Idol Ridge

0

203

355

21 days ago

Sitting outside looking at a beautiful view was a day well spent. Tried a flight. Employees were all nice and helpful. There is also a distillery but we did not check that out read more

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Olivia B.

Thank you for your review, Kellie! We are so glad to hear you had a…

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Leslie A.

18

691

1218

2 years ago

6 samples for $10. Liv was so nice and helpful Beautiful views Really nice place read more

Idol Ridge - a living room with a view of the ocean - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Olivia B.

Thank you for your review, Leslie! We hope to see you again soon.

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Mark B.

36

334

405

3 years ago

The views from the decks and lawn seating can't be beat, but wasn't impressed with the wines we sampled. Maybe we should've tried their beers? We had much better at other wineries. Customer service was lacking, and the woman who poured our flight even admitted she was tired and distracted and "hopefully didn't pour the wrong wines we selected." read more

Idol Ridge - a clock tower in the middle of a field - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

Idol Ridge - The views won't disappoint - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Olivia B.

Hi, Mark. We are sorry you were disappointed with your recent visit.…

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Christopher W.

2

58

8

1 year ago

Great view on their deck service was friendly and helpful. Flight comes with fudge which is delicious in addition to wines. They also have a cocktail flight available because they are also a distillery. The cocktails were interesting and tasty. However, I do wish it was possible to taste the spirits themselves, as the per bottle prices were quite high. read more

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Olivia B.

Hi Christopher! Thank you so much for the kind review. We're glad…

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Melanie P.

1

26

36

1 year ago

Had a great time with the wine tasting as part of the Ithaca Loves Teachers event. As a sweet wine drinker, there were many options that I enjoyed and Sara behind the bar was a great person to assist with our sampling. The shop and decorative items available for purchase had a great variety and fit everyone's needs. Will definitely be back when the weather is nicer to take advantage of their outside space and picture frame overlooking the lake. read more

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Olivia B.

Thank you for your review, Melanie! We are so glad you were able to…

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Jackie M.

16

40

53

3 years ago

I really did enjoy this place as a whole. The staff while we were wine tasting were super friendly. I was waiting for friends so I decided to try something different and ordered a bourbon cocktail. The woman making my cocktail seemed incredibly bothered in having to do so. This side of the facility wasn't even busy. read more

Idol Ridge - Store - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

Idol Ridge - Buzzin bourbon - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Olivia B.

Jackie, thank you for stopping in. We are sorry you were…

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Amanda M.

2

1

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2 years ago

Stayed at one of their AirB&B properties with my family of 4. We were warmly greeted and throughly enjoyed our Mimosa flight and Bourbon tastings with fudge and snacks. Our girls enjoyed their orange cream sodas, fudge and the comfortable setting. Left with fudge, 2 wines (there are so many great drier whites and reds that are worth trying and buying!!) and a bottle of their smoked bourbon! We will for sure be returning! read more

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Emma J.

Hi Amanda. We are so glad you enjoyed your stay at our winery cabin…

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T T.

1

51

61

3 years ago

Excellent excellent place wine tastings and spirits tasting were very reasonable service was great !!! Jim the person helping us with our wine and spirits was excellent !!!! He was very personable and very enjoyable to talk to . And the girl at the register was very sweet and nice I was so happy I went there .I ended up buying wine and whiskey to bring home . Definitely will be back !!!! read more

Idol Ridge - a view of a vineyard from the patio - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

Idol Ridge - Amazing view - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Olivia B.

Thank you for your review T T. We are so happy you enjoyed our wine,…

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Spirited R.

Elite 24

230

1529

8895

6 years ago

This was our last stop of the day. Let me tell you this place is huge. Okay, the setup that they have in place is hands down the #1 setup in the finger lakes region. We had went to maybe 35 wineries, 2 breweries and 1 cidery the entire week that we were in the area. I can only speak about the locations that I had visited. With that in mind, when you walk in you choose what flight you want. They have several different flights, including a mix flight with whiskeys. They have a prepared bag on what you selected. In the bag is all of your wines in sampler small sip cups, they have them marked and provide a sheet to allow you to identify which wines that you're drinking. With that includes chips, grapes, and a brownie and water. The pack that they put together is very awesome. The wines that I had chosen were good. But after you've been to so many wineries on the day, all of the wine tastes the same. I ended up purchasing a bottle of bourbon that I didn't even try. I like bourbon, worse case it would be awful, but several months later I drank it all. It was good. This was a great way to end the day. read more

Idol Ridge - the inside of a wine shop - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Scott M.

2

68

88

5 years ago

The winery is pretty neat place but the wine tasting experience was extremely rushed and had zero customer experience. The staff was very short with communications, and had a "here's your stuff, you can go now attitude." If you want to be treated extremely poorly, and get a bunch of attitude from their staff, this is the place for you! read more

Idol Ridge - Wine tasting - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Just C.

0

1

0

2 years ago

Idol Ridge has one of the best atmospheres, wine and staff on Seneca Lake. The view is out of this world and inside of the building is absolutely amazing. I cannot speak for the spirits but the wines were so good that we had to visit twice. If you have any questions about wine, ask for Nick and he will definitely take care of you. They add their own fudge and some of that amazing cheeky monkey dipping sauce in their flights. You will definitely be wanting some of each for the ride home. Cannot wait to come back. read more

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Olivia B.

Thank you so much for your review! We are so glad you enjoyed your…

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Natalie S.

Elite 22

46

129

261

5 years ago

Nice stop with plenty to offer - wine, spirits, cocktails, fudge, and fun signs and trinkets. The wine is mostly semi-sweet/semi-dry, and they include wines from their sister winery, Fossenvue. Tastings currently are served in preportioned flights with a sampling of fudge, salsa, and popcorn. It's a nice option for those new to the area that want the Finger Lakes experience, if not the best the Finger Lakes has to offer. read more

Idol Ridge - View from the deck - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Anna L.

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1

0

2 years ago

I feel bad saying this because the atmosphere is nice and the view is stunning from their balcony, but honestly the wine is bad. This was our second stop on a wine tour and some of us couldn't even finish our wine tasting because the wine was hard to swallow. read more

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Scott K.

41

82

8

5 years ago

What a hidden gem. My wife and I were looking for something to do before noon, and found Idol Ridge open at 11 unlike most of the other wineries in the area that opened at 12. We decided to share a flight of their Rieslings which were all fantastic. Included with the wine flight was a terrific spicy tomato dipping sauce and some chips, as well as a couple of pieces of fudge. We settled in on their porch in a couple of Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake, and just took in the scenery and some delicious wine. When we were done, their upsale worked. We walked out with some tomato dipping sauce and fudge as well. This place is great. I highly recommend checking it out. read more

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Olivia B.

Thank you so much for your review, Scott! We are glad you stopped in…

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Taylor O.

Elite 25

217

705

1753

4 years ago

My family and I were doing some winery hopping when we stumbled across this place. The inside looks like a cracker barrel but don't let it steer you away. We all got flights. Different kinds of flights too; wine, spirits, and mimosa. Everything was great! Our favorite thing was the tomato dipping sauce that came with the flight as a palate cleanser. We each got a container for ourselves to eat later! So yummy! I loved sitting outside and the view of the valley. Great little place! read more

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Anna N.

153

176

567

8 years ago

Very spacious, only downside is the wine tasting area had no chairs, so we had to stand read more

Idol Ridge - Ice wine tasting $6/3 samples... I think Regular wine tasting was $5/6 samples, $7/6 samples with a free wine glass - Wineries Near Me - Lodi, New York

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Tony M.

9

86

166

4 years ago

This place was OUTSTANDING! I can't say enough praise about our experience here. My girlfriend and I were up for a short vacation. We had been doing some sightseeing after visiting a few OK wineries in the area. We realized it was 4:15 and had enough time to hit one more winery. We walked in right at 4:30 (they close at 5). They couldn't have been more welcoming, reassuring us that they'd stay as long as we like and they weren't kidding. We never felt rushed. This place also has a huge variety, we came in expecting typical wine tasting / flight menu. We wound up splitting a wine tasting and each getting one of their more unique options. This winery is also a distillery and offered cocktail flights (which I got and LOVED) and my girlfriend got the mimosa flight and absolutely loved it. The staff here was welcoming, knowledgeable, friendly and just wonderful. Cant recommend this place enough, we will absolutely be back. When you have dozens of places to choose from, it's hard to find a place that stands out, but this place absolutely made out trip. We're just sorry we didn't find it sooner. read more

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Phil Z.

57

14

9

8 years ago

Friendly service. Delish wine and cheese. They sucked me in with the fudge sign on the way home from Watkins Glen. There is a gorgeous view of the lake from the patio where you can contemplate life over a smooth glass of dry red wine. read more

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lindsay h.

210

28

4

6 years ago

Came here the Monday after the 4th while visiting from out of town. We were greeted with a smile and encouraged to try the tasting to go. We selected the dry red and also a glass of Pinot Gris. The Pinot Gris is very nice, crisp and easy to drink. Of the Dry Reds the Syrah stood out. I would visit again! read more

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Lizzy B.

98

3

6 years ago

They really know what they're doing. As far as tasting experience during COVID, they're doing it right! A great $12 deal that includes a tasting flight (wine or liquor), food, water bottle, and a souvenir glass! Plus, they're staff was incredibly friendly and had great service. Amazing! read more

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Sue W.

0

5

1

6 years ago

You absolutely must go to visit Idol Ridge Winery. We were greeted by the friendly host, Kelsey. She helped us make our flight and wine slushee selections and we sat on the beautiful outdoor patio. We enjoyed the flights which included crackers and a bottle of water to cleanse the palate, A souvenir wineglass,as well as a small piece of fudge....all of which came packaged in a lovely gift bag. We enjoyed all of our samples and proceeded to buy some bottles of wine and some gifts from the gift shop. read more

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Charles T.

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50

40

7 years ago

Next stop on the wine tour: Idol Ridge . . . a warm, friendly greeting by Tyler started things off on a high note. Our experience only got better. Ty expertly guided us through a tasting. We had fun and learned a lot from her. We were looking for Christmas as well as wine and she suggested a number of which, which we purchased. Bonus: Ty also suggested a two-pack of holiday wines for mulling. Brilliant. All in all, a must stop on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. read more

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Mike S.

44

11

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7 years ago

We have visited this winery several times with family and friends. The staff is always nice and professional and there is so much more beyond the wine. They have wonderful local cheese and fudge and one can sit and enjoy a glass of wine while overlooking the lake. The wine is excellent and honestly one of the best on the wine trail. I highly recommend the stop and a special shoutout to Phyllis and Joe who made the visit extra special. read more

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Danny B.

216

9

0

7 years ago

We went as a family and I took my girlfriend. A fantastic place to go to try great wines and meet great people. The tasting is $5 for 6 tasting of assorted whites, reds, and rosé. The 2018 Riesling is award winning and one of my favorites. The staff was helpful and educated. Kelsey did our wine tasting and even though she was only 2 weeks in she was well informed and very nice. Phyllis was also very helpful and we had a great conversation with her. Would recommend you make a stop here. read more

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Stephanie L.

92

1

0

7 years ago

Great winery and great views. $5 for 6 tastings or you can do $8 for 12 tastings. 6 at Idol Ridge and 6 next door. My group was from Philly as was our winetender Kyle. We had a blast. Will definitely be back!!! read more

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Vanessa M.

0

93

5

6 years ago

We stopped by this past weekend and this has to have one of the best views on Seneca! Idol Ridge has lots of sweets and dries and also has some spirits to try! Their system with COVID was wonderful! Their goodie bag included water, glasses and fudge. We loved the wine and the atmosphere. Definitely recommend here! read more

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Kris D.

4

41

5

6 years ago

We went for a tasting...the woman out front had no idea what was going on and turned us off from the minute we walked up. She requested that the 3 year old we were with to put a mask on, while she herself was wearing one....under her nose. We go inside and have to go to multiple areas to get a tasting. One to pay, the other to order and pick up. When we paid, the machine wasn't working, so we didn't receive a receipt. When we went to get the tasting, we told the girl we didn't receive a receipt and she goes "I guess I can trust you," instead of just checking with her coworker. We understand with everything going on, you have to be flexible, but this was just a poor experience. read more

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Johnny T.

224

60

118

8 years ago

Knowledgeable and friendly staff who offer wine and select spirits. Such a cute gift shop and as a bonus they are dog friendly!!

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Karen T.

1

11

2

8 years ago

Rebecca was super nice and helped us with our tastings and remembered us from our last visit a year ago! Recommended spirits and wine based on our preferences. Also recommended other places to check out like Montezuma and food recommendations the area read more

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Kelly B.

Karen, thank you for your great review. We will let Rebecca know that…

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Heidi H.

0

5

0

8 years ago

Our first stop on a winery weekend. Tiffany and Phyllis set the bar high! Great wines and spirits..Tiffany was very knowledgeable. The gift shop was the best one of the weekend! Good times! Thank you ladies! read more

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Donna B.

21

2

0

6 years ago

Stopped by with family 9 in total. Told the hostess we would split into 2 groups and were told they would not seat us because we may mingle. So we all left. Went down the road had 2 more stops before we headed back. Lost revenue from our group. But have 3 more days here and won't be recommending this place to anyone. read more

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Tiffany L.

Elite 17

87

102

65

10 years ago

I've never been to this place. I honestly wasn't super fond of the wine or the gin. It was a fun experience and right on the lake which is beautiful. The staff there are extremely pleasant... but idk about knowledgeable? read more

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Rhiannon S.

0

1

0

7 years ago

I was very impressed with Idol Ridge and it's staff! We had Kyle as our wine server and he was fantastic! He knew all about the different wines and helped make my choice on which wines were best so easy! I loved how inexpensive it was to taste a variety of wines! Definitely plan to go back in the future! read more

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John K.

0

3

0

13 years ago

Gorgeous winery! The building still has some work to be done but overall looks great. Awesome Riesling,Gewürztraminer and Moscato. The staff there is very friendly and you can't beat the view. Highly recommend to anyone traveling the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. read more

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Don B.

0

11

0

10 years ago

WOW, I have never been treated so rudely!!! While on a wine tour our bus driver overshot the driveway to Kings Garden and pulled into the Idol Ridge parking lot. We proceeded to get off the bus (12 people, average age about 45) and take the walkway linking the two businesses. A woman came out of this business and asked if we had a reservation. I (64 year old male) tried to politely explain what happened. She screamed at me that we couldn't come in. We proceeded to walk to Kings Garden. The woman then went to the bus driver and told her to leave. Which she did. Note: there was only one car in the parking lot at the time, about 3 PM on a Saturday. The rudeness probably explains that! read more

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Will D.

0

1

0

8 years ago

We have been visiting the lakes for many years and have always had a great time. It was not our first visit this winery but it will be our last. Very very rude staff. The six of us arrived at 4:30pm on Saturday which was 30 minutes to close. We were rushed through the tasting...and in fact we were handed the "secondary" wine list. The server had two bottles of wine and while making her way down the line the was asking us to pick dry or sweet. She obviously had other plans and didn't want to be bothered with assisting customers with their wine selection. Are you kidding me!!! If the winery doesn't want to serve customers past closing then lock the doors at 4:30pm. There are so many really good wineries with great staffs in the area so there is no need to visit a place like Idol Ridge no matter the time of day. read more

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Bill N.

0

1

0

9 years ago

Don't know why this winery isn't on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail. It should be. We found this place very nice with our bartender (Rebecca) quite knowledgeable. Will deffinately return the next time we're on the SLWT. read more

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More info about Idol Ridge

9059 State Rt 414
Lodi, NY 14860
Directions
(607) 582-7773
Call Now
Visit Website
https://mfwineriesdistilleries.com

Hours

What time does Idol Ridge open?

Idol Ridge opens at 10:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Idol Ridge close?

Idol Ridge closes at 5:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Sun 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Idol Ridge take credit cards?

Yes, Idol Ridge takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Idol Ridge have catering options?

No, Idol Ridge does not have catering options.

Services

Is Idol Ridge by appointment only?

No, Idol Ridge is not by appointment only.

Indoor Amenities

Does Idol Ridge allow dogs?

Yes, Idol Ridge allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Idol Ridge have bike parking?

No, Idol Ridge does not have bike parking.

Does Idol Ridge have parking?

Yes, Idol Ridge has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Does Idol Ridge have free WiFi?

Yes, Idol Ridge has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

We specialize in wines using Vinifera grape varieties along with premium Cornell Hybrids. Staying true to our experimental roots, Idol Ridge is a blend of winemaking heritage and cutting-edge techniques.

History

Established in 2013.

Idol Ridge opened its doors in late November of 2013 and is one of the newest wineries on the east side of Seneca Lake. Pristinely set on a ridge, just south of Lodi, it holds one of the best panoramic views of Seneca Lake.

Review Highlights - Idol Ridge

“We were warmly greeted and throughly enjoyed our Mimosa flight and Bourbon tastings with fudge and snacks.”

Mentioned in 9 reviews

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4.2(125 reviews)

0.7 mi

This place was a pleasant surprise . We enjoyed all the wines we had ! The staff was friendly and…read morevery knowledgeable. Another great view . The inside was cozy inside and felt very welcome .

Stopped in later in afternoon and did not need an appointment. A beautiful building with high…read moreceilings, 2 tasting areas and a very small balcony. Our server was nice but seemed to be in a hurry but was happy to adapt to our pace of tasty. Really enjoyed the white wines and did buy a coupe to take home.

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Boundary Breaks

4.2(119 reviews)

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Beautiful views, learned a lot about NYS wines, very helpful staff. I've been to a few Seneca Lake…read morewineries. All were fine, but BBrx was exceptional.

Hands down one of my fave vineyards in the finger lakes areas. They produce the best Rieslings. We…read morehave been a member since either 2016 or 2017 and order from them twice a year. Finally got to use my free tasting perks as a member this time. 2 free tastings per membership. 5 tastings. The Rieslings this year are exceptions. Ordered about 2 cases and of course had to open a bottle to enjoy the gorgeous view on their Adirondack chairs. Service was exceptional. The owner Bruce literally stands there before you enter to guide you for wherever you need!

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3.8(171 reviews)

1.0 mi

Always a good time , and great wine . It's nice they have both wine and beer…read more Friendly staff , and the the view is a amazing with plenty of seating . We didn't need it but i thought it was a great idea to have a kid flight ! ( all kid friendly)

No tasting experience should be contentious. Sadly I can very safely say this experience was quite…read moreunique but most definitely not in a positive way. John P was our host. Moments after arriving he introduced himself by telling us how tremendously educated he is regarding wine. He told us he was an author and an expert on the region and much much more. And no doubt he is and provided a lot of facts and interesting anecdotes. But welcoming he wasn't, quite the opposite. He introduced the tasting experience by telling us that we would be able to taste five wines. I chose most of the ones he recommended but not all of them and commented that I was sure he'd let me taste the 6th if I wanted as every other place certainly does that. Not john, John was insulted that I didn't leverage his brilliance. Not only did I not get a sixth to taste, but the pours I got were half of everybody else's. A wine host should be friendly and accommodating and do everything they can to help you enjoy the experience, and recommend it to others, and come back, and purchase wine. Because of John's pompous attitude he failed on every one of those. We will not be back.

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Shalestone Vineyards

3.8(46 reviews)

2.2 mi

Our new favorite winery in the Finger Lakes. We came across…read moreShalestone while doing a search online for dry reds and decided to stop by when they opened. Turns out it was their first day open for the 2026 season and they had a tasting spot open for their first tasting, so we got lucky on both accounts. Tastings are offered "on the hour" in the afternoons during business hours and I highly recommend making a reservation. This is the type of tasting where you sit, savor, and listen to the presentations on each wine. No rushing customers through, no large groups, and the employees do a great job of connecting with their customers. Shalestone is a small family run boutique style winery that only does red wine. The wine and the atmosphere reminds me of our favorite boutique winery in the Napa Valley. I believe we tasted 7 wines, all of which had their own specific profile and nuances. Too often at other wineries the reds all taste the same, but not at Shalestone. While we purchased a variety of their wines, our favorite is their Syrah! Absolutely delicious with all characteristics one would want in this full bodied red. I highly recommend making a visit to Shalestone when in the Finger Lakes if you want to enjoy mouth watering red wines.

Nice to see a lot of reds on the tasting menu but watch when you arrive at this location. Check the…read morehours of tastings it is by reservation only and we did not have one. We arrived 45 minutes from closing without a reservation and we got the distinct vibe that they were not pleased because there was a table available in the tasting room but we were not offered it. They did agree to sell us each a glass of wine which we could enjoy outside. We didn't want to be pushy but a friend raved about their reds and we were excited to come and see what the liked about their wines. We were able to taste the red legend and even purchased two additional bottles for home. If I could give a split ratings it would be four stars for wine. 3 for service.

Wine Barrel.........

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Wine in the Tasting Room....

Ria's Wines

5.0(4 reviews)

2.5 mi

What a memorable way to ring in our 41st wedding anniversary by taking our 1st trip to the Finger…read moreLakes (FLX) We did some preliminary research and went on a 3 day wine safari visiting some very beautiful wineries along the lush eastern & western shores of Seneca Lake Ria's winery located in the Banana Belt was truly one of the most charming places we experienced on our self guided 3 day barnstorming tour What made it even more special is we were had the opportunity to spend some quality time with Ria herself who along with her viticulturist husband (both UC Davis graduates) operate this small Spartan winery Their wines are excellent with a particular shout out to their dry Grace riesling and their sweet desert wine, Late Harvest Vignoles Ria was kind enough to give us a small tour of them crushing riesling grapes It was fascinating tasting newly crushed grapes and realizing the skill, patience & alchemy the winemakers must possess to transform simple grape juice into a complex work of art

As our last day of visiting wineries along Seneca Lake unfolded, we found ourselves reflecting on…read morehow much the region is evolving. Earlier in the day, when we were at Penguin Bay, our server Sharon had shared some fascinating updates about wineries in the area changing hands. One of the biggest surprises? Bagley Winery, one of the oldest wineries along Seneca Lake, which had been operating since 1980, had sold their 40-acre farm in Hector. We had visited Bagley Winery in the past, but at the time, the wines just weren't quite to our liking--a reminder that every harvest is different, and winemaking is always evolving. But as we were driving to our next stop, we suddenly spotted the sign and had a moment of realization: "Hold on, that used to be Bagley's. Let's stop!" That spontaneous decision turned out to be one of the best surprises of the trip. Exploring the New Offerings Walking into the tasting room, there was an immediate sense of something fresh and different. While the space felt familiar, the wines had taken on a completely new personality under the new ownership. Instead of diving straight into full pours, we sampled a small tasting of different wines to get a feel for their style and direction before deciding on what we wanted. Here's what they had to offer: White & Rosé Wines 1 2023 Sunny Side White Blend - Bright and lively, featuring notes of tangerine, apricot, and grapefruit. 2 2023 Grace Riesling - A classic Finger Lakes Riesling with flavors of red apple, lime, and bright acidity. 3 2023 Viva Riesling - An intriguing take on Riesling, infused with ginger, lavender, and lime zest for a more aromatic and complex profile. 4 2023 Chardonnay - Pear, floral, and mineral-driven, offering a beautiful balance between fruit and structure. 5 2023 Rosé of Cabernet Franc - Fresh and vibrant, with flavors of strawberries and a medium body that made for an easy-drinking, summer-friendly wine. Red Wines 6 2023 Cabernet Franc - Classic red cherry, raspberry, and cedar notes, capturing the signature earthy and fruit-forward character of Finger Lakes Cabernet Franc. 7 2023 Sunny Side Red Blend - A soft yet structured blend with red plum, cigar box, and soft tannins, offering depth and an incredibly smooth finish. Sparkling Wines & Pet-Nat 8 2023 Pet-Nat - A naturally sparkling wine that was fresh, fizzy, and bursting with crisp apple flavors. 9 N/V Sparkling Chardonnay - A slightly sweeter sparkling option with notes of pear, vanilla, and a creamy mouthfeel. What Stood Out & What We Took Home As we worked through the tasting, we were really impressed. The wines were refreshing, crisp, and perfectly dry--just the way we like them. Each one felt thoughtfully crafted, capturing the best qualities of the grapes while maintaining a clean, balanced profile. While all the wines were well-made and enjoyable, one in particular stood out: 2023 Sunny Side Red Blend - This was my absolute favorite, with its rich red plum notes, subtle spice from the cigar box aroma, and velvety-soft tannins. It had that perfect combination of depth and drinkability, making it a wine I knew I wanted to open and enjoy at home. So, naturally, we purchased a bottle to go! A Deeper Connection to Their Story After the visit, I took some time to read more about the new owners--and I was truly impressed with how quickly they got the winery up and running with their own lineup of wines. Ria and Michael, the new owners, bring a wealth of experience and industry knowledge, which was evident in the quality of the wines. One fun personal discovery? Ria and I actually have something in common! She teaches Viticulture and Enology, while I teach Computer Science--very different fields, yet we both share a deep appreciation for winemaking. I've always had a passion for enology, so it was great to learn about someone who is both an educator and deeply involved in the winemaking world. Final Thoughts - A Winery Worth Revisiting This stop turned out to be a terrific experience, and I'm already looking forward to coming back in the warmer months. I'd love to see how the winery continues to evolve under its new ownership, and of course, enjoy another glass of Sunny Side Red Blend while sitting outside, soaking in the lake views. If you're visiting Seneca Lake, make sure to stop here--especially if you love dry, crisp wines with fresh, balanced flavors. It's exciting to see a historic property get a fresh new start, and based on what we tasted, the future is looking very bright for this winery. Cheers to unexpected stops and discovering something new!

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Tabora Farm & Winery

4.4(106 reviews)

5.9 mi

•$

We visit our Bonskeid House on Seneca Lake 2-3 times a year and ALWAYS have to stop and buy yummies…read moreand wine at Tabora!! They just have amazing takeout or pick nic table foods, and drinks. Plus all sorts of local products! The staff are always great. Their story is amazing and it adds a great spot to our wonderful Route 14 here on Seneca!!

Food was fantastic, they even had GF bread to make my panini sandwich with! We did a tasting first…read moreand loved all of their wines. Best Red wine out of the 10 places we tried. Service was excellent, as well as the ambiance. 10/10!

Tabora bakery / deli Cafe, Tasting Room, Vineyards

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Store, bakery, and deli cafe.

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

4.4(203 reviews)

4.0 mi

I'm super late adding this review but it's so memorable I can still so clearly recall our wine…read moretasting experience at Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard. Well, aside from our wine guide's name, (I'M SO SORRY) who was EXCELLENT and made what would have been a lost group of women wanting to get lit to an educational experience but ALSO a great time. He curated a list of several white wines in carafes for us to learn and practice different tasting notes. I have never had a wine tasting like this and have never had one like this again, yet. Hopefully that will change during my Napa trip this month! The outdoor seating area is beautiful and green without getting too noisy, and perfect for big groups. There's also a large unending field of grapes - which we definitely posed for an ungodly amount of photos in front of. Hermann J. Wiemer is definitely a wine institution well deserving of all the accolades that I will be visiting again next time I'm in upstate New York!

Wonderful tasting with Victor, an incredibly knowledgeable fellow, on a winter Friday afternoon…read more We tasted through the wines from rieslings to whites sparkling and red. Herman Wiemer is a gold standard in Finger Lakes wine and we thoroughly enjoyed. We had wine to compare the rest to in the Finger Lakes.

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Silver Thread Vineyard

4.1(34 reviews)

1.9 mi

Since taking over Danos It is quite an amazing tasting experience. Their Rieslings are beautiful…read moreThe views are incredible The service is excellent and they have food fare that is different and tasty. Everything about this beautiful place and beautiful location Is worth going to

The staff was extremely short and dismissive with our group. This was our 3rd stop on our tour and…read morewould recommend that they be taken off the tour. Not helpful with wine selection. They lacked customer service as the others in area. We wont be back!

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Our 2022 Riesling "Doyle Fournier Vineyard" got 91 points from Wine Enthusiast!

Shaw Vineyard

4.2(98 reviews)

4.0 mi

•$$$

What a disappointment! We arrived at 4:30, closing time is 5pm. We asked about a tasting and…read moreinstead of (owner/son) stating 'our last tasting begins at X time, but open tomorrow at X and would be happy to accommodate you then!' We we're told we could have a tasting. He asked for cash, we obliged. It was the FASTEST, rushed tasting experience in my life. It's a shame, three in our party liked some of the wines, but felt the owner was so rude that they didn't bother purchasing. We found it odd that most of the wines are older vintages like 2017. Made for good wine, but nothing was new! Exterior of building was ok, but the interior was dirty, disheveled, unorganized and not decorative! Avoid this winery unless you want to be treated rudely and don't mind a dirty tasting floor.

Best wine in the finger lakes! Staff was friendly and very knowledgeable! Appreciate that they…read moredon't try to mass produce and push out wine that isn't ready!