We will be staying in Auburn, NY next weekend to attend a wedding. Since we will be arriving a couple of days ahead, we hoped to visit some wineries in the area. Can anyone list favorites (and why?) Would prefer not too far away from Auburn area (although there don't appear to be any too close by). Don't mind making a day trip of winery visits if we can visit some good wineries and have a logical itinerary. We've been to wineries in France, Australia & California, but never in our home state of NY -- we are anxious to visit some good ones! Any suggestions would be appreciated!

I can't help you with a winery, but when someone recommends one, try their ice wine. I had some in Niagara. It's a nice dessert wine. I understand it's very popular in that area.

From Auburn, take route 20 west(route 20 east and west is a beautiful road)then take route 96a south..all kinds of wineries along that route and you'll eventually end up in Watkins Glen..nice little town.

Can anyone give a distance/time estimate for this tour? (Understanding that the "stop & taste" time will add...)

Depends on how amny tours you take..there are many tours in the Finger Lakes..I've never taken one so I can't help you out as to which one to take. Just know how beautiful the Finger Lakes are.

I would estimate Auburn to Watkins will be about a 60-75 minutes drive. Then add on roughly 30-45 minutes per winery. All depends on the winery -- you might not like it and be out in 10-15 minutes, or you could find yourself immersed, taking tours, tasting everything, and be out in 1 hour. I would visit 4-5 wineries on the east side, stop for lunch in Watkins (check out my screen name for suggestions, Seneca Harbor Station is very nice, on the water); and then visit 2-3 wineries on your way back up the west side of the lake, loop around Geneva and head back to Auburn. Beautiful drive, relaxing day, can I come along?!?

Visit www.senecalakewine.com and navigate your way to Seneca Lake -- many wineries have web-sites you can check out. Here are my favs:

West Side:
Prejean
Lakewood

East Side:
Chateau LaFayette Reneau
Finger Lakes Champagne House
Shalestone (they specialize in reds)
Standing Stone
Wagner
Lamoreaux Landing

Good luck, let us know what you thought! SenecaGirl

Thank you -- with all your comments I'm very excited to make this trip!