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Keuka Lake, “Heart of the Wine Country”, has a rich place in the history of America’s wine industry. Born of humble beginnings dating to 1829 when
the Reverend William Bostwick planted Catawba and Isabella vines behind the his rectory in Hammondsport, hoping to produce communion wine.
The grapes flourished in the microclimate created as warm air rising from Keuka is trapped within the steep surrounding hills. By 1860 more than
200 acres were under cultivation and in that year Charles Champlin founded the Pleasant Valley Wine Company, the first federally licensed winery
in America – US Bonded Winery No. 1. The Urbana Wine Company followed in 1865 and in 1889 the Taylor family founded Hammondsport's third
major winery. By 1900, forty wineries were operating in the area, supported by 20,000 acres of vines. Prohibition, from 1919 to 1930, had a
devastating effect on the winemaking industry. The few wineries that survived did so by producing sacramental and medicinal wines, as well as
grape juice bearing a label that warned that the addition of yeast would result in an illegal beverage. The industry rebounded and in 1976 the Farm
Winery Act opened the door for smaller “boutique" wineries. Today more than a dozen world class wineries surround Keuka’s shores, each
offering a tasting of their fine wines. Make it a point to visit them all...
the Reverend William Bostwick planted Catawba and Isabella vines behind the his rectory in Hammondsport, hoping to produce communion wine.
The grapes flourished in the microclimate created as warm air rising from Keuka is trapped within the steep surrounding hills. By 1860 more than
200 acres were under cultivation and in that year Charles Champlin founded the Pleasant Valley Wine Company, the first federally licensed winery
in America – US Bonded Winery No. 1. The Urbana Wine Company followed in 1865 and in 1889 the Taylor family founded Hammondsport's third
major winery. By 1900, forty wineries were operating in the area, supported by 20,000 acres of vines. Prohibition, from 1919 to 1930, had a
devastating effect on the winemaking industry. The few wineries that survived did so by producing sacramental and medicinal wines, as well as
grape juice bearing a label that warned that the addition of yeast would result in an illegal beverage. The industry rebounded and in 1976 the Farm
Winery Act opened the door for smaller “boutique" wineries. Today more than a dozen world class wineries surround Keuka’s shores, each
offering a tasting of their fine wines. Make it a point to visit them all...
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| BULLY HILL VINEYARDS 8843 GHT Memorial Dr Hammondsport NY 14840 (607)868 3610 Tours, Tastings, Wine Museum & Restaurant - Daily 10 - 6, Sunday 10 - 5. Event hosting and Group Tours Gift Shops & Wine Shop |
| RAVINES WINE CELLARS 14630 State Route 54 Hammondsport NY 14840 (607)292 7007 Tastings Daily 10 - 5, Sunday 12 - 5. Frequent Wine & Food Events Themed Tastings With Live Music Fine Vinifera Wines. |
| HERON HILL WINERY 9301 County Route 76 Hammondsport, NY 14840 1-800-441-4241 Overlooking Keuka Lake, the winery is spectacular!! Picnic on the grounds with a delicious lunch or snack from our Deli. Mon - Sat 10AM - 5PM, Sun Noon - 5PM Open All Year |
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| McGREGOR VINEYARD WINERY 5503 Dutch Street Dundee NY 14837 (607)292 3999 Wine Tastings Daily 10 - 6. Frequent Wine & Food Events. Event Hosting. July & Aug: Sunset Tastings 6-8 pm. Friday & Saturday |
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| HUNT COUNTRY VINEYARDS 4021 Italy Hill Road Branchport NY 14418 (800)946 3289 Tours & Tastings, Vineyard Tours Daily 10 - 5, Sunday 12 - 5. Wine & Gift Shop. Picnic Area Frequent Special Events |
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| SHAW VINEYARD 3901 State Route 14 Himrod, NY 607-481-0089 14842 Tastings Fri - Mon, 12 - 5 Award Winning Handcrafted Wines |
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| PLEASANT VALLEY WINE CO. County Route 88 Hammondsport NY 14840 (607)569 6111 Tours & Tastings, Visitors Center Daily 10 - 5, Sunday 10 - 5. Wine & Gift Shop. Event Hosting Available U.S. Bonded Winery No. 1 |
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| CHATEAU RENAISSANCE WINE CELLARS 7494 Fish Hatchery Road Hammondsport NY 14840 (607)569 3609 Tastings 11 - 5:30, Sunday 12 - 5:30. Offering Red & White Varietals Methode Champenoise Champagne Desert Wines & Fruit Wines |
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| BARRINGTON CELLARS 2772 Gray Road Penn Yan NY 14527 (315)536 9686 Tastings 11 - 5:30, Sunday 12 - 5:30. Frequent Wine & Food Events Picnic Area Available. Gift Shop. Also: Ice Wine & Pure Grape Juice. |
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| KEUKA SPRING VINEYARDS 243 Route 54 Penn Yan NY 14527 (315) 536-3147 Tastings: May 1-Nov 30 Mon-Sat 10-5,Sun 11-5 Exclusive wine club,Wine & Food Events |
| ROOSTER HILL VINEYARDS 489 Route 54 South Penn Yan, New York 14527 (315) 536-4773 Hours: Fri, Sat, Sun 11-5pm May Open 7 Days! Tuscan-inspired tasting room, Wine Club Frequent Wine & Food Events April |
| STEVER HILL VINEYARDS 3962 Stever Hill Road Branchport, New York 14418 (315) 595-2230 Hours: Open 7 Days! 11-6 pm Restored 1800's Barn Offering Vinifera and Labruca Varietals |
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| DR. FRANK VINIFERA WINE CELLARS 9749 Middle Road Hammondsport NY 14840 (800)320 0735 Tours & Tastings Daily 9 - 5 Sunday 12 -5. Wine & Gift Shop. NY's most award winning winery. |