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Lakewood Vineyards Review

Lakewood Vineyards Review

Address: 4024 State Route 14 Rock Stream,New York 14891.
Phone Number: 877-535-9252
Tasting Hours: Mon-Sat 10:00-5:00, Sun 12:00-5:00

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

The Review

Christ Stamp, the charming and affable winemaker and owner of Lakewood Vineyards is almost reason enough to visit this small winery at the southern end of Lake Seneca, where there’s much love given to wines made from native varieties.

The Place: &nbspLocated towards the southern end of Lake Seneca right across the water from a cluster of wineries that includes Atwater Estate and Red Newt, Lakewood Vineyards makes for a great start or end to a day’s trip up the Seneca Wine Trail. Lakewood makes an impressive array of wines from Vitus Lambrusca (native grapes) and also a carefully crafted selection made from European varieties. The winery’s crowd pleasers and best-sellers are undoubtedly from the first category, but Stamp’s reds made from Cabernet Franc and Lemberger are some of the region’s best.

The Experience: &nbspCasual, fun, warm, and inviting are all words to describe the atmosphere at Lakewood. Everyone is there to have a good time, taste some wine, and have a few laughs – largely provided by the winery’s owner Chris Stamp. The tasting room has a nice view of Seneca Lake and a warm comfortable décor. It’s not very high-end or exciting but the décor fits with the overall feel of the winery.

The Wines: &nbspChris Stamp makes some of the spiciest and well-made Lemberger in the region. His Rieslings and Chardonnay are also worth a try and his sparkling wines are impressive. The winery’s biggest sellers are made from native grapes – he makes a charming Niagara and Delaware that are sweet, juicy, and could be mistaken for juice. Of particular note is an ice wine called Glaciovinum made from the humble and much derided Delaware grape. At under $13.99 a bottle it is one of the most delicious and affordable dessert wines you will ever taste.

Extras: &nbspOne of the niftiest aspects of Lakewood’s winemaking is that they use 100% local oak to make the barrels in which they age their wines. The use of local wood confers a uniquely regional taste to Lakewood’s barrel-aged wines that is exciting and innovative.

Insider’s Tip: &nbspMake sure to taste both sides of Lakewood’s offerings – the wines made from native grapes offer insight into the region’s winemaking history and a taste of the stuff that keeps the region afloat and allows many winemakers to experiment with grapes like Riesling, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir. Also, insist on trying the Lemberger and Glaciovinum – they are singular wines in the region.