Known most for its sweet rieslings, the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York comprises about 10 narrow lakes -- thus the name -- between Rochester and Syracuse. Wine Tour Trolley ferries individuals and groups of up to 24 on trolley-style buses to wineries at Seneca and Cayuga lakes. Each six-hour tour includes five wineries and a microbrewery, self-pay lunch at a winery and an educational winery tour. You can arrange to be picked up in Geneva or Ithaca.
Quality Wine Tours operates in the Finger Lake wine region seven days a week, so you can pick a day that suits your vacation plans. Choose one of the existing tours or create your own itinerary of stops around this scenic region. The tour operator provides the driver and a vehicle -- anything from a town car to a luxury bus that accommodates up to 27 passengers. Tours follow wine trails in the Seneca, Keuka, Cayuga and Canandaigua lake areas.
If you're leaving from the Big Apple to explore the vineyards of upstate New York, the Little Wine Bus will take you there. This creative company operates public and private tours from Manhattan to the Hudson Valley wine region. Among your options are a day tour of three wineries, a weekender tour, a birthday or bachelorette party tour, wine- and cheese-making tours and full-day wine and adventure tours that include activities such as ziplining or snowboarding. For creative connoisseurs, the Little Wine Bus operators also will customize a wine tour.
Wine tasting is a delicious part of visiting wineries, and the intoxicating scenery in upstate New York adds to the allure. Instead of rushing through the region in a day, stay over at one of the cozy bed-and-breakfasts in the Finger Lakes or Hudson Valley areas. Check with your winery-tour operator about package deals. Also, when booking your tour, make sure to inquire what the price covers, as not all tours include tasting fees or lunch.
