Tag Seneca Lake

Watkins Glen, New York

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English: The gorge at Watkins Glen State Park,...

English: The gorge at Watkins Glen State Park, New York. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We took a break from the Wine Trail by driving to the south end of Seneca Lake and visiting Watkins Glen.  Watkins Glen is an idyllic small town that is set in a beautiful location.  The town is well-known for its racetrack and the world-famous racers and their fans that flock to the area every year.  There is plenty to do in Watkins Glen and you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to explore it.  Stop by the harbor and see the marina, then take a sightseeing cruise on the vintage 1934 Stroller IV to get a unique view of the lake.  Watkins Glen State Park offers the chance to hike to a waterfall and surprisingly there is an entrance in the middle of town.  Take a walk around the main business district and browse the eclectic shops that line the busy street.  Take a break from the wineries and support the other merchants that add their own unique vibe to the region.

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Lamoreaux Landing Winery Photos

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Lamoreaux Landing Tasting Room Building

Vineyards at Lamoreaux

Finger Lakes Distilling

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     Finger Lakes Distilling sits on a hillside along the eastern shore of Seneca Lake so naturally that if not for its sign marking the entrance road you could easily miss it.  After climbing the few steps that lead to the rear of the building you enter the tasting room with its view of the lake and the distillery’s impressive still.  At the bar you can taste any of their 16 types of spirits and liqueurs.  While perusing the tasting room and gift shop I noticed a friendly looking hound lying on the floor, as I approached him all he did was move his eyes to see who it was and then he went back to sleep.  I would suggest that you stop at Finger Lakes Distilling even if it is only to take a look around.  Finger Lakes Distilling is located at 4676 NYS Rte 414 Burdett, NY. 

Finger Lakes Distilling Photos

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     The still at the Finger Lakes Distilling distillery.

Finger Lakes Distilling Photos

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     Photos of Finger Lakes Distilling sign and barrels in distillery

Three Brothers Wineries and Estates

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     The Three Brothers Wineries and Estates are located at 623 Lerch Rd Geneva, NY.  It is just a short distance off of NY Rte 96A South at the north end of Seneca Lake.  This winery is a collection of three distinctly different wineries (Passion Feet, Stony Lonesome and Bagg Dare) and a brewery (War Horse).  We arrived at the property just a day after the conclusion of Winestock, a wine and music festival that had run through the weekend.  Three Brothers was the only winery that we visited twice and is a perfect example of the saying “What a difference a day makes”.  The first day we visited we were served in the tasting room of the Stony Lonesome Winery by a very well versed young man named Alex.  Alex poured our selections and recited the characteristics of each flawlessly and with a friendly ease.  That day we would purchase two Riesling:  Degree 1 Medium Dry 2010 and Degree 2 Medium Sweet 2010 along with a wine that I was unfamiliar with Estate  Reserve Grüner Veltliner 2011.  I could have easily have picked up their Barbera, the first to be produced in the Finger Lakes but the promise of the wines in my near future caused me to pass on it.  The next afternoon we decided to return to Three Brothers to pick up a bottle of their Pinot Noir and that Barbera that I had passed on the day before.  We entered the Stony Lonesome tasting room and stood around until we were finally approached by a small young woman.  We asked her several questions about their Pinot Noir and other red wines which she struggled to answer with her limited knowledge of the products.  Since the Pinot was to be a gift I asked if she could do me a favor and photo copy the wine list and its tasting notes.  She went into the other room only to return and say no and that it could be found on the website (I looked but couldn’t find it there).  I bought the 2009 Pinot Noir and forgot about the Barbera.

     The wines at Three Brothers Wineries and Estates were probably the best I tasted on this trip but the tasting room experience was surly the most sub-standard that I encountered.  The management of this business has to remember that making good wine is important but there is much more to a brand than just that. 

Jimmy Buffett Hunting

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     We have just returned from another wonderful trip to the wine country of the Finger Lakes Region of New York.  The weather was summertime hot with temperatures in the low to mid 90’s.  The weather may have been unusual but the welcoming hospitality and the genuine “glad to see you” attitude of the area’s population was unchanged.  A boat captain told me that a cold wave in late spring had caused a 50% loss in  the grape crop and a loss of nearly all of the cherry harvest this year. 

     We had set out early on our planned route down the east side of Seneca Lake and it was going great when an unexpected sighting caused me to make a quick U-turn and head back up Rte 414.  The parking lot at Hazilitt 1852 Vineyards tasting room was full, which was strange because we had experienced a lighter than normal turn out at the other wineries.  We pulled into the lot and parked next to the Tiki sign that pointed the way to the Tiki tent.  As we walked to the front door I couldn’t help notice the large rusting propeller guarding the entrance.  The music of Radio Margaritaville poured out of the tasting room as we opened the door and the eclectic interior was revealed.  After finding our place at the bar we were greeted by Todd, an outgoing and personable young man who no doubt would feel at home in Key West as he does here in the Finger Lakes.  Todd takes us through our flight of wines with his knowledgable description of each along with his lighthearted wit and humor.  When I ask about the large tattoo on his right arm he proudly told me that it is a reproduction of an original painting he had done and that it will be incorporated into a full sleeve tattoo that he has planned out.  After purchasing a bottle of the winery’s signature “Red Cat” wine Todd told us that Hazilitt 1852 had acquired a winery in the nearby town of Naples because they needed its capacity to meet the over 500,000 gallon demand for that wine.  We bid everyone goodbye and continued south on Rte 414 looking forward to our next parrothead adventure.  Fins Up!  Hazilitt 1852 Vineyards can be found at 5712 Rte 414  Hector, New York.

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Strike Up The Band

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Common musical notes

     One of the most relaxing things that I can think of doing is to take my chair to an outdoor concert and spend the evening sipping wine with my wife and friends.  The festive atmosphere created by a musical performance is being used by wineries to attract new customers to their facilities.  These concerts range from nationally known acts to local solo artists and they cover just about every known genre of music imaginable. 

     The Seattle, Washington area is extremely fortunate to have the Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery within easy access because this winery presents an outstanding calendar of events each summer.  Chateau Ste. Michelle has been hosting live performances since 1984 in an intimate amphitheater setting that has made the Chateau Ste. Michelle Summer Concert Series one of the Pacific Northwest great music venues.  Go to www.Ste-Michelle.com for more information.

     Traveling east to the Finger Lakes Region of New York you can find music at numerous wineries located around these beautiful glacial lakes.  Winestock is a wine, food and music festival that will be celebrated on Saturday, June 16th at Three Brothers Winery on Seneca Lake.  If you would like to make plans to attend please go to www.winestock2012.eventbrite.com/ for more detailed information.

     Let’s turn south to Western Pennsylvania and the Stone Villa Winery in Acme where you can enjoy a show and a glass of wine next to a picturesque lake on the grounds of the winery.  A complete calendar of events and contact information is available at www.StoneVilla.com.

     Our final stop will be Greensburg, Pennsylvania where the Summer Sounds Concerts will be held 7:00 every Friday evening from June 1st through August 31st.  These free shows are presented at the Robertshaw Pavillion in St. Clair Park thanks to the support of volunteers along with corporate sponsorship and donations from concert goers.  Additional information and schedules can be found at www.SummerSounds.com.  I sincerely urge you to attend these events and support the businesses and organizations that promote them in your area.