Girlfriends’ Getaway in the Finger Lakes, NY

Enjoy the beauty of the region and all the wines that the Finger Lakes have to offer.

What if I told you that there was a place as beautiful as cottage country and populated with high-quality wineries? And, what if I told you that it was just practically in our own, well, our neighbour’s, backyard? The Finger Lakes are like the Muskokas and Niagara-On-The-Lake combined located just south of Buffalo in Upstate New York. For a week, I was able to tour the Finger Lakes region with Corning & the Finger Lakes, Mark Twain Country, and Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce. My admiration for the area and desire to go back (soon!) is all my own.

The beauty of the Finger Lakes region.

The long slender lakes, shaped much like fingers (hence the name), are enrobed in a cool climate and green rolling hills, which make the perfect environment for growing grapes. Your wine-loving girlfriends will enjoy the opportunity to sample a variety of white wines, from Riesling to Gewürztraminer, over the gorgeous lake views that many of the wineries provide. Believe me when I say that there really isn’t a bad view in the house at the Finger Lakes!

Wine and dine at the Finger Lakes.

Some notable wineries to try on your visit:  Follow the jump for details!

Dr. Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars: Truly the best way to describe this incredible winery is to say that it is the real deal. Serving quality wines that are just a cut above the rest it’s no wonder that Dr. Frank’s is New York’s most award winning winery. The actual Dr. Frank, came from the Ukraine, and altered the course of grape growing in the Finger Lakes. His wine-making legacy has carried on for four generations of wine growers. Stop in for a tasting with one of the knowledgeable hosts and enjoy the views of Keuka Lake.

Heron Hill Winery: An environmentally conscious winery, Heron Hill is perched high above Keuka Lake. Recognizing that people access wine at different stages, Heron Hill hosts a number of tasting groups and provides more of an educational wine experience without a hint of pretension  Enjoy a relaxed wine tasting experience with girlfriends and definitely make a stop in at the Blue Heron Café for some gourmet nibbles.

Wine and an incredibly beautiful tasting plate at the Red Newt Cellars. 

Red Newt Cellars: A culinary hub located next to the calm waters of Seneca Lake, Red Newt Cellars provides a stand-up tasting experience. With a wide variety of white wines ranging from sweet to dry, everyone in your group will find a wine that they like.

Why not get some culture in between wine tastings? There are plenty of art galleries and museums to see and activities to do while visiting the Finger Lakes.

Admire the glass art at The Corning Museum of Glass and then try your hand at making your own!

 The Corning Museum of Glass: This is the world’s largest glass museum and believe me when I say that you could easily spend an entire day in here. Impressive glass art installations will have you pondering how the artists made such seemingly impossibly creations. While, the education oriented sections of the museum will have you fascinated by the sheer science behind glass, its composition and many uses. For a fun activity that’s not just for the kids, take a glass making class where you can blow glass – with the help of a glass making expert and create a masterpiece of your own.

Arnot Art Museum: Housed inside an old Victorian home located in Elmira, NY is the museum’s collection of 17^th-19^th century European paintings and sculptures in additional to 19^th-20^th century American art.  The realist paintings will have you staring and conversing with your friends about the incredible talent required to create such works of art. The Arnot Art Museum is a hidden gem of realist paintings and Elmira’s history, much of which involves Mark Twain.

Get your art buzz on at Wine & Design. 

Wine & Design: Why not wrap up a day filled with art by making some art of your own and drinking wine at the same time? Bring your girlfriends and BYOB to Wine & Design where you will paint (anyone can do it!) and drink wine for an evening of relaxed fun. Try not to dip your paintbrush into your wine glass!

Consider a venture off the beaten path to the Finger Lakes next long weekend. Enjoy extraordinary wines and immerse yourself in culture with a few of your closest friends. I can’t imagine a more ideal setting for a sophisticated girls’ getaway.

From Toronto: Approximately 4.5 hours drive (away from cottage country traffic!)

Carolyn Desrosiers is the lifestyle blogger behind covetedclassics.com. Find her on Twitter and Instagram @covetedclassics