Adirondack Winery 2017 Fall Wine Guide

From apple picking, campfires and stunning foliage, to pumpkin picking and crunching leaves, to Halloween, Thanksgiving and cozy sweaters, fall in the Adirondacks might just be our favorite time of year! Here are our 9 favorite wines for this most colorful season ... and some awesome recipes and tips to go with them! Enjoy!

1. Soaring Strawberry (Strawberry-Infused White)

Fall in the Lake George region kicks off with the Adirondack Balloon Festival each year – we even put our favorite balloon on the label! With the delightfully sweet aroma of fresh picked strawberries blended with honey and floral flavors, Soaring Strawberry is the best way to reflect on another wonderful summer as you welcome in fall season! We prefer this wine the same way we prefer our fall nights...chilled!  Try Soaring Strawberry>>

2. Orchard Blossom (Green Apple-Infused White)

Nothing beats strolling through an apple orchard on a beautiful fall day, searching the for the perfect fruit in eager anticipation of the apple pie you're going to make when you get home! Like a freshly cut green apple, Orchard Blossom is intensely flavorful. It's crisp and fruity, and makes and one of our favorite wine cocktails too (below)!  Try Orchard Blossom>>

Try this recipe: Adirondack Mule

3. Red Carriage (Cranberry-Infused Red)

Temperatures are dropping, leaves are crunching, and the smell of Thanksgiving dinner will be filling your home before you know it. Capture the romantic feel of the holiday season with Red Carriage! This holiday season exclusive is semi-sweet, light-bodied and crisp, with notes of fresh cranberries balanced nicely with acidity and light tannins.  Try Red Carriage>>

Try this recipe: Adk Juicebox

4. Gewurztraminer (Semi-Dry White)

One of our favorite places to take in fall colors is right on Million Dollar Beach. Gazing north up the lake offers a unique perspective of the foliage and allows you one of the best views of the mountains bursting with color. No wine brings us to that place more than Gewurztraminer! Aromas of sweet rose and lychee fruit make it pleasantly aromatic, and notes of ginger and tart apricot balance perfectly with a light sweetness.  Try Gewurztraminer>>

5. Sauvignon Blanc (Dry White)

"Golden Autumn" says it all! Just like Shepard Park in October, we absolutely love this "anytime" wines this time of year! This Sauvignon Blanc is well-balanced, light and crisp, with bright citrus and understated herbaceous tones. It pairs well with just about anything and is perfect for sangria, making it especially great in a pinch.  Try Sauvignon Blanc>>

Try this trick: Keep your wine chilled without watering it down by making Sauv Blanc ice cubes! Simply pour wine into any ice cube tray and freeze!

6. Dry Riesling (Dry White)

It's time to change your mind about Riesling! "Red Cardinal" is dry, light and fresh, with subtle notes of red delicious and gala apples, lemon lime soda, ginger, honey and nutmeg. We think it pairs best with poultry and mild cheeses, making it a strong go-to for your early holiday celebrations.  Try Dry Riesling>>

Check out more holiday pairing tips>>

7. Baco Noir (Dry Red)

It's hard to describe the feeling of bundling up and gathering a group of friends around a campfire on a clear fall night, but our Baco Noir comes pretty close! Medium-bodied and dry, with the right balance of oak, tannin and light acidity, open and bottle and you'll soon be wondering where your night -- and the wine -- has gone! Try Baco Noir>>

8. Cabernet Franc (Dry Red)

Cool air on your face, crunching leaves beneath your boots, and your first day in a winter hat...Cabernet Franc really is "Autumn in the Park"! This "Cab Franc" is a deep, dry red wine, offering a peppery perfume that combines nicely with raspberry and violet tones, a touch of spice and a smooth finish. It's late October in a bottle!  Try Cabernet Franc>>

Warm up this recipe: Red Wine Hot Chocolate

9. Meritage (Dry Red)

This wine is truly one of a kind! An artful blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, we aged our Meritage in American oak barrels for 18 months. The result is a medium bodied, dry wine with intense oak and earthy aromas, complex flavors of dark cherry, red berry and spice, with an enjoyable buttered toast finish. Try Meritage>>

BONUS: Adirondack Splendor (Barrel Aged Port-Style Red)

Time for dessert! We let this limited production wine (only 45 cases made!) age in American oak barrels for two years, and the result was well worth the wait! You'll find intense aromas of brown spice and raisins, with the rich flavors of black cherry and plum, and just a hint of tobacco. Adirondack Splendor pairs best with dark chocolate desserts and Brie or Chevre cheeses. Try Adirondack Splendor>>