niagara, Orleans and Monroe counties, https://niagarawinetrail.org.

Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

17 stops in Cayuga County forming the first wine trail in America, www.cayugawinetrail.com.

Keuka Lake Wine Trail

Seven wineries between Steuben and Yates counties, www.keukawinetrail.com.

Lake Erie Wine Country

20 sites in Chautauqua County, www.lakeeriewinecountry.org.

Lake Ontario Wine Trail

Monroe, Oswego, Wayne counties, www.lakeontariowinetrail.com.

Dutchess Wine Trail

Three wineries in Dutchess County, www.dutchesswinetrail.com.

Upper Hudson Wine Trail

Albany, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington counties, www.uhwt.wine.

1000 Islands – Seaway Wine Trail

78 miles in Jefferson County, www.tiswinetrail.com.

Looking for more information?

New York Wine & Grape Foundation, Penn Yan
https://newyorkwines.org

Finger Lakes Wine Center, Canandaigua
www.sonnenberg.org/wine-center

To search for wineries by name or region
www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/food/wineries.

Photo: Atwater Estate Vineyards is a family-owned winery located on eighty scenic acres on the eastern side of Seneca Lake.