Atwater

Seneca Lake (Central South - Hector)
5055 Route 414
Hector, NY 14841

800-331-7323
atwatervineyards.com

Hours: 10-5 M-Sat, 11-5 Sun
Fee: $3 Tours: No, Reservations: Not required

Atwater Vineyards was a winery I'd been looking forward to visiting. It received a noticeable amount of positive press - local and national - with a special nod to the great Rieslings and affordable Gewurztraminers. The wines and tasting room staff delivered on these expectations. The tasting started off on a great note with Riedel glasses (assuredly not the norm). Our host kept an unhurried pace offering recommendations on wines to try based on our personal preferences. The Cab Franc and newly released Dry Riesling were some of the group's favorites. The steely Gewurzt also stuck out for its unique style.

Highly recommend this winery for the wine and the views. There is a picnic space overlooking the vineyards and lake which I'd imagine would be excellent in warmer, less rainy weather. Bring some cheese, olive oil and a baguette to pair with your favorite wine!









Selections from tasting menu (purchases in bold):
Gewurztraminer 2007 - $16. Steely style with 0.4% residual sugar. "Heady Gewurz loaded with aromas of citrus and white flowers exploded with flavors of grapefruit and ginger." Rated 85 points in WS. Loved this style; only steely Gewurz on the lake.
Dry Riesling 2008 - $16. So light and delightful. Aromatic and unique. Grown on slate soils from mature vines. Peach, herb and lime flavors.
Pinot Noir 2007 - $17. Aged 8 months in French oak, this wine has an enjoyable resinous nose, light body and flavors. Cherry and sandalwood flavors with great texture.
Stone Bridge Red - $12. Beautiful color. A low tannin, easy drinking value red wine. Blend of Marechal Foch, Cabernet Franc and Corot Noir grapes. Cherry and plum flavors make it an ideal summer sipper to complement grilled meats.
Meritage 2006 - $18. Smoky, fruit nose leads to well balanced tannins with some tartness. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc creates a dark fruit (cherry, plum, black raspberry) profile that begs for hearty meats.
Cabernet Franc 2006 - $18. Another wine with a great nose. Balanced acid and tannins, solid finish with pleasant cherry flavors.









Other wines on the tasting menu:
Chardonnay 2007
Stone Bridge White
Pinot Gris 2008
Vidal Blanc 2007
Riesling 2007
Cabernet-Merlot 2007