Water & Wine Weekly • Penn Yan, New York • September 7-13, 2026 • Issue 15
The Finger Lakes region is famous for its fall grape harvest with activities abound from grape stomping to wine making workshops, vineyard tours to wine dinners. When grape picking kicks off the air turns to the smell of sweet grapes, so roll down the windows and make an intentional drive by a vineyard! Your senses will be pleasantly surprised.
But harvest in the Finger Lakes is so much more! Apple picking is a top seasonal activity for all ages, getting lost in a corn maze is our family’s seasonal favorite, and then come the pumpkins. OH the PUMPKINS! Seasonal treats and lattes are on menus everywhere! Pumpkins on farm stands, pumpkins fields for u-pick, pumpkins at the Windmill, Pumpkin Whoopie Pies, pumpkins galore!
The Harvest Season may just be the best time to visit! (Let this issue be your cue to get to the Finger Lakes!)
Kick off Harvest Season with a relaxing Labor Day!
Today celebrate the strides workers have made for a better and fair work force. Rest, relax, and raise a glass of wine.
Happy Labor Day friends! Enjoy your family and enjoy this beautiful region we live in - have a picnic with your family, shop at a local farm stand, enjoy a bottle of wine made by your local friends.
A curated itinerary for Saturday’s Harvest Festival at Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake
Read along for the quintessential Harvest Season kick-off itinerary…
Rise & Shine:
Make your way to Amity Coffee Co. located at 3 Main Street, Penn Yan for a delightful breakfast and house roasted coffee.
May I suggest: sip a cappuccino and savor a sweet scone!
If you're looking for something a little more sustaining: have the Sudsy’s Egg Sandwich! The salty bacon and the fried egg is complimented with the creamy avocado while the fig jam sweetens the Sudsy’s hot sauce. The perfect hearty breakfast sandwich for a day full of adventure!
Sometimes its not about the destination, but the journey
Roll the windows down, take the slower roads when you can, and enjoy those lake views of Keuka Lake. From the farms and fields to the surrounding vineyards, your senses will be tantalized.
A must view on your route to Heron Hill, the USA Field in Penn Yan - situated on State Route 54A about 6 miles south of downtown Penn Yan. The USA field is a 10 acre patriotic landmark featuring letters spelling “USA” carved into the farm field.
The landmark was first created 12 days after the September 11 attacks by landowners. Each letter roughly spans 1 acre and is longer than a football field. Travel James Road & Esperanza Drive for the best viewpoints. Drive with your hazards on and be cautious stoping. Safety first!
Along the way, you’ll travel through the hamlet of Branchport. The Crooked Lake Mercantile is located at 3736 State Route 54A and is an eclectic shop full of Keuka Lake gifts and souvenirs, antiques, clothing, summer and lake supplies, grocery store, and deli/bakery. It’s a fun stop to sip, savor, and shop!
Continuing on your travel to Heron Hill Winery, meander through Pulteney, New York. This old town center has cute charm. If your hunger has crept back in, then take a lunch stop at Y-Knot Country Store & Eatery.
Y-Knot Country Store & Eatery - located at 9208 County Rte 74, Pulteney, New York is a charming stop featuring pizzas, hoagies, wings, salads and daily specials, making it a wonderful savor stop for the afternoon. Also available beer, wine, and ciders for purchase. Outdoor seating is in a screened-in porch with lake views and a breeze that will taunt you to linger a while.
As you continue on to Heron Hill there are a few more landmarks along the way to take note of:
Steuben Brewing Company
Point of the Bluff Vineyards
Krooked Tusker Distillery
Wild Goose Chase Antiques
Keuka Brewing Co (up Briglin Road)
Keuka Sauna
Mud Lust Pottery
You can certainly make a whole day traveling to Heron Hill Winery on Keuka Lake. Stop as you please, as the view invites you to linger, or as the body needs some fuel.
Harvest Festival 9/12/26
The Annual Harvest Fest runs from 1-4pm celebrating the season with wine, live music, local vendors and plenty of harvest-time fun.
The Wine: September’s Wine of the Month at Heron Hill is the 2024 Reserve Baco Noir — $18 (Regularly $25). This red is a great choice for the cooler fall days and hearty, warm dishes at the dinner table. Your palette will be feeling harvest with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, plum and the hint of vanilla and spice.
The Live Music: The lineup on Saturday features Grammy-nominated guitarist and vocalist Pat Harrington, performing with longtime collaborator and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Owen Eichensehr. Their acoustic and electric guitar-driven sound is the perfect soundtrack for an afternoon in wine country.
The Food: A perfect pair for a sip of a Heron Hill white is Cousins Maine Lobster! The food truck will be serving up seafood during the event - treat yourself to a lobster roll while enjoying a glass of Heron Hill wine and listening to live music.
AND MORE: Local arts and crafts vendors, NY craft beer and soda, and family-friendly atmosphere!
All the ingredients for a memorable Finger Lakes afternoon. Admission to the Harvest Fest is free. Find a comfortable spot, order up that lobster roll, a glass of wine and enjoy the music. There's no need to hurry.
It’s a day that doesn't need to be rushed. Take the scenic roads, leave room for an extra glass of wine, stop for the view when you see one, and enjoy the journey as much as the destinations. Cheers to the weekend!
Weekly Events List
8am-4:30pm • Farmer’s Market & More • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
11:30am-2:30pm • Live Music with Nate Michaels • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
Noon-3pm • Live Music with Cooper Scotti • The Switz
3pm • Concert: Melissa Etheridge - Rise • Point of the Bluff
5-8pm • Farm Dinner Series • Dean Lane Dining
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am • Vineyard Hike & Tasting • Lakewood Vineyards
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
5pm • “Hat Design” with Wood Burning Tools with Crissy McGinness • Arts Center of Yates County
5-7pm • Open Mic • Abandon Brewery
5-8pm • Live Music, Wine, and Beer • Glenora Wine Cellars
5-8pm • Open Mic Night • Keg & Barrel
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
5-7pm • Thursday’s Farmer’s Market with Live Music by Chris & Korie • Point of the Bluff Vineyards
5:30pm • Flower Workshop • Outlet 111
5:30-8pm • Pizza & Wine with Live Music by Jason Condon • Tabora Farm & Winery
9am-4pm • Portrait Painting in Watercolor with David Gardner • Arts Center of Yates County
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
10am-8pm • 2026 Watkins Glen Grand Prix Festival • N. Franklin Street, Watkins Glen
11am • Vineyard Hike & Tasting • Lakewood Vineyards
11am • Food & Wine Experience: Fall Series • Fox Run Vineyards
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
3pm • Open Doors: Farm Tour • Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
4-7pm • Live Music Friday with Evan Dillon • Weis Vineyards
5-7pm • Live Music with Chris & Korie • Abandon Brewery
5-8pm • Farm Dinner Series • Dean Lane Dining
6-8pm • FLX Trivia • Lyonsmith Brewing Company
6-8pm • Music and Wine Series with Blue Eyed Soul • Keuka Spring Vineyards
8am-12pm • Green Doctors Farmer’s Market • Lake Street Plaza
8am-4:30pm • Farmer’s Market & More • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
8:30am • Yoga on the Porch at Sunny Point• Sunny Point with the Arts Center
9am • Saturday Yoga • Hunt Country Vineyards
9am-1pm • Farmer's Market • Yates County Office Building
10am • Guided Wine Tour • Lakewood Vineyards
10:30am-3pm • Grape Stomp • Lakewood Vineyards
10am-3pm • Chicken BBQ • Oak Hill
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winer
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winery
11:30am-2:30pm • Pat Carlineo and Friends • The Windmill Farm & Craft Market
12:30-4pm • Annual Harvest Fest • Heron Hill Keuka Lake Winery
2-5pm • Live Music on the Patio with Evan Dillon • Weis Vineyards
3-5pm • Live Music with Matt Sauer Band • Abandon Brewery
3-6pm • Live Music with Justin Williams • Krooked Tusker Distillery
5-8pm • Farm Dinner Series • Dean Lane Dining
6-8pm • Music and Wine Series with Banned From The Tavern • Keuka Spring Vineyards
9:30pm • Sunday Morning Yoga • Abandon Brewery
10am-5pm • Sparkling Sundays • Glenora Wine Cellars
10am-5pm • Pretzel & Wine Pairing • Fulkerson Winery
11am-3pm • Boozy Coffee Flights • Krookid Leyk Distilling
11am-3pm • Sunday Brunch • Castle Grisch
11am-4:30pm • Tabora Cookie & Wine Pairings • Tabora Farm & Winer
Noon-4pm • Bloody Mary Sundays • Krooked Tusker Distillery
1pm • Guided Wine Tour • Lakewood Vineyards
1-6pm • The British Sunday Roast & Brit Car Sunday Social • Seneca Lake Brewing Company
2-5pm • Live Music with PJ Elliott • Krooked Tusker Distillery
2-4pm • Mandala on the Rocks with Lourdes Lopez-Isa • Arts Center of Yates County
Thank you for reading another issue of Water & Wine Weekly! Where are you headed this week? I’d love hear and see where you stop and explore! Share with us on Facebook & Instagram!
Thank you for joining me again!
Claudia
Curating your experience in Penn Yan, New York
