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Where is the town of Hector located?
- The town of Hector, New York lies in the scenic and picturesque Upstate region of the Finger Lakes.
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What makes Hector a great destination for wine lovers?
- Thanks to its location in the Finger Lakes Wine Country, there is no shortage of vineyards to see and winery tasting rooms to visit to sample some of the region’s excellent and award-winning wines.
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What other attractions can visitors find in Hector?
- In addition to many great wineries and idyllic vineyards, Hector also boasts many unique shops, such as Hector Handmade, featuring items handmade by more than forty local artisans.
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1. Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards
Part of the award-winning New York Seneca Lake Wine Trail, the Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards in Hector is a place where people can get a true sense of the winery with a visit to its tasting room. The winery believes its tasting rooms, both the one in Hector and Naples, capture the good times and good friends spirit that the “vineyard is all about.” Both locations offer something unique. The Hazlitt family has been part of the Hectory community since 1852 and the owners of the Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards wouldn’t rather be anywhere else. Wines include red, white, bubbly wines, and more.
5712 NY-414, Hector, NY 14841, Phone: 607-546-9463
2. Chateau Lafayette Reneau
The Chateau Lafayette Reneau has been producing estate-grown vinifera wines for more than thirty-five years in the Finger Lakes town of Hector, New York. The over 100-acre vineyard provides optimal air flow and sun exposure for full-bodied, rich red wines and aromatic white wines. The tasting room is housed inside a century-old, fully restored barn, set against a backdrop of the picturesque Seneca Lake. There is also a pleasant outdoor garden in which guests can enjoy their wine. Visitors can do a wine tasting year-round, open Thursday to Tuesday from May through October and Thursday to Sunday from November through April.
5081 NY-414, Hector, NY 14841, Phone: 607-546-2062
3. Leidenfrost Vineyards
Leidenfrost Vineyards, established in 1990, was one of the first wineries in the Finger Lakes Wine Country to offer a wide spectrum of dry wines, such as Baco Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. The small family-owned and operated winery also produces Niagara, Catawba, Cayuga White, Gewurztraminer, Riesling, and several other white varieties. The friendly and knowledgeable staff at the tasting room strive to provide a unique wine tasting experience for all guests, both first-time and regular visitors, within a relaxing environment in the timber-frame building. The tasting room also offers spectacular views of Seneca Lake.
5677 NY-414, Hector, NY 14841, Phone: 607-546-2800
4. Hector Wine Company
The wine portfolio of the Hector Wine Company represents a deep commitment to producing wines reflective of the winery’s centuries old farm known as Sawmill Creek Vineyards. With this commitment, the company handcraft each and every wine it offers, handpicking the grapes in the vineyard, as well as hand sorting at the winery. The winery mainly does varietal bottlings, with some in barrels and others in stainless steel. Locals and tourists alike in Hector, New York can stop by the tasting room at Hector Wine Company for a wine tasting to sample many of the unique, high quality wines.
5610 NY-414, Hector, NY 14841, Phone: 607-387-1045
5. Red Newt Cellars
Red Newt Cellars offers wine tastings, wines by the glass, and wines by the bottle for guests to sip either in the tasting rooms or outdoors on one of the decks. In addition to the wine, Red Newt Cellars also serves a small menu of small bites and light fare that pair well with the wine choices. The winery produces a full lineup of different single vineyard wines, as well as a focus on Rieslings, Pinot Gris, and Gewürztraminer. A variety of red wines are also made at the winery, such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc.
3675 Tichenor Rd, Hector, NY 14841, Phone: 607-546-4100
| Best Time to Visit | Places to Stay | Tips for Visiting |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures, blooming flowers, and fewer tourists. | Lakewood Vineyards – Stay at a charming winery with scenic views of the Finger Lakes. | Visit Watkins Glen State Park – Hike the beautiful gorge and take in the waterfalls. |
| Summer (June-August) – Warm weather, ideal for outdoor activities, wine tastings, and lakeside fun. | The Finger Lakes Bed and Breakfast – Cozy accommodations near the lakes and wineries. | Take a boat tour of Seneca Lake – Explore the beautiful lake and its surrounding vineyards. |
| Fall (September-November) – Cool temperatures, colorful foliage, and wine harvest season. | The Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars – A wine-focused inn offering views of the vineyards and Seneca Lake. | Attend the Finger Lakes Wine Festival – Sample wines from over 80 wineries and enjoy live music. |
| Winter (December-February) – Cold temperatures, ideal for cozy retreats and indoor wine tasting. | Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel – A waterfront hotel with a cozy atmosphere, perfect for winter getaways. | Visit the Finger Lakes National Forest – Enjoy hiking, cross-country skiing, or just the serene beauty of the snow-covered forest. |
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