[Matt]

Which one do you think offers the best experience as far as ascetics, activities, drink, food, fun?

[Brenda]

More and more of the wineries are offering entertainment on a regular basis. I love love love being able to send my guests out to hear great music within a 15 - 20 minute drive! Americana has a great cafe and they have bands every Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. Hector Wine Company offers entertainment on a regular basis as well. During the season, Wagner Vineyards hosts Friday Nights on the Brewdeck with a different band playing each week. Other wineries, including Damiani Wine Cellars and Atwater Vineyards feature different art exhibits with artist receptions. It's nice to see the wineries expanding beyond regular tasting room hours.

[Kelly]

What about the best/most interesting tours?

[Matt]

best/most beautiful architecture/property?

[Kelly]

Democrat & Chronicle - July 1, 2012
Economic impact of the wine industry has spread throughout the Finger Lakes and beyond

At this time of year, with weddings and other events, Glenora Wine Cellars might have most of its 150 employees working the weekend on the southwest side of Seneca Lake in Yates County or at its sister winery in Seneca County.

About once a week, a horse and wagon pulls up to the delivery entrance of Glenora’s restaurant, carrying eggs from a nearby Amish farm. Nearly as often, a tractor trailer from Waterloo Container, 40 miles away, arrives with bottles that go into the 52,000 cases of wine Glenora produces each year.

And maybe once or twice a year, when increased production means ordering a new fermentation tank, the tank is made at Vance Metal Fabricators in Geneva and driven 30 miles south.

So goes one winery’s portion of a $3.8 billion industry in New York.

The rest of the story, pictures and video here:
Economic impact of the wine industry has spread throughout the Finger Lakes and beyond

[Kelly]

Map of Finger Lakes Wineries

[Brenda]

Great idea, Kelly! Here's another: FingerMaps.com

[Kelly]

Great! Hoping these maps will be useful to anyone wanting to get some interesting shots for the July 2012 Photo Challenge - "Wine & Spirits" and well beyond!

Looking forward to seeing everyone's pictures.

[ApproachingLight]

We did the East side of Seneca yesterday. Seems everyone overlooks the east side. They have really nice wineries there that are not listed on two of the maps here.

Ventosa is at the top of the lake a few clicks from 5 & 20. Gorgeous huge building, awesome view, expansive porch/deck. $2 to try 4 wines.

Zugibie (sp?) is just down the road and again had a great view, really nice people, and we just missed a live band. $3 for 5 tastings

3 Brothers is within a mile and is a must do. A four building complex with wines by sweetnesses. Then they have this crazy bayou place that is party place called Bagg Dare http://www.3brotherswinery.com/Bagg-Dare/bagg-dare.html . $3 for 5 tastings. Quite a complex.

Then you have to drive a good 15 minutes for the next set.
Lamoreaux is gorgeous building and setting with a great view of the lake. 2010 Winery of the year. If you keep going south from here there are a lot of wineries towards Watkins Glenn.

Last of all the East side passes the Seneca Army Depot. If you are lucky you get to see the rare albino "white deer. http://www.senecawhitedeer.org/

So don't forget the East side!

[Brenda]

Actually, they are included on the map that I posted. I noticed that both Ventosa and Three Bros. have different symbols. I'm not sure why, but it was likely their choice because I don't think that Randy (the owner/creator of the site) would just arbitrarily assign them. I never forget about the east side 'cause I live over here! Lamoreaux is right down the hill from me!

[hobkyl]

I second Zugibe despite never going there or any other for that matter. I base my choice on knowing the owner (we went to school together) and that being said I am continously updated by facebook posts. Another friend from school does massage and yoga classes at the vineyards on weekends. Almost every weekend there is a band or festival occurring. They have also partnered/sponsored/created an endurance event like tough mudder. Not sure on food as the website doesn't show a restaurant, but believe I saw a fb post with a new menu recently.