Wine expert, certified Sommelier, media personality and host of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast, Amanda McCrossin experienced the spoils of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail this summer. It was her first time in the Finger Lakes and, naturally, it did not disappoint. Amanda was blown away by the exceptional quality of the wines on the trail located in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country as well as the diversity of varietals produced there.
Follow Amanda along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail for her tips on top places to taste wine, where to stay, what to eat, and what to do when not wine-tasting.
July 2024
By Amanda McCrossin, Sommelier and Wine Personality
Despite growing up on the East Coast, this is my first time exploring the Finger Lakes AVA in upstate New York, wine region and I was thrilled to start my exploration into this region on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail – which set the bar high… I have to say, I’ve been to wine regions around the world and in the top wine regions in the U.S., and Seneca Lake is definitely up there as one of the most beautiful regions with its rolling green hills, lush vineyards and of course, exquisite lakes for which the region is best known.
It’s about a 5-hour drive from New York City and Philadelphia, and about 6 hours from Washington, D.C. which is to say, an easy (and beautiful) drive from major East Coast cities. I stayed in the charming town of Watkins Glen, located on the southern end of Seneca Lake.
Seneca Lake is the deepest of the Finger Lakes, which creates a moderating effect along its shores, ideal for growing grapes. The lake keeps the grapes cool in the summer and the vines warm in the winter, allowing them to survive the cold. The region is known for producing excellent, world-class riesling, but also produces many other types of extraordinary wines.
I’ve put together an itinerary based on my memorable experience on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail to make your visit to this hidden gem one you won’t soon forget.
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Day 1
Check-in at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel: Seneca Lake’s premier hotel is best known for its panoramic lake views and luxury accommodations (it was named “Best Waterfront Hotel in the Nation” by USA Today and is the area’s only AAA Four Diamond property!). Its idyllic location in the quaint village of Watkins Glen was perfect for exploring the town and discovering gems like Seneca Sunrise Coffee and The Blackberry Inn Kitchen (outstanding breakfast sandwiches and pastry!), and it’s the perfect home base conveniently located along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and near everything the region has to offer.
Tabora Winery Tasting Room
Visit Tabora Farm and Winery: Bring your tasting palate and appetite to South African-inspired, Tabora Farm and Winery, which is also home to a bakery, deli, and market (don’t miss their savory South African pies called “bobotie!”). All of Tabora’s wines are estate-grown, on 200 acres of vineyards. They focus on hybrid varieties but have recently expanded their vinifera plantings. The winemaker embraces minimal interventions to produce clean, crisp, and concentrated wines, catering to diverse palates.
Amanda McCrossin in the vineyards at Lakewood Vineyards
Visit Lakewood Vineyards: Here you’ll find some of the Finger Lakes’ most award-winning wines made by three generations of the same family over seven decades. Try one of their flights – choose from dry and semi-dry, or semi-sweet and sweet, while soaking up the breathtaking views of the vineyards sloping down toward Seneca Lake. Personal favorites include the $35 Blanc de Noirs made from Pinot Noir and the $20 2021 Cabernet Franc, a classic Bordeaux variety.
Walk to dinner from the hotel and head to Graft Wine + Cider Bar: This charming local tapas bar serves locally sourced food in downtown Watkins Glen. Don’t miss the local cheese plate with smoked gouda from Jake’s Gouda in Deansboro and Camembert from Old Chatham Creamery in Groton.
Day 2
Watkins Glen State Park Waterfall
Spend the morning hiking at Watkins Glen State Park: No matter what season, Watkins Glen State Park is spellbinding and cannot be missed! The park’s lower section is closer to the village of Watkins Glen, while the upper part is bucolic open woodland. I’ll admit that I’m not an avid hiker but I hiked the Gorge Trail–it was amazing! With 19 waterfalls, some of which you can walk under, and breathtaking cliffs–some as high as 200 feet, a visit here will bring the zen back into your life.
Start on the east side of the lake at Atwater Vineyards: This family-owned winery on 80 scenic acres on the eastern side of Seneca Lake dates back to the early 1900s. Their unique site boasts a microclimate ideal for grape production. The winemaking team creates thoughtful wines in a variety of styles with the use of neutral oak barrels, skin and stem inclusion, and sparkling offerings. Don’t miss their 2023 Pétillant Naturel, a refreshing, naturally sparkling blend with delicate, fizzy bubbles.
Head back over to the west side of the lake to visit Anthony Road Wine Company: A family-run winery for nearly 25 years, Anthony Road Wine Company offers a great education-based tour and tasting that weaves together the history of the region and the factors and practices that impact wine-making specific to Seneca Lake. Plus, their contemporary, art-filled tasting room on the west side of the lake boasts great views.
Visit Fox Run Vineyards: Such interesting history here! Built upon a former Civil War-era dairy farm, Fox Run’s original building still stands. And it’s safe to say the family-operated winery remains one of Seneca Lake’s landmarks. A sustainability focus parallels its hybrid grape production, a specialty of this beloved winery, but don’t think for a second you need to be an expert to enjoy Fox Run – their mantra is “striving to make wine approachable.”
Head to nearby Ports Cafe for dinner: A small convenience store-turned-popular-casual restaurant with fine dining-caliber dishes, including house-cut prime steaks, fresh fish, and local produce.
Day 3
Tasting and charcuterie board at Red Newt Cellars
Visit Red Newt Cellars: A pre-eminent wine producer in the Finger Lakes, Red Newt Cellars, founded in 1998, has grown from a small operation to a winery producing about 20,000 cases annually. The winery has a white wine focus on aromatic varieties: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Their “Circle” Riesling is the most popular and widely distributed wine. It shows off a classic Finger Lakes style, expressing bright aromas of tangerine and honeysuckle and an elegant palate of citrus and peach.
Lunch and tasting at Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery: As one of the oldest and most recognized wineries in the Finger Lakes, a visit to Wagner is a must! First things first, enjoy lunch at their Ginny Lee restaurant (check before visiting as the restaurant is not open daily year-round), where menu options have been designed to complement and enhance their wines. I recommend the newly introduced Library Tasting, where you can enjoy a revolving menu of four wines in the on-site, temperature-controlled library amid their collection of more than 16,500 individual bottles!
Lamoreaux Landing Cabernet Franc
Visit Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars: Just up the road from Wagner, Lamoreaux Landing is a household name amongst wine drinkers far outside the region. Specializing in their various vineyard-select Rieslings and juicy Cabernet Franc, Lamoreaux also offers guests a selection of local cheeses in their state-of-the-art tasting room for a peaceful Seneca Lake experience. (Also Lamoreaux operates on solar power – super cool!)
Visit Boundary Breaks Vineyard: Dubbed “the break-out producer of the Finger Lakes,” Boundary Breaks produces consistently high-quality Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Cabernet
Franc in various styles often from single-vineyard blocs. Their 2023 Riesling Medium-Dry Ovid Line North has universal appeal, or the 2023 Riesling Bubbly Dry #356, an effervescent made with fruit harvested earlier to ensure a crisp, refreshing sparkling character.
Keep making your way up the lake to Downtown Geneva: Geneva is a postcard-perfect small city rife with charm and history, sitting on the northern rim of Seneca Lake. It’s full of locally owned shops and eateries, and the kind of place where you want to take your time and stroll about.
Kindred Fare Restaurant in Geneva
After a long day of tasting, unwind at Kindred Fare in Geneva: There’s farm-to-table, then there’s Kindred Fare, where they butcher their own meats and make everything from scratch. Plus, they have a dedicated vegan menu and of course, an amazing wine list.
The pier house at Seneca Harbor Park in Watkins Glen
I hope you find inspiration from this Seneca Lake-focused itinerary. This extraordinary hidden gem wine region of New York State is full of charm, history, captivating views, natural wonders, and a booming dining scene. Book your own trip now to experience it for yourself, you’ll thank me later.
All photos courtesy of of Amanda McCrossin.