Wine Lover's Destination that Rivals the Napa Valley

Located on the shore of the Seneca Lake, Lodi is a wine enthusiast's paradise. There are nearly 20 wineries within a 15-mile stretch of highway. Lodi is home to seven of these wineries, as well as an award winning brewery, two restaurants, four places to stay, three antique shops, an ice cream stand, a state park, and a place where you can get gelato, Amish cheese, and latte. If you want a quaint wine getaway, Lodi is the place to go.

Wineries include the Kings Garden Vineyards, Lodi's newest member of its winery family. The estate-style wines of Kings Garden offer balance, complexity and elegance. The Lamoreaux Landing Wine Cellars feature high quality wines and they are a member of the Finger Lakes Wine Guild. The Wagner Vineyards and Wagner Brewing Company is quite a wine lover's gem. They feature a wide range of wines that will appeal to any palette. Friday nights in the summer features bands playing on the deck of the winery.

Wagner is one of the oldest wineries in the region. They opened in 1979 and are open daily. Tours, tastings, and retail sales attract visitors from all over the Finger Lakes region, and there is a gift shop where you can purchase clothing, items with the Wagner logo, wine, beer, and various gifts. On the premises is The Ginny Lee restaurant, which is open for lunch from May until October. Every season offers something different at Wagner, so if you are planning a trip, be sure to consider which season will suit you best. Autumn is the wineries busy season, and it is the busy season for all of Finger Lakes. The beautiful leaf change colors attract people from the eastern seaboard to the town. Weekends feature harvest activities and wine tastings. Weekdays are not as busy during this time of year, so if you prefer less crowded conditions, plan a few days away from work to enjoy fall in the Finger Lakes.

Winter is a great time to visit the area because things move slower. You can still enjoy shopping, tours, and tastings, but the crowds will be scant. During the spring, the town gets a bit more crowded, but there is wonderful spring scenery and it is a great way to celebrate the start of beautiful weather. Summer means family time in the lake area, and all of the attractions, restaurants, and shops are open for business.

In addition to Wagners, Lodi features the Silver Thread Vineyard, the Shalestone Vineyards, the Caywood Vineyards, Poplar Ridge Vineyards, and the Standing Stone Vineyards. Also a member of the Finger Lakes Wine Guild, Standing Stone features wines made and sold in renovated barns. White wines are made in stainless steel takes and reds and Chardonnay are made in American Oak barrels. Tours of the vineyard are available, and you can visit with the winemaking team and try samples of a variety of wines. You may even be lucky enough to try the current vintage directly from the barrels or tanks.

Those in search of a quiet getaway all year round with the sophistication of wine sampling should head to Lodi. Packed with vineyards, this Finger Lakes town will inspire and charm you.