Swing by for a tasting of their fine wines and beer. Wine's…read moreare award winning. Im hard pressed to find one I don't love. Picked up 3 bottles of their Riesling reserve they are to the moon. Caught a live blues music show last night. Check for events online. Phenomenal views from the outdoor patios onto the surrounding hillsides, pond and vineyards.

All of the wine my husband and I tasted was decent. We ended up buying three bottles. Like most…read moreFinger Lakes wineries, their whites are definitely better. The guy who helped us with our tasting was very well educated on the wines and very friendly. We were here in December so it was gray and brown, but I'm sure the views are beautiful when it's not winter.

Our next stop marked the third winery on this side of the lake, and the journey to get there was an…read moreexperience 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.

My wife and I stopped by here about three weeks ago as part of a wine trip for our three year…read morewedding 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.

Beautiful view of Cayuga Lake The wine and eats very good…read more Would recommend a visit to Goose watch winery.

We didn't have a bad time, we just had a weird time. On our mini moon, my husband and I stopped…read morehere to play pickleball. It is $15 for an hour court rental, plus $5 per paddle and ball. The court needs to have something up for the wind. The wind takes the ball everywhere and it wasn't a stellar time. The wine was fine. Not really our cup of tea. Great views of Cayuga Lake.

Really solid wines, great view and atmosphere is relaxed. Second time coming here, which sometimes…read morecan be a disappointment after a great first time - not so, happy we came back. Enjoyed a dry white flight, and a glass of their Vidal Blanc and Cabernet Franc Rose with a charcuterie board. Tends to be on the quiet side compared to their neighbors at the Grist Iron, but perfect for us.

I was really disappointed with our experience at J.R. Dill Winery. It wasn't very busy when we…read morearrived, but we were repeatedly told they were "slammed." Because of that, they wouldn't offer wine flights, which is a big part of the experience. We asked to taste just three wines and barely got the opportunity. When we tried to purchase bottles, we were told they couldn't provide any chilled ones because they were too busy. We also attempted to order meatballs, but the kitchen was apparently too overwhelmed to serve them. What stood out most was how things ended. When we decided to leave due to the limited service, we were told, "don't leave us a bad review," followed by "perfect, that's better for us" as we walked out. That response felt dismissive and unprofessional. Overall, it seemed like they were operating beyond what they could handle that day. If that's the case, it would be better to limit guests or temporarily close rather than provide such a poor experience. Unfortunately, we left feeling unwelcome and disappointed.

Forge Cellars is by far one of the gems of the Finger Lakes. With over ten individual vineyard…read morebottlings of their Riesling along with Cab Franc and a Chardonnay. The tasting Salon area is a great place to relax and enjoy a glass and a plate of Iberica ham and tinned fish while enjoying the view of Seneca lake.

Their Cab franc was the best red I had in the region. The color alone was a gorgeous dark color and…read morethe wine itself was flavorful and smooth. If you love a smooth full bodied red then this should be on your list. The staff was friendly and the seating outside was nice.

The staff and owner were very friendly and we enjoyed visiting with them! They also had the best…read morered wine we tried in the area :)

The good: Wine is great. Selection is on the smaller side and rather limited but they make up for…read moreit in quality. Facility is clean, modern, and extremely inviting. Also hosts a pretty spectacular view looking out at Cayuga lake. Randy, the older gentleman that tends to the place is a fantastic human being. Very kind, welcoming, knowledgeable and great to converse with. He is the shining star and reason people will return/give good feedback. The bad: The Owner (Mark). I saw mention in a previous review that he may be on some sort of epilepsy medication that makes him act "off". Not sure I buy that excuse at all. He appears to be heavily intoxicated or on some sort of drug. Conversations with him were awkward, impossible to follow, and just plain uncomfortable. The comment he made about comparing his ex-wife to a dog was the point he completely lost us. To top it all off, he started to become a bit too friendly with my wife while I walked away to use the restroom. That was the icing on the cake. While I understand his medications make him act "off", the above mentioned behavior is inexcusable, medicated or not. We also watched a large party come in and quickly leave after the owner visited their table. Frankly, if it weren't for Randy, we would have also left after interacting with the owner. Conclusion: This winery has a lot of potential and provides a really great product. Equally as important is the overall experience you provide to a patron. The experience is not a good one with Mark (the owner) in the picture. He tainted what would have been an easy 5 star review. Randy was the saving grace. As a business savvy person, I highly recommend keeping Mark as far away from customers as possible. He is a liability and will drive the business into the depths of extinction.

Hands down, one of my favorites in the Seneca Lake area. The owners are SO friendly and they LOVE…read moredog visits - so much so they have a dog run area set up! You absolutely need to make the visit for a tasing. Great assortment of dry to semi-sweet!

They would have excellent views in the late spring and summer. I enjoyed their reds though there…read morewasn't anything that particularly stood out for me. They had a sparkling wine that was semi-dry and would make pretty decent mimosas. I liked that they also had beers from a Belgian brewery based out of Geneva. You can taste some of those as well.

Quirky little winery. We were serviced by a nice guy called Connor who gave funny descriptions of…read moreeach of the wines we tasted. I was coming for the Diamond but heard they were out. The Cab franc was the best one objectively and the pink flamingo bubbly was good too. Whites not too memorable. I was surprised they added some sugar to some of their wines. Love the full blast of A/C on a hot day.

5 Stars -- A Must-Visit Finger Lakes Gem! Leidenfrost…read moreVineyards was hands-down one of the best stops during our wine tour in the Finger Lakes! Our party of four was warmly welcomed by Jessica, who was truly a delight. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and made our tasting experience so much fun. You can tell she genuinely enjoys what she does, and it made a huge difference! What really stood out to us was that their flights include SIX tastings -- the most generous offering we've seen so far. The price was incredibly reasonable, and the pours were just right. Each wine had its own personality, and we enjoyed every sip. The atmosphere was relaxed, the view was beautiful, and the service was top-tier. If you're touring Seneca Lake wineries, Leidenfrost is a must, and make sure to ask for Jessica -- she made our visit unforgettable!