Raising a Glass to New York Wineries

Upstate New York offers a treasure trove of New York wineries for the wine lover and newbie. Here are links for just a few of the nearby wineries you can visit for a taste of reds, whites, sparkling and rose wines, as well as sweet fruit wine blends. You'll also find a link to information on the 14^th annual Saratoga Wine and Food Festival. Enjoy!

Saratoga Winery

The Saratoga Winery is located just 4 miles west of downtown Saratoga Springs on Route 29 West. The Tasting Room is open every day (Monday-Wednesday until 7; Thursday-Sunday until 9) and the cost to taste five wines is only $5. During the year the winery holds many dinners pairing their wines with food and, often, music. They offer wines from grape varieties and also fruits like cherry, raspberry and apricot. Their specialty is Melomel, a unique blend of grape wine and honey.

Swedish Hill Winery

The Swedish Hill Winery has opened a Tasting Room on Broadway in Saratoga Springs. It's open every day but Tuesday and Wednesday and has hours until 7 pm on Friday and Saturday – perfect for a visit after work! Tastings are $6, which includes a logo wine glass. Tastes on offer range from Chardonnays to Meritages to Sparkling wines.

Ledge Rock Hill Winery & Vineyard

The Ledge Rock Hill Winery & Vineyard is admirably located on the way to the Adirondacks or Lake George in northern Saratoga County – perfect for a day trip to the lake or mountains with a plus! It's just off 9 North in Corinth. The winery features sweet fruit wines and dry classics like Malbec, Zinfandel and Chardonnay. Before you go, check their website for the open hours.

Johnston's Winery

Johnston's Winery is close by in Ballston Spa on Bliss Road. In addition to their red and white fruit and grape wines, they offer Mead on a seasonal basis. They also make their own jams and jellies. Their tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons.

Oliva Vineyards'

Oliva Vineyards' Tasting Room in Fort Edward is about 20 miles from Malta and is open weekend afternoons. It charges $6 for a tasting of each of their varietals plus a souvenir wine glass to commemorate your visit. Oliva has sparkling wine, dry reds and whites and two Rose wines. The Oliva family lives in Saratoga Springs and operates a Stables near the winery; they are looking forward to the day that one of the family's horses visits the Winner's Circle at the Saratoga Race Track.

Thirsty Owl Winery

The Thirsty Owl Winery operates a Wine Garden in downtown Saratoga Springs at South Broadway and Lincoln Avenue. They feature the 20 different wines they craft in Cayuga Lake. In addition to educational tastings, they offer bistro food to pair with a glass of their wine. They also have special wine tasting dinners, music on Friday and Saturday evenings, and a 4-6 pm Sunday through Thursday Happy Hour.

Saratoga Wine and Food Festival

Each September, the Saratoga Wine and Food Festival brings people from all over to Saratoga Springs. In 2014, 6,000 people attended this three-day extravaganza. You can check this year's schedule here; the festival will be held from September 11-13 in Saratoga Springs.

You may want to refer to the Saratoga Beer and Wine Guide here for more wineries within tasting range.

If we've missed a favorite local winery, tell us about it below so all can enjoy!