Canandaigua and Geneva: Gateways to New York’s Wine Country
The City of Canandaigua, New York
http://www.canandaiguanewyork.gov/
Canandaigua has a population of under 12,000, but that does not mean that there is nothing interesting going you. Canandaigua can show you just as much of a good time as a large city, without all the hustle and bustle and congestion.
The wine industry is big in this part of New York State and Canandaigua plays a big roll. After all it is known as the Gate Way to the Finger Lakes and that is the heart of the wine industry in western New York. As a matter of fact, Canandaigua is the perfect jumping off point for a tour of the wine country.
A visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion
http://www.sonnenberg.org/index_frames.htm
is a great way to get an introduction to the Finger Lakes and the history and importance of the wine industry in and around Canandaigua. New York.
You can visit the Finger Lakes Wine Center
http://www.sonnenberg.org/index_frames.htm
on the grounds of the museum Here you can get information on all the wineries in the Finger Lake Region of New York and you can also participate in wine tasting. They have a special on Fridays, where a local winery can reserve the tasting room and the visitor gets a chance to meet the owners and find out everything about them and there business.
For those who love flowers, they have an orchid show in March. Also in March is a singles (21-40 and you need id) wine tasting event, followed by one for the over 40 crowd, ( same thing you need ID)
Throughout the year, they have guided tours of the city, carriage rides and Afternoon teas. In October they have an ADULT Mansion Mystery. One of the interactive mysteries where the guests have to figure out who the murderer is followed by a kids treasure hunt, where they get to roam the mansion and hopefully find the most treasurers.
One you have gotten a taste and feel of New York’s wines, it is time to start out and explore the local wineries themselves.
As a matter of fact, Canandaigua has its own wine trail.
http://www.canandaiguawinetrail.com/
There are three wineries in addition to Finger Lakes Wine Center at Sonnenberg Gardens, each one with its own personality. They are all close by, so try and visit them all to get the complete experience. And be sure to check out their events page and maybe you can catch something special. For instance, take a look at
Arbor Hill Grapery
http://www.thegrapery.com/
They are more than wine, with a line of gourmet items with everything from wine jelly to granola. Their retail store is a shopping spree all by it self, and it is not all food
Fall and winter are great times to visit and bring the kids. They will get to see how the holidays are celebrated in New York and have some great hands-on experiences at the same time.
For instance in October there is the Great Pumpkin Walk
at Ontario County Fairgrounds.
www.ontariopathways.org
Hundreds of lighted pumpkins entertainment and food.
Festival of Trees at Granger Homestead
The festival of Trees is held for two weeks in November. Tour the mansion and see trees and wreaths decorated in the theme of the year. Another November event is The Fall Art Walk & Holiday.
Open House at Downtown Canandaigua
http://www.artscanandaigua.com
Take a tour of the art galleries on Main Street , have some complimentary food and participate in wine tasting.
While in Canandaigua, stay at one of the New York Bed and Breakfasts. You will get treated right, and the inn keepers know the area, and are more than happy to point out the less known attractions, the best restaurants etc. Check them out here http://www.canandaigua.com/public_displaylist.asp?type=2&id=25
If you are looking for sports, winter or summer, Canandaigua will have something for you and the whole family to enjoy. Take a look at theses and you will see what Canandaigua has to offer.
Bristol Harbour Resort,
http://www.bristolharbour.com/
Bristol Harbour Resort is located right on Canandaigua Lake. And right next to an 18 hole championship golf course. You can have a nice early game of golf in the morning and tour some of the wineries in the afternoon. Or in the winter you can have a day of cross country skiing , or downhill skiing at Bristol Mountain followed by dinner at the inn and an evening of doing nothing but relaxing.
Bristol Mountain and Roseland Waterpark
http://www.bristolmountain.com/
A water park in the summer, cross country and downhill skiing in the winter, with beautiful scenery 12 months of the year, makes Bristol Mountain a great place for a family vacation.
The City of Geneva, New York
http://www.geneva.ny.us/
Located on beautiful Seneca Lake, Geneva is a city of just under 14,000 inhabitants located about 50miles from the nearest big city of Rochester. Just a half hour on the throughway.
Where Canandaigua is the launching point for tour of the wine country. Geneva is right in the middle It is located on the northern shore of Seneca Lake and there are 29 wineries that circle the lake, so when you come to Geneva, you will get a chance to tour many of them And enjoy the sports on the lake as well.
Geneva, itself, is home to three wineries
Nagy’s Vineyards and Winery
http://www.nagyswines.com
623 Lerch Road
Geneva, NY 14456
Ventosa Vineyards
http://www.ventosavineyards.com
3440 Rt. 96A
Geneva, NY 14456
Belhurst Castle
http://www.belhurst.com/index.htm
Belhurst Castle is more than a winery. It is also a first class hotel and a perfect place to stay in Geneva.
If you come for the water sports, you will come to Seneca Lake State Park. Located just out side of Geneva, the park has docking for boats, a playground and is open year round, and is a great place for cross country skiing in winter.
Geneva is also home to some great resorts, with activities for every season.
Geneva On The Lake
http://www.genevaonthelake.com/
Geneva On The Lake is simply gorgeous, with many activities related to the wine industry, and it is near Seneca Lake State Park, which is open year round and is a great place for cross country skiing.
