From the moment we pulled up to the gates of Fox Run Vineyards, we realized that this was no ordinary winery. Indeed, the expansive yet delicately sculptured gates of frolicking foxes seemed to foreshadow the quality of the experience that awaited us. Fox Run’s barn-shaped tasting room harkens back to its days as a Civil War-era dairy farm but there is nothing humble about the quality of their wines.
Tastings run $10 for 5 samples with a $2 coupon towards a future purchase – what a deal! We reveled in their selection of subtly sweet wines with our top three favorites being the Arctic Fox, 2018 Traminette and Ruby Vixen so we had no problem putting said coupon to good use. A visit to Fox Run is an invitation to linger, as its stunning lake and vineyard views and fresh deli meats, cheeses and flatbreads from its cafe will incite you to kick back and stay awhile.
Relaxation seemed to be the theme for our meanderings on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail and no winery expressed that better than the Miles Wine Cellars. While many Seneca Lake wineries boast of having lake views, only Miles Wine Cellars provides the unique experience of drinking wine on the lake. If your idea of bliss is sipping wine on the dock with the sun glinting off of the crystalline waters of Seneca Lake, then this is the winery for you.
From the dock a short walk up the hill leads to a grandiose Greek revival mansion which serves as the tasting room as well as an inn. Here visitors can appreciate wonderful weeping willow trees and magnificent panoramic views of Seneca Lake. Tastings run $5 for 7 wines or a flight of beer for $10. The standout for us was the Ghost wine, a semi-dry blend of Chardonnay and Cayuga whose name is derived from the spirits rumored to haunt the mansion. However, the only otherworldly event that we experienced during our time at Miles was that of the tranquil beauty of its shores.
Fox Run Vineyards
Miles Wine Cellars
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