Our next stop marked the third winery on this side of the lake, and the journey to get there was an experience in itself. The winding driveway leading up to the property offered a stunning preview of what was to come. As we followed the sign near the road, we were led through rolling vineyards, past picturesque landscapes, and up a steep hill that provided a breathtaking panoramic view of the lake. It was one of those moments where you can't help but take a deep breath, soak in the scenery, and appreciate the beauty of the Finger Lakes wine region. Upon arriving at the tasting room, we were greeted with a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The staff handed us tasting sheets, allowing us to select the wines we wanted to sample at our own pace. @winecraft opted for the whites, while I focused on exploring the reds, eager to see what this winery had to offer. The Wine Tasting Experience 2019 Pinot Noir (13.6% ABV) I started with the 2019 Pinot Noir, which had been aged for 19 months in French oak barrels. This was a notable first release of Pinot Noir from their Lakeside Vineyard, making it a particularly special pour. A classic cool-climate Pinot, it had a delicate yet expressive profile, featuring subtle red fruit aromas, hints of earthy minerality, and a silky smooth texture. The oak aging contributed a gentle touch of vanilla and spice, enhancing the well-balanced acidity. It was a fantastic start to the tasting--elegant, nuanced, and undeniably enjoyable. 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon (13.5% ABV) Next up was the 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, also aged in French oak. Right away, I picked up on its dark berry aroma, which was rich yet inviting. The first sip revealed layers of blackcurrant, plum, and a touch of baking spice, with a medium body and a beautifully structured finish. This wasn't an overly tannic Cab, but rather one that leaned into its fruit-forward character, making it incredibly smooth and approachable. The lingering finish left me wanting another sip, which is always a good sign. 2019 Lemberger (12.9% ABV) The third wine I sampled was the 2019 Lemberger, aged for 18 months in French oak barrels. Lemberger (also known as Blaufränkisch) is an underrated varietal that often surprises me, and this one was no exception. Deep, dark berry notes dominated the nose, while the palate offered a rich yet soft texture with a slight peppery kick on the finish. While the finish was a bit on the shorter side, it was incredibly smooth and well-balanced, making it a great option for those who prefer reds that are bold yet easy-drinking. This wine was also harvested from the Lakeside Vineyard, showcasing the estate's ability to produce complex and flavorful cool-climate reds. NV Red Blend #3 (13.5% ABV) Finally, I tried the NV Red Blend #3, a Bordeaux-style blend made up of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Cabernet Franc, and 6% Merlot. This wine had a deep, velvety character, offering a beautiful balance of fruit, spice, and oak influence. The Cabernet Sauvignon brought depth and structure, the Cabernet Franc added a hint of peppery spice, and the Merlot softened the blend with its smooth, rounded finish. Dark berry flavors, soft tannins, and a lingering mouthfeel made this my favorite of the lineup--a wine I could easily see myself sipping on during a chilly evening by the fire. An Unexpectedly Adorable Surprise Oh, and how could I possibly forget--we met Rosie, the winery's adorable resident dog! Rosie was the ultimate greeter, making her rounds and stopping by for some well-deserved pets from guests. There's just something about wineries with dogs that instantly adds to the charm and warmth of the experience. A Personal Touch to End the Visit As we were getting ready to leave, we had an unexpected but fantastic conversation with the owner, who walked us out to our car. He shared a bit of his background, and we learned that he and his family are originally from Boston, MA. His passion for winemaking was evident--not just in the quality of the wines but also in the way he spoke about the craft, the vineyard, and the journey of running a winery in the Finger Lakes. There was something really special about meeting the people behind the wines--it added a layer of connection to the experience that made the visit even more memorable. Final Thoughts This winery wasn't just about the wines--it was about the atmosphere, the people, and the sense of place. From the scenic drive leading up to the property to the thoughtfully crafted wines and the warm hospitality, it was a standout stop on our tour of the east side of Cayuga Lake. Whether you're a Pinot Noir lover, a Bordeaux blend enthusiast, or just someone looking for a laid-back winery experience, this spot offers something special. We left feeling grateful for the experience and excited to return--because when you find a place where the wine is great, the people are welcoming, and there's a friendly pup named Rosie, you know you've found a gem. read more

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My wife and I stopped by here about three weeks ago as part of a wine trip for our three year wedding anniversary, and it was a pleasure to visit! The view of Cayuga Lake is great, we enjoyed the food and wine, and Mike stopped by to chat with us about the wines, the history of the winery, and gave us more insight into the winemaking process. All in all, we selected four bottles to take home with us to cellar. This was a nice way to cap off the day, and would be nice to revisit on a subsequent trip to Cayuga Lake. read more

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Great views, wonderful wines and magnificent pricing. Highly recommend. Boom! Q must see on the Trail! read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Scenery - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

Had a really lovely experience here! Rebecca was so kind and provided excellent hospitality. The wine is delicious, and the views are beautiful. Would recommend :) read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

Bright Leaf offered some good wines, and we particularly enjoyed the unoaked Chardonnay. The deck had a fantastic view of the lake, and the staff was pleasant and the host asked for feedback about their wines. We didn't try the food but it looked and smelled great. We might return for a pairing the next time we're in the area. The wines have complexity and depth so if you are wine enthusiast, I would recommend coming here. read more

The service was excellent, we went with a fairly large group for tastings. The white wine flight paired with chocolate was delicious and a perfect night cap to the evening. It's a stunning place to watch the sunset. read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Chocolate Pairing - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

Gorgeous location! Very scenic with Cayuga Lake in the background. We shared a wine and chocolate tasting experience. One of us got the white flight and the other the red. We shared the wines and chocolates. Several of the wines and chocolates were beyond expectations! Because it was SO cozy inside, we ordered a couple of pizzas/flatbreads. OMG, they were almost better than the wine! The owners came out and chatted with us, the service was very personal, spot on! We even saw a red fox on our way out near the water when we were crossing the bridge. Highly recommended! read more

So good I joined the wine club and I'm a bit of a wine snob. If you've not been out to bright leaf the views alone make it worthwhile however I'm in love with their dry rose wine. Not only do I drink it, I also gift it. Everyone I've given it to loves it. A fabulous way to spend a Friday evening after work. They are open until 8 pm and an even better way to spend a Sunday afternoon. I love spending time at this winery. Mike and Donna the owners are usually there and their story of how they got into the business is wonderful. In fact it makes me a bit jealous. Ask them about it. Support local businesses and drink local wine. You won't be disappointed. Cheers! read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Tasting - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

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Located at the end of a road in the middle of nowhere but so worth it! The location overlooks this beautiful field which had some free roaming goats (super cute and nice). They have a large number of tables under the overhang or a variety of lounge chairs to enjoy your beverage of choice and the view all at once. The staff was very friendly and accommodating, they helped me pick out some things to try out. I personally got the red wine and chocolate flight. The wines were very nice, a little drier than my preference but the quarry run was definitely my favorite. The chocolate was a nice add on but it didn't add as much as I would have liked it to, maybe I'll try a cheese option next time if offered. When I went there was also a BBQ food truck which seemed like an odd pairing for wine but who know maybe there is something about the two I have yet to explore. Overall would come back when on another wine tour! read more

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Great people, comfortable atmosphere, a really good Merlot and the food was good too. We will go back.

We found this winery by chance and we're absolutely delighted. We were welcomed by the friendly dog, which always makes my day. Then the kind ladies running the winery made us feel extra young as they kindly asked for our IDs as we look "well under thirty." That's a quick way to make the day of any 29- 33 year olds! We got the chocolate and wine pairing which was delicious! (Not great for those with nut allergies though). I will be back! read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Beautiful views and a lovely pairing - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

I consider myself , a " Customer service " expert but I've never experienced such poor customer service at what started as a Beautiful Vineyard day . Because of Dietary restrictions , an inability to consume the foods offered on site , my party was scolded twice for consuming our own foods. The first scolding, we immediately stopped eating our own food. The second time the woman came back to our table and said " this is the second time I've had to tell you . . " , Which by the way , involved my daughter simply picking at some chips in a bag . We didn't choose this Diagnosis but thought we might be able to enjoy some wine without being mandated to only eat off the menu ! I wish eyes might be open wider and more accepting of those who can't follow dietary rules for tons of other reasons , Just felt very rigid and plain old nasty leaving a bad impression. I wish your business the best but you need some help! read more

Spectacular view of the lake, wonderful friendly service, delish Chardonnay (it's all I tried & it's very good)... the pizza looks good, great mellow tunes playing at the perfect volume over a nice sound system. Wonderful place - highly recommend! read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Setting sun over Cayuga Lake with a delicious, cold Chardonnay & Nora Jones playing lightly over the sound system. Doesn't get much better. - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

Tried to enjoy a nice Saturday with my family visiting from out of state with a winery, server was extremely rude to us. My diabetic sister needed a snack and we were SCOLDED for her grabbing a snack out of a bag we packed for her. Absolutely terrible service.We will not be returning. read more

We stopped here yesterday! Very friendly staff and good wine! We did a white and red wine chocolate tasting. The whites were very enjoyable, chocolate paired was interestingly good too. And there was a nice view! We also got the pepper and sausage pizza to share. Very good experience for us, not too busy on a Friday night made the experience more enjoyable. Definitely will be back. read more

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The place is awesome. Great views, exceptional service, and good wine. Also there was a doggo, and to me that's a perk. Awesome place. Definitely recommend. read more

We really enjoyed our wine tasting paired with chocolates. It was a beautiful full sun day so we sat on the covered patio with our dog. The friendly staff came to the table to greet us and take our order. The wine was very good and the chocolate pairing was perfect. read more

Incredibly rude owner. As a student of viticulture and enology, I have had the privilege of tasting many of the areas best wines - and it pains me to write this considering how I had once enjoyed Bright Leaf's wine (purchased from the store, of course). Admittedly, I came with a group of other senior students, on a Saturday, and without a reservation. We were polite and respectful; we also would have left without issue had we been asked. Despite this, we were not turned away; instead, the owner herself chose to seat and serve our group - making inflammatory and degrading comments throughout. She began by demanding two forms of ID - to which we all obliged without hesitation. As she filtered through our licenses she stopped at mine, exclaiming that the picture (taken 7 years ago) was not of me. I referenced my more recently issued military ID and mentioned that I had gained a bit of weight since high school. She then rolled her eyes and said with disgust "No one gains weight like that." She later obliged only after I showed her every shred of plastic I had with my name on it. Shortly thereafter, we were reminded - for the first of many times - that she reserved the right to refuse service; each time we'd ask "should we leave?" to which she would respond "no, we've just had bad experiences with your kind in the past, we don't enjoy having people like you" (read: young and ethnically diverse). Overall, an absolutely horrible experience from an absolutely horrible person. We left after one glass apiece (she refused to let us purchase tastings or bottles - even making us pay for five glasses of the same wine, while other parties were encouraged to purchase bottles at a fraction of the price). We were incredibly fortunate to find a much more hospitable winery just a few minutes North of Bright Leaf; there, the owners (and their wonderful dogs) welcomed us with open arms and invited us back, citing our fabulous behavior. Before considering coming here, read the reviews that mention the owner (Donna). She is known among the area's vintners and patrons to be snooty, condescending, and prejudiced against those who aren't well-off, middle aged, and white. I highly recommend taking in the equally stunning views and delicious wines at any of the more customer-focused wineries in the area. read more

*Warning I did not try the wine but would like to prevent people having the same experience as me. If you are a person under the age of 45 looking to do wine tasting you should take your business elsewhere so as not to be discriminated against or spoke down to. The owner (donna) was extremely rude and unprofessional. We were a larger party of 12 college seniors and informed the staff that we did not have a reservation on arrival. We would have been happy to leave if the non-reservation was an issue. However, the owner (Donna) came over to begin seating us, but was very upset about a previous group they had overserved at another time who got extremely drunk and reckless at the vineyard. ***This had nothing to do with our party at all, but lead her to be extremely rude and accusatory towards us that because we were also a young group, so she attributed her previous customers behavior to us. We provided our IDs as well as second and even third forms to prove we were of age. Despite this proof of identification, she proceeded to tell a member of our party the ID did not look like him because he had gained weight since being 15, which was very humiliating to have to explain why you no longer look like you did at fifteen years old. She also kept reminding us that she had the right to refuse our business, however, every time we tried to leave she continued the process of seating us. After checking our IDs she said designated drivers were not even allowed to sit at the same table as the other members of our party because "she knows how this goes." Once we were seated she informed us she had great connections with the sheriff department. Lastly, she refused to serve our party tastings or bottles, we could only by wine by the glass. We ended up leaving because of how disrespectful the owner was. The entire interaction was incredibly uncomfortable and prejudice towards our young, diverse group. Any group of young people could have walked into Bright Leaf with a reservation or not, and would have been treated the same way. For whatever reason, Donna's one experience with unpleasant customers has caused her to judge the character of all young people, and I firmly believe anyone under the age of 45 would be treated the same way. read more

If you are under 30 years old/go to college in the area and are looking for a place to enjoy yourself and feel welcome, avoid this place at all costs. Immediately upon arrival at the place, we were immediately discriminated against and bashed for being Cornell students based on a prior experience the winery had with a different group of students. The owner, Donna, was INCREDIBLY rude even after we complied with her request for two forms of ID and honestly, horrific and offensive comments towards my friends. After all her comments, she continuously told us we had the option to leave, however as soon as we attempted to, she began pouring the wine so that we would still be forced to pay even after making us feel beyond unwelcome. Overall, I would give -5 stars if I could. Wine was 1 star at most. Save your money, time and mental sanity and try one of the other amazing neighboring wineries instead. Long Point is excellent with incredible staff, an amazing view and a super friendly dog named Lissy too. read more

I'm new into wines but I enjoyed everything I tried. I highly recommend the pizza, I liken it to a nice artisanal bread topped with pizza toppings. Great views btw read more

Bright Leaf has a great selection of Red & Whites, you will not be disappointed if you like a dry wine. The view of the lake is nice, very good place to spend a sunny afternoon. friendly dog on premise. In the winter they have a greatroom with a fireplace. Decent pizza offered and in the summer they host a food truck. read more

Warning - never actually got inside to try the wine (which I was super sad about because this was a new to me winery). Their wine could be lovely, however their owner was not. One of the members of my group had a dog, which wasn't on a leash when he jumped out of the car. I understand that he should have been on a leash, and while the dog's owner was going after him, the woman (which we learned was the owner/manager) came out and very rudely told her to put the dog on a leash. Maybe said another word or two and went back inside. After we wrangled the dog - we started to head into the winery, when the owner came outside again and blocked us. Very rudely stating that the dog wasn't allowed inside. I personally understand this, and I don't have a dog, so I really don't care if a dog is allowed inside or not. However, she was extremely rude and that is not a way to do business. Both parties were getting emotional and I told my party to go in the car. I then spoke to the owner and made it clear that the fact that dogs are not allowed inside is fine, but her attitude was very rude and condescending and that is what upset me. I asked why she didn't tell us when she came outside the first time why dogs were not allow in. She assumed that we were just going to put him back in the car, on a hot sunny day. No idea. I was at Red Newt the week after this visit, and they have the same no dog policy, but managed to tell the party with a dog with grace and respect and that it was not allowed in the tasting room. During the time of my attempted visit, I was working at another winery on Cayuga Lake and we would NEVER treat a customer like this. The owner of the winery I was working at would never speak to a customer like that. He wouldn't come outside with a frown. I've been to an embarrassingly high amount of wineries in the FLX and have only had one other rude experience over the years. We talked to near by wineries about our experience and they said they have heard familiar stories. So, good luck in the future and good luck learning to talk to potential customers. Give them a try if you don't have a dog and hope the owner isn't there to give you a tasting. I am working on reviewing all of my favorite wineries - so stay tuned, or message if you want any tips on places to go! read more

Bright leaf is a great spot to hang out and do a wine tasting. This winery has one of the best views on Cayuga lake, especially to catch the sunset. There's plenty of picnic tables and Adirondack chairs in the yard. All of the wine is fantastic. Bright leaf as some of my favorite red wines in the finger lakes. The wine and chocolate pairing is delicious as well. read more

I don't really give five stars too often, but this place deserves it. Great service, great wine, friendly people, accommodating, and just overall excellent. We asked for a custom platter, and they served us as requested. Highly recommended. read more

Our new Favorite Finger Lakes Vineyard! Great wine, beautiful view, wonderful hosts! They opened Summer 2018 but have been here for six years cultivating the grapes. Love the Chardonnays! read more

Bright Leaf Vineyard - Charcuterie Plate ($12) and glass of Chardonnay ($6.00) and beautiful view (free!) at Bright Leaf Vineyard! - Wineries Near Me - King Ferry, New York

Delicious white wines. All the wine is estate grown. Very kind staff. We would love to return.

Mike and Donna go above and beyond to make your experience here everything you could ask for and more! They are so knowledgeable and will dedicate their time to giving you a tour around their facilities and letting you taste years-old incredible wine. Shannon out front was also so knowledgeable and kind in guiding us through our choloclate and wine tasting. A 10/10 - would highly recommend. Don't skip out on this vineyard!! Best wine in the Finger Lakes. read more

We sort of stumbled onto Bright Leaf after we couldn't get into another vineyard. But we were glad that we ended up here. The $10 for 4 wine flight was good value. Each flight has 2oz of wine, which is more compared to most tasting. The view at the outdoor patio, where we were, is magnificent. This is definitely a memory stop on the finger lakes. read more

My partner and I each did a flight of the dry reds. All of them were excellent. My favorite was their Cab Franc, but any of them were good enough that I'd have enjoyed a bottle of it. The flights were $10 for 4 mini carafes. Though this seems higher than the common "$5 for 5" that you see in the FLX, the amount in each carafe was a lot more substantial than the standard wine-tasting pour, so i think that in dollars-per-ounce it works out to be about right. The wines were great, and the location is really beautiful. Set on a hillside with a view of the lake. If you're looking for some place to drink a few glasses in the shade on a nice day, this is perfect for that. We'll be coming back. read more

Great wine at a great price. Every wine I've tasted here, from white to red, hasn't disappointed. The tasting space is clean and bright. During the summer and fall you want to grab a bottle after your tasting and sit outside for beautiful views of Cayuga Lake. read more

Beautiful vineyard and grounds! The tasting room staff is friendly knowledgeable- the wines are delicacy-balanced and wonderful! Do not pass this up- this place is a slice of heaven!!! read more

So excited to try a new winery right up the road from us!! Absolutely gorgeous setting and a great wine line up. A great start for this winery. The Chardonnay was delicious and I'm a Cabernet Sauvignon lover, but their Cabernet Franc was really great! Can't wait to see what more they will bring to the area!! read more

Bright Leaf is a new favorite on lake Cayuga. The wines start strong and regardless of your taste they are above NY standards. Add a beautiful view and wonderful people and this is a magnificent place to spend time. Highly recommend. read more

Beautiful vineyards overlooking Cayuga Lake. I stumbled upon this while my husband was golfing and I'm so glad a did. It's a new vineyard and their tasting room just opened in June, 2018. It's very clean and bright inside and a beautiful and spacious area outside to enjoy a glass of wine. Tastes in wine are obviously individual but I really enjoyed their white selections, especially the semi-dry Riesling! They were very accommodating when I brought my baby in both times and one time she wasn't so happy. I never felt like they were annoyed or inconvenienced by her crying (which we got under control). My husband is also sober and they allowed us to bring NA wine for him to have so he didn't miss out on the experience and fun! Can't wait to go back many more times. read more