innkeeper's blog

While the Finger Lakes region is famous for its wine production, there is an impressive and growing lineup of distillers of fine spirits nestled in the lakeside landscape. Not only do distilleries have access to one of the best grape-growing regions in the country, but also to local crops of corn, barley, and other grains and fruit. And with craft distilled liquors growing in popularity, it's no wonder distilling operations thrive here in the Finger Lakes.

On a serene Victorian farm overlooking Cayuga Lake, MacKenzie-Childs has been creating hand-painted ceramics, dinnerware, furniture, home decor and gifts since 1983. Those familiar with MacKenzie-Childs adore the beautiful yet whimsical designs that define their collection.

While the Finger Lakes region garners the most acclaim for its award-winning wines, New York is still the Big Apple and ranks second in apple production in the United States. So it makes sense that cideries would find their place among the wineries that line the hills and shores of the Finger Lakes. The apples for these locally produced fermented ciders are harvested from small family orchards, and you can taste the bounty of the earth in each sip.

When staying at Yale Manor, you’re relaxing in the heart of Finger Lakes Wine Country at the intersection of two of the region’s most notorious wine trails, Cayuga and Seneca Lake. Guests return time and again to enjoy abundant wineries along the shores of Seneca Lake, the deepest of the eleven Finger Lakes in Central New York. A new winery has opened nearby and is receiving rave reviews from guests and critics alike: Boundary Breaks Winery owned by husband and wife, Bruce Murray and Diana Lyttle.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to gracefully float high above a majestic landscape of glacial lakes, fertile farmland and forests awash in the vibrant colors of fall? Now is your chance to experience this unique adventure that is at once both exhilarating and peaceful. During your stay at Yale Manor, we’ll arrange a hot air balloon ride launched just steps from your door on our ten secluded acres.