Finger Lakes Winery Tours
New York’s Finger Lakes region has the glacier-sculpted landscapes, ideal microclimates, and gifted winegrowers to produce fresh, vibrant, wines, including world-class Rieslings.
There are more wineries and you can imagine in the Finger Lakes. Many of these wineries are small family run operations. Some of them have been in the family for seven generations and some are within a decade old. The one thing that runs in common is their passion to put New York wines on the map.
Because of the vast array of wineries. We have created two very unique winery tours in the finger Lakes. You can join us as we tour Seneca Lake or Keuka Lake. No matter what trip you join us for you will have a new found love for some amazing New York wine. And yes, you can join us on both.
There are more wineries and you can imagine in the Finger Lakes. Many of these wineries are small family run operations. Some of them have been in the family for seven generations and some are within a decade old. The one thing that runs in common is their passion to put New York wines on the map.
Because of the vast array of wineries. We have created two very unique winery tours in the finger Lakes. You can join us as we tour Seneca Lake or Keuka Lake. No matter what trip you join us for you will have a new found love for some amazing New York wine. And yes, you can join us on both.
scroll down to see what the itinerary looks like
Keuka Lake
Keuka Lake is the only Y shaped lake throughout the finger Lakes. It's just 20 minutes from Seneca Lake. This 20 minute drive will take you into a separate micro climate. This lake has higher elevation and creates different wine expressions. Some wineries have property on both lakes to balance out the qualities of each climate.
Keuka Lake Wineries that we love
Keuka SPring
Weis Vineyards
DR FRANK WINERY
HUNT COUNTRY
McGREGOR
DOMAINE LERESURRE
RAVINES
What the weekend looks like
The Finger Lakes region now has well over 100 wineries. And TripAdvisor named the Finger Lakes the #1 wine Trail in America. And all of this is just three hours from the Hudson Valley.
Join us as we tour some of our favorite vineyards and hotspots throughout the Finger Lakes.
Our weekend starts in Watkins Glen at the Harbor View Hotel. The Harbor View is the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in the area. The opening reception is in our hospitality suite with Hors d'oeuvres and plenty of wine and spirits. Plus we have two special guest joining us. Finger Lakes Distilling will be serving up a couple signature cocktails and another local winery will be tasting and pouring their wine.
Saturday morning we have an optional group hike into the local gorge. This area is known for all of their waterfalls and gorges that lead into the Finger Lakes. It's a short eight block walk from our hotel.
Breakfast is included on both days. Saturday morning you are free to eat in the restaurant. Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. They will be expecting you. Just provide them with the voucher that will be provided.
The limo bus arrives around 10:30 to usher us off to our first winery. Again, with well over 100 wineries we have picked the very best ones that we have known and trusted, some for over a decade.
Saturday is filled with iconic wineries of the Finger Lakes. The three wineries that we will be visiting this day were the ones that helped establish the Finger Lakes as a serious wine region.
Dr Frank who is well known for establishing non-local varietals in the area. He is the one who basically brought Riesling and Pinot Noir to this region.
Situated on the southwestern hills of Keuka Lake. It was here in 1958 that Dr. Konstantin Frank planted his first Vinifera vines and ignited the “Vinifera Revolution.” This movement would forever change the course of winemaking in the Finger Lakes and the Eastern United States.
With close proximity to historic Hammondsport we will stop in for lunch. Hammondsport is a small historic village on the southern point of Keuka Lake.
Next we journey up the east side of Keuka Lake to Keuka Spring Vineyard. Len and Judy Wiltberger found the winery in the 80s and have definitely set a mark of excellence.
Next stop is Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards. Mr. Wiemer and Dr Frank were good friends. They literally set the benchmark for Finger Lake wines. With new owners as of 2006 Hermann J. Wiemer lives on. The vision that Mr. Wiemer established is proudly being taken to the next level. Here you will sample amazing Riesling and Cabernet Franc from single vineyards. Plus a few other classics like Gruner Veltliner. These wines that are sought after in many other states across the US.
We will venture back to the hotel in Watkins Glen for dinner. Here we will have traditional Thai cuisine. You will hear many references during the day about how well Rieslings pair up with foods such as Thai curries. Well now you'll have your chance to experience this match made in heaven.
Sunday morning breakfast is in our hospitality suite with such classics as wild smoked salmon, H&H bagels, mimosas and even imported donuts from France.
Sunday is filled with two wineries that are newcomers to the scene. Our first stop on Keuka Lake is Domaine LeSeurre. This young French couple have worked in Champaign and Burgundy. Now they're in the Finger Lakes to make their mark. And boy are they making a mark. Founded in 2013 Sebastian and his wife have formed amazing relationships with some of the most well known growers in the region. They are literally making wine from 1971 riesling vines. Their approach to winemaking is very cutting edge and hands on. They are definitely worth following and of course drinking their wine.
Their next-door neighbor is a German influenced winemaker, Weis Vineyards. Weis Vineyards is a boutique winery established by husband and wife team, Hans Peter (a native of Zell Mosel, Germany) and Ashlee (a native of Hammondsport, NY) Weis. They embrace Peter’s family winemaking traditions and techniques, accompanied by the high-quality terroir of the Finger Lakes region to create handcrafted wines meant for all to enjoy! We will be enjoying lunch as well as a tasting here.
Both of these neighboring vineyards work very synergistically together.
We will then get back on the limo bus to return to Watkins Glen for the end of our amazing weekend.
Join us as we tour some of our favorite vineyards and hotspots throughout the Finger Lakes.
Our weekend starts in Watkins Glen at the Harbor View Hotel. The Harbor View is the only AAA Four Diamond hotel in the area. The opening reception is in our hospitality suite with Hors d'oeuvres and plenty of wine and spirits. Plus we have two special guest joining us. Finger Lakes Distilling will be serving up a couple signature cocktails and another local winery will be tasting and pouring their wine.
Saturday morning we have an optional group hike into the local gorge. This area is known for all of their waterfalls and gorges that lead into the Finger Lakes. It's a short eight block walk from our hotel.
Breakfast is included on both days. Saturday morning you are free to eat in the restaurant. Enjoy breakfast at your leisure. They will be expecting you. Just provide them with the voucher that will be provided.
The limo bus arrives around 10:30 to usher us off to our first winery. Again, with well over 100 wineries we have picked the very best ones that we have known and trusted, some for over a decade.
Saturday is filled with iconic wineries of the Finger Lakes. The three wineries that we will be visiting this day were the ones that helped establish the Finger Lakes as a serious wine region.
Dr Frank who is well known for establishing non-local varietals in the area. He is the one who basically brought Riesling and Pinot Noir to this region.
Situated on the southwestern hills of Keuka Lake. It was here in 1958 that Dr. Konstantin Frank planted his first Vinifera vines and ignited the “Vinifera Revolution.” This movement would forever change the course of winemaking in the Finger Lakes and the Eastern United States.
With close proximity to historic Hammondsport we will stop in for lunch. Hammondsport is a small historic village on the southern point of Keuka Lake.
Next we journey up the east side of Keuka Lake to Keuka Spring Vineyard. Len and Judy Wiltberger found the winery in the 80s and have definitely set a mark of excellence.
Next stop is Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyards. Mr. Wiemer and Dr Frank were good friends. They literally set the benchmark for Finger Lake wines. With new owners as of 2006 Hermann J. Wiemer lives on. The vision that Mr. Wiemer established is proudly being taken to the next level. Here you will sample amazing Riesling and Cabernet Franc from single vineyards. Plus a few other classics like Gruner Veltliner. These wines that are sought after in many other states across the US.
We will venture back to the hotel in Watkins Glen for dinner. Here we will have traditional Thai cuisine. You will hear many references during the day about how well Rieslings pair up with foods such as Thai curries. Well now you'll have your chance to experience this match made in heaven.
Sunday morning breakfast is in our hospitality suite with such classics as wild smoked salmon, H&H bagels, mimosas and even imported donuts from France.
Sunday is filled with two wineries that are newcomers to the scene. Our first stop on Keuka Lake is Domaine LeSeurre. This young French couple have worked in Champaign and Burgundy. Now they're in the Finger Lakes to make their mark. And boy are they making a mark. Founded in 2013 Sebastian and his wife have formed amazing relationships with some of the most well known growers in the region. They are literally making wine from 1971 riesling vines. Their approach to winemaking is very cutting edge and hands on. They are definitely worth following and of course drinking their wine.
Their next-door neighbor is a German influenced winemaker, Weis Vineyards. Weis Vineyards is a boutique winery established by husband and wife team, Hans Peter (a native of Zell Mosel, Germany) and Ashlee (a native of Hammondsport, NY) Weis. They embrace Peter’s family winemaking traditions and techniques, accompanied by the high-quality terroir of the Finger Lakes region to create handcrafted wines meant for all to enjoy! We will be enjoying lunch as well as a tasting here.
Both of these neighboring vineyards work very synergistically together.
We will then get back on the limo bus to return to Watkins Glen for the end of our amazing weekend.
Finger Lakes Distiling
Both weekends include Finger Lakes Distilling
Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel, it's our favorite hotel!
Both Finger Lakes trips include this 4 Diamond Water front hotel! Named “Best Waterfront Hotel in the Nation” by USA Today, the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel sets the standard for luxury accommodations as the area's only AAA Four Diamond property. Nestled on the shores of Seneca Lake in the picturesque town of Watkins Glen and adjacent to Glen Harbor Marina, our hotel provides the perfect vantage point from which to explore the area.