One of America's great wine states: Finger Lakes Riesling, Long Island Merlot, the historic Hudson Valley, and Lake Erie. Updated for 2026.
New York is one of the great wine states of America, second only to California and Washington in scale and arguably unmatched in the diversity of its regions and the depth of its history. It is where American wine began in earnest, the Hudson Valley is the country's oldest wine-growing district, home to America's oldest continuously operating winery, and it is where cool-climate wine reaches its US peak, the Finger Lakes being widely regarded as the Riesling capital of the country. Add the maritime Merlot of Long Island and the historic Concord-and-vinifera belt along Lake Erie, and New York offers four distinct, world-class wine experiences within a few hours of New York City or across the state. From pioneering Finger Lakes estates to a 19th-century Hudson Valley landmark, New York rewards the curious at every turn.
Below are the New York wineries we recommend most, spanning the Finger Lakes, the Hudson Valley, Long Island, and Lake Erie. Current as of October 2026.
The Finger Lakes Riesling pioneer
The winery that proved European vinifera could thrive in the cold Finger Lakes, Dr. Konstantin Frank is a historic, acclaimed Keuka Lake estate and the name behind New York's rise as America's Riesling capital. A benchmark, essential stop for understanding New York wine.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Keuka Lake / Finger Lakes.
Our tip: Taste the pioneering Riesling; the estate that proved vinifera in New York.
Acclaimed Finger Lakes Riesling
A German-rooted Seneca Lake estate widely regarded as one of the finest Riesling producers in the United States, Hermann J. Wiemer is a critical darling and a cornerstone of the Finger Lakes' world-class reputation, a must for serious white-wine lovers.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Seneca Lake / Finger Lakes.
Our tip: Taste the acclaimed Riesling; one of America's finest, in the Finger Lakes.
America's oldest winery
In Washingtonville in the Hudson Valley, Brotherhood is America's oldest continuously operating winery, with roots to the first half of the 19th century (its first commercial vintage was 1839). A historic, atmospheric destination with vast underground cellars and a direct link to the dawn of American wine.
Good to know: Tastings and tours; Washingtonville / Hudson Valley.
Our tip: Tour the historic cellars; America's oldest continuously operating winery.
The Hudson Valley flagship
Often called the flagship of the Hudson Valley, this scenic Dutchess County estate helped prove the region could make serious vinifera and remains one of its most polished and respected producers, a benchmark stop in New York's historic river wine country.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Millbrook / Hudson Valley.
Our tip: Taste the estate vinifera; the Hudson Valley's polished flagship.
Long Island's benchmark
On the North Fork of Long Island, Bedell is one of the region's most acclaimed producers and helped establish Merlot as Long Island's signature red; its wine was even poured at a presidential inauguration luncheon. The benchmark of New York's maritime wine region.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Cutchogue / Long Island.
Our tip: Taste the Merlot; the benchmark of Long Island's maritime wine country.
A North Fork family estate
A respected family estate on Long Island's North Fork, Paumanok is known for its Bordeaux reds and one of America's few dry Chenin Blancs, a quality-first, welcoming producer that shows the serious side of New York's maritime Long Island wine.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Aquebogue / Long Island.
Our tip: Taste the dry Chenin Blanc and Bordeaux reds; a North Fork rarity.
A historic Lake Erie estate
Founded in 1961 in Westfield in New York's Lake Erie wine country, Johnson Estate is one of the state's oldest estate wineries, a historic, family-run producer in the Chautauqua grape belt that pairs classic regional wines with deep local roots.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Westfield / Lake Erie.
Our tip: Taste the classic regional wines at a historic estate; Lake Erie wine country.
Dry, European-style Finger Lakes wines
A Seneca and Keuka Lake producer acclaimed for its crisp, bone-dry, European-styled Rieslings and other wines, Ravines is one of the Finger Lakes' most respected modern estates, a quality-first stop for drinkers who love precise, food-friendly New York whites.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Finger Lakes.
Our tip: Taste the bone-dry Riesling; precise, European-styled Finger Lakes wines.
New York's wine regions are spread across the state, so plan around one (each is its own trip). The Finger Lakes, about four to five hours northwest of New York City around Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka lakes, is the crown jewel for Riesling and cool-climate wine. The Hudson Valley, just one to two hours north of the city, is the historic, scenic river region, an easy weekend. Long Island's North Fork, about two hours east of the city, is the maritime Merlot country. And the Lake Erie belt in the far west, near Chautauqua, is the historic grape country. Pick a region, plan three or four stops, and visit late spring through fall; autumn is spectacular in the Finger Lakes and Hudson Valley.
Do not treat New York as a single region; its four wine areas are hours apart and quite different, so choose one per trip. Do not overlook Riesling, it is the Finger Lakes' and New York's signature triumph, among the best in the country. And do not assume New York wine is all sweet or Concord-based; while that tradition exists along Lake Erie, the state's reputation rests on serious dry vinifera, especially Finger Lakes Riesling and Long Island Merlot.
Which are the best wineries in New York?
A well-rounded list spans the state's regions: in the Finger Lakes, the pioneering Dr. Konstantin Frank, the acclaimed Hermann J. Wiemer, and the dry-focused Ravines; in the Hudson Valley, the historic Brotherhood and the flagship Millbrook; on Long Island, the benchmark Bedell and the family estate Paumanok; and in Lake Erie country, the historic Johnson Estate. Together they capture New York wine from its oldest landmarks to its world-class modern estates.
What wine is New York known for?
Above all, Riesling, the Finger Lakes are widely regarded as America's Riesling capital, producing world-class dry, off-dry, and sweet styles. New York is also known for Long Island's maritime Merlot and Bordeaux blends, the Hudson Valley's historic and increasingly serious vinifera, and the Lake Erie region's Concord and emerging wines. Cool-climate whites are the state's greatest strength, led by Finger Lakes Riesling.
Where is New York wine country?
In four main regions. The Finger Lakes (about 4-5 hours northwest of NYC) is the largest and most celebrated; the Hudson Valley (1-2 hours north of the city) is the historic river region; Long Island's North Fork (about 2 hours east) is the maritime wine country; and the Lake Erie belt in the far west near Chautauqua is the historic grape country. New York also has smaller areas like the Niagara Escarpment and Thousand Islands.
Is New York a major wine state?
Yes, one of the most important in the country. New York ranks among the top US states for wine production (after California and Washington), and it is arguably the most historically significant and regionally diverse. It is home to America's oldest continuously operating winery (Brotherhood) and the oldest wine-growing district (the Hudson Valley), and the Finger Lakes have earned a global reputation for world-class Riesling.
Why are the Finger Lakes so important for New York wine?
Because they produce the state's, and arguably the country's, finest cool-climate white wines, especially Riesling. The deep glacial lakes moderate the harsh upstate climate, letting European vinifera ripen on the slopes above the water. Pioneers like Dr. Konstantin Frank proved vinifera could thrive here, and today acclaimed estates like Hermann J. Wiemer and Ravines have made the Finger Lakes synonymous with American Riesling.
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