Grab your wine glass and join me on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. Seneca Lake American Viticultural Area (AVA) in Upstate New York was established in 2003. The AVA is part of the larger Finger Lakes AVA that was established in 1982. Finger Lakes AVA is centered around eleven glacial lakes, with the majority of vineyards located near Canandaigua Lake, Cayuga Lake, Keuka Lake and Seneca Lake. Seneca Lake, the deepest of the Finger Lakes contributes to the climatic conditions around the lake. The result is a longer growing season, plus protection from the freezing winters in Upstate New York. Given the unique viticultural characteristics within the Seneca Lake AVA the wines have described as having their own distinctive flavor profiles.
Wine making in the Seneca Lake area dates back to when the Seneca Lake Grape Wine Company opened a winery in 1866. With the arrival of Prohibition in 1919 wine making in this area came to a halt. Modern wine making however, began in the 1970's when two wineries were established by pioneers, Charles Fournier and Hermann Wiemer. There are now 40 wineries in the Seneca Lake AVA, with over 30 wineries making up what is known as the Seneca Wine Trail. While the Seneca Lake AVA is known for its Riesling it also produces Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Spaswinefood was delighted to participate in a #wbc15 pre-conference excursion on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
Seneca Lake Wine Trail Adventures
Then as the sun began to set over Lake Seneca we had dinner.
Chef Heather Tompleins prepared a most wonderful dinner, which was served on the patio overlooking Seneca Lake.
There on the patio over dinner we shared conversations over wine. Each plate was paired with a Seneca Lake wine.
Yes, dining at Ventosa Vineyards was indeed a special treat.
After dinner there was an opportunity to sample more wines made by female winemakers from Leidenfrost Vineyards, Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, Standing Stone Vineyards and Ventosa Vineyards.
It was indeed an amazing evening at Ventosa Vineyards.
3. Anthony Road Wine Company
Next day we visited Anthony Road Wine Company, Penn Yan where we toured the vineyard, winery and did a wine tasting. During the visit John Martini, our host shared with us his family's involvement in wine making at Anthony Road.
Our visit began with a visit to the vineyard.
After a tour of the vineyard and winery we returned to a tasting area on the veranda.
There on the patio we were introduced to Anthony Road wines. I tasted a Anthony Road Rosé of Cabernet Franc 2014, Finger Lakes.
The white wines I tasted included Chardonnay and Riesling.
Then there was a tasty Anthony Road Unoaked Chardonnay 2014.
This was followed a side by side tasting of two Rieslings produced in two different styles.
All too soon a delightful visit to Anthony Road was over.
4. Fox Run Vineyards
Our last stop was at Fox Run Vineyards, Penn Yan where the focus of the visit was on terroir. Here we visited the vineyard and the winery, followed by an excellent food and wine pairing.
While touring the vineyard we were introduced to history and growing conditions at Fox Run.
While touring the winery we chatted with the winemaker.
It was such a delight to have winemaker Peter Bell and Chef Bud Holland present during the food and wine pairing.
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| Through the Wine Glass © Spaswinefood |
Seneca Lake Wine Trail Adventures
Finger Lakes Wine Tour Transportation provided transportation during our two-day pre-conference excursion. The owners of Seneca Shore Wine Cellars (David DeMarco) and Rock Stream Vineyards (Dr. Mark Karasz) joined us on the bus while we traveled to our first stop in Dundee. They provide us with an overview of 1) the wine region, 2) the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and 3) their wineries. Moreover we were introduced to two of their wines.
Now let us take look at the four stops we made on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail:
I also tasted Villa Bellangelo white wines.
Here are the Villa Bellangelo white wines that I tried.
King's Garden Vineyards owner and winemaker, Mike Oleksyn was also on hand to pour wines.
I totally loved comparing the different vintages of King's Garden Vineyard wines.
Our visit to Villa Bellangelo was indeed a wonderful introduction to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
2. Ventosa Vineyards
Now let us take look at the four stops we made on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail:
1. Villa Bellangelo
Our first stop was at Villa Bellangelo in Dundee. When we arrived we were greeted by Chris Missick, the owner and presented with a glass of Villa Bellangelo Rosé 2013.
We went right to work exploring the four tasting stations. One of those stations was an introduction to local foods.
During our visit I tasted Villa Bellangelo red wines.
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| Chris Missick, Villa Bellangelo © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Bellangelo Rosé 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| Sampling Local Foods, Villa Bellangelo © Spaswinefood |
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| A Rosé Moment, Villa Bellangelo © Spaswinefood |
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Villa Bellangelo Red Wines © Spaswinefood
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| Wine Tasting, Villa Bellangelo © Spaswinefood |
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Villa Bellangelo, Dry Riesling 2014, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Bellangelo, Riesling 2012, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Bellangelo, Semi Dry Riesling 2013, Seneca Lake, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Bellangelo, Gibson Vineyard Riesling 2012, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Villa Bellangelo, Riesling 2012 & Semi Dry Riesling 2013 © Spaswinefood |
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| King's Garden Vineyards Wine Tasting © Spaswinefood |
Our visit to Villa Bellangelo was indeed a wonderful introduction to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
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| Villa Bellangelo, Dundee, NY © Spaswinefood |
2. Ventosa Vineyards
Dinner was held at Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva. The focus for the evening was on Finger Lakes Wine Women. During the evening we tasted wines from Leidenfrost Vineyards, Three Brothers Wineries & Estates, Standing Stone Vineyards and Ventosa Vineyards.
Activities before dinner included 1) opening remarks by four female winemakers (Marti Macinski, Jenna Lavita, Liz Leidenfrost and Erica Paolicella) and a female research scientist and 2) a vineyard activity where we collected grapes for a brix's sampling.
Activities before dinner included 1) opening remarks by four female winemakers (Marti Macinski, Jenna Lavita, Liz Leidenfrost and Erica Paolicella) and a female research scientist and 2) a vineyard activity where we collected grapes for a brix's sampling.
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| Marti Macinski, Winemaker & Co-Owner, Standing Stone Winery © Spaswinefood |
It was fun to do the activity and explore the vineyard.
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| Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood |
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| Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood |
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| Ready to Dine, Ventosa Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Chef Heather Tompleins © Spaswinefood |
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| Dinner, Ventosa Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Sunset, Ventosa Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Liz Leidenfrost, Leidenfrost Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Also available for tasting that evening were ciders from Eve's Cider and Workman.
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| Eve's Cider and Workman Cider © Spaswinefood |
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| Ventosa Vineyards, Geneva © Spaswinefood |
3. Anthony Road Wine Company
Next day we visited Anthony Road Wine Company, Penn Yan where we toured the vineyard, winery and did a wine tasting. During the visit John Martini, our host shared with us his family's involvement in wine making at Anthony Road.
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| Anthony Road Winery, Finger Lakes, NY © Spaswinefood |
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| Anthony Road Vineyard, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| John Martini, Anthony Road Vineyard © Spaswinefood |
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| Anthony Road, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Anthony Road Rosé of Cabernet Franc 2014, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Anthony Road Wines, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
Then there was a tasty Anthony Road Unoaked Chardonnay 2014.
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| Anthony Road, Unoaked Chardonnay 2014, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Anthony Road, Side by Side Tasting of Riesling © Spaswinefood |
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| Anthony Road Fermented Riesling & Dry Riesling 2013, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Welcome to Anthony Road © Spaswinefood |
4. Fox Run Vineyards
Our last stop was at Fox Run Vineyards, Penn Yan where the focus of the visit was on terroir. Here we visited the vineyard and the winery, followed by an excellent food and wine pairing.
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| Fox Run Vineyards, Seneca Lake © Spaswinefood |
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| Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Visiting Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Field of Dreams, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Winery Conversations, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Peter Bell, Winemaker, Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
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| Fox Run Vineyards, Finger Lakes © Spaswinefood |
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| Food & Wine Pairing Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
After an awesome food and wine pairing we were introduced to Riesling wines grown in different terroir. Looking at the effect of different terroirs on 2011 and 2012 vintages was an enlightining activity.
It was so exciting to taste wines on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. I was totally jazzed to be introduced to Finger Lakes wines at #wbc15. I was impressed by not only the wine and food but the wonderful hospitality shown by our hosts (Villa Bellangelo, Ventosa Vineyards, Anthony Road Wine Company and Fox Run Vineyards). Visitors planning a Finger Lakes wine adventure will find these websites quite helpful:
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| Fox Run Vineyards © Spaswinefood |
Special thanks to Paul Thomas, Executive Director of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, for organizing such a first-class excursion. Future Spaswinefood posts will showcase other Finger Lakes wine adventures. You can also check out other travel adventures at Spaswinefood.
August 2015
Fingers Lakes, New York
© Spaswinefood
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| Sunset, Seneca Lake © Spaswinefood |
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