Sawmill Creek Estate

About

Sawmill Creek Estate is a family winery with deep roots — the Sawmill Creek Vineyards that anchor this property have been farmed for generations, and that heritage is felt in every bottle. Operating as Hector Wine Company, the winery focuses on select vineyard blocks from the estate to produce small-batch wines that express a genuine sense of place on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake.

The tasting room is welcoming and open seven days a week and designed around a simple idea: expert guidance through a thoughtfully produced collection in an unhurried, approachable atmosphere. Bold and balanced wines are the house style, ranging across dry reds and whites, rosé, dessert wines, and everything in between.

The artisanal marketplace sets Sawmill Creek apart as a true community hub — locally sourced meats, cheeses, vegetables, fresh breads, and provisions available for guests to build their own charcuterie boards on-site or take home. Weekend live music on the patio makes this one of the most complete and relaxed afternoon destinations on Route 414. A winery that honors its past while making wines for right now.

In Our Words

Our Story

Sawmill Creek is one of those stops that delivers more than you expect — the wines are genuinely well-made and site-expressive, the artisanal marketplace is a great touch that makes this more than a tasting room stop, and the view of Seneca Lake from the patio is outstanding. The weekend live music makes it a destination rather than just a waypoint.

There's something reassuring about a winery this connected to the land it grows on. Generations of farming visible in the way the vines are tended, the way the wines taste, the way the whole property feels. Sawmill Creek has that quality — honest wines from honest farming, served in a place that's genuinely happy you're there.

— South East Seneca

Why Visit

What to Expect

Estate Small-Batch Wines

Select vineyard blocks from Sawmill Creek Vineyards — bold, balanced, and site-expressive across a full range of styles.

Artisanal Marketplace

Locally sourced meats, cheeses, vegetables, and fresh breads — build your own charcuterie board to enjoy on-site or take home.

Weekend Live Music

Live music on the patio on weekends — a relaxed, community atmosphere that makes Sawmill Creek more than just a tasting room.

Tasting Room & Views

Welcoming tasting room open 7 days a week — patio seating with views and a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere.

Generational Farming

Sawmill Creek Vineyards has been family farmed for generations — a deep connection to the land shows in every glass.

Wine Club

Three tiers — from seasonal selections to exclusive library releases and private tastings. Join online or in the tasting room.

The Wines

What's Pouring

Small-batch, estate-grown wines across a full range of styles — bold and balanced is the house character. Expert guidance available daily in the tasting room.

Riesling ★Estate grown from Sawmill Creek Vineyards — bright, mineral, and characteristic of Seneca Lake's east shore
ChardonnayBalanced and food-friendly — also available as a reserve blend with Atwater Estate fruit
Cabernet FrancCool-climate red with structure and elegance — a Finger Lakes specialty
Cabernet SauvignonBold and age-worthy — one of the standout reds in the estate lineup
GewürztraminerAromatic and expressive — floral, spiced, and beautifully suited to the estate terroir
Pinot GrisCrisp and versatile — a great introduction to the Sawmill Creek white wine program
RoséBright and food-friendly — a seasonal favorite from the estate
Dessert & Sweet WinesLate harvest and sweet styles — a full range of finishers available in the tasting room

Full current wine list at hectorwinecompany.com — shop wines online for shipping to your door.

Plan Your Visit

Tips for Visitors

Ask for the Riesling first — the estate expression from Sawmill Creek Vineyards is one of the cleanest on Route 414.
Browse the artisanal marketplace — the local cheeses and meats are excellent and make a great charcuterie board to enjoy on the patio.
Plan a weekend visit for the live music — the patio with Seneca Lake views and music playing is a perfect afternoon.
Ask about the wine club — three tiers available from seasonal selections to exclusive library access.
Open 7 days a week — one of the most reliably accessible stops on the east shore trail.
Located on Route 414 in Hector, about 7 miles north of Watkins Glen — easy to pair with J.R. Dill or Red Newt.

Sawmill Creek Estate