Finger Lakes winery guide

Chateau LaFayette Reneau

Chateau LaFayette Reneau is an estate winery on the east shore of Seneca Lake in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes.

Chateau LaFayette Reneau

About Chateau LaFayette Reneau

Chateau LaFayette Reneau is an estate winery on the east shore of Seneca Lake in the heart of New York's Finger Lakes. For more than four decades it has specialized in estate-grown vinifera wines, drawing on a 110-acre property whose stony shale soils, lake-facing slopes, and strong sun exposure and airflow are well suited to cool-climate grapes. The tasting room occupies a fully restored, century-old barn — originally a fruit-packing barn — set down a sloping drive against a dramatic backdrop of the lake.

The winery was founded in 1985, when Dick and Betty Reno, who fell in love with the region while vacationing, bought a farm on the lake's southeastern slopes and replanted the vineyards with fine wine grapes including Chardonnay, Riesling, and a range of red Bordeaux varieties. The first vintage followed in 1986, and production has since grown to roughly 15,000–20,000 cases per year under longtime winemaker Tim Miller.

Riesling is the estate's most decorated wine, and Chateau LaFayette Reneau has earned wide recognition over the years, including multiple New York Governor's Cup awards (named best wine in New York State), several Jefferson Cups, and dozens of gold medals, plus honors at international competitions in France. Visitors can taste flights of red, white, semi-dry, and sweet wines, enjoy wine by the glass on two lake-view decks or in the outdoor garden, book a seasonal vineyard picnic, or stay overnight in the winery's five-bedroom guest house.

Plan your visit

Address
5081 State Route 414, Hector, NY 14841
Phone
607-546-2062
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Friday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wines to explore

  • Riesling Dry — Bright minerality, crisp, refreshing
  • Riesling Semi-Dry — Balanced off-dry, staff favorite
  • Riesling Sweet — Honeysuckle and white peach
  • Chardonnay Unoaked — Crisp, clean, food-friendly
  • Chardonnay Barrel Fermented — Oak-aged, rounded white
  • Chardonnay Reserve — Buttery, vanilla and spice
  • Seyval Chardonnay — Award-winning white blend
  • Cabernet Franc — Classic Finger Lakes red
  • Cabernet Sauvignon — Full-bodied, gold-medal red
  • Petit Verdot — Black fruit, violet, spice
  • Syrah — Bold, dark fruit, spice
  • Cuvee Rouge — Pinot Noir Baco blend
  • Roaring Red — Baco Noir Merlot blend
  • Rosé — Dry, award-winning rosé
  • Emperor's Blush — Semi-sweet, easy-drinking blush

More at this winery

The Inn Guest House at Chateau LaFayette Reneau

A five-bedroom Craftsman-style guest house (circa 1911) on the winery property, rented as a whole-house Airbnb for one group at a time. Every room has panoramic vineyard and Seneca Lake views and a private bath (two with Jacuzzis), plus a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, and a wrap-around lake-facing deck with Adirondack chairs. Central to Watkins Glen, Geneva, Ithaca, and Corning.

Vineyard Picnic Experience

A reservable 1.5-hour private picnic among the vines overlooking Seneca Lake, offered seasonally (Monday–Friday) for groups of 2–6. Includes a picnic box of seasonal savory fare and a fresh demi-baguette, a chilled bottle of the estate's Rosé, bottled water, and use of a blanket, cushions, Adirondack chairs, and sun umbrellas. Reservations require advance notice.

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