Finger Lakes wineries add a meal to broaden appeal

It was only a few years ago that it was difficult to find a good place to eat while navigating from one Finger Lakes tasting room to another. The wines that we tasted may have been very good, but where could we get a satisfying midday meal?

When the weather is warm and sunny, a picnic along the roadside served as an ideal option for a summer afternoon. But what about those days you didn't want to pack a lunch -- or the weather wasn't quite so nice?

The Ginny Lee Cafe, on the east side of Seneca Lake, has offered good dining for almost 20 years. And Lillian Taylor has operated an excellent restaurant at Bully Hill, on the west side of Keuka Lake, for many years. But we were still left with 'miles to go before we eat' during wine-tasting tours.

Thankfully, several businesses have taken up the challenge to provide excellent meals at locations along the wine trails. After all, wine and food go so well together.

A few years ago, when Glenora added overnight accommodations to its facility, it also added year-round, full-service dining.

Heron Hill Winery in Hammondsport, Fox Run Vineyards in Penn Yan and Standing Stone Vineyards of Hector recently added cafes to their wineries. Although Fox Run's cafe is open year-round, many of the restaurants and cafes won't be getting into the swing of things until May.

At Red Newt Cellars Winery and Bistro in Hector, chef Debra Whiting operates the restaurant while her husband David is the winemaker. Although they still have limited dining hours, the couple is getting a jump on the spring season with a special event on Saturday. "Nine Wines Blind" features a five-course dinner with blind samples of wines.

Each wine's characteristics are discussed before its identity is revealed. (Some seats are still available. Call 607/546-4100 for reservations.)

There are also wineries along Cayuga Lake that provide dining. Sheldrake Point Vineyard and Cafe in Ovid has an indoor cafe and a covered outdoor dining area used in warmer weather. The landscaped grounds look right down to the west shore of Cayuga Lake.

Knapp Vineyards Winery & Restaurant is located farther north in Romulus. The large panel of windows in the dining area looks out onto the vineyard grounds. They are scheduled to reopen for dining this month.

Many restaurants note the hours they are open on their winery Web sites. Most restaurants will increase their hours as we approach the summer months. Be sure to check before you go if you are planning to eat a meal during your visit.

Another thing to check on while you are at the restaurant Web site is the menu. Many restaurants list the meals that they will be serving.

Debra changes her menu every three weeks at the Red Newt bistro. She uses seasonal foods available from local growers. As you can imagine, the menu changes a lot as new crops come to harvest. Debra is one of several restaurant owners striving to bring fresh, local produce to the table to accompany locally produced wines.

The wine lists at winery restaurants often provide pleasant surprises.

Red Newt includes wines from several area wineries in addition to their own products. The Stonecat Cafe in Hector does the same, offering area wines in addition to its Bloomer Creek Vineyard line.

But the Village Tavern Restaurant and Inn in Hammondsport outdoes them both. The tavern's wine list consists of more than 190 different New York state wines. You may find your favorite Finger Lakes wine as you sit down to dine.

Jeff Richards' wine column appears each Thursday on the Twin Tiers Life Food Page. For comments or questions, he can be reached at 607/271-8279 or 800/836-8970, ext. 279, or e-mail: thewineguy