Catharine Valley Winery

About Catharine Valley Winery

Catharine Valley Winery sits on the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes wine region, just north of Watkins Glen along Route 414. The tasting room is housed in an ivy-covered barn overlooking vineyards that slope gently toward the water, and the site benefits from a sheltered mesoclimate warmed in winter by the lake air and sun-kissed in summer by the westerly setting sun. Picnic tables on the patio take in one of the most striking lake views along the wine trail.

A family-owned estate winery established in 2001 within the Seneca Lake AVA, Catharine Valley produces and bottles all of its wines on site, specializing in domestic and Alsatian-style varietals alongside a rotating lineup of hard ciders. The wines take their names from local history and lore — labels such as The Lost Irishman, Sweet Revenge, Blue Goose, and Seneca Steamer nod to characters and places from the area's past — and span dry reds and whites through richly sweet dessert wines.

Visitors can expect a warm, unpretentious welcome in a cozy, cabin-like tasting room, with a knowledgeable team (often the owner himself) pouring small-batch wines and ciders. The winery is a TasteNY attraction and a longtime stop on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, known for its friendly resident dogs, relaxed picnic-friendly lawn, and sweeping views over the lake.