My wife and I are planning to do some winery tours in the Finger Lakes
region of New York for our anniversery in August.  We'd like a some
recommendations on wineries, and in particular those that specialize
in "ice wine", a desert wine made from frozen grapes.  There are so
many in the region, we'd like to focus our tour on the best or
"must-see" producers in the area.  Preference is given to wineries
with critical recognition or awards.  A suggested itenerary is
welcomed.

Hello gwiner,


   Your anniversary plans are fabulous! What an original vaction! I'm
sure August will deal you nice weather for this type of vacation.


     I?ll start with a general overview of the Finger Lakes Wineries.
?Wondering why our New York wines are so good? The perfect and rare
mix of good geology and geography. After the receding glaciers carved
the immense troughs that are now our gorgeous lakes, they left long
sloping hillsides above the waterlines increasing "air drainage,"
providing optimum grape cultivating conditions. Combine that with
latitude, maturity of the vineyards (many generations old), and the
expertise of some of the world's best wine-makers, and you have
magnificent wines. But you won't be thinking about that as you savor
each drop in your glass. You will know however, that you're
experiencing something very special.?
http://www.fingerlakes.org/wine.htm


I have collected a group of wineries here, all award winners.Furthur
down in my answer I have posted additional wineries that don't mention
awards, but look interesting. There certainly are a large number of
wineries and vineyards in the area, not all of which are award
winners, and are not listed here.

==================
Atwater Vineyards
==================
http://www.atwatervineyards.com/

See Atwater Vineyards numerous awards:
http://atwatervineyards.com/default.cfm?SiteMenu=Editorial&PageID=130

Atwater does not yet have its August event schedule published.
http://atwatervineyards.com/default.cfm?SiteMenu=Editorial&PageID=132

Atwater sells an Ice Wine
http://www.nywinecork.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=NYWC&Category_Code=Ice+Wine
ATWATER ESTATE VINEYARDS, LLC
5055 State Route 414
PO Box 216
Hector, NY  14841
Toll Free: 800-331-7323
Phone:  607-546-VINE (8463)
 
Send us an email at:
 info@atwatervineyards.com
Ted@atwatervineyards.com  - Ted Marks, proprietor
Katie@atwatervineyards.com  - Katie Marks, tasting room & outside sales
 
Hours: Monday - Saturday  10:00 - 5:00   Sunday - 11:00 - 5:00 
http://atwatervineyards.com/default.cfm?SiteMenu=Editorial&PageID=138

On this page you will find driving directions and a map.
http://atwatervineyards.com/default.cfm?SiteMenu=Editorial&PageID=139



==========
Casa Larga
==========
Casa Larga Vineyards
2287 Turk Hill Road
P.O.Box 400
Fairport, N.Y. 14450
(585)223-4210

?For more than two decades, the Colaruotolo Family has taken great
pride in perfecting a style of wine making and entertaining, to form a
unique blend of both. The rustic beauty of our Finger Lakes winery,
the sheer elegance of our special events and meeting facilities, and a
sincere commitment to service and quality combine to bring you the
most serene atmosphere possible.?
Casa Larga is having a wine tasting and food matching even August 3, 2005
http://www.casalarga.com/eventscalendar.asp#august

Tours:
http://www.casalarga.com/tours.asp

Casa Larga Awards
http://www.casalarga.com/awardwinning.asp


=========================
Chateau LaFayette Reneau
=========================
Call 1-800-4-NY-WINE  
Local Tel: 607-546-2062 
We cordially invite you to savor 140 acres of vineyards, ponds, and
woodlands. Our brick house and renovated barn/winery are from an
earlier, simpler time. The     panoramic view of Seneca Lake is
absolutely spellbinding. Your visit here is more than another trip to
a winery. It's a vacation from daily stress. This is the    ideal
place to nurture wine & dreams.

Hours: April through October
Monday through Saturday 10:00am to 6:00pm
Sunday 11:00pm to 6:00pm
November through March
Monday through Saturday 10:00am to 5:00pm
Sunday 11:00pm to 5:00pm
Closed New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas

Mailing Address:
Chateau LaFayette Reneau
PO Box 238
Hector, NY 14841

Physical Address:
Chateau LaFayette Reneau
Rte 414, 7 Miles North of Watkins Glen
Hector, NY 14841

Contact Info: Telephone: 607.546.2062
Toll-Free:  1.800.4.NY.WINE (1-800-469-9463)
Fax: 607.546.2069
Email:  info@clrwine.com 

Tasting Fees: We have a nominal tasting fee of $4 per person which
entitles you to sample 12 of our finest wines and receive a souvenir
glass.
Relaxing Picnics: Looking for a unique setting to savor our great wine?
Enjoy a serene luncheon in our picnic area while gazing at the
breathtaking views of Seneca lake and our Vineyards. We are the most
photographed winery in the State of New York.
Accommodations: We have a romantic and unique Inn located on our estate.
http://www.clrwine.com/contact.html

http://www.clrwine.com/


Directions:
From The North:
Take Exit 41 off Interstate 90.  Follow 414 to 5 & 20.  Go straight
thru 5 & 20.  Continue over bridge to stop sign.  Take a right and
continue to next stop sign. (96) Continue on 96S until it merges with
414S.  Stay on 414 until Hector and the Winery is on the right.
From The South:
Take Route 17 (Future I-86) to Elmira Heights.  Take exit for 14N. 
Continue on 14N until Watkins Glen.  From Watkins Glen take route 414N
for approximately 7 miles.  The winery is on the left.

From Ithaca:
Take 96 N to Perry City Road.  Follow Perry City Road until it merges
with Route 79.  Continue on 79 until Burdett.  Continue straight thru
first stop sign.  At second stop sign take a right.  Continue on Main
St (CR5) until stop sign.  Take a right onto RT 414 continue 3.5
miles.  Winery is on the left.
If you print the page here, one person will receive a complimentary wine tasting
http://www.clrwine.com/directions.html



============
Dr. Frank?s

============
?Visit the Finger Lakes winery founded by the legendary Dr. Konstantin
Frank, pioneer grower of European wine grape varieties in the eastern
United States, on Keuka Lake in New York State. Founded in 1962,
Vinifera Wine Cellars was the first Finger Lakes winery to produce
truly world-class wines. They include: Johannisberg Riesling-Dry and
Semi-Dry, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Rkatsiteli, Fleur de Pinot
Noir, Chardonnay and others. To this day, Vinifera Wine Cellars - now
in the capable hands of Dr. Frank's son Willy and grandson Fred - is
regarded as a pillar of the area's fine wine industry.

 Its sister winery, Chateau Frank, is dedicated to producing
outstanding sparkling wines. Chateau Frank's flagship Brut Champagne
has received countless accolades and has caught the attention of wine
experts from coast to coast.
We always enjoy making new friends and sharing a glass of wine with
wine lovers traveling through the Finger Lakes region. The tasting
room is open daily 9-5 and Sundays 12-5. We also have a number of
special events at the winery; see our schedule for 2005. The legacy of
Dr. Frank also continues in our grapevine nursery, providing the best
possible grafted vines for your vineyard.?
Contact Information: 

Phone: 800-320-0735 
Fax: 607-868-4888 
Email: info@drfrankwines.com 
Mail: 9749 Middle Road Hammondsport, NY 14840 
http://www.drfrankwines.com/drf2_about.html

Events:
Fine Arts & Wine
Saturday, Aug 20, 2005 through Sunday, Aug 21, 2005 
Contact: Joe Serphillips
Email: jserphillips@drfrankwines.com
Phone: 800-320-0735
Website: http://ycac.org/finewines.html

Witness the miracle of creation as area artists work their magic in
metal, ceramics, watercolors and other media, right before your eyes.
Relax, browse and savor a glass of some of the country?s finest wines.
Soak in the majestic views of our vineyards, hillsides and Keuka Lake.
All this and more await you at the Fifth Annual Fine Arts and Wine
event on Saturday and Sunday, August 20th and 21st, hosted by three
premium wineries: Heron Hill, Dr. Frank?s Vinifera Wine Cellars and
Hunt Country Vineyards. No reservations are required and admission is
FREE. All three wineries are just 25 minutes apart, located on the
western flank of Keuka Lake. Event hours will be 10 AM until 5 PM on
Saturday and from noon until 5 PM on Sunday.

This year?s show offers a wonderful and eclectic selection of fine
arts, from mixed media paintings to metal sculpture. Whether you?re
seeking a unique gift, decorations for home or garden, or simply a
wonderful summer day?s enjoyment, come out and see us!

Remember: Admission is free! Donations from the artists? sales support
arts education programs for students in Yates and Steuben counties.
http://www.drfrankwines.com/drf2_event.taf
About their wines:
http://www.drfrankwines.com/drf2_winefact.html
Awards
http://www.drfrankwines.com/drf2_award.taf

http://www.the-leader.com/articles/2004/10/13/food/food01.txt

Map 
http://www.drfrankwines.com/drf2_map.html


===========
Goose Watch

===========
?One of New York's most unique wineries, Goose Watch is notable for
its setting as well as its wines. First, you'll take in one of the
loveliest views of Cayuga Lake from our tasting room, situated in a
beautifully restored century-old barn nestled within one of the area's
only commercial chestnut groves. You are invited to bring a picnic
lunch to enjoy on our deck, or snack on local cheese and other great
delicacies available in our tasting room, including smoked trout.
Goose Watch specializes in truly unique premium wines, with a
selection unlike any you will find anywhere in the world. Our exciting
new wines are produced from classic European grape varieties such as
Pinot Gris, Viognier, and Merlot. Don't miss our Pinot Noir Brut Rosé
Champagne.?
5480 Route 89 · Romulus NY, 14541
Tasting room 315-549-2599 · Office 315-549-8326 
info@goosewatch.com 
http://www.goosewatch.com/gsw2_awardgoose.taf

Directions and map
http://www.goosewatch.com/gsw2_map.html

Events
Saturday, August 13, 9am-6pm 
Swedish Hill Winery
at Swedish Hill Winery
LIMITED RELEASE WINE TASTING - Be the first to sample our limited release wines!
Contact:  315-549-8326 , 1-888-549-WINE 
Saturday, August 27, Noon-5pm 

PEACH FESTIVAL
at Finger Lakes Champagne House
Enjoy great peach desserts while sipping on award winning champagnes
from Swedish Hill and Goose Watch wineries. Great specials and more!
Contact:  315-549-8326 
http://www.goosewatch.com/gsw2_viewcal.taf




=================
PreJean Winery

=================
?Since 1986, the Prejean family has been producers of award winning
estate grown Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Marechal
Foch, Cayuga White and Vignoles wines.
The winery, surrounded by 38 acres of vineyards, overlooks beautiful
Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes. The depth is significant
because the lake remains a fairly constant temperature, the
consequence of which is that the lake doesn't freeze. This gives us an
earlier spring, a later fall and riper grapes?  We invite you to visit
the winery any time of the year and taste our award winning wines.
Come for one of our events or just enjoy a bottle of Riesling with
friends on our deck and take in the view.?

Events are not posted, so you may need to call or e-mail for further information.
2634 Route 14, Penn Yan, New York 14527
Phone: 315 536 7524 · Fax: 315 536 7635
Email: wine@prejeanwinery.com

http://www.prejeanwinery.com/

Directions
Prejean Winery is located in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New
York. It is about 1 hour southeast of Rochester, 1 &1/2 hours
southwest of Syracuse and 1 & 1/2 hours northwest of Binghamton.
Coming from Buffalo or Albany take the NYS thruway (I-90 East) to exit
42, the Geneva exit, take Rt. 14 south. Prejean Winery is located
about 17 miles south of Geneva on the right side of Rt. 14.
Coming from the south of Geneva take Rt. 17 to Elmira and take Rt. 14
North. Prejean Winery is about 18 miles north of Watkins Glen on the
left hand side.
There is also a map on this page:
http://www.prejeanwinery.com/pre_map.html

Awards
http://www.prejeanwinery.com/pre_newsletter.html



=============
Swedish Hill

=============
?Family-owned and operated by Dick and Cindy Peterson, Swedish Hill is
one of the largest wineries in the region. After 20 years of growing
and selling grapes to area wineries, the Petersons crushed their first
grapes in 1985 and opened Swedish Hill Winery in 1986. Just 1,300
cases were produced that year; this year we produced over 50,000 cases
of award-winning wines and champagnes. Swedish Hill is recognized as
one of the top award-winning wineries in New York State, having won
state, national and international acclaim.
In 1997, the Petersons opened a second winery, Goose Watch, also on
Cayuga Lake. The emphasis at Goose Watch is on the unusual, featuring
a selection of wines that are not very common in other Finger Lakes
wineries, such as Viognier, Pinot Gris, Melody, Diamond, Merlot and
Lemberger. A complete list of current offerings including tasting
notes can be found on the wine catalog page, where you can also order
Swedish Hill wines online .?
Tours offered Memorial Day through mid-October. Weekdays 1 & 3 pm,
Weekends 12, 2 and 4pm.
http://www.swedishhill.com/swe4_about.html

Hours of Operation 
Swedish Hill plays host to over 60,000 visitors annually to their
upstate New York Winery. The winery is open daily (except Christmas
Day) 9am-6pm. Visitors can take a guided tour into the art and science
of the making of our wines. These informative tours are available
May-October, 1:00 and 3:00 P.M. weekdays, and at noon, 2:00 and 4:00
P.M. weekends.

Location and Contact Information 
The winery is located in central New York, just 8 miles south of
Seneca Falls or 35 miles north of Ithaca on Route 414 (see map). Call,
E-Mail, Fax, or write to us to obtain a complete schedule of events or
for detailed directions to the winery. We look forward to getting to
know you!
E-Mail: info@swedishhill.com 
Phone:  315-549-8326
or Call toll free 1-888-549-WINE 
Fax: 315-549-8477 
Mailing Address: 
Swedish Hill Winery 
4565 Rt 414 
Romulus, NY 14541 
 http://www.swedishhill.com/swe4_map.html

Saturday, August 13, 9am-6pm 
Swedish Hill Winery
at Swedish Hill Winery
LIMITED RELEASE WINE TASTING - Be the first to sample our limited release wines!
Contact:  315-549-8326 , 1-888-549-WINE
http://www.swedishhill.com/swe4_viewcal.taf

Awards
http://www.swedishhill.com/swe4_awardswedish.taf

http://www.swedishhill.com/swe4_chsabout.html


=======================
Standing Stone Wineries
=======================
Standing Stone Vineyards ? 9934 Route 414, Hector, NY 14841 ? 1-800-803-7135
·  Winery Hours: 
11:30 - 5 (6pm Saturdays) every day through October 10th
After October 10, the winery will be open 11:30 - 5, Thursday through
Monday, and until 6 on Saturday.
·  Smokehouse Cafe Hours: 
open Fri - Sun, 11:30 - 5, and until 6 on Saturday, through October 10. 

http://www.standingstonewines.com/history/history.html

From North: 
From the New York State Thruway, take Geneva or Waterloo exit. From
Geneva, take 96S to Ovid, turn right onto Route 414, continue
approximately ten miles through the town of Lodi and on to Standing
Stone Vineyards on your right.

From South:
Take Route 414N from Watkins Glen for approximately 12 miles. Standing
Stone Vineyards is on your left.
From East and Ithaca
Take 96N to Trumansburg, turn onto Route 227 for 1/2 mile, turn right
onto the Searsburg Road, Route 1, and travel to Valois. Turn right
onto Route 414 and travel 1/2 mile. Standing Stone Vineyards is on
your left.
http://www.standingstonewines.com/visit/visit.html

Awards
http://www.standingstonewines.com/awards/awards.html



================
Merritt Estates

================
Merritt Estate Winery was the first farm winery organized in
Chautauqua County under regulations signed by Governor Carey in 1976,
but the history of the Merritt Estate dates all the way back to the
late 1800's. Back then; the original homestead belonged to the parents
of Marguerite Merritt-Sample, which means Merritt Estate has been in
the family since the late 19 th century.
William T. Merritt turned the estate into a fully functioning winery
back in 1976, and since then his son, Jason C. Merritt, joined the
family operation in 1998. The father and son duo dedicate themselves
to their small vineyard and devote their time and energy into
producing quality fruit for their impeccable wines. For them, it's not
about quantity, but about the value of harvesting superior grapes.

Merritt Estate is located in the largest grape growing region of New
York State. The grapes and wines produced in this area rival the
quality of premium vintages throughout the world.
Visitors are encouraged to visit Merritt Estate to tour our facilities
and surrounding vineyards, and enjoy a glass of fine wine in our
Hospitality Room. A complete selection of Merritt Estate Wines is
available for purchase at the Winery at current retail prices. We are
open all year, offering free tours and tastings: Mon. - Sat., from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sun., from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Group tours are
welcome by special arrangement.

Merritt Estate Winery
2264 King Road
Forrestville, NY, 14062
1-888-965-4800
1-716-965-4800 Fax

 Hours:
 Monday - Saturday
 10 am - 5 pm
 Sunday 
 Noon - 5 pm
http://www.merrittestatewinery.com/contact.aspx

http://www.merrittestatewinery.com/default.aspx

Fine a map here, along with riving directions. Should you consider
this on your itinerary, fill in the box with your home as a starting
point, as well as the winery you plan to visit before this one. By
doing so  you will have directions at hand.
http://www.merrittestatewinery.com/directions.aspx

Awards
http://www.merrittestatewinery.com/awards.aspx

Merritt has Vidal Ice Wine
http://www.merrittestatewinery.com/WineList-Detail.aspx?wid=21







Additionally, here are some pre-planned tours:
===============================================
Finger Lakes Winery Tours
This company will even customize a tour for you!
http://www.fingerlakeswinerytours.com/

Grapevine Country Tours
http://www.grapevinecountrytours.com/

New World Tour Country
http://www.newworldtour.com/

QualityTran
http://www.qualitytran.com/




Places to stay:
================
FitzGerald Suites Geneva, NY 315-521-8041
One Bedroom, Excellent location, Ultra Luxury.
Very Upscale Suite in the Heart of the Historic District of Geneva, NY
Esperanza Mansion Branchport, NY 315.536.4400
A beautiful Mansion on the Keuka Wine Trail. Restaurant & Accommodation.

Skaneateles Suites Skaneateles, NY 315-685-2333
The Boutique Hotel of Skaneateles and Dockside Vacation Rentals

City Lights Bed & Breakfast, Ithaca NY 
Restored Grande Greek Revival home

KingTown Beach, Trumansburg, NY 607.387.5688 
They have Five- 2 bedroom, bath, kitchenette, sitting area, front
porch and fire pit,
cottages and a large 3 bedroom house with 380' of lake front on Cayuga lake 


=================================================
Non-Award Winners (But interesting none the less)
=================================================
Glenora Wine Cellars
http://www.glenora.com/

Wiemer Vineyards
http://www.wiemer.com/

Fox Run Vineyards
http://www.foxrunvineyards.com/

Arcadian Wineries
?Situated in the heart of Upstate New York?s Finger Lakes Wine
Country, Arcadian Estate Winery is located on Seneca Lake, near
Watkins Glen. Folks find us to be a fun winery on Seneca Lake?s west
side??.we encourage you to take a drive out and enjoy our friendly,
welcoming atmosphere.
Arcadian?s main building is a 170 year old barn that is home to our
winery and tasting room, gift shop and gallery which features our
artist of the month. If you like, you can sample some of our wines
around our main bar or have a specialized sampling with one of our
staff of knowledgeable wine servers for a group of your friends or
family. Wines can also be purchased by the glass or bottle to enjoy at
your leisure.
No matter what time of the year there is always something going on at
Arcadian. If you are visiting us on the weekend you may stumble across
any variety of entertainment possibilities ranging from visiting
musical artists and DJ?s to an array of unique events.?

http://www.arcadianwine.com/about.php
Events
http://www.arcadianwine.com/events/

13th Annual Garlic Festival 
at Fox Run Vineyards August 6 and 7, 2005 
Fox Run Vineyards will again celebrate one of humanities oldest and
best friends in the vegetable kingdom, garlic. Onions (Allium cepa),
leeks (Allium porrum) and garlic (Allium sativum) are cousins in the
lily family, but it is garlic that is most aromatic and controversial.
Associated with Southern Europe, its actual origins are in dispute,
but its use is at least as old as recorded history and today its
roughly 250 varieties are grown around the world. All these are being
studied at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station located
at Cornell University in the Finger Lakes.

Like grapes, some varieties of garlic do better in certain places.
Such a place is the Finger Lakes, where at present between 70 and 100
strains are cultivated. These strains originated in the cool climates
of northern Afghanistan and eastern Europe, specifically Poland and
Russia.
The Finger Lakes region is famous for its hardneck garlic varieties.
Also known as topset, these varieties are sourced from Northern
Europe. Winter hardy, they thrive in the cool climate of the Finger
Lakes. For the chef or connoisseur, this is the type of garlic to seek
out. Its large cloves are intense with flavor, easy to peel and
thought to possess more health benefits. This is due to the
concentrated amounts of allicin, (a sulfur compound) which is more
volatile and active in the hardneck cloves. Overall, it is a far
superior garlic than its softneck cousins. The softneck varieties are
found in the warmer climates of California (which has a continuous
growing season) and China.

http://www.foxrunvineyards.com/



========
IceWine
========

I was able to find only one winery, as posted above that mentioned
having ice wine. When you call or e-mail the wineries that interest
you, don?t forget to ask if they have ice wine. However, I did find
some information on ice wine! It appears to be more plentiful and
popular in Canada than New York.

The following web site lists wineries that are supposed to offer ice
wine. Not all of them are award winners, but some of the wineries I
posted are on the list, such as Casa Larga and Standing Stone. So, you
have at least two award winning wineries that have ice wine.Dr.
Frank?s also says it has ice wine.
http://www.newyorkwines.org/winelocator/quicksearch.asp?src=ice+wine&p=NaN#search_widget

?This area of Canada produces one of the most internationally
sought-after products. This product is icewine. Icewine or Eiswein in
Germany, is a late-harvest wine made from grapes pressed while frozen.
Only three varieties of vinifera grape and Vidal may be used but
usually it is made from Vidal and Riesling grapes.
To make Icewine, the grapes are left on the vine until after the first
frost hits. These grapes are harvested after being frozen in the
vineyard and then, while still frozen, they are pressed. They must be
picked early - before 10 a.m. During both of these processes the
temperature cannot exceed -8 degrees C. At this temperature (-8
degrees C) the berries will freeze as hard as marbles. While the grape
is still in its frozen state, it is pressed and the water is driven
out as shards of ice. This leaves a highly concentrated juice, very
high in acids, sugars and aromatics.
In Ontario and in Germany, icewine is defined as naturally frozen.
This means that here as in Germany, no other method of making icewine
is allowed other than the natural method. No artificial freezing
method constitutes icewine by definition or label.?
http://www.ontariograpes.com/icewine.html
http://itotd.com/index.alt?ArticleID=244

?Ice wines are made by several wineries by the method of picking
grapes normally and then freezing them. The resulting nectar is
excellent. From the 2004 vintage they will not be able to label wines
made this way as ice wine since this name will be reserved for wines
made in the risky traditional manner of leaving grapes on the vine to
be frozen naturally, which justifies their high prices. One Finger
Lakes winery even says their ice wine is 'made in traditional German
eiswein stye' even though it comes from out of a freezer.
Unfortunately other misleading names are used including Burgundy,
Claret, Chablis Grand Cru (!) and Champagne. What I found perplexing
was the misuse of 'Meritage' - a clever name invented in the US to
replace the term 'Bordeaux blend'; one winery says it makes a Meritage
from Syrah, Sangiovese and other non-Bordeaux varieties.?
http://www.winelabels.org/arta2z.htm

?Most icewine connoisseurs think Riesling icewine to be superior to
any other, and in fact they go very well with dessert containing
citrus, like caramelised tangerines, citrus fruit salads or compotes.
     Ginger and pear cake could be matched with a Vidal icewine, but
Riesling would elevate this ingenious cake to heavenly heights. If you
want to go very fancy you can cerate an icewine sabayon and sprinkle
it with a few raspberries to see how divine this combination can get.
Sabayon requires egg yolk, a sprinkling of sugar, a little icewine, a
bain marie, and a lot of elbow grease.
     An expertly made tarte tatin (an upside down stove top apple pie)
is an excellent match with an iced apple wine, the equivalent of grape
icewine. It is considerably less expensive, but to some, even more
satisfying than regular icewine. Gewurztraminer icewines are best on
their own to appreciate their delicacy and fine exotic fruitiness!
     If you want an exquisite experience, try fresh a peach, apricot,
pineapple and raspberry salad with a Chardonnay icewine.
     When it comes to chocolate, expertly made milk chocolate truffles
go well with Vidal icewines, although Vignole (another hybrid planted
in New York State?s Finger Lake region) can also be a fine match.
     Some wineries make icewine from grapes frozen in freezers. They
are just sweet and possibly drinkable, but not be compared to icewine
that are made from grapes frozen on the vine.
     Icewine is nature?s gift and a celebration of mankind?s ingenuity
to create a divine wine. Enjoy this truly nectar of the gods in the
right context and the right time to appreciate its delicacy.?
http://www.foodreference.com/html/articewineanddesserts.html

?Icewine, Baby! 
Here's a cool treat for summer. Sip a chilled glass of sweet Icewine
and enjoy one of our Icewine-based desserts from Izabela Kalabis,
Resident Chef at Inniskillin Winery in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario,
Canada. Icewine, known as eiswein in Germany, where it originated, is
a delicious sweet wine made from frozen grapes. It is now made by
wineries throughout North America, but not always by the true method.
One winery that has been a leader in producing traditional Icewine in
the new world is Inniskillin. Read our profile of Inniskillin's
founder, Donald Ziraldo. And learn more about Icewine from Mark Bell,
formerly sommelier at Vong in New York, currently East Coast Brand
Manager for Mumm and Perrier-Jouët, and a Canadian himself.? ?Icewine
relies on the combination of a slow cycle of freeze and thaw and the
extra long "hang time" to produce a poetry of intense flavour and high
acidity. It is a showstopper with dessert and it works extremely well
when paired with rich foods such as foie gras sautéed with ginger and
mango, or a spicy chicken and coconut milk soup. It is also very
refreshing when served before a meal on a hot summer afternoon. What a
lot of flexibility for a wine that is made from only 5% of its
original juice.
Good things do indeed come in small packages. 

One of my responsibilities as sommelier is to look around my
neighborhood for new and interesting wines. Long Island and the Finger
Lakes are providing some great products, and I'm happy to say (being
Canadian) that Canada is as well. It makes me happy to recommend a
Chardonnay from the southern edges of Lake Ontario to a German tourist
or a Cabernet Franc to a New Yorker and listen as they order a second
bottle. One of my favorite pleasures is watching as the flavours of
the very-late-harvested Inniskillin Icewine lift the corners of the
first time taster's mouth and replace the day-long strain in their
eyes with a mischievous glint.?
http://starchefs.com/wine/features/html/icewine.shtml

?Some late harvest and ice wines, which require large amount of grapes
to make small volumes of wine, regularly exceed $30 or $40 for a half
bottle. Heron Hill last month released 2003 Riesling Ice in a 375 ml
bottle for the nice round price of $100.
They only made 960 bottles and claim that it?s the highest priced
Finger Lakes wine ever. Like Reno, Heron Hill owner John Ingle
suggests that his first ice wine is better than anything other ice
wine from the United States and as good or better than German ice
wines that cost $500 for a half bottle. To the north, Canadian
wineries have made a splash with such wines. A cabernet ice wine from
one producer, for example, tops $200 dollars a half bottle.
?This wine is in a class by itself ? so far and above other ice wines
made in the U.S.,? Heron Hill owner John Ingle said. ?Many other ice
wines made in our country are thick and syrupy while ours is clear,
with flavor that explodes in your mouth.?
I haven?t tried Heron Hill?s wine. Made from vine-frozen grapes
pressed before they thaw, a well-made ice wine can be an unforgettable
treat. And Ingle has some great riesling vineyards from which to draw
fruit.
Heron Hill winemaker Thomas Laszlo made ice wine for several years in Canada. 
The dessert wine market may be a good one for the Finger Lakes to
explore. The region has a tradition of ice wines and several wineries
have gotten international attention for such wines made from hybrid
grapes such as vidal and vignoles?
http://www.fltimes.com/main.asp?ArticleID=5829&SectionID=38&SubSectionID=121





==========================
Other Useful Information:
==========================
I?m unable to plot an itinerary for you, but if you print out this page:
https://www.senecalakewine.com/printwineries.asp

and then this one
https://www.senecalakewine.com/wine_trail_map.asp   , You will see the
wineries correspond to the lettering system.

Here is another customizable/zoomable/movable map
http://www.winecountrycabins.com/to_do/map.htm


Maps of the four wine trails
http://www.newyorkwines.org/winecountry/fingerlakes/map.asp

Driving directions from numerous locations
http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/maps_more/directions.asp

Different scenic routes
http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/maps_more/sightseers.asp

Weather Reports
http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/maps_more/weather.asp

Another wine lover?s diary of the Finger Lakes wineries
http://www.wineloverspage.com/wines/finger.htm

Finger Lakes Events for August
http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/events.asp?cat=&date=8%2F1%2F2005&x=22&y=9

By entering your e-mail and selecting events you?re interested in, you
can get a personalized plan!
http://www.visitfingerlakes.com/display_tp.asp

Article about the Finger Lakes region
http://www.wtotfl.com/

Wood Pond Press article on the Finger Lakes
http://www.getawayguides.com/newyork/fingerlakes/fingerlakes.htm

You may find this online Wine Lover?s site interesting as well
http://www.wine-lovers-page.com/

The Art of Wine Tasting
http://www.tasting-wine.com/


There you go! If this is not the information you were hoping for,
please, before rating, request an Answer Clarification. This will
enable me to assist you further. Enjoy the trip! (Don't forget the
camera!)

Sincerely, Crabcakes

Search Terms
=============
Finger Lakes + Wineries
Finger Lakes + vineyards
Award winning wineries + Finger Lakes
ice wine
icewine
Dessert wines

Great detail and research.  You saved me a bunch of time sorting
through lots of info.  Thanks!!

Thank you for the 5 star rating, gwiner. Enjoy the trip!
Sincerely, Crabcakes

HEY THANKS ALOT 4/2 star nfo :)

Canada is best known for its Ice Wines.  I recommend the
Niagara-on-the-Lake region in Southern Ontario.  It is located just an
hour North of Buffalo NY.

There are many wineries that offer ice wine.  A few can be found here:
http://www.kingtours.ca/winetour.html

By far the largest producer of ice wine is Pillitteri Estates Winery.

The winery can be found here:
http://www.pillitteri.com/

May I suggest a romantic visit to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls
and joining one of the many winery tours offered
(http://etours.to/niagara_falls_tour_Wine.html)?  Niagara Falls now
also has great casinos with great evening entertainment
(http://www.fallsviewcasinoresort.com/).

My husband and I just took a trip to Atwater Vineyards and we had a
great time. Also, along the same road you will run into several other
vineyards, however, we thought Atwater was our favorite!! Have a great
time! Also, being that it is right on Seneca Lake the views were
awesome and the smell of that crisp mountain air was heavenly..I am
planning to go back next year !

Thanks to Torontoniagara for the info on the wineries in the
greater-niagara region.  I'll be sure to check out those tours!  There
are truley some world class wines being produced out of that area.  As
s/he points out, the finest ice wines herald from that region.  My
wife and I spent an excellent weekend there in Jan of 05 at the "Ice
Wine Festival" sponsored by the regional marketing authority.  Highly
recommended for any ice-wine fan or curious observer.

Here's a link to their site, which lists some future events:
http://www.grapeandwine.com/

While there, we came across some excellent wineries.  We missed quite
a few too, but these Ice Wine specialists stood out in some way: 
[note: all comments refer to ice-wines, unless noted]

Royal DeMaria: We liked this small, simple winery for their
outstanding array of varietals.  They simply produced more unique
varietals than any other winery: Riesling, vidal, Cab Franc,
Gerwertz., Merlot, Chardonnay, and more.
http://www.royaldemaria.com/

Inniskillin: The grandfather of ice-wines in the region.  Excellent,
but pricey varietals.  They are considered by many to be the "gold
standard" of ice-wine.  Not particularly my taste, but you have to at
least stop for a tasting, so you can say you did!
http://www.inniskillin.com/en/default.asp?location=home

JacksonTriggs: They produce a lot of exports that will be commonly
seen in the US in places like World Market, and Trader Joe's.  They
have a beautiful, modern  architect-designed winery.  Great view, cool
stuff, good snacks.  There's quite a few surprisingly nice varietals
that you don't see on retail shelves, that make it worth the stop for
the afficianado, who might otherwise skip.
http://www.jacksontriggswinery.com/en/

Henry of Pelham: This little quaint french-farmhouse-style winery has
my favorites.  Their 2002 vidal is to die for, and not available
easily outside of the winery.  I only brought back 2 bottles.  Not
nearly enough! Damn...Oh well, there's next year.
http://www.henryofpelham.com/

I'm particularly interested in good ice wines in the Finger Lakes
region.  I'd imagine the climate is perfect for it.  I'll be sure to
try the recommendations here, and post back.  In the meantime, if
anyone knows of any other good ice wines produced in the Finger Lakes
region, please post!

Thanks!