Silver Springs Winery

About Silver Springs Winery

Silver Springs Winery sits on the east shore of Seneca Lake, five miles north of Watkins Glen on Route 414, at the southern end of the stretch locals call the Banana Belt, where west-facing slopes and long afternoon sun let a few growers ripen Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon that would struggle elsewhere in the Finger Lakes. John and Sari Zuccarino opened it in June 2004 on a 100-acre property that runs downhill toward the water; John, whose family traces its winemaking to Udine in Friuli, labels the wines Don Giovanni.

The house style is red-leaning and unusually patient for the region. Merlot is the signature, held back to age and also offered in a longer-oaked "Bold" version, alongside Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and a spiced, dark-berried family blend called Tri-Dition, the estate's top-rated wine on Vivino. Zuccarino ferments with his own proprietary yeast cultures and describes the wines as natural and unmanipulated. The whites follow a similarly distinct line: a Chardonnay made entirely in steel, a Pinot Grigio, and dry and semi-dry Rieslings that both took gold medals in 2012 competitions, plus a semi-sweet White Cabernet Sauvignon blush.

Tastings are poured by the owner himself, who rinses each glass with the next wine before pouring and treats the visit as a short course in grape varieties and winemaking. The tasting room doubles as a gallery for local artists, seating is first come, first served, and a willow pond on the property looks down the lake for a picnic. Expect a conversation rather than a scripted flight, and budget time for it.