The reader writes:

Here’s a shot from Rooster Hill Vineyards on Keuka Lake in New York’s Finger Lakes region, where we’d just finished a vineyard tour seeing where and how the grapes are grown. My wife and I were visiting the area for our 10th anniversary (which technically isn’t until October, but it’s easier for the grandparents to watch the kids during the summer…so we escaped for a few days while we could). We visited the area quite often pre-kids. Post-kids, not so much. The region is filled with wineries. There are at least a dozen around this lake; Seneca Lake, just 20 minutes away, probably has more than 50.

The Finger Lakes are world-renowned for whites, specifically Rieslings, as the cool weather translates well to the cooler climate grape of Germany. The region is churning out some quite tasty reds these days now that they’ve figured out what grows well there. In this case, the taste in my glass is a blend of Lemberger (a German red also known as Blaufränkisch) and Cabernet Franc. Lots of cherry, smoke, and depth.

For those in the northeast, the Finger Lakes is an easy drive from most major cities. Five hours from my home in Pittsburgh. Well worth a visit for anyone who enjoys wine.