Nathanael and his girlfriend (now fianc\u00e9e) Natalie outside a vineyard on the banks of Keuka Lake.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Why I went to The Finger Lakes<\/strong>
\nI probably wouldn\u2019t have thought of travelling to this corner of the United States unless I\u2019d fallen in love with someone who came from this region. Thankfully, I did, and my girlfriend was delighted to show me her beautiful pocket of New York state – and, of course, introduce me to her parents. It meant getting an insider view of an extraordinarily beautiful yet less-visited region, mercifully low on tourists even in the height of summer. <\/p>\n

My highlight of the trip<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s hard to pick which natural feature most impressed me. The lakes themselves \u2013 formed by glaciers and named for their long, digit-like shapes \u2013 are lined with tree-covered hills, creating an intoxicatingly peaceful atmosphere. My favourite sight, however, lies hidden on the edges of the region and offers scenery of the more dramatic kind. Letchworth Gorge State Park carves up the landscape with waterfalls, rapids and winding paths along the gorge walls. We had a barbecue in the park then hiked down to the base of the gorge, hemmed in by steep rock walls.<\/p>\n

What else I love about The Finger Lakes<\/strong>
\nForget Napa Valley; the Finger Lakes is now my pick of US wine-growing regions. The lakes create milder micro-climates, fending off the state\u2019s harsh winters and making the ground amenable to growing grapes. There\u2019s no tourist trails with huge coaches dropping people off at the famous wineries. Instead, there are lots of family-run, independent vintners producing small batches that rarely leave the region. The wine is exquisite, with German varietals in particular thriving here. I quickly developed a taste for crisp Rieslings and Gew\u00fcrztraminers. Best of all, the tasting sessions (which were either free or very cheap) come with friendly, expert commentary and stunning views of the lakes themselves. An array of lakeside microbreweries ensure quality beer is in ready supply too. <\/p>\n