Hammondsport, New York | Keuka Lake | Finger Lakes Wine Country
Push open the door of the pink Victorian house along Pleasant Valley Road and you’re greeted by the comforting aromas of a busy kitchen, the soft hum of conversation, and the quiet feeling that this place has been welcoming travelers for generations.
If you’ve ever driven along Route 54 between Hammondsport and Bath, there’s a good chance you’ve noticed it.
A cheerful pink Victorian house sitting just off the road — welcoming travelers before they even reach the village.
For many visitors heading toward the wineries of Pleasant Valley, the Pleasant Valley Inn is simply a landmark. A place to stop for dinner, maybe a night’s stay, or a quiet drink after a day exploring Keuka Lake.
But like many places around this crooked lake, the story of the Pleasant Valley Inn runs deeper than the view from the road.
Because this little inn sits right in the middle of one of the most important chapters in the history of the Finger Lakes.
When Wine Put Hammondsport on the Map
To understand the Pleasant Valley Inn, you have to look at the road it sits on.
Just a short distance away stands the historic Pleasant Valley Wine Company. Founded in 1860, the winery became one of the most famous sparkling wine producers in America.
Bottles labeled Great Western Champagne were shipped across the country and even served at presidential events.
At the time, Hammondsport wasn’t just a quiet lake village — it was the center of a booming wine industry.
So many vineyards and wine cellars operated in the valley that the area earned a nickname that still surprises people today:
“The Reims of America.”
Travelers, wine merchants, and curious visitors made their way to the region to see this growing wine country for themselves.
And where travelers go…
Hospitality follows.
The Houses That Became Inns
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, homes throughout Pleasant Valley and Hammondsport often served double duty.
A large house might belong to a local family — but when harvest season arrived or visitors came to tour the wineries, spare rooms were rented out. Travelers stayed overnight, shared meals at kitchen tables, and traded stories about the vineyards and the lake.
Over time, some of those homes slowly transitioned into inns and boarding houses.
The building that now houses the Pleasant Valley Inn dates back to circa 1848, a Victorian-era home built when the wine industry and lake travel were shaping the character of the region.
Set along the corridor leading into Pleasant Valley, the house quietly witnessed the rise of Keuka’s wine reputation and the steady stream of travelers who came to see it for themselves.
A time when Keuka was quietly becoming a destination.
A Road That Has Welcomed Travelers for Generations
Pleasant Valley Road may look like a peaceful country road today, winding between vineyards and lake views.
But historically, this stretch of road carried a steady flow of visitors.
Wine buyers.
Salesmen.
Tourists arriving by train or steamboat to experience the lake and the vineyards.
Later, automobiles brought a new generation of travelers who followed the same route into Hammondsport.
Places like the Pleasant Valley Inn became natural stopping points — warm lights in the windows, good food on the table, and a bed for the night.
A New Chapter in a Historic House
Today, the Pleasant Valley Inn continues its story thanks to two familiar faces in the local culinary scene — chefs Tyler LaCroix and Steve Stopka.
Both grew up in the Hammondsport area, but their paths truly crossed years ago inside the kitchen at the Village Tavern. Tyler, a few years Steve’s senior, had already made a name for himself locally. At just 24 years old, he stepped into the role of executive chef, building a reputation for creating flavors that left a lasting impression.
When Steve joined the kitchen, the two quickly discovered they shared the same instincts — creativity, ambition, and a deep love for food.
Those early years behind the stove became more than just a workplace.
They became the foundation of a partnership.
Over time, that partnership grew into a business of their own: Lake Life Catering Co., a Hammondsport-based catering company that now serves events throughout the Finger Lakes region. From intimate private gatherings to weddings and corporate events, Tyler and Steve built a reputation for thoughtful menus and memorable dining experiences.
Their work changes with the seasons, just like life around Keuka Lake.
During the summer months, you’ll find them cooking for members at the Keuka Yacht Club. When winter arrives, they bring the same level of culinary care to guests at Hunt Hollow Ski Club.
A couple of years ago, the two chefs took on a project close to home — purchasing the historic Pleasant Valley Inn.
Where Hospitality and History Meet
Today the inn offers travelers a cozy retreat just outside the village.
The historic home features four queen guest rooms with private baths, along with a suite that includes a kitchen and one or two bedrooms — perfect for visitors spending a few days exploring Keuka Lake and the surrounding region.
Each morning begins with something that feels perfectly fitting for a house built on hospitality:
A made-to-order breakfast prepared by the chefs of Lake Life Catering.
Downstairs, the heart of the inn has become The Pub at the Inn, an intimate gathering place where locals and visitors settle in for conversation, cocktails, and a meal worth lingering over.
The menu focuses on global pub fare crafted from fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, delivering a true farm-to-table experience. Complementing the dishes is a carefully curated selection of New York State wines and local craft beers, celebrating the flavors of the Finger Lakes.
The Inn also features a larger Victorian-style dining room, where special dinners, events, and celebrations bring the community together throughout the year.
Tyler’s wife Cassandra, along with bar manager Vanessa McCormick, help bring these gatherings to life — from themed dinners to lively evenings that fill the historic rooms with laughter and conversation.
In many ways, the Pleasant Valley Inn continues the same tradition it began with more than a century ago:
Welcoming people in.
Feeding them well.
And sending them back out into the Keuka countryside with a full heart.
A Keuka Roots Closing Note
Around Keuka Lake, history doesn’t always announce itself with grand monuments or museum signs.
Sometimes it sits quietly along the roadside — in an old house that has welcomed travelers for generations.
The Pleasant Valley Inn is one of those places.
A reminder that long before the modern wine trails and weekend getaways, people were already making their way down Pleasant Valley Road… curious to see what life looked like along the shores of Crooked Lake.
And today, thanks to a pair of hometown chefs who believe deeply in good food, good company, and the beauty of this region, that welcome continues.
So the next time you find yourself driving into Hammondsport, keep an eye out for the pink house along Pleasant Valley Road — the door is open, the kitchen is warm, and there’s always a seat at the table waiting.
Stay Rooted. Stay Keuka. 🌿
