The picturesque Finger Lakes wine region was named top wine region in the USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice poll, besting famed areas such as Napa Valley in California, Willamette Valley in Oregon and Walla Walla Valley in Washington.
In addition, F.L.X. Table, a cozy eatery on the narrow, block-long Linden Street in Geneva, has won best winery restaurant, with the Fox Run Café & Market finishing in third place, and Veraisons Restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars placing eighth.
The top 20 nominees were chosen by a group that included a panel of experts on wine. The winners were determined by online voting. 10Best.com was acquired by USA Today in January 2013.
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Congratulations to the Finger Lakes – voted the best wine region in America. https://t.co/aE3W9KQURE
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 31, 2018
Three Finger Lakes winery restaurants finished in the top 10, a sign that the Finger Lakes food scene has come into its own.
F.L.X. Table, 22 Linden Street in Geneva, is a winner in the 10Best competition for the second time; it was named the country’s best new restaurant in January 2017. Owned by husband-and-wife team Christopher Bates and Isabel Bogadtke, it has one communal table that seats 12. It serves a different single five-course menu, based on seasonal produce and local sourcing, each evening. Its its eye-popping wine list is curated by Bates, a Master Sommelier. It is not at a winery, but Bates also owns Element Winery in Arkport.
The casual Fox Run Café & Market in Fox Run Vineyards, 670 Route 14 in Penn Yan, has an approachable menu that ranges from artisan cheese boards to hand-pulled bison tacos to flatbread pizzas. Fresh produce from the winery’s vegetable garden is used when available. The specials are changed a monthly basis, reflecting the produce available at that time. It is open seasonally from April through mid-December.
Veraisons Restaurant at Glenora Wine Cellars, 5435 State Route 14 in Starkey, is named for the time when grapes change color as they ripen. The 125-seat restaurant, which adjoins the winery’s 30-room inn, opened in 2000. Its menu changes constantly to showcase the bounty of produce, meats and cheeses from nearby farms. The winery on the west side of Seneca Lake also offers one of the best views in the area.
We’re #1!! BEST WINE REGION! Thank you USA Today @10Best and readers, as well as our community of farmers, wine-makers, and hospitality ambassadors for helping us share all the beauty and flavors our region has to offer! https://t.co/sgRBYTcZ8I#myFLX #myFLXtbex #winecountry
— flxwinecountry (@FLXWineCountry) August 31, 2018
