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Fox Run Vineyards Review

Fox Run Vineyards Review

Address: 670 State Route 14 Penn Yan,New York 14527.
Phone Number: 315-536-4616
Tasting Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-6:00, Sun 11:00-6:00

Region: Finger Lakes AVA, Seneca Lake AVA, New York
Reviewer: Caroline Helper
Review Date: 6/22/2012
Reviewer: Caroline Helper
Rating: 5

The Review

Perched high above one of the deepest parts of Seneca Lake, Fox Run’s winery is surrounded by vineyards of Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc and offers beautiful views.

The Place: &nbspThere’s not much in the Finger Lakes that’s quite “on the way,” but Fox Run is a little more isolated, with it’s nearest neighboring winery, Red Tail Ridge, a good fifteen minutes’ drive south. However, the winery has fairly extensive grounds with picnic tables, lovely views, and a café that is open on the weekends during the summer months.

The Experience: &nbspFox Run has a tasteful and airy front room with views of Seneca Lake that doubles as a retail space and tasting bar for its wines. However, the real treat is the large barn that has been converted to a tasting space. Strewn with string lights and housing a couple of the winery’s barrels and stainless steel fermenting tanks, it is a rustic and charming space that makes a perfect backdrop for tasting the winery’s offerings.

The Wines: &nbspFox Run is one of the wineries really at the forefront of developing the region’s reputation as a world-class wine region. Like many of the wineries in the region, their wines can be split into two categories: the inexpensive and extremely approachable wines that the region is built upon – made from native varieties such as Delaware, and Niagara that are fruity, sweet, and as easy to drink as punch. The other category, however, includes top-notch Rieslings, Gewurztraminer, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Lemberger – the Vitus vinifera that most wine drinkers are already familiar with. Ask to try their Cabernet Franc/Lemberger blend – it’s a signature blend that will surprise you with its quality. If you’re serious about wine, make sure you inquire after the winery’s ice and dessert wines, too – they are absolutely fantastic and just may change the way you think about sweet wine.

Extras: &nbspFox Run Vineyards offers a VIP Tour that costs $50/person and takes approximately 2 hours. It includes a private comprehensive and educational vineyard and winery tour, an opportunity to meet the owner and/or winemaker of Fox Run Vineyards, and a private tasting of several wines that are still in barrel or that have not yet been released. They’ll also give you a platter of artisanal cheeses – many of which are made locally. A VIP tour must be scheduled at least 2 weeks in advance, so make sure to plan accordingly.

Tip: &nbspBecause it’s a little off the beaten path, plan to make Fox Run the winery where you plan to spend some extra time and perhaps have lunch. Also, make sure to insist on trying the winery’s full line of Rieslings that can range from dry to dessert – these are the wines that the region is really becoming known for and Fox Run offers versions that are absolutely stunning and often very hard to find anywhere else.