Chateau LaFayette Reneau
Interview with Tim Miller of Chateau LaFayette Reneau
About
Our tasting room is located down a sloping driveway, against the dramatic backdrop of Seneca Lake, in a fully-restored, century-old barn. When you arrive, you will be greeted by a friendly staff member happy to answer any questions. We hope you enjoy your experience here at Chateau LaFayette Reneau!
Location Description
Located on the sloping eastern hills of Seneca Lake.
Features
- COME EXPLORE, AND TASTE INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED, PREMIERE WINES!
Additional Information
- Meeting / Conference Facilities:
- Caves:
- Wedding Facilities:
- Picnic Facilities:
- Dog Friendly:
- Winery Tours:
- Wine Tasting:
- Art or Architecture:
- Organic / Biodynamic:
- Awards:
- Wine Club:
- Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:
Average Bottle Price
History
Chateau LaFayette Reneau took root after Dick and Betty Reno vacationed in the Finger Lakes. Falling in love with the area, they retired to the beautiful region of upstate New York. In 1985, they purchased an old brick farmhouse on a 140-acre farm located on the southeastern slopes of Seneca Lake. Dick and Betty had a passion for wine, and they dreamed of extending their beloved hobby of collecting wines one step further. They wanted to make fine wines of their own.
The Reno’s first step was to replace the existing vineyards, comprised primarily of native grape varieties (Catawba, Niagara, and Concord), with fine wine grapes. The transformation began when they re-planted 50 acres of grapes. Chardonnay and Riesling made up over half of the new crop, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petite Verdot, Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Seyval Blanc rounding out the rest.
By 1986, Chateau LaFayette Reneau had its first vintage and the winery was open for business. The Reno’s began investing in state-of-the-art equipment. French and American oak barrels were purchased. In 1996, the current winemaker, Tim Miller, was hired. Over the last 27 years the winery production has grown to its current level of 15,000 to 20,000 cases each year.
In 1993 they opened The Inn at Chateau LaFayette Reneau. The Inn, a large Craftsman-style house (circa 1911) is a fully restored five-bedroom farmhouse located on the property.
From 2006 through the present, Chateau LaFayette Reneau wines have been awarded nearly 80 gold medals, bestowing the winery with national and international recognition. The Rieslings are the most decorated with Gold. In 1998, the 1997 Johannisberg Riesling won the New York Wine & Food Classic’s prestigious Governor’s Cup - naming it "the best wine in New York State." In 2000, the 1999 Dry Riesling won Chateau LaFayette Reneau a second Governor's Cup. In 2014 our 2013 Semi-Dry Riesling won the prestigious award again.
Recently, Chateau LaFayette earned a silver medal, the highest United States medal, at the prestigious Chardonnay-du-Monde held in Burgundy, France. At the equally prestigious 2009 Riesling-du-Monde held in Alsace, France, Chateau LaFayette Reneau won gold for the 2008 Riesling Semidry.
In the fall of 2013, Gene Pierce and Scott Welliver, owners of Glenora Wine Cellars (Dundee) and Knapp Winery & Vineyard Restaurant (Romulus) purchased Chateau LaFayette Reneau (Hector) from Richard and Betty Reno.
Pierce and Welliver maintain the three wineries as separate entities, continuing with each having their own distinct and unique identities. Visitors at Chateau LaFayette Reneau can expect the same great wines and the same standard of excellence in customer service.
Estate Vineyards / AVA
Of the approximately 50 acres of vineyards planted, the majority is planted into Riesling and Chardonnay. Nearly 12 acres is planted with vinifera red grapes such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. All of our varietal wines are grown on our own property.
Awards
GRAND CHAMPION – 2012 The Jerry Mead New World International Wine Competition
09 Dry Riesling
WINNER – 2010 The Jeffrson Cup Invitational Wine Competition
09 Riesling Semidry
WINNER – 2010 The Jeffrson Cup Invitational Wine Competition
08 Riesling Semidry
Chairman's Award Unanimous Gold – Riverside International Wine Competition
Gold – 2010 Pacific Rim Wine Competition
Gold – 2010 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition
Gold – 2010 Riesling Du Monde
Gold – 09 Jefferson Cup Nominee and Jefferson Cup Invitational
Gold, Best of Show - 09Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition
Gold – 09 Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition
Gold – 09 Tasters Guild International Wine Competition
Gold – 09 Long Beach Grand Cru
08 Late Harvest Riesling
Gold, Best of Class – 09 Los Angeles International Wine and Spirits Competition
NV Emperor’s Blush
Gold – 06 Wine Lover’s International Consumer Wine Judging
Gold – 06 Tasters Guild International
Gold – 07 American Wine Society
NV Northern White
Gold – 06 Tasters Guild International
NV Seyval-Chardonnay
Gold – 06 Tasters Guild International
Gold – 06 Wine Lover’s International Consumer Wine Judging
08 Proprietor's Reserve Chardonnay
Gold –2010 Tasters Guild International
07 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
DOUBLE Gold, Best of Class –2010 International Eastern Wine Competition
Gold –2010 Tasters Guild International
05 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold, Certificate of Greatness – 08 Jefferson Cup Invitational Wine Competition
04 Cabernet Sauvignon
Gold, Best of Class – 08 New York Wine and Food Classic
2012 The Jerry Mead New World International Wine Competition
"NEW WORLD GRAND CHAMPION"
"BEST NEW WORLD WHITE WINE"
"BEST NEW WORLD RIESLING" -
2010 Dry Riesling
2012 Riverside International "BEST SWEET RIESLING" - 2010 Late Harvest Riesling
2011 The Jeffrson Cup INVITATIONAL "WINNER" 2010 Dry Riesling
2010 The Jeffrson Cup INVITATIONAL "WINNER" - 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling
2010 The Jeffrson Cup INVITATIONAL "WINNER" - 2009 Dry Riesling
2010 World Wine Championships "BEST NY WHITE WINE " - 2008 Dry Riesling
2010 CHARDONNAY DU MONDE - FRANCE
Gold Medal Diploma - 2009 Barrel Fermented Chardonnay
2010 RIESLING DU MONDE - FRANCE
Gold Medal Diploma - 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling
2010 Riverside International "BEST MEDIUM SWEET RIESLING" - 2009 Semi-Dry Riesling
2009 Atlantic Seaboard Wine Competition Jefferson Cup Trophy
"BEST OF SHOW" - 2008 Semi-Dry Riesling
2008 Finger Lakes International "BEST CHARDONNAY" - 2006 Proprietor's Reserve Chardonnay
2008 RIESLING DU MONDE - FRANCE
Gold Medal Diploma 2006 Dry Riesling
2007 Riverside International "SWEEPSTAKES AWARD"
"BEST WHITE WINE ", "CHAIRMANS AWARD" - 2006 Semi-Dry Riesling
2006 Finger Lakes International "JOHN ROSE AWARD"
"BEST WHITE WINE" - 2005 Semi-Dry Riesling
2004 Governor’s Cup "WINNER" - 2003 Dry Riesling
2004 New York Vineyard of the Year
2003 New York Winery of the Year
2001 Best International White Wine - 2000 Dry Riesling
2001 Winery of the Year - Tasters Guild International
2000 Governor’s Cup Winner - 1999 Dry Riesling
1998 Governor's Cup Winner - 1997 Johannisberg Riesling