Winter Magic in the Finger Lakes: A Day of Ice Wine Tastings, Cross-Country Skiing, and Cozy Cabins
Winter transforms the Seneca Lake region into a sparkling wonderland (especially after a fresh coating of snow!) and offers a completely different -- and equally enchanting -- wine country experience. Far from hibernating during the colder months, the area comes alive with unique seasonal activities that make it an ideal winter getaway destination.
As for how to spend it, we have a great day in mind, but let’s start with where most of our FLX escape planning sessions begin: the wine!
The star of winter wine tasting is undoubtedly ice wine, a luscious dessert wine produced from grapes frozen on the vine. This sweet, concentrated wine captures the essence of the season in every sip and is a must-try if you’re a wine fan. The Seneca Lake Wine Trail has stops that stay open year-round, with many wineries offering cozy tasting rooms where you can sample ice wines alongside ports and other cold-weather favorites. Buttonwood Grove Winery takes the experience outdoors where you can enjoy wine samples and cheese around a crackling fire while taking in views of snow-covered Cayuga Lake. Or you can grab a crisp beer or glass of Wagner’s famous Vidal Blanc ice wine at Wagner Vineyards in their heated enclosed deck (the view is lovely!). Castel Grisch Winery, Lakewood Vineyards, Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars and Fulkerson Winery also have a number of ice wines to sample.
Once you’ve gotten a taste of the season, we recommend getting outside to see just how beautiful the area is this time of year. There’s excellent hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Seneca Lake State Park in Geneva welcomes skiers to glide through winter landscapes, while the Finger Lakes National Forest in Hector provides miles of trails perfect for both cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Or you can try the Keuka Outlet Trail, which offers seven scenic miles between Keuka and Seneca Lakes, rewarding adventurers with gorgeous views of Seneca Mills Falls.
After hitting the trails, there’s no better way to end a winter’s day than retreating to one of our vacation rentals at FLX Escape! Our luxe micro-cabins are perfect for couples seeking a peaceful, private retreat. If you’d rather have a bit more space (and killer mountain views!), the Schoolhouse is the way to go. For larger groups, the Farmhouse sits on 25 acres with rustic nature trails to explore. Each property offers that perfect blend of modern comfort and vintage charm that makes a winter getaway truly special. It’s hard to choose our favorite! We truly believe that winter in wine country proves that the best season to visit might just be the one most people overlook :)