Discover Why Lakewood Vineyards is the Best Winery for Dogs in the Finger Lakes

The first time I stepped foot into Lakewood Vineyard’s tasting room, I felt a sense of coming home. Maybe it was the dogs greeting me at the front door. Or the fact that their logo was reminiscent of one of my best friend’s wedding invitations. Perhaps it was the dog photos on the walls and wine labels. Whatever it was, it still feels like a warm hug each time I visit the winery.

Okay, okay, it was probably the dogs. Because Lakewood Vineyards loves dogs just as much as I do.

The vineyards are located at the south end of Seneca Lake, just north of Watkins Glen. They are one of many great places to grab a drink in the area. And, of course, they happily welcome folks traveling with their four-legged family members.

About Lakewood Vineyards

Lakewood Vineyards is a family-owned winery established in 1989. And the more you get to know the winery and its staff, the more you realize how connected they all are. Even if a staff member isn’t related by blood or marriage to the Stamps, they are all still a giant family. And they all love what they do. Getting to experience their passion for the vineyards in person just made me fall more in love with Lakewood.

The Stamp family first moved to the farm in 1951, and the crops needed love. They decided to switch from the apples and peaches that had lost their luster to growing grapes instead. Those grapes were used by larger wineries and local juice companies. But they held out hope for opening their own winery one day. And it 1988, Monty and Beverly Stamp pressed their first vintage of grapes. Lakewood Vineyards opened its doors a year later.

When the winery first opened, they were producing about 4500 gallons annually. But they quickly grew, and had to expand in 1998. Now, as they celebrate their 35th anniversary, they produce roughly 100,000 gallons of wine per year. Through the grapes they harvest, they create wines that span the scale from sweet to dry, fruity to earthy. My favorite? Undoubtedly the Abbey Rose. (Which, ironically enough, was my aunt’s dog’s name.)

Where did the rose in the logo come from?

When the Stamp family was redeveloping the farm in the 1960s, Lady Bird Johnson announced her program to beautify the nation’s roadsides. So the Stamps did their part. They plants a row of roses along the edge of their property on Route 14. Years later, they sent a photo of the flowers in bloom to the former first lady – and got a response! So when it came time to design a logo for the winery, roses were the obvious choice.

Events at Lakewood Vineyards

As like any winery in the Finger Lakes, Lakewood hosts guided wine tastings regularly. They also have food trucks on site on summer weekends. But more uniquely, they also offer wine pairing dinners and hikes through the vineyards.

Sidekick Soirée

I mentioned that there are dogs greeting you when you walk through the doors of the winery. Because dogs are just as much of the family as the humans are. Which is why they’ve created a wine spritzer called Sidekick. A little sweet and a little fruity, but mostly zesty and refreshing, the session spritz is sold in 375 mL bottles. The label features – you guessed it – one of the family dogs.

Along with the creation of the Sidekick spritzer, Lakewood has also established a yearly event called the Sidekick Soirée. This summer event is for both humans and dogs alike, and the money raised benefits the Humane Society of Schuyler County. Guests are invited to take their dogs on a one-mile stroll through the vineyards and then enjoy a glass of Sidekick. Professional photos of folks with their dogs are available for an additional donation.

Deck the Halls

As one of the best wineries along Seneca Lake, it’s no surprise that Lakewood Vineyards is one of the wineries that participates in the annual Deck the Halls event. Every holiday season they create a unique ornament for guest participating in the popular wine trail event.

PS – if you happen to visit the restroom at the winery, you’ll notice photos of some of the past and present winery dogs from Lakewood.