Wine Tasting On The West Side Of Seneca Lake
Our Wine Tasting On The West Side Of Seneca Lake experience! Seneca Lake is one of the Finger Lakes in the west-central section of New York State. The Finger Lakes Wine Country is home to almost 100 wineries, breweries and distilleries centered around Keuka, Seneca, and Cayuga lakes.
When Hubby and I take Max to Cornell, we had a lot of free time to spend in the Ithaca area. In July, we investigated the vineyards around Cayuga Lake. In August, we decided to visit wineries on the the eastern side of Seneca Lake.
This trip we stayed a good 90 minutes away from Cornell on Seneca Lake in the beautiful little town of Geneva, NY.
I snapped a few photos of Seneca Lake when we left our hotel last Wednesday. Notice the paraglider in the upper right!
That is the entrance to the Red Tail Ridge Winery.
Once we passed through the gates, this was the view from our vehicle!
The grapes were being harvested as they were hanging heavy on the vines. Every type of grape is labeled.
The vats can be seen through those windows as you get closer to the building!
The tasting was $3 for 6 tastes, and I really enjoyed most of them! We purchased (2) Semi-Sweet Riesling ($13.85), (1) Barrel Fermented Chardonnay ($15.95), (2) Blaufrankish ($22.95). The prices listed reflect a 5% discount for purchasing 5-7 bottles.
The Red Tail Ridge Winery is dog friendly, and there is a pet area located across from the tasting room. They do not accept buses or limos.
The White Springs Winery has an extraordinary view. This was an extremely large tasting room, and though early in the day, the one (!) person pouring had her hands full. The cost of a tasting was $3 per person, and you had 6 tastes.
Hubby liked these wines better than I did, and I honestly do not know what he purchased.
The Billsboro Winery entrance leads to winding dirt road where parking is at a premium. I’d hate to be driving a truck up there, I have no idea how you’d turn around!!
The barn is definitely rustic. The tasting fee is $3 for 6 tastings, and an option for wine and chocolate pairing (4 wines, 4 chocolates), is available for $6 per person. We purchased (1) Riesling ($17) and (1) Apres ($23) which both Hubby and I liked very much.
There were not many food options on the west side of Seneca Lake. Hubby and I ended up having lunch at the Fox Run Vineyards. They have a small cafe, and while the selection is limited, the food was quite good.
Since I know I don’t care for Fox Run wines, we skipped the tastings.
The view is exceptional, both front and back. The back patio overlooks the vineyards for those that would like to enjoy their food or drink there. We sat at the front of the building which offered a spectacular view of Seneca Lake.
Next month I expect we will avoid the wineries. Hubby and I hauled 5 cases of wine down to the racks the basement last weekend, and there are still a few cases of wine left upstairs. Even though we very much enjoy New York State wines, there is only so much two people can drink!
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