The Last Long Days of Summer on the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail

August is summer's long exhale on the Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail. The vines are heavy, the evenings run late, and there's live music somewhere nearly every weekend. It's the month to slow down, squeeze in a few more lake days, and send the season off in style. Here's how.

Music All Month

If August has a soundtrack, you'll find it in Naples. Hometown Wine Company lines up a string of live sets with Ann Mitchell (Sunday, August 2, 2 PM), Todd East (Thursday, August 13, 4 PM), and Mel Henderson & the Paradigm Shift (Sunday, August 23, 1 PM). On the lake, the Heron Hill Canandaigua Lake Tasting Room keeps the rhythm going with live music every Saturday afternoon (3–7 PM) and an Open Mic every Thursday.

A Wellness Weekend in the Vines

Mark the weekend of August 15–16 for moving slow. Start Saturday with Hikyoga at Randall-Standish (10:30 AM) for a gentle hike and flow with the rows of vines as company. Come back Sunday for Goat Yoga in the Vineyard at Hazlitt Red Cat Cellars (12–1:30 PM, $35), which is exactly as delightful as it sounds. Breathe, stretch, sip, repeat.

Go Behind the Wine

For the curious, Acquilano Wine Cellars hosts Winemakers Night on Thursday, August 20 (5–9 PM). This relaxed evening is your opportunity to swap notes with professional, home, and aspiring winemakers alike. Weekly Game Nights keep the rest of the Thursdays easy.

The Send-Off Party

Then close the month with a bang. Donna The Buffalo take the stage at Inspire Moore Winery on Friday, August 28 (5–11 PM, $30–35). Enjoy an outdoor concert under the Naples sky. It’s the perfect way to cap the summer. Tickets are available through Inspire Moore Winery.

And the rest of the trail

Arbor Hill, Hotel Canandaigua, and Song Hill Winery round out the other spots, each open all month for an unhurried pour and a view. However you spend it, August is the month to make the most of the long light. Designate a driver or book a tour, check hours before you go, and give yourself the whole afternoon.

See you on the lake.