Seneca Lake Wine Trail — Attraction in Town of Torrey

I have visited this area twice now. I want to share some insights/learnings after these visits. Hoping I can help other folks avoid disappointment. The first time I visited with my hubby. As a party of two, we were welcome at every winery we visited. We didn't have any reservations and didn't run into any issues doing wine tastings. For the next visit, I was traveling with 4 couples. We didn't have any reservations. Big mistake! Even with reservations, many wineries will refuse to seat you if they suspect you are a larger party. Offering to split up will not work; trying to arrive separated in time may also get you refused at the door. They seem to have some really big issue with larger groups. I could not get a logical answer as to why. One hostess told me we would use up her staff's attention and too many tables. There was more than enough tables for us and with plenty left open. Don't they want customers? On the second trip we attempted to visit 9 different wineries, we got good service at 6 of these and were treated like the "unwashed" at three wineries. So we had a 33% negative experience rate. Not sure I would go again even as just a couple.

So here is what I would do if I decide to do another visit:

attempt to do wine tastings with no more than 4 in your party. If you have a larger group, just agree at the start of the day to split up and go in different directions. make reservations at any winery you really want to visit if they list this in their advertising. You must plan your day just like visiting Walt Disney World.

My three star rating comes from my last experience and the fact that the wines are just average for me. You must really like white wine and if you like sweet, fruity wines that is even better. I found there was no point in trying any dry reds from this region (also recommend skipping...

Wonderful trip! The Seneca lake wine trail in the finger lakes region in upstate ny has a lot to offer. There are multiple wineries that offer a great selection of wines in both whites and reds. Many of them have local award winning wines and their own special blends. Most of the wineries are located on scenic drives right by the lake and offer great views from their tasting decks. Generally the wine tastings are $5 for a flight of 5 different wines. They have pre determined flights of reds, whites, dry, semi-dry, semi-sweet and sweet wines to select from. Many of the wineries have cafes that offer a selection of food items so you can schedule a picnic style lunch at the winery. Most wineries close by 5pm with a handful of them closing at 6pm. So plan your visit accordingly. An essay to follow map of the wine trail can be found on the local chamber of commerce's website. The area offers much more than just wine. There are great restaurants that offer delicious farm to table menus. There's good shopping and antiquing in the area. Lots of options for hiking or biking, boat and kayak rentals, spas and so much more. A great area to plan a trip. Highly...

No doubt the wines are excellent but after 20 years of visiting the trail (with my last being about 3 years ago) the atmosphere has definitely changed and not necessarily for the better. The trail has lost the authentic charm and warmth of what always left you with the feeling of supporting something “local” and now has a more commercialized vibe of wineries competing for the most posh, instagram-able, stage. The transition to tasting by pre-determined “flights” is uninspired, uninteresting and seems a desperate attempt to give some sense of familiarity to wine-bar hipsters rather than anyone who enjoyed the learning opportunity the wineries in the past offered. Staff has no where near the knowledge either. Overall, better to spend $50 on different wines from Wegmans and take the chance at-home then go through the time and gas of exploring the trail anymore. Great wine -...