Seneca Lake + Keuka Lake, Finger Lakes, New York

The Finger Lakes Area consists of a gaggle of 11 lakes in Upstate New York together with Cayuga, Seneca, Keuka and Canandaigua. The surroundings of the world is unmatched and there’s a plethora of farm to desk eating, wineries of all sizes, breweries, and gorgeous waterfalls. In case you haven’t discover this area but, you’re lacking out!

What are Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake identified for?

Seneca Lake and Keuka Lake are amongst the highest Finger Lakes to go to and the place we went on a latest journey.

The Seneca Lake Wine Path is the most important and most lively wine path in New York State and brings in lots of guests annually. Seneca can also be the deepest of the Finger Lakes.

Keuka is a really distinctive lake because it’s one among solely two on the planet which can be naturally ‘y’ formed. The underside and left facet of the lake are primarily in Steuben County, whereas the higher and proper a part of the lake are in Yates county.

Cities to Go to close to Keuka or Seneca

• Watkins Glen
• Geneva
• Corning
• Hammondsport

Issues to Do Close to Keuka Lake (Steuben County) + Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen State Park

Two of the Finger Lakes greatest identified waterfalls are situated right here; Rainbow Falls and Cascade Falls. I’ve been to Watkins Glen State Park a lot of instances and can by no means say no to a go to! The gorge path is really a pure marvel and has a complete of 19 waterfalls alongside it’s path.

Linden Avenue

This quaint avenue in Geneva’s downtown has a lot of superb companies alongside it.  Dine at F.L.X Desk or the Rusty Pig and seize a drink at Microclimate Wine Bar or Linden Social Membership.

Corning Museum of Glass

I loved this museum much more than I anticipated! It’s definitely not simply in your typical museum goer. The Corning Museum of Glass has a lot of attention-grabbing demonstrations and interactive experiences. We watched a few completely different glass demonstrations and have been blown away. You probably have time, you may make a few of your personal!

The Pat II

The Pat II

We did a beautiful little experience on The Pat II which had not too long ago been restored by the The Finger Lakes Boating Museum. It’s been in use since 1924 and was once a USPS supply vessel. It was so good to see Keuka from a distinct perspective, it nearly felt like we have been in Italy!

Glenn H. Curtiss Museum

Study early aviation and historical past of the world.  The museum is devoted to Glenn Curtiss who was a pioneer within the business.

Seneca Lake Wine Path

Seneca Lake Wine Path is the most important and most lively wine path in New York State. The number of wineries alongside this path are unbelievable. There may be really one thing for everybody! We’ve highlighted many of those wineries under.

1886 Meals & Wine Expertise

This expertise took us on a tour across the Dr Konstantin Frank vineyards the place we learnt in regards to the historical past of the vineyard and strategies used and developed during the last 60 plus years to supply a number of the areas greatest wines.

You be taught from an skilled and likewise get to attempt the wines plus have a wine and meals pairing on the finish which is simply scrumptious!

The Chateau at Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard

The place to Drink: Wineries, Breweries + Distilleries

Tabora Farm and Vineyard

Our first vineyard of the journey, was extra than simply that. While being a boutique vineyard, in addition they function as a deli, bakery and market impressed by parts from the area in addition to proprietor, Jane Eatherton’s, homeland of Capetown, South Africa.

We had a tasting with Matt, who has labored within the Finger Lakes Area for the previous 10 years and has not too long ago joined Tabora as the top wine maker. You can actually inform his ardour when he defined the varietals to us, the wines mirrored what grows nicely within the space and the design of the buildings mirrored Cape Dutch structure.

The within of the tasting room is simply as great with darkish interiors and a big picket bar and excessive high tables.

Lakewood Vineyards

A household run operation that makes you are feeling proper at dwelling by beginning you with their Bubbly Candeo as you start your tour or tasting, Lakewood Vineyards is a improbable cease in on The Seneca Lake Wine Path.

The very first thing you discover after sipping your refreshing glowing wine is the great views overlooking the vines and right down to the lake that act as a backdrop to the out of doors bar areas. You actually really feel such as you’re within the winery and a part of the expertise.

Lakewood has a very good number of wines made out of property grown grapes so that you can attempt, which they categorise as Elegant and Accessible, Enjoyable and Fruity and On a regular basis Pleasant in addition to some dessert wines and port. Having began our tasting with the sunshine Bubbly Candeo, we made our manner by way of the alternatives attempting every part from a refreshing however dry Pinot Noir Rosé to the Cabernet Franc and completed our tasting with a beautiful and barely on the lighter facet Ruby Port.

We met the proprietor Liz and one takeaway we acquired from her was the significance of preserving the vineyards for future sustainability in addition to the importance of being a household enterprise along with her husband and kids working to make Lakewood the most effective it may be.

Glenora Wine Cellars

Opening in 1977, Glenora was the primary vineyard on Seneca Lake and is among the bigger stops on the Seneca Lake Wine Path with a sizeable tasting room, coated out of doors decking, a restaurant and The Inn at Glenora the place you may keep proper on the sides of the winery and get up to these lovely views.

They provide tastings all 12 months spherical of their extensive number of wines. This selection makes Glenora an ideal cease to verify everyone seems to be happy within the group with every part from wine slushies to Cabernet Franc.

We acquired to go on a cellar tour and style wines straight from the barrel with their new head winemaker Edward, who took over in 2021 and is placing his contact on the wine making course of having beforehand labored on vineyards in Italy. Glenora additionally affords various kinds of tastings like their chocolate and wine pairing in addition to a mimosa flight!

Fox Run Vineyards

As one of the vital well-known wineries within the area, Fox Run, which was established in 1994, has a number of choices for having fun with their wines. There’s a beautiful yard overlooking the vineyards, a entrance porch with views in direction of the lake and two inside areas for tastings. It affords nice flexibility, permitting you to do tastings with a member of the crew or by your self with notes they put together for you. In addition they have particular choices like one we did which was an Across the World tasting with 4 meals samples paired with 4 completely different Rieslings. You can actually style how nicely they have been paired because the flavors complimented one another so nicely and actually enhanced the ingesting expertise.

While producing a wide range of wines, Fox Run is know for it’s Chardonnay, the wine that introduced one of many homeowners, Scott, again to the area having hung out at wineries in California.

The vineyard frequently hosts occasions like their grill evenings and has a day time cafe which makes use of produce from New York State. One in all our favourite dishes was their Riesling braised bison tacos!

Wagner Vineyards Property Vineyard

As one of the vital common locations within the Finger Lakes, Wagner Vineyards has one thing for everybody! The household owned enterprise spans 5 generations and is an enormous 250 acres consisting of the vineyards and vineyard in addition to a restaurant, brewery and a number of tastings areas.

After taking a tour across the winery and studying about how they need to be farmed in a technique to negate the extraordinary climate within the area, we acquired to see their top quality Gregoire harvester which might undergo over 100 tons a day, in contrast with the round 8 tons if executed by hand. This type of equipment is important to assist produce their 100% property bottled wines with over 30 award profitable wines starting from bone dry to candy dessert wine. 

We favored the idea of getting a craft brewery along with the vineyard on web site and did each a wine and beer tasting while sitting of their giant out of doors space.

Lamoreaux Touchdown Wine Cellars

Overlooking what is likely to be the most effective views of Seneca Lake, is Lamoreaux Touchdown. Named after a historic steamboat touchdown the place the hillside meets the lake, this 100% property grown vineyard focuses totally on Riesling, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc.

We selected a wine and cheese pairing right here which featured some fabulous native cheeses and a choice of their award profitable wines, which have constructed a repute across the nation. You possibly can actually inform their ardour for winemaking and a sustainable product when doing a tasting because the crew are very informative and knowledgable.

The vineyard is managed with sustainability on the forefront of the method, utilizing 100% photo voltaic power to energy manufacturing, sustainable wine rising processes and minimal use of chemical substances and pesticides.

Dr. Konstantin Frank Vineyard

Doubtlessly an important vineyard within the area as Dr. Konstantin Frank planted the primary vinifera vines within the Jap United States and ignited the “Vinifera Revolution” which helped make New York’s wine manufacturing what it’s right now.

Dr. Frank Vineyard has been making wine on Keuka Lake since 1962 and has the second oldest Pinot Noir vines within the US. On the time, many doubted that Dr. Konstantin Frank may produce top quality vinifera wines in New York climates however his innovation and persistence received out and cemented the vineyard and area as a reputable wine making vacation spot.

We opted for the 1886 meals & wine expertise, the place we took a tour across the vineyards and learnt in regards to the historical past of the vineyard and strategies used and developed during the last 60 plus years to supply a number of the areas greatest wines. One actually attention-grabbing side was their glowing wines produced utilizing Méthode Champenoise to create a number of the premier glowing wines within the US, with their 2017 Blanc de Blanc not too long ago profitable New York’s greatest glowing wine.

In addition to touring the vineyards, as a part of the tour we additionally acquired to see within the cellar at Chateau Frank which was initially used within the late 1800’s and is now dwelling to hundreds of bottles of glowing wine because it ages.

Keuka Brewing Co.

One in all our favourite stops of the journey was at Keuka Brewing Co, the lake’s first craft brewery. It’s run by father and son crew Wealthy and Mark Musso. Mark is the top brewer and has been in a position to produce all kinds of beer variations, which is very spectacular contemplating their measurement as a micro-brewery, while sustaining the standard and distinct flavours in what they produce.

With all these beer choices, we may have stayed right here and drank all day, we tried every part from their traditional New England IPA types to fruited sours just like the Sticky Drips made with pineapple, coconut and cherry, in addition to extra refined choices just like the Oubliette barrel aged saison with an ABV of 8.5% and their common Pumpkin Cream Ale, which is ideal within the Fall.

They’ve common meals pop ups and the clientele after we went was a very good combine of tourists to the area and locals stopping in for a pint after ending their shifts on the area’s wineries.

Residing Roots Wine Co.

Residing Roots is a singular pop up overlooking Keuka Lake that began with a love story. The founders, Seb and Coleen met throughout harvest in 2014 at his household’s vineyard in Australia and two years later they began their very own firm collectively, with Residing Roots city vineyard opening the next 12 months throughout 2017 in  Coleen’s native Rochester.

The Keuka Lake pop up opened in 2020 with a small out of doors arrange, that offers you a contemporary and boho vibe in contrast with that of a number of the extra conventional tasting rooms within the area. Work has begun on a full tasting room which can open in 2023 which can function wines they’ve produced in New York in addition to Australia. In New York they’re specializing in glowing and white wines whereas in Australia it’s extra medium bodied reds.

Liquid Sneakers Brewing

We popped into liquid footwear for a fast beer after lunch and we’re definitely glad we did. Their fruit ahead drinks had fairly the flavour profile, we’d order each the pineapple wheat ale and the passionfruit raspberry once more in a heartbeat.

The place to Eat Alongside the Seneca Lake Wine Path + Keuka Lake (Steuben County)

Tabora Farm and Vineyard

After our wine tasting at Tabora, we have been feeling a bit peckish so stopped into their deli, the place there may be baked items, sandwiches and a few South African specialities like Bobotie. 

We went for The Fruity Chick with hen salad, grapes and apples on Tuscan bread in addition to The Italian Fowl which was sliced turkey breast, roasted peppers & provolone on grilled 7 grain bread.

The farm contemporary deli makes many elements from scratch and you’ll actually inform within the high quality, very a lot loved our fast lunch right here.

Kindred Fare

Having received Finest Farm to Desk Restaurant within the Finger Lakes, Kindred Fare focuses on cooking that makes use of native meat and produce. The number of native farms, creameries and bakeries is proudly displayed on their web site and throughout the menu, emphasising the significance of seasonal and high quality regional elements.

Within the spirit of supporting native we began with Bubbly Candeo from Lakewood Vineyards earlier than having a few scrumptious cocktails. As an appetiser we shared the buttermilk brined and scorching honey coated fried hen, which was each juicy and crispy. For entrees we had the every day particular pasta made with sluggish cooked pork and topped with parmesan, the white fish with romesco sauce and the pork stomach fried rice.

Inside there was a beautiful environment and an actual buzz on a weekday night, getting the stability proper between fashionable design and cosy really feel.

Ports Cafe

Began by two locals, Ports Cafe payments itself as positive eating in an off-the-cuff setting with a menu starting from ribeye steaks to tandoori hen.

The frequently altering seasonal menu options many dishes made in home together with one among our favourite dishes, the quick rib ricotta gnocchi with a ten hour tomato-red wine braised quick rib ragout and grilled focaccia. The flank steak with scallops was one other spotlight in addition to the desserts which included strawberry and rhubarb crisp and a chocolate fudge torte.

It’s not simply the meals that retains it native, the drinks menu additionally options native suppliers with choices like Riesling from Fox Run Vineyards and Warhorse IPA from Three Brothers Brewing. Ports Cafe was one of many busiest stops of the journey, so make sure that to e book prematurely!

The Elf within the Oak

That is one we didn’t make it to, however we’ve heard the sandwiches are subsequent degree! Trying ahead to attempting them out subsequent time.

Soul Full Cup

Soul Full Cup is a neighborhood espresso store on the Most important Avenue in Corning. We cherished their frozen scorching chocolate and frozen chai drinks. They’re the proper various to an everyday espresso on a scorching day!

The Park Inn

Chef Dan Eaton and Sommelier Jason Ferris are the crew behind the The Park Inn. There may be an intensive wine listing that’s curated from regional and international wines and a menu that frequently modifications to intensify the best domestically sourced merchandise.

The restaurant is cozy and intimate while being upscale and the menu options dishes like seasonal risotto and grilled centre lower pork chops. Two of our favourite dishes have been the goats cheese and beetroot salad and the peerlessly cooked roasted half rack of lamb with a basil pesto crust.

It is a significantly good setting to calm down in a historic constructing that has been nicely restored to maintain up with the instances while sustaining its’ integral character.

Timber Stone Grill

The Timber Stone Grill is a good native eatery with a country really feel. They’ve each indoor and out of doors seating and a menu to swimsuit many palates.

We went at lunchtime and shared a improbable charcuterie board with meats, cheeses and crostini in addition to scrumptious native honey. For the entrees we had a really contemporary tasting salad bowl and The Timber Burger which is half a pound of sirloin topped with cheddar and onion.

The Quincy Trade

An elegantly designed restaurant within the coronary heart of Corning, The Quincy Trade affords the next finish expertise inside what was as soon as a financial institution. They even nonetheless have the outdated financial institution vault the place spirits and wine are saved.

They make some scrumptious cocktails, we cherished the jungle chicken and the traditional daiquiri. The menu options refined and nicely offered dishes corresponding to koji dusted skate wing with charred lemon broccoli and potatoes in addition to seared duck breast with pine nuts and cherry jus.

The restaurant additionally has an adjoining retailer referred to as FLX Provisions with native items and is a part of the FLX Group which incorporates a number of the areas high eating places.

The place to Keep on Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake

The Park Inn

The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars

This resort is ideal for these wanting to remain as near the vines as doable! Each room has a terrace overlooking the Glenora vineyards and Seneca Lake. A continental breakfast of espresso and light-weight bites is included within the room charge.

You’ll be steps from the tasting room and may dine at their on web site restaurant, Veraisons which sources their elements from over 30 farms within the Finger Lakes.

The Park Inn

The Park Inn is situated in Hammondsport and consists of 5 rooms above their famend restaurant.  I cherished the comfy really feel of the room and the handy location. They’ve executed an awesome job preserving a historic dwelling and including fashionable luxuries.

I extremely advocate eating downstairs for seasonal, farm contemporary dishes and positively try the wine listing with over 200+ choices!

Geneva on the Lake

This Italian impressed villa was inbuilt 1910 as Nester Villa. It will definitely fell into disrepair, till it was renovated by the Schickel brothers and dropped at life as Geneva on the Lake in 1981.

You possibly can keep at this romantic property full with formal gardens, 70 foot pool and restaurant.

Lakeside Resort

Lakeside Resort

You possibly can hire a pet pleasant cabin at Lakeside Resort with nightly campfires, grills for visitor use and 3812 Bistro serving meals all day. The views of Seneca Lake are unmatched!

Belhurst Fortress

A historic fortress with rooms on the north a part of Seneca Lake. There are a number of facilities to reap the benefits of corresponding to their salon & spa, steakhouse and tavern.

Have a drink on the sunken bar which overlooks their garden and the lake at Stonecutter’s Tavern.

Watkins Glen Harbor Resort

Watkins Glen Harbor Resort is adjoining to the Glen Harbor Marina and a brief stroll to the doorway of the Gorge Path. They’ve a wide range of facilities corresponding to an indoor swimming pool, patio, scorching tub, hearth pit and a few rooms with their very own terraces.

Many due to The Seneca Lake Wine Path and Discover Steuben for a beautiful journey!