It bears repeating time and again:  Napa Valley's not the only wine producing area worth visiting.  For that matter, California's not the only state in which to take a wine country getaway.  Have you considered the Finger Lakes?

The Finger Lakes Wine Region is located in Upstate New York, with wineries clustered around Seneca Lake, Cayuga Lake and Keuka Lake.  With more than 100 wineries producing 40 million bottles per year, the region is among the largest wine producers in the nation.

I prefer to pick up a wine trail map and visit wineries on my own, but many people like to hire limo or bus wine tour companies, which take groups to many different wineries.  The good thing about a tour is that you don't have to worry about drinking too much wine and driving.  The bad thing is that you may be on a tour with loud, drunk, obnoxious people.  You might consider getting a small group of friends together and hiring a limo to take you around on the wine trails. 

Some standout wineries in the Finger Lakes area include:

• Casa Larga Vineyards in the Finger Lakes Central Region
• Lucas Vineyards in the Cayuga Lake Region
• Chateau LaFayette Reneau Winery in the Seneca Lake Region
• Fox Run Vineyards in the Seneca Lake Region
• Vinifera Wine Cellars in the Keuka Lake Region

Need a Place to Stay in the Finger Lakes?

If you're taking a trip to the Finger Lakes Region, you might be interested in the following accommodations:

The Painted Lady Bed and Breakfast
520 West Water Street
Elmira, New York

Voted one of the "Ten Best Inns/B&B's in North America" by Arrington's Inn Traveler Magazine  guest poll in 2006, The Painted Lady Bed and Breakfast is located in the Near Westside Historic District.  Check out their "Wine Country Tour" Package, which includes a chauffeured-driven, 6-hour personalized tour of Finger Lakes Wine Country (in your vehicle, or, for an extra fee, a limo), and dinner for 2 at Hill Top Inn, Tanino Ristorante or Moretti's, for only $249 plus your room rate.

Mirbeau Inn & Spa
851 West Genesee St.
Skaneateles, New York

Mirbeau Inn & Spa has recently been named among the Top 10 Best Spas in the World for Cuisine, Romance and Yoga by SpaFinder, Inc, and has a "Gardens & Grapes" package you may enjoy.  This package includes an overnight stay at Mirbeau Inn & Spa, a 4-course meal at Giverny, breakfast, a 6-hour wine tour, as well as a picnic lunch to enjoy on your tour.  This package begins at $865 for a midweek stay, or $1054 for a weekend stay.  This package is valid from May 9, 2008 through October 31, 2008.

Upcoming Winery Events in the Finger Lakes Wine Region:

Saturday, October 11, 2008 – Sunday, October 12, 2008
Harvest Festival
King Ferry Winery
658 Lake Road
King Ferry, NY

Hosted by  Bakers Acres Garden Center and King Ferry Winery.  Live music and food.

Saturday, October 18, 2008 – Sunday, October 19, 2008
Second Annual Pumpkin Festival
Cobblestone Farm Winery
5102 Route 89
Romulus, NY

Pumpkin picking, carving & decorating, pumpkin treats, wine tasting, and costume contest.

Saturday, October 25, 2008
11th Annual Chestnut Festival
Goose Watch Winery
5480 Route 89
Romulus, NY

Everything chestnuts:  fresh roasted chestnuts, chestnut soup, etc., from chestnuts harvested at Goose Watch Winery.

Here's a "Travel Postcard" which I found on YouTube you might be interested in.