Destinations for Wine Lovers in the Finger Lakes Wine Region

By Ken September 23, 2007

Ken and I began our wine tasting adventures on Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes wine region on a foggy Monday morning in early August. After a fun morning of wine tasting we began inquiring as to where would be a good place to eat lunch. A couple of people suggested The Bistro at the Thirsty Owl Wine Company on Cayuga Lake so we decided to give it a try. As is often the case, word of mouth proves to be helpful when choosing a restaurant. We enjoyed our visit to The Bistro and their terrace overlooking Cayuga Lake is a great spot to have a delicious lunch � especially their warm roast beef melt.

At the end of a full day of wine tasting we made our way to the Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast on Seneca Lake which was also recommended to us. We did have a reservation as it was August and a busy time of year with vacationers. We loved the Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast. Our hosts, Terri and Ted were very friendly and provided great local insight. They also make the best country breakfasts in the area. Magnolia Place is a historic inn and was built in 1830 as a farm house overlooking Seneca Lake. Although Magnolia place is historic, it has many modern conveniences including air conditioning.

We asked Ted for restaurant recommendations for dinner. We chose Dano’s Heuriger because it sounded interesting. Ken at Dano's Heuriger Dano’s is located on Seneca Lake on Route 414, a few miles up the road from the Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast. We recommend reservations especially on weekends. Dano’s is America’s first Heuriger serving traditional Austrian cuisine in a casual atmosphere. We had a tasty meal out on the deck overlooking Seneca Lake. We even met Chef Dano as he took a break from the kitchen and stopped by tables on the deck to see how people were enjoying their dinner. His enthusiasm for great food and wine is contagious.

On Tuesday morning we made our way around Seneca Lake visiting several wineries on both the east and west sides of the lake. We also began inquiring as to where we should stop for a hearty lunch. We needed a substantial lunch to continue the pace of wine tasting all day. We decided to visit Veraisons, the restaurant located at the Glenora Wine Cellars on Seneca Lake. Even though the threat of rain appeared imminent, we requested to sit out on the spacious deck and take in the beautiful views of Seneca Lake and the surrounding vineyards.

For dinner we visited The Montage Restaurant � an Italian Grill at the Glen Motor Inn on Seneca Lake in Watkins Glen. The food and view of Seneca Lake were very good � even on a rainy night. The inn and restaurant are owned and operated by the Franzese family since 1937.

Watkins Glen has a long history of racing tradition. The first post-World War II road race in the United States took place on Oct. 2, 1948 in Watkins Glen. NASCAR Watkins Glen The original 6.6-mile circuit is on the National Register of historic Places. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series takes place in Watkins Glen in August. It is a big event in the area. According to The Glen Motor InnSider, the history of racing from the Grand Prix and Formula 1 to NASCAR’s NEXTEL Cup can be reviewed along Franklin Street in Watkins Glen. From Mario Andretti to Richard Petty, it’s a virtual winners circle displayed in stone.

Watkins Glen also offers excellent hiking with beautiful waterfalls. Watkins Glen waterfall The Glen at Watkins began to form thousands of years ago, at the end of the most recent ice age. There are nineteen waterfalls in the Watkins Glen State Park. In 2005, the park was named one of Reserve America’s Top Outdoor Locations and one of the Top 100 Campgrounds in the nation. Because we spent most of our time wine tasting, we did not get a chance to visit the Watkins Glen State Park on this trip. According to the The Glen Motor InnSider, the best way to view the scenery is to walk the gorge trail. The trail is open May to November (dawn to dusk) and there is no charge to walk the trails. There is a fee to park and camp. The gorge is not handicap accessible.

On the east side of Seneca Lake, one destination that caught my eye was the SkyLand Farm Gallery and Café. It is located in a renovated barn, surrounded by stone-walled gardens, seven miles north of Watkins Glen on Route 414. It is just down the street from the Magnolia Place Bed and Breakfast. It is open Wed. – Sun. in the summer. It is an artisan shop featuring the work of over 300 local and U.S. artists. They also have a café built around a two-story oak tree � it’s a work of art. I got a chance to stop in the SkyLand Farm Gallery on Wednesday morning before we left town. It is definitely a must see.

This was our first trip to the Finger Lakes wine region. grape vine root stock I have to tell you that I was struck by the beauty and peacefulness of the area. It is truly a get-away destination. If you are looking for a place to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and just relax and enjoy the natural beauty, not to mention great wine, this is the place for you. As you drive along the main routes adjacent to Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake, there are many breathtaking vistas. My pictures do not do it justice. We did not get a chance to visit the other Finger Lakes but we hope to soon. The Finger Lakes wine region is a refreshingly noncommercial destination with its friendly people, great hiking spots, beautiful lakes, road racing history, and terrific wineries.