Vinifera Varieties:  Wines of the Seneca Lake   Banana Belt

Come discover some of the finest wines in the Finger Lakes.  On this tour, you will explore the wineries of the southeast shore of Seneca Lake - a region known as the "Banana Belt", due to its extra-ordinary microclimate.  The "terroir" of this region is ideal for growing the famous vinifera grapes of Europe.  The tour begins with a private vineyard tour and barrel tasting at Standing Stone Vineyards, where you will taste Chardonnays and Cabernets right out of the barrels, learning about the process of creating the distinctive flavors of these famous varieties.  You will then go upstairs to the tasting room, where you will experience the current bottled vintages of these varieties, as well as some other special wines

Our other stops include: Lamoreaux Landing, where we will feature their award-winning Reislings, and other notable vinifera whites.  

Wagner Vineyards or Damiani Wine Cellars where we will highlight some of region's finest vinifera reds, including Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Bordeaux-inspired Meritage. 

Penguin Bay, where we will taste a series of sparkling wines ranging from Champagne-style Bruts. to sweet and fun Spumantes.  At each winery on this tour, we will feature a different wine-cheese pairing that will accentuate why they go so well together.

On our way home, we will stop at a Life's So Sweet, chocolate shop in Trumansburg, and sample some hand-crafted chocolate, as you learn about the history of this sweet delicacy.    Join us on this tour of spectacular lake vistas, and extraordinary wine and food!

 

Price: $85.00 per person; Discount group pricing available on request.

Tours depart from Ithaca ((La Tourelle Resort and Spa, 1150 Danby Road - Click HERE for map or Boatyard Grill Restaurant, 525 Taughannock Blvd -Click HERE to see map) and Trumansburg (Save-A-Lot Parking Lot, Main Street - Click HERE for map).  and Watkins Glen (Harbor Hotel, 16 North Franklin St. - Click HERE for map)

What our guests say about this tour:

"This tour combined all the qualities that an excellent tour should have: Lively information about winemaking in the Finger Lakes, personalized wine tastings with foods to match, the beauty of the Seneca Lake area, and delicious wines...What a value! "

"I liked focusing on different types of wine at each winery so I could really appreciate the subtle differences in the wines.  The last stop at the chocolate shop was the piece de resistance! "

"Amazing! It was so different from my other wine tour experiences.  You actually learn something from professionals about what you are experiencing."

"I was amazed with the "niceties" you provided!  I've been on many tours in many places and have never experienced anything like yours! "

"Your cheese and wine pairings are truly inspired"

"We had a wonderful time on your Wine tour .   It was just wonderful trying all those new wines and the great cheese pairings and ending with some fabulous chocolate.  Had it not been for your tour we would have never gone to those wineries and had never discovered our new favorite wines."

"It was authentic.  I've gone on wine tours many times and I learned more today than ever before."

"The whole tour was excellent - probably the best part was the quality of the guide. 

"Our experience with Experience! makes us want to return to Ithaca just to do other tours" 

"The best wine tour ever!  Great for experts and novices alike!"

Click HERE to inquire about reserving this tour.

A note to our guests:  Saturdays on the Seneca Wine Trail are the busiest days of the week.  If you are looking for a more intimate experience of the wineries we suggest considering a Sunday or a weekday for your wine trail experience if your schedule allows.