Sheldrake Point Winery is located on the west side of Cayuga Lake in the Finger Lakes of New York state. They also have a tasting room on the east side of Seneca Lake and this is the one we were able to visit.
Sheldrake Point Winery recently gained more notoriety from the 2014 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo International Wine Competition by winning honors for the Top White Wine with their Sheldrake Point Riesling, Finger Lakes, 2011 and Top Sweet Wine with their Sheldrake Point Riesling Ice Wine, Finger Lakes, 2010.
The winery opened in 1997 and the estate winery has 44 acres of vineyards. They sell about 50% of their grapes to other wineries. The winery produces 6,000 cases of wine a year.
We found the tasting room across the road opposite the side next to the lake but it still provided an excellent view of Seneca Lake. Tastings are done while standing at the tasting bar. A television displayed various information behind the tasting bar including the statement: “Buy Local. Support local, wherever you are!” Well there’s a common theme with Texas.
There is a tasting fee depending on the flight you select to taste. Flights included a Summer, Harvest, and Dessert flight. The Summer flight was all white wines including a Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, and two Rieslings. The Harvest flight had white and red wines including a Reserve Riesling, Gewurztraminer, Gamay Noir, and Cabernet Franc. There was also a Dessert Wine menu which included a Riesling Ice Wine, Cabernet Franc Ice Wine, and Ice Apple Wine. There is also a chocolate and Ice Wine flight where Ice Wine is paired with different flavored chocolate.
The tastings were poured from the uncorked bottles. Wine crackers are available to cleanse your palate. You can buy a local cheese plate to eat while you are enjoying Sheldrake Point Winery’s wine. For another fee you can get a local cheese plate paired with wine. This includes three cheeses paired with three wines.
A nice gift shop is available which has oils, dressings and sauces, cheeses, candles, clothing, and some beautiful granite cheese boards which we fell in love with. A wine club is also available for fans of their wines.
Seneca Lake tasting room:
Cayuga Lake winery:
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