This morning, my Facebook memories reminded me that February 18th is National Drink Wine Day. I checked my calendar and there it was noted boldly on this day — there was no way this national day was going to slip away without acknowledging it (and partaking).

If you’re a wine fan, it’s no doubt that we all open a bottle, order a glass of wine or visit a winery or wine store more than once a year, but we can get behind National Drink Wine Day and show our love and support for local wineries!

Here in Yates County, the epicenter of wine country in the Finger Lakes, we have two wine trails: Keuka Lake Wine Trail and Seneca Lake Wine Trail, as well as other notable, award-winning wineries you can’t miss.

Yates County is the largest grape growing county in the United States outside of California. There are an abundance of family-run vineyards that have been growing grapes for generations, many who have turned their efforts and passion into the winery business. With that being said, we’re also home to more wineries than any other county in the state of New York.

Thanks to the ever growing interest and consumption of wine in our country, rest assured the hard work of those working in the vineyards, winemakers, winery owners and tasting room staff do not go unnoticed.

So on this day, we encourage you to support local wineries and open a bottle of one of your favorite wines. Take it even further and post a picture of you participating in National Drink Wine Day. Tag that winery and tag us! Use hashtags #flxwine or #flxcountrysides

To explore more information on local wineries, head on over to our wineries page.

Our wineries are open and safe! Be sure to check with the individual winery before visiting as hours vary by season.