The Finger Lakes: Wine Enthusiast’s American Wine Region of the Year
It’s official: the Finger Lakes has been named the American Wine Region of the Year by Wine Enthusiast!
Christina Pickard says, “The rolling hills that fringe 11 long, deep lakes at the center of the Empire State are home to a plethora of world-class wineries that craft vibrant Riesling of all shapes and sizes; herbaceous Cabernet Franc; red-fruited Blaufrankisch; a kaleidoscope of sparklers; and so much more. Add to this an increase in wine-tourism offerings, breathtaking lakeside vistas, and enchanting waterfalls, and the vibes in the Finger Lakes are entirely grown up.” You can read her entire article for Wine Enthusiast here.
photo by Stu Gallagher
From the press release for New York Wine & Grape Foundation: “The Finger Lakes is the Wine Enthusiast’s 2025 Wine Star Award American Wine Region of the Year, honoring two centuries of innovation, sustainability, and cool-climate excellence. This Wine Star Award recognizes the Finger Lakes’ legacy as one of America’s most dynamic and collaborative wine regions, where family-owned wineries and regional partners continue to shape the story of New York wine.” Read their press release in full here.
And finally, from Amy Navor at the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance: “The Finger Lakes stands as a testament to resilience and collaboration, where generations of growers and new wineries work together to craft exceptional cool-climate wines… This recognition from Wine Enthusiast highlights our community’s shared success and innovation, proving that when the Finger Lakes grows, the entire New York wine industry grows.” Read their press release here!
Here at Silver Thread, we’re proud to be part of a region and community focused on sustainability, quality, and community. We know that we’re not the only ones who pride ourselves on making premium wines that reflect the beauty and uniqueness of our beloved Finger Lakes region. Cheers to everyone who has played a part in making this honor happen: from the winemakers to the picking crews to the wine reps to the tasting room servers!
photo by Kateri Connolly
