Fox Run Vineyards in the Finger Lakes region of New York offers some great wines for tasting, as well as some fun on-site lunch options!
In our exploration of the Finger Lakes region of New York, we did a lot of wine tasting.
There are so many vineyards to choose from — way more than we could fit in one trip, or two trips, or — you get the idea.
Some of our stops were just for tastings, but the ones around meal time gave us an opportunity to also sample some local restaurants.
One of these was at Fox Run Vineyards, near the shores of Seneca Lake. Are you browsing wineries to add to your trip itinerary? Here's what a visit to Fox Run is like!
Finding Fox Run Vineyards
Although the address is technically in the village of Penn Yan (which is on Keuka Lake), Fox Run Vineyards is actually found halfway between Geneva and Dresden (on Seneca Lake).
If you're looking for something to do in Penn Yan itself, we recommend Wagers Cider Mill for apple cider.
When we drove into the Fox Run property, we were immediately struck by the cool metalwork entry sign and decorations.
Do I Need to Make Reservations?
No reservations are needed at Fox Run! The tasting room and the café are both open every day.
Check the website for hours of operation.
What Is the Wine Tasting Like at Fox Run Vineyards?
A tasting includes five wines for $10 and allows you to choose from flights of sweet, dry, red, or Riesling.
First we got their “welcome wine,” a Chardonnay that comes from the oldest grape vines on the property.
Next, we chose our wines from the flight selection and then made a final wine choice.
We went for the reds, and my favorites were the oaked Lemberger, the Cabernet Franc and the Cabernet Sauvignon.
We were also able to taste a bourbon barrel Lemberger, which was nice with mild bourbon notes.
You can enjoy a flight either in the tasting room with the aid of a staff member to talk you through it, or on your own in the café (or the Wine Barn on warm-weather Saturdays).
From spring through fall, you can also opt for the "Taste Buds Flight," which pairs five wines with a plate of small bites.
Can I Tour the Vineyard?
Yes! There's a 45-minute tour of Fox Run Vineyards if you'd like to get out and walk the property. It's available daily, on the hour, and costs $15.
You don't need reservations for the tour.
Lunch Options
We stopped by Fox Run Café for some lunch. The menu uses lots of locally sourced ingredients.
The options include a sharable charcuterie board, pizza made on naan bread, sandwiches, and a few other items for entrées or appetizers.
They provide a couple of gluten-free choices, like swapping in gluten-free crackers or serving the sandwich fixings on a bed of greens.
Our group got the bison tacos and the pesto pizza. The menu changes from time to time, so you may have a different selection than we did.
The food was delicious, and we enjoyed the vineyard views from the patio.
There's also seating on the lakeview deck, and picnic tables on the lawn. You order at the counter, and then take a buzzer to your seat.
The winery occasionally has live music, special food and drink experiences, and other special events. Check their online calendar to see if your visit will coincide with one!
The property is also home to a beautiful Victorian-style farmhouse that can be rented out for groups to stay in.
I hope you get a chance to stop in at Fox Run Vineyards if you're in the area! Let me know which of their wines end up being your favorite.
Looking to finish off the afternoon with a cool treat? Spotted Duck, which sells delicious frozen custard, is only four miles away!
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