Seneca Lake Wine Trail — knot so loud

I wrote about Watkins Glen, NY here. The village is situated on the mouth of Seneca Lake, the largest lake of the Finger Lakes region. It takes 120 minutes to drive around the entire lake (not that I have tried that).

Before I dive into the wineries/breweries recommendations, I didn’t suggest where to stay in the Watkins Glen blog because there are so many rentals on the lake. It’s so much fun to stay in a rental, which can be found mainly on AirBnB or VRBO. My favorite place that I’ve stayed at was the Vineyard Villas, a cluster of two story villas perched on a hill overlooking Seneca Lake. There’s even a vineyard right next to the villas! I had such a fun time walking through the vineyard, photographing the peak of the grapes used to make wine. The villas were so cozy, complete with a small kitchen and living room. There are so many homes that are rented out to the public. I have stayed in a chalet once, which was cozy and spacious. Another house was right on the water, with a spacious kitchen. There was a larger grass yard in front of the home overlooking the lake, making it perfect spot for outdoor games or a bonfire. I definitely recommend renting a place to stay on the lake!

Seneca Lake is full of wineries and breweries. It’s common to rent tour buses to ride to wineries and breweries. A smart idea so you don’t have to worry about designated driver and everyone in the party can enjoy themselves. There is a tasting fee at all wineries/breweries, mostly $5-10 for 6 tastes. Be sure to check the specific winery/brewery website for the costs.

I will start off with my favorite wineries:

Bagley’s Poplar Ridge Vineyards

Bagley’s quickly became my favorite winery to relax at. It’s located in a red barn with rustic vibes. I enjoy sitting in one of their rocking chairs. It is a very laid back environment with friendly staff. Their wines are delicious! I’ve been there during spring where I sat on their outdoor patio overlooking the lake and during the holidays when the winery is all decked out. It’s cozy there year-round!

*Bagley’s is festive during the holidays season.*

*My ‘doghter’ enjoying the patio at Bagley’s one warm spring.*

Penguin Bay Winery

My favorite red wine (Tuxedo Red) and dessert wine (vidal blanc iced wine) can be found at this winery. The Tuxedo Red is the best! I always have a bottle on hand at home. Penguin Bay has a large tasting room, completed with a cute gift shop. A portion of their wine sales are donated to the penguins at a local zoo in Syracuse, NY. You’re pretty much drinking for the penguins!

Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards

Hazlitt has been a longtime favorite. They have so many wines that I love. If I had to limit it to one winery to live off, Hazlitt’s would be my pick. My most favorite wine is the bramble berry. It’s the best drink to have with dark chocolate brownies! Another favorites includes Dark Red Cat, White Cat Sangria and Cabin Fever. I also like their cider tree (hard cider). During warmer months, they have a beautiful pond and farm landscape that can be to viewed from their outdoor space!

*We celebrated NYE at Hazlitt’s one year!*

Glenora Wine Cellars

The first winery to open on Seneca Lake, has the best fruit wines and my FAVORITE white wine! My favorite white wine is Niagara. It’s so delicious and sweet. The fruit wines are available in apple, watermelon, blueberry, pineapple, peach, cranberry, raspberry and pomegranate. They are fun! I enjoy pineapple and blueberry wine especially during summers!

Fulkerson Winery

This has to be my favorite tasting room. It’s really large with beautiful ceiling made out of wood. Very spacious with a lot of stools to sit on, large windows looking into the vineyards. The Zeppelin wines are my favorite, airship in particular! Red and sunset blush are good wines too.

Barnstormer Winery

Barnstormer is the newest winery I visited, they just opened their doors in 2013. It is in a 170-year old renovated barn. You know my love for renovated buildings! One of the most unique setting for a winery creating a very cozy environment. I enjoyed their sweet blush wine, Jenny Blush. The winery also nods to aviation having planes on their wine labels, as part of their logo and with the aviator’s wine club. Their gift shop had some local artisan goods, I always pick up a bottle of hand soap that smells like grapes to remind me of FLX!

*Do we want some wine at Barnstormer Winery? Wine not!*

Breweries (disclaimer: I am not a beer drinker so I can’t comment on the beers!):

Grist Iron Brewing Company

Grist Iron is my favorite brewery to hang out at. There are many picnic tables surrounds the brewery on the outdoor patio. Beautiful views especially at sunset! They also offer a food menu and I’ve enjoyed a few meals there, including my first meal as a married couple with my husband! Always had friendly service and great fun with they laid-back atmosphere. They host many events/music so be sure to follow the calendar on the website or Facebook page.

Two Goats Brewing

Another fun laid-back brewery in a renovated 19th century barn. You will see dollar bills stuck in their ceiling, I learned from one of my visits there that the tradition started by someone learning a trick. The trick was throwing the dollar bill with a tack, using a quarter... kind of like a homemade dart. They take the money down from time to time and donate it to a charity. Two Goats has an amazing view of Seneca Lake from their patio!

Lost Kingdom Brewery & Fire House Tap Room

A brewery is located in a renovated fire house, offering many unique beers. Pumpkin cider is often raved about at this brewery, which I have yet to try! I love the location of the brewery being in a firehouse. The decor (old equipment, hydrant and memorabilia) was on point. I enjoy visiting renovated firehouses or any places with nod to firefighters. I need to bring my ‘fire dog’ there some day!

*Lost Kingdom Brewery at Christmas time.*

*Some of the fire memorabilia at Lost Kingdom Brewery.*

The best part about FLX region is that it’s REALLY dog friendly! I’m able to take my pup to most of them. There are SO many wineries/breweries that I haven’t been to all of them. It’s my goal to visit them all at least once in my lifetime!

Seneca Lake is so beautiful and I have many fond memories of growing up there during my childhood. All of my summers were spent there. It became a special place to me, so much that I decided to get married there! That’s coming next… stay tuned.