As you visit the Seneca Lake, you kill two birds with one stone. You visit the deepest lake from all the Finger Lakes in the New York area and the second deepest lake in the United States; you enjoy the most exquisite wines at wineries of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. And even three birds...Every year, the Seneca Wine Trail inspires numerous tourists to visit its twenty eight wineries, to participate in local events and celebrations as well as get discounts on visits and wine tastings. Wine tours are available to all twenty eight wineries-members of the Seneca Wine Trail, while there is much to be said about each.
For instance, Amberg Wine Cellars is a winery of forty year-experience in winemaking, producing some of the old and renowned varieties, such as Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, as well as new ones like Chambourcin, Traminette and Bianca. Belhurst is both a winery and historic attraction in the Finger Lakes Wine Country. This stone Castle-winery provides romantic lodging choices, scenic lake views, unique gifts and delectable wines, created by French winemakers and pared with delicious food.
"Combine your wine tour with a festival or other spectacular events on the Seneca Lake" may serve as a slogan of the Seneca Wine Trail, whose members come together all the year round to let their visitors get in touch with wine tasting in a festive atmosphere. This year the major events include Cruisin' the Tropics Weekend (March 25-26, 2006), the Golden Nose: the Wine Judging Weekend (April 8-9, 2006), the Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend (April 29-30, 2006), and December Deck the Halls Weekend (December 2-3, 2006). Each combines an original theme, much fun and an ultimate experience of food and wine tasting.
Cruisin' the Tropics Weekend includes a self-guided tour around the Seneca Lake, visiting all twenty eight wineries, each with its own tropical theme, and taste tropical food, matched to fine wines. You will visit not wineries, but the "Treasure Island", "Bermuda", "South Pacific", "Tropical Rainforest", which are only a few themes you can enjoy at the Seneca Wine Trail.
Have you ever been a judge in a wine competition? If not, The Golden Nose: the Wine Judging Weekend is a tour of wineries in the company of professional wine tasters, during which you can learn how to taste and judge wine and, above all, share with the Seneca Wine Trail the opportunity to select a winner. The Awards Dinner will contain the award of the winners with unique Golden Nose medals.
The Spring Wine and Cheese Weekend are wonderful days of retreat on the Seneca Lake and matching wine tastings with products of one of the best cheese companies, the Heluva Good Cheese Company of Sodus, New York. Perfect complements to the event are gifts and a recipe book from the first winery you visit and samplings of new wine releases.
December Deck the Halls Weekend is a weekend of fun and festivities, pared with sampling holiday wines and food in the wineries, decorated for the holiday season. The tickets for each event are available online and their price is surprisingly pleasant. For instance, Crusin' the Tropics tickets are twenty five dollars per person.