About
Leidenfrost Vineyards is a small, family owned farm-winery in the heart of the Finger Lakes in Hector, New York. Located on the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake, Leidenfrost Vineyards is an ideal microclimate to grow premium Vinifera, Labrusca and hybrid wine grapes. From vineyard to tasting room, we focus on producing small batch, hand-crafted wines made from estate grown grapes.
Founded in 1990, Leidenfrost Vineyards was one of the first Finger Lakes wineries to feature a broad spectrum of dry red wines, including Pinot Noir Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Baco Noir. They also produce outstanding Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Sauvignon Blanc.
Founder John Leidenfrost Sr. planted and grew American and hybrid varieties for the Gold Seal and Great Western wineries for many years. Each year he made wine in the old fashioned tradition, passed down in the family for generations.
Winemakers, John & Liz Leidenfrost
Leidenfrost Vineyards has intentionally remained a small, family run winery. A high level of quality and individual attention to every wine is integral to our winemakers, John and his daughter Liz.
A small family winery means that you're treated like family when you visit. Our staff are long term employees who bring a wide range of talents to the winery, including an appreciation for great wine and gratitude for the customers who stop in to taste, buy & take home Leidenfrost Vineyards wine.
In 1984, the present proprietor, John Leidenfrost Jr., assumed control of the family farm and decided to remove many of the older, less productive vineyards with the intent of someday opening an estate winery. John's love of quality red wines prompted some of the earliest plantings of European Vinifera in the Finger Lakes.
The newly replanted farm yielded sufficient fruit for John to begin his commercial wine making in 1990. Setting up shop in a small log cabin adjacent to the estate, John began selling some of the earliest Merlots, Pinot Noirs and Cabernets in the Finger Lakes. Perennial customers still reminisce about the early days in the log cabin where, on cold winter days, a hot wood stove blazed, peanut shells littered the floor and great red wines could always be found. As the Finger Lakes experienced a wave of new wineries, John opted to expand the business by building a timber-frame tasting room overlooking a spectacular view of Seneca Lake.
Today the tasting room is a center of bustling laughter and activity as visitors come to snack on an array of local snacks and sample the large variety of fine wines that are available for tasting. We strive to provide a fun & educational experience in an easy-going atmosphere.
Current winemaker, Liz Leidenfrost joined her father in the wine cellar in the early 2000s. The Leidenfrosts share great pride in retaining traditional wine making methods. Leidenfrost's red wines are fermented in the Old World Burgundian tradition, in small, one ton batches that are barrel-aged in classic French oak barrels for about two years.
With over 30 years of wine making experience, Leidenfrost Vineyards has won an array of Double-Gold, Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for its wines. We look forward to sharing them with you.
Leidenfrost Vineyards is a proud member of the Seneca Lake wine trail and happily participates in all Wine Trail sanctioned events such as Cheese and Wine and the ever popular, Deck the Halls event.
For more information on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail or to buy tickets to a wine trail event please visit: http://www.senecalakewine.com/