Do you love wineries, waterfalls, sweeping lake views, and picturesque towns? Then this Seneca Lake Wine Trail itinerary is for you!
The Seneca Lake Wine Trail is such a well-rounded destination, offering world-class wineries, some of the most beautiful vineyard views, and unique attractions. Truly, a trip to Seneca Lake should be on everyone’s list!
I’m sharing my exact four-day Seneca Lake Wine Trail itinerary (plus some tips + insight from countless trips in the Finger Lakes region).
This Finger Lakes itinerary covers seven of the best wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, charming towns to explore, dining options, and the best activities (i.e., hiking at Watkins Glen State Park and cruising Seneca Lake with Falling Waters Boat Tours).
This blog post is sponsored by the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. However, my opinions are, as always, my own.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission when you purchase a product or book a stay through these links at no extra cost to you.
About the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
The Seneca Lake Wine Trail is the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes region, wrapping around the largest of the region’s eleven lakes. Known for its award-winning Rieslings and stunning vineyard views, the trail offers more than 30 wineries.
This itinerary features the highlights of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. With four days on Seneca Lake, we were able to visit seven wineries and experience some of the top things to do in the region!
Where to Stay on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail
When deciding on where to stay on your trip to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, there are plenty of options, ranging from luxury hotels to lakeside cabins.
The best part about this itinerary is that you can base yourself in one spot and reach all the wineries, towns, activities, etc..
Here are my top recommendations for accommodations:
Single Island Shores
On this trip, we stayed at Single Island Shores, which are beautiful luxury lakeside cabins on the eastern side of Seneca Lake. These cabins appear rustic yet are equipped with luxury amenities.
We loved retreating to this lakeside oasis to catch the sunset at the end of each day. It made our trip so memorable.
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is a stunning harborfront property in the Finger Lakes. With the proximity to the lake, luxury dining, and amenities, Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel is an idyllic spot to stay on your Seneca Lake trip.
I stayed at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel a few years ago and absolutely loved my stay!
Seneca Lake Wine Trail Itinerary
While I have visited wineries along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail on other trips to the Finger Lakes, this is my first trip dedicated to the wine trail. And I must say, I was blown away by how incredible all the wineries on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail are!
After many sips of Riesling and some of the best vineyard views I’ve ever seen, I’ve concluded that the Seneca Lake Wine Trail is a must-visit for wine enthusiasts and the casual connoisseur.
Without further ado, here is the four-day Seneca Lake Wine Trail Itinerary. (p.s. You can combine days one and four, if you only have three days available for this trip.)
Day 1
Upon arrival in the region, head to your accommodation to check in. We stayed at Single Islands Shores, which are luxury lakeside cabins on Seneca Lake.
Three Brothers Wineries and Estate
Head to Three Brothers Wineries and Estate, an expansive estate featuring three wineries, a brewery, and a cafe. Three Brothers is like the Disney of wineries; there is so much to do here! You could spend a whole day tasting and exploring this estate.
Each of the three wineries (Stony Lonesome, Passion Feet, and Bagg Dare) plus the brewery (War Horse) has a distinct feel. From the unique bayou tasting room at Bagg Dare to the traditional vineyard views from Stony Lonesome, Three Brothers has it all!
Time permitting, Three Brothers offers a tasting card to taste at all three wineries and the brewery!
We opted for a traditional tasting experience at Stony Lonesome. Sipping on these award-winning estate wines, overlooking the vineyards, was a perfect start to our trip.
Geneva
Next on the agenda is exploring Downtown Geneva. This beautiful city on Seneca Lake could be a trip in itself, yet you can certainly get the highlights with a couple of hours to explore!
Start at the Finger Lakes Welcome Center. The Finger Lakes Welcome Center is the perfect spot to get more information on the region, grab a snack from Taste NY Market, and relax with views of Seneca Lake and the Lake Point Pier.
We couldn’t resit snapping a photo at the I Love NY sign! It’s the perfect photo op.
Geneva is bursting with cute boutiques, wine stores, and bars. Spend some time wandering around Downtown Geneva, especially Linden Street. Pop into the Finger Lakes Goods for some souvenir shopping; they have some great gifts here.
If you’re visiting Seneca Lake over the weekend, you must add VINIFERA’s underground speakeasy to your list! This speakeasy inside a wine store on Linden Street is the perfect addition to this Seneca Lake Wine Trail itinerary.
Dinner at Kindred Fare
After exploring Downtown Geneva, head to Kindred Fare. Kindred Fare has a cozy yet cool aesthetic and delicious bites!
The tea lights on each table and the extensive local wine menu set the mood for this meal. The wine list is curated by Certified Sommelier Bob Madill, so you know you’ll be pairing good wine with your meal. Kindred Fare also has a great cocktail list, if you’re looking for a different beverage after wine tasting.
Kindred Fare’s unique menu includes shareables like the Crispy Calamari & Chickpeas or their popular Friendship Fries.
For mains, I highly recommend the Pork Belly Rice Bowl or the Crispy Chicken Cutlet. Each bite at Kindred Fare was simply divine.
Day 2
Day two on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail will be full of fun activities and wine tasting. For a relaxing start to the day, plan breakfast at your accommodations.
For us, that looked like coffee and pastries on the dock at Single Island Shores. (If you’re staying at Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, they serve a delicious breakfast.)
Falling Waters Boat Tours
A must-do activity on Seneca Lake is the Falling Waters Boat Cruise. This boat cruise is one of the best ways to see Seneca Lake and get up close to the stunning Hector Falls.
This tour includes a boat ride departing from a private dock at Hector Point. The tour is super-intimate with a maximum of 6 people per tour (private tours are also available).
Following a relaxing hour-long boat ride on Seneca Lake, where we had views of Hector Falls and Glenora Falls, and saw bald eagles, we headed back to shore for one of the most memorable parts of this excursion.
After the boat ride, we headed to a private deck overlooking Hector Falls, where you’re served wine and cheese. We also had a chance to walk the shale to Hector Falls. Standing under the mist of the waterfall was amazing!
Lunch and Tasting at Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery
After an exciting excursion on Seneca Lake, it’s time for lunch and a tasting at Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery.
We headed straight to Ginny Lee Cafe for lunch. The menu here was light and fresh, perfect for a summer day. Each dish includes a wine and beer pairing recommendation; the Chardonnay from Wagner paired wonderfully with the Tequila Lime Chicken Wrap.
Opt for a seat on the patio for sprawling vineyard views. And don’t skip dessert! We loved the limoncello sorbet and chocolate gelato.
After lunch, a tasting at Wagner Vineyards is a must!
Five generations of Wagners have made this family-owned and operated winery one of the oldest and most recognizable in the Finger Lakes.
There are several tasting spaces at Wagner, making this the perfect place to visit no matter your tasting style. The guided tastings are a great way to sample a bit of everything Wagner has to offer. And for the true wine aficionados, the Tasting Library (aged, mostly dry wine) is a great option!
After your tasting, be sure to grab a glass or a flight of wine to enjoy outside. Or a beer from the brewery on property, Wagner Valley Brewing Co..
Tasting at Boundary Breaks Vineyards
The second winery of the day is Boundary Breaks Vineyards. At Boundary Breaks, expect high-quality wine, a knowledgeable staff, and gorgeous vineyard views.
Across the board, Boundary Breaks has some fantastic wine! This winery doesn’t have an extensive wine list, yet what they do, they do well! From a crisp Riesling to a delightfully fruit-forward Cab Franc, everything we tasted was superb.
One of the best ways to experience this winery is to grab a bottle and relax in the Adirondack chairs overlooking the vineyard. While we were far from the only guests at Boundary Breaks, the outdoor seating is set up so intimately that you feel like you have the place to yourself.
Dinner at GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar
This intimate restaurant in Watkins Glen is the perfect addition to this wine-forward Seneca Lake itinerary. GRAFT Wine + Cider Bar specializes in New York beverages (Finger Lakes wine, cider, and beer) and New American Fare.
We opted for an outdoor table, where we were able to people watch as we sipped on sparkling wine from Lakewood (another great winery on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail) and indulged in a decadent meal.
The PEI Mussels in a curry cream sauce were calling my name! And the Smash Burger looked so juicy and delicious. The dessert menu at GRAFT was top-tier. Splitting the Rosemary Chocolate Terrine and Creme Brulee was the move.
Seneca Lake Harbor
After dinner, take a peaceful stroll around the Seneca Lake Harbor in Watkins Glen. With sailboats dotting the waterfront and the iconic Seneca Lake Pier, the Seneca Lake Harbor is so picturesque.
To take in the atmosphere, walk along the breakwall or relax in one of the Adirondack chairs. Seneca Lake Harbor is a great spot to catch the sunset as well!
Day 3
For the last full day on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, we’re making it count with hiking in one of the prettiest state parks in NY and visiting three wineries.
Breakfast at The Elf in the Oak
Before a day of hiking and sipping along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, fuel up with breakfast at Elf in the Oak. Tucked along the east side of the lake, Elf in the Oak is one of those charming, unexpected finds that feels like a local secret. (However, arrive early, because it gets busy on the weekends!)
This cozy, cabin-like café serves hearty breakfast sandwiches, homemade baked goods, and locally roasted coffee with a view that’s hard to beat.
I opted for The Spicy – a breakfast sandwich on a spicy Italian bagel with roasted jalapeños and house-made hot sauce. It was such a good breakfast sandwich!
Hike at Watkins Glen State Park
This Seneca Lake Wine Trail itinerary wouldn’t be complete without hiking Watkins Glen State Park. With 19 waterfalls along a two-mile gorge trail, this hike is hands-down one of the most breathtaking experiences in the Finger Lakes.
The Watkins Glen Gorge Trail is so ethereally beautiful that you feel like you are in a fairy-tale setting. Truly, this trail is so beautiful that you will hardly notice the over 700 steps along it.
The star of the Gorge Trail is Rainbow Falls. This veil-like waterfall cascades over the trail. Trust me, at this point in your hike, you will be happy to get misted by this waterfall as you continue along the trail.
Be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds (and to ensure you have plenty of time for wineries after your hike). And plan for extra time to take photos!
Lunch and Tasting at Tabora Farm and Winery
If you’re looking to pair your wine tasting with a delicious homemade lunch, Tabora Farm and Winery is an absolute must-stop along the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
We worked up an appetite from our hike, so we headed straight to Market Bakery & Deli for lunch. The offerings include everything from artisan breads, pastries, and cookies to prepared foods, jams, sauces, and local pantry staples that are perfect to bring home or enjoy as a picnic.
(Tip: There are more tables behind the winery if you want to enjoy vineyard views with your lunch.)
Tasting at Tabora Farm and Winery is such a treat. The owner is from Cape Town, so you get to enjoy Finger Lakes favorites with a South African influence.
The tasting room is boutique and sophisticated. Tastings are pre-curated and start with a welcome wine. I loved sipping on the Cabernet Franc Dry Rose while deciding which wine flight to try.
Tabora doesn’t feel like your typical Finger Lakes winery. While it offers the same great wines you’d expect from the Seneca Lake region, everything about it, from the architecture to the aesthetic to the overall vibe, feels refreshingly unique.
Tasting at Fox Run Vineyards
The second winery of the day is Fox Run Vineyards. Set on a hill on the western side of Seneca Lake, the views from Fox Run are incredible. While you will be immediately drawn to the view, that isn’t the only thing Fox Run Vineyards has to offer.
Fox Run Vineyards is one of those wineries that checks all the boxes – stunning views, a welcoming tasting room, and beautifully crafted wines that showcase the best of the Finger Lakes region.
The tasting room has a relaxed atmosphere, allowing you to sip some delicious Seneca Lake wine with a friendly, yet knowledgeable staff. The Traminette from Fox Run was my favorite sip of my trip to the Seneca Lake Wine Trail.
Be sure to save time for the 45-minute guided vineyard tour. This was such a fantastic experience! On this tour, you get to walk the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process at Fox Run.
Tasting at Glenora Wine Cellars
You cannot visit the Seneca Lake Wine Trail without a visit to Glenora Wine Cellars. As the first winery on Seneca Lake, Glenora Wine Cellars holds a special place in Finger Lakes wine history.
The tasting room is both classic and incredibly relaxed. It’s easy to see why Glenora is such a favorite in the Finger Lakes. The fun, approachable atmosphere is ideal for those, whether you’re brand new to wine tasting or a seasoned sipper.
Glenora Wine Cellars has perhaps the most comprehensive wine list on Seneca Lake. From crisp Riesling to bold reds and even fruit wines, there’s something for everyone’s palate.
If you’re up for another tour, you can arrange a guided Cellar Tour at Glenora Wine Cellars.
*I’m not sure if it is a typical part of the tours, but we had the opportunity to taste a delightful Cab Franc straight from the barrel. This was such a memorable moment.
If you’re looking for views, step out onto the patio where you can see vineyards, Seneca Lake, and Glenora’s on-site hotel (The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars).
Dinner at Stonecat Cafe
After a day of vineyard hopping, Stonecat Cafe is the perfect place to wind down and savor the flavors of the Finger Lakes in a whole new way. Nestled along a quiet stretch of Route 414 in Hector, this unassuming spot is a true gem.
Order at the counter and grab a spot outside. We opted for something a bit hearty after all the wine tasting, some sandwiches, and the popular Stonecat Mac & Cheese. The Catfish Sandwich is a favorite, and we also loved the Hector Pulled Pork Barbeque Sandwich.
The food is delicious, and the atmosphere at Stonecat is immaculate! The patio has the prettiest pergola adorned with lush vines and has a sweeping view of the hills. We were lucky to visit on a night with live music, which added to the magic.
Day 4
Breakfast at here.
Start your last day on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail with breakfast at here.. Yes, here. Is the name of the restaurant.
In addition to the cute and sassy name, here. serves a delicious breakfast. The menu includes French toast, homemade cinnamon rolls, and hearty breakfast sandwiches. We opted for the Cinnamon Focaccia French Toast and Sourdough Buckwheat Focaccia French Toast. Everything was so good!
We loved the laid-back atmosphere and the outdoor picnic tables. This was a great stop for our last breakfast of the trip.
Lunch and Tasting at Ventosa Vineyards
For a slice of Tuscany in the Finger Lakes, head to Ventosa Vineyards. Ventosa is the last winery of this trip, and it was such a picturesque spot to complete this Seneca Lake Wine Trail Itinerary.
This estate winery is known for its reds. In the tasting room, you’ll find a lot of dry reds, which sets Ventosa apart in a region best known for its whites.
Their wine is flavorful, the bottles are beautiful, and the views are inspiring. Tastings are offered inside, or feel free to get a wine flight or a glass of wine to enjoy on the veranda.
The Wine Cellar Tours are a great way to learn more about this award-winning winery. If you’re looking for a unique experience, Ventosa even offers a tour with a cellar tasting.
But don’t leave without enjoying lunch at Café Toscana, the on-site café that pairs perfectly with the wine.
Cafe Toscana serves Mediterranean classics like paninis, pizzas, and Caesar salad. We opted to keep with the Italian theme of this winery, ordering pizza.
With great food, wine, and views, Ventosa was the perfect last stop of this trip.
For more travel inspiration, check out these posts:
🥾 Guide to Hiking the Watkins Glen Gorge Trail
⛵ Best Things to Do in Watkins Glen NY
📷 The Best Finger Lakes Waterfalls You Must Visit
💦 Visiting Eagle Cliff Falls in Havana Glen Park
For more New York travel, check out my New York section!
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