I have said it often but it bears repeating – farm-to-table is not a trend or a marketing ploy in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. It is very much a way of life. Whether you are at a farmers market, or wine tasting, or even having a lovely dinner at a local restaurant, you will have a chance to enjoy something grown in this beautiful region.
I spent a day enjoying one of my favorite wineries just to demonstrate exactly how the farm is always connected to everything we drink and eat here.
The Point of The Bluff Vineyards tasting room is on the West side of Keuka Lake in a restored 1800’s schoolhouse. Here guests get to taste some of the best in wine from the Finger Lakes, whether it be classic varietals or their more sustainable canned Hanger 17 brand. It’s also only steps away from the pavilion (a spacious barn built with up-cycled 500-year-old timbers) which hosts a highly anticipated concert series every year.
All around the tasting room are the vineyards that grow the grapes that produce the wine tasted here. The winery has also started to introduce a farmers market experience for visiting guests and here you get a chance to purchase florals and greens from select local farms, as well as their own Glenn Scott Farm which is a short distance from the tasting room.
At the farm, microgreens, veggies, herbs, and other florals are grown to supply the seasonal menu for the restaurant at The Park Inn in Hammondsport, about a 15-minute drive away. (Read more about this farm-to-table experience on Edible Finger Lakes!)
There is a lot to love about the Finger Lakes, but the experience of knowing that every sip and every bite is the result of the land around you really highlights the significant beauty of this place and inspires such a deep appreciation for all involved in that process, from farmer to chef.
Other things to note:
In addition to the accommodations at The Park Inn, visitors looking for a more private stay experience can reserve the Glenn Scott Manor, next to the farm. This farmhouse sleeps 9 comfortably and offers views of Keuka Lake in the distance.
If you’re in New York City and can’t get to the Finger Lakes at the moment, but want a taste, make sure to visit Rooftop Reds in Brooklyn’s Navy Yard. Their 14,800 square-foot rooftop vineyard produces between 20-25 cases, but the majority of their wine comes from Point of The Bluff Vineyards. You can taste and purchase the Rooftop Red wines at both locations.
So come hungry and ready to taste all there is to love about the Finger Lakes and be sure to support a local farmer along the way.
This experience was in partnership with Point of The Bluff Vineyards. All opinions are my own.
