Glenora Wine Cellars

A pioneer in the renaissance of the Finger Lakes wine industry, Glenora Wine Cellars was the first winery to open on Seneca Lake 1977 and has been producing award-winning Finger Lakes wines for over 40 years. Today, in addition to the winery and tasting room, the beautifully-groomed 40-acre estate offers the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars, with 30 rooms overlooking the vineyards and Seneca Lake, and Veraisons Restaurant, offering regional cuisine and hospitality, year round. The Back Story: When the Farm Winery Act of 1976 was passed, Gene Pierce, along with Eastman Beers, Edward Dalrymple, all independent grape growers at the time, and businessman Howard Kimball, seized the opportunity to open the winery on Seneca Lake, the very first on the lake. Established in 1977 and officially opened in May of 1978, Glenora Wine Cellars produced 5,000 cases and received instant acclaim in wine circles when its initial vintage won several medals at the New York State Fair wine competition. These visionaries watched their farm winery grow to a commercial producer and win recognition in Wine Spectator magazine as one of the world’s top wineries. In 1987, the winery was expanded to increase its production facility. At the same time, the retail sales area was also expanded, dramatically increasing the capacity of annual visitors. This expansion included the addition of a restaurant, The Wine Garden Café, which was the first winery restaurant located on the western shores of Seneca Lake. In 1999, owners Gene Pierce, Ed Dalrymple and Scott Welliver oversaw the creation of the 30 room Inn and Veraisons Restaurant, which opened in June of 2000. Today, Glenora Wine Cellars is owned by Gene Pierce and Scott Welliver, who struck a friendship at a sail boat race in the early 70’s. Gene’s and Scott’s varied business experiences and shared values have been a great asset to the growth of the Finger Lakes wine industry.