green leaves on mountain during sunset

11 Charming Seneca Lake Wineries in the Finger Lakes Region

Have you heard the secret? Upstate New York houses one of America’s best wine regions. With more than 100 wineries, long blue lakes, lush vineyards, and cascading waterfalls, the Finger Lakes Region should be on your bucket list even if you do not drink wine. 

There is a lot of ground to cover with eleven lakes. We will outline eleven charming Seneca Lake wineries so you can make the most of your time in the Finger Lakes.

What is Unique About Seneca Lake?

photography of green grass field with plants

Named for the Seneca tribe of Native Americans, Seneca Lake is the deepest and largest by volume of the Finger Lakes. It has a maximum depth of 618 feet. The lake’s dimensions and surrounding climate create an excellent environment for precious winemaking grapes. 

Due to perfect growing conditions, the lake houses more wineries than its peers, making it the anchor of the Finger Lakes. Seneca Lake wineries produce several varieties but are renowned for whites like Riesling and Chardonnay and reds like Cabernet Franc and Lemberger.

The beautiful lake provides many opportunities for watersports like boating, fishing, paddle boarding, canoeing, and kayaking. Seneca Lake is known for its fantastic trout fishing.

How Long Does it Take to Drive Around Seneca Lake?

Not only is Seneca Lake deep, but it is also approximately 38 miles long. You can circle the entire finger in about two hours. Of course, you will likely want to make stops, savoring the views and wine.

Most of the wineries on our list sit in the towns of:

  • Geneva – northern tip of the lake
  • Watkins Glen – southern end of the lake
  • Penn Yan – west side of the lake, near the middle
  • Dundee – west side, between Watkins Glen and Penn Yan
  • Lodi – east side of the lake, near the middle
  • Burdett – east side, near the southern end

Seneca Lake Wine Trail

You will find four wine trails in the Finger Lakes:

  • Canandaigua Lake Wine Trail
  • Cayuga Lake Wine Trail
  • Keuka Lake Wine Trail
  • Seneca Lake Wine Trail

The Seneca Lake Wine Trail has 27 member wineries in the Seneca Lake American Viticultural Area (AVA). Member wineries promise a relaxed and welcoming experience with delicious wines and alluring views.

Although called a trail, we do not recommend walking or hiking. However, the wineries reside around Seneca Lake, and each is only a short drive from the next. As much as Julie and I love day hikes, wine and donut trails bring sheer joy.

What to Know Before You Visit

Finding available Uber and Lyft rides can be challenging in this rural area. Some wineries do not allow buses or limos. We recommend you select a designated driver within your group or visit the Seneca Lake Wine Trail website to explore transportation options.

Although some wineries request reservations, most accept walk-in visitors. Many have a maximum group size. It is best to verify each winery’s procedures before visiting.

Seneca Lake Wineries

glass of white wine

There are many excellent wineries along Seneca Lake, and we readily acknowledge taste is subjective. We will outline eleven wineries that provide delicious wine, beautiful views, friendly service, and unique experiences. Many, but not all, are wine trail members.

Lakewood Vineyards

  • Location: 4024 NY State Route 14, Watkins Glen, NY 14891
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Everything about Lakewood Vineyards feels like family. The third-generation family-owned and operated winery opened to the public in 1989. With a relaxed atmosphere and friendly employees, their tasting experience is educational and enjoyable. 

You will feel at home, from their delicious wines to their friendly winery dogs greeting guests with wagging tails. After our wine tasting, Julie played a few rounds of catch with one of the gentle dogs as we breathed in the alluring view and fresh air.

Highlights include their fun and fruity Abby Rose and the Cabernet Franc, which pairs nicely with grilled steak or smoked cheeses. Other popular selections include Riesling, Chardonnay, and Lemberger. Lakewood also carries a Long Stem collection designed to suit various tastes.

Lakewood accommodates tastings for couples, families, and groups of up to 12 people. Groups of more than six require a reservation.

Glenora Wine Cellars

  • Location: 5435 NY State Route 14, Dundee, NY 14837
  • Hours: Vary throughout the year; sunset service offered from June through October

Seneca Lake’s oldest winery, Glenora Wine Cellars, opened its doors in 1977. Today, the facility includes a restaurant and a cozy inn. You can enjoy award-winning wines and spectacular views of the lake.

Glenora prides itself on providing wines that span the entire taste spectrum. They offer everything from sparkling wines to Rieslings to red and white vinifera wines. For those that prefer sweet wines, Glenora carries fruit and dessert wines.

Tastings offer five selections from its complete catalog of award-winning wines and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Their maximum group size is eight. 

You can purchase wine by the glass and bottle. Glenora also offers fruit wine slushies. Make a reservation for their chocolate and wine experience if you want to try something different.

Fox Run Vineyards

  • Location: 670 NY State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14527
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

A family-owned business, Fox Run Vineyards has been making estate wines since 1989 and operates with the motto, “Drink wine, be happy.” Their goal is to make wine tasting accessible to newcomers and wine enthusiasts.

Fox Run handles all tastings on a first-come, first-served basis, with a maximum group size of 12 people seated at their indoor tasting bar. Tastings include a selection of five wines from four categories: sweet, dry, red, or Rieslings. Or, you can go at your own pace with a self-guided wine flight.

Fox Run has a cafe where you can enjoy a tasty meal of locally sourced and house-made food. The menu includes cheese boards, pub pretzels, flatbread pizzas, tacos, and savory mac & cheese. 

Enjoy your food and wine on their front porch surveying Seneca Lake or out back under a pergola with a view of lovely vineyards. Note the cafe is open from April through December.

Fox Run offers a wine barn for those who do not wish to wait for an official wine tasting. The barn opens on Saturdays at noon, offering wine flights, snacks, and wine by the glass or bottle.

Try the Fox Trot Red, a sweet, fragrant red wine blended with Lemberger and Concord. Sable pairs nicely with pizza or spaghetti, delivering aromas of fresh berries, spice, and luscious notes of oak and jam.

Anthony Road Wine Company

  • Location: 1020 Anthony Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527
  • Hours: Open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Anthony Road Wine Company yielded its first vintage in 1989 and opened in 1990. The winery is devoted to crafting fine wines for their table and yours. 

You can enjoy their art gallery and garden as part of your experience. The gallery features works from local artists, and exhibits rotate every month or two. Their lovely garden showcases fruit trees, herbs, and flowers.

The winery strongly encourages visitors to make reservations for tastings, and the maximum group size is six. Wine by the glass or bottle can be purchased and enjoyed outdoors. You can even bring a picnic lunch to have with your wine.

Featured wines include:

  • Pinot Gris – bright aromas of pear, lemon, apple, spice, tangerine, and thyme
  • Rose of Lemberger – flavors of cherry, strawberry, watermelon, and fresh herbs
  • Rose of Cabernet Franc – bold notes of cherry floral, spice, watermelon, and nectarine
  • Dry Riesling – hints of ripe fruit, lemon, peach, and honeysuckle

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars

  • Location: 9224 NY State Route 414, Lodi, NY 14860
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm; Sunday, 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars has served the Finger Lakes community for over three decades, instilling their philosophy of craftsmanship, passion, and commitment. The winery is proud of its sustainability and environmentally friendly initiatives, including using solar panels to meet all its electrical energy needs.

Lamoreaux maintains 20 different vineyard blocks, yielding ten varieties. The winery primarily grows Riesling, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc but also produces varieties like Merlot, Pinot Noir, Muscat Ottonel, and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Lamoreaux recommends reservations for tastings but will do their best to accommodate walk-in visitors. All tastings occur inside, and the maximum party size is six. You can bring Fido as long as he remains leashed at the table with you. 

The winery offers outdoor picnic tables with excellent lake views if you prefer to order wine by the glass or bottle. You can bring food to pair with wines in the picnic area.

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

  • Location: 3962 NY State Route 14, Dundee, NY 14837
  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Sunday, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm

The winery delivers an experience based on hospitality and education. A core belief at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard is what is the reason for producing wine if not to be enjoyed and shared?

Wiemer employs sustainability practices, including organic fertilizers and cover crops. They hand-pick all estate fruit and do not use herbicides.

Wiemer highly recommends reservations and caps group sizes at six. You can bring your canine companion, but Wiemer asks that you keep him leashed and with you at all times.

Wiemer serves wine by the glass and bottle, or you can design your flight of 2.5-ounce pours to share within your group. They offer white wines like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Gruner Veltliner, and Chardonnay. You may select red wines like Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Blaufrankisch, and Cabernet Sauvignon. If you prefer sparkling or dessert wines, Wiemer has you covered there.

Silver Springs Winery

  • Location: 4408 NY State Route 414, Burdett, NY 14818
  • Hours: Vary throughout the year

A laid-back vibe gives this winery a unique feel. The tie-dye car and hand-carved peace sign landmarks signify that you are about to enter a different dimension. Do not let that scare you.

A micro-winery, Silver Springs Winery is proud of its unique combination of delicious wine and a hippie home-like atmosphere, delivering personalized service. Opening in 2004, the winery boasts full-bodied reds and fruity, rich aromatic whites.

Tastings operate on a first-come, first-served basis, with staff guiding visitors through an interactive experience where you choose from 30 wines to build your flight. You can also buy wine by the glass. Get ready for a groovy trip.

Tabora Farm & Winery

  • Location: 4978 Lakemont Himrod Road, Dundee, NY 14837
  • Hours: Open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Tabora Farm & Winery comprises a winery, deli, bakery, and market. It is a food and wine destination with excellent wines, delicious food, and baked goods.

Tabora delivers native and hybrid grape varieties, recently expanding vinifera plantings. A highlight is Syrah, a varietal with South African ties.

The bakery sells made-from-scratch cookies, donuts, pies, cakes, pastries, and bread. Their deli menu features made fresh daily sandwiches, salads, and quiche. Seasonal offerings include pasta, casseroles, and trays of bread, cheese, and fruit. They also carry ready-to-eat items like chicken pot pie and meatloaf. 

I can tell you from experience the food tastes as good as it smells. Tabora carries a variety of wines to pair with the food, suiting nearly all palates. Wine highlights include Syrah, Niagara, and Marechal Foch with pomegranate and earthy notes.

Tabora recommends you book tastings at least one week in advance. The maximum group size is eight. Note the cafe (bakery and deli) does not take reservations and is first come, first served.

J.R. Dill Winery

  • Location: 4922 NY State Route 414, Burdett, NY 14818
  • Hours: Friday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

J.R. Dill Winery, founded in 2009, prides itself on being a hands-on, working winery. The establishment features historical photography, a lake glass bar, and alluring views of Seneca Lake. 

They produce wine in small batches, emphasizing quality. J.R. Dill offers varietals, including Cabernet Franc, Cayuga White, DeChaunac, Merlot, Niagara, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Vidal Blanc.

The winery is known for hosting unique events like auctions, chili cook-offs, and Bubbles & Breakfast.

Tastings are first come, first served, and groups must be six people or fewer. Their focus is delivering premium wines crafted from grapes grown entirely along Seneca Lake.

Boundary Breaks

  • Location: 1568 Porter Covert Road, Lodi, NY 14860
  • Hours: Open daily from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm

Are you looking for a less crowded experience off the beaten path? Boundary Breaks is the place for you.

The winery features Rieslings but offers varietals like Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer. Many of their Rieslings receive marks of 90 and up in multiple wine publications. Their Rieslings have been twice recognized on the Top 100 Wines in the World list by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

Boundary Breaks hosts tastings on a first-come, first-served basis with a maximum group size of six. Weather permitting, you can enjoy a tasting in the spacious outdoor lawn and patio area, where you receive pours of five wines. Or, you can do a standing tasting at the indoor bar, where you choose five wines to create your customized flight.

You can also purchase wine by the glass or bottle. The winery sells local cheese, freshly baked bread, and cured meats to pair with your wine while you relish the lake’s expansive view. Fido can play in the fenced-in area for dogs while you partake in a tasting.

Three Brothers Wineries and Estates

  • Location: 623 Lerch Road, Geneva, NY 14456
  • Hours: Vary seasonally

Their slogan is “Expect something different.” Three Brothers Wineries and Estates is home to four unique tasting experiences. Despite this vast undertaking, the beverages are tasty, and the staff is friendly, making all the experiences fun. While touring the estates, you can enjoy the following:

  • Hand-crafted wines
  • Microbrews
  • Hard ciders
  • Craft sodas

The winery suggests reservations for weekend tastings. Upon arrival, stop at their welcome center to map out your activities. Here are the four facilities within their estates:

Stony Lonesome Wine Cellars

The winery houses a classic tasting room with breathtaking views of Seneca Lake. Highlights include dry Rieslings, award-winning Bourbon-aged Barbera, and semi-sweet Chambourcin.

Passion Feet Wine Barn

Inspired by women of distinction, the winery has a playful vibe and offers wines from semi-dry to sweet. Try the wine slushie!

Bagg Dare Wine Company

Follow an old dirt walking path to a bayou tasting room. Unfortunately, the famous tasting room burnt down in December 2021. You can go inside the rebuilt facility for a drink. Three Brothers Wineries and Estates will host an official grand opening in spring 2023.

War Horse Brewing Company

Enjoy custom ales, seasonal beers, lagers, hard ciders, and sodas while honoring our brave warriors who fight for our freedom. 

Things To Do Near Seneca Lake

Part of the Finger Lakes Region, Seneca Lake provides many opportunities, from leisurely getaways to adventurous outings. You can find many additional wineries along the other lakes. For recommendations, check out our post on Keuka Lake wineries. If you prefer breweries, Keuka Lake offers plenty of options there.

Watkins Glen offers many outstanding restaurants at the southern end of the lake. If you love hiking and chasing waterfalls, the area bursts with deep gorges, shale cliffs, and waterfalls. Watkins Glen State Park is blessed with all these natural features and remains one of the most beautiful parks we have seen anywhere.

With a short drive to Ithaca, you can explore the beautiful campus of Ivy League college Cornell University. You will find waterfalls and a lovely botanical garden in the area. Ithaca hosts a terrific weekend farmer’s market.

You can explore the Grand Canyon of the East at Letchworth State Park within a 1.5-hour drive. It houses forested trails, deep gorges, and cascading waterfalls. For unique perspectives of the canyon, you can go whitewater rafting or take a hot air balloon ride. 

Wrap-Up: Seneca Lake Wineries

Seneca Lake offers everything from a relaxing getaway to thrilling adventures along scenic vineyards and lakes. Whether you enjoy wine or not, the charming Seneca Lake wineries should be on your bucket list. 

Scott and Julie at Miles with McConkey

Scott And Julie McConkey

After 30 years, Scott and Julie McConkey left the corporate world for a life of travel and adventure. What started as a gap year became a second act, and they are now full-time travel bloggers!
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