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    J R Dill Winery

    4.3 (61 reviews)
    ModerateWineries
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    Payal P.

    This place has interesting flights. We got to sample 5 different wine samples. I really like the different variety of flights offered. I also liked how I could customize the flights based on what flavors I liked. The space in here is a pretty decent size. My only qualm with the place is no small snacks were offered at this winery. All snacks were offered at a cost.

    Sangria glass and wine
    Is A.

    Dog friendly inside and outside. Loved that they had a sangria option which was so yummy on a hot summer day. Saw families with kids stopping by and having some of their food offerings as well. Very nice and attentive staff.

    Wood carved Seneca Lake wine rack in the tasting room
    Claudia C.

    We have been to this winery a number of times, even attending a wine dinner there in the past. It is just beautiful here and located on a well, landscaped sloping hill. The giant corkscrew in the yard is a trademark. You can't miss it from the road. Being long-standing case club members, we received a free tasting from a sheet to guide you through your personal preferences. The flights were perfect and matched by number on your list, making it easy, even switching off and sharing. All we tasted were wonderful. The staff were really well versed in all the wines and history, you could sit at the bar and ask away anything about the wines and the history of this winery. At the tables, the conversation is what carries you through, discussing with each other about the wines. The servers will also talk to you but are busier than the bar setting. That was fine. This visit we bought a case of our favorite, dry white called Cayuga White Rise. It's just perfect. Plus a 20% discount! Oh, yes, they also have finger foods for purchase for you to enjoy and complement your wines. This winery has events throughout the year, with food and entertainment. Lots of fun for friends and family. We will definitely be back.

    a large wine opener on a tree stump
    Eric M.

    This was the last stop on our wine tasting tour. The setting was fabulous. The tasting room was nice, but the tasting itself bland...in more ways than one. When we arrived, we were handed a sheet with all the wines listed and told we could sit anywhere we liked. We were informed we could chose a set amount for the obligatory fee. No problem. We sat down, made our selections and the sheet was picked up and the wine delivered. No information. No background about the winery. Nothing about the wines themselves. I thought this was pretty standard procedure, but apparently not. The servers remained behind the counter, chatting throughout, checking on us once. Of the four of us in our group, nothing seemed to jump out as spectacular or demanding our purchase. We paid and left. Weird experience. It appears people have had wonderful experiences here based on the reviews, ours was not that. I'd pass next time we are in the area.

    Megna V.

    We popped in as it was on our way back to the air bnb. The wine opener outside was so cute. We went in and such a friendly vibe. They surprised my bf with 2 flights and I picked mine. My bf even got a shirt from here. If not for the wine our server Olivia was amazing. I even went inside to ask for the manager to say how great she was; that is very rare for me. I can count on one hand how many times I've done that.

    Sample flight
    Laura S.

    Calling all pickle girls! Have you ever had a wine pickle? Yeah, me either until it was shared with me at JR Dill. I'd like all pickles to be like this now! SERVICE: Something my husband and I appreciated about J R Dill was the laid back atmosphere. They allowed us to go at our own pace and didn't hover over explaining the wines at length. We asked questions and they were kind and helpful, but left us to enjoy the wine at our leisure. After a day (or several days!) of the same wine tasting experiences, this was a great break. ATMOSPHERE: casual space inside or outside. The front bar is donned with colorful glass. WINES: like any wines at the finger lakes, you're not in Napa and most of them are pretty sweet. But unlike some of the other places we visited, we enjoyed their whites. So much so that we left with a bottle of their rosé which really surprised us how delicious it was without being overly sweet. Pick up a bottle of rosé and jar of Cayuga pickles and you've done well!

    Jackie M.

    This place was great. The staff was very helpful and the wine was super tasty. They also had barbecue sauces for us to sample.

    Flight
    Julia T.

    I went here with my husband, baby, and 2 dogs and we really enjoyed it. We sat on the deck which had a nice ambiance and views, and enjoyed 2 wine flights. Then when checking out we got the flights comped because we bought a few bottles of wine. We also enjoyed a few appetizers of hummus and spinach dip that were excellent. Overall a really nice experience and our two servers were excellent!

    Monica D.

    Cute place at the south end of the wine trail on Seneca Lake with a really nice tasting and little snacks to buy. If you buy a bottle you get your tasting money back ($5) I bought 2 bottles and a jar of pickled string beans.

    Our wine tasting for the day!
    Cheryl M.

    Loved this place! Kevin and staff were amazing. They greeted us with warm smiles and brought water out for our dogs. Kevin was an outstanding host in regards to his knowledge of the wines and the region. We loved that our dogs were welcome to join us in our wine tasting adventure. Huge plus!!! We will definitely go back next time we visit the area.

    Nate T.

    JR is a must stop for me each time I'm in Watkins Glen. The tasting room inside is spacious and the people pouring for you are awesome. They also have a fantastic deck in the front with wonderful lake views. Also-I was lucky enough for a little tour of their winemaking facilities in the back! Wine wise-I'm a red fan, so my review comes mostly from those. They're great. If you're new to the FLX wine experience, don't sleep on the reds up here! The region may be known for their whites, but the Cab Sauv/Cab Franc blend I purchased at JR Dill is spectacular and I can't wait to open it with dinner soon.

    Jabber Waulkie (a sweet red wine)

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    4 years ago

    A nice wine selection and a wonderful patio. We enjoyed our time here with our pups. I would definitely head back on our next trip up!

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    Excellent customer service and delicious wines. We ordered flights, mine were red and husbands were white. Cheese curds were delicious

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    Ask the Community - J R Dill Winery

    Review Highlights - J R Dill Winery

    Cute place at the south end of the wine trail on Seneca Lake with a really nice tasting and little snacks to buy.

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    Finger Lakes Distilling

    Finger Lakes Distilling

    4.4(84 reviews)
    2.7 mi
    $$

    Our next stop of the day took us to our first distillery visit of the trip, and wow--Finger Lakes…read moreDistilling did not disappoint. What surprised us most? This was our very first time visiting, and we hadn't even realized they had been established since 2007! Knowing that they had been perfecting their craft for over 17 years, we were eager to dive into the tasting experience and see what they had to offer. The tasting room had a laid-back yet polished feel, with a friendly and knowledgeable staff ready to guide us through their lineup of small-batch, handcrafted spirits. The distillery prides itself on using locally sourced grains and fruits, and you could tell from the first sip that quality and attention to detail were at the heart of their process. The Tasting Lineup I opted for a tasting of four different spirits, and after enjoying those, I was encouraged to try two more--a bonus that made the experience even better. Here's what I sampled: 1 Straight Bourbon - This was beautifully balanced, with sweet corn and vanilla upfront, followed by a warming spicy rye kick on the finish. Smooth yet complex, it was a fantastic introduction to their bourbon lineup. 2 Bottled-in-Bond Bourbon - A true standout, this one had rich caramel and toasted oak flavors, along with the perfect balance of spice and warmth. Aged for at least four years and bottled at 100 proof, it had a bold yet refined character that made it easy to appreciate. 3 McKenzie Straight Rye - If you're a fan of rye whiskey, this one is for you. It had that signature spicy rye bite, but what really made it unique was the sweet sherry cask finish, adding a layer of richness and complexity that lingered beautifully. 4 Bottled-in-Bond Rye - One of the most interesting pours of the day, this rye was bursting with flavors of chocolate, nougat, and dried red fruit. The influence of the barrel aging was prominent, giving it a decadent, almost dessert-like quality while still holding onto its classic rye spice. After those four, I couldn't resist trying two additional spirits: 5 Apple Brandy (Aged 10 Years) - A masterfully aged apple brandy that showcased deep, caramelized apple flavors, balanced with warm baking spices and oak influence. The 10 years in the barrel really allowed this spirit to develop incredible depth and smoothness. 6 Grappa - This was an unexpected favorite--simply sensational. Grappa can sometimes be overpowering, but this one was smooth, refined, and packed with rich grape flavors, making it one of the best versions I've tried. Taking a Piece of Finger Lakes Distilling Home While every single pour was impressive, the one that stood out the most for me was the Straight Bourbon--so much so that I had to bring a bottle home. It reminded me of a classic Rye Whiskey, with just enough spice to keep things interesting but smooth enough to sip neat. Final Thoughts Finger Lakes Distilling far exceeded expectations, and I can't believe it took us this long to visit! With their commitment to quality, incredible range of spirits, and inviting tasting experience, this is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Finger Lakes region--whether you're a bourbon lover, rye enthusiast, or just appreciate finely crafted spirits. It was the perfect stop to break up a day of wineries and breweries, offering something distinctly different yet equally enjoyable. Next time, I'd love to stay a little longer, maybe sip on a whiskey cocktail and take in the atmosphere even more. Cheers to great whiskey and new discoveries!

    I had a good feeling I was going to like Finger Lakes Distilling, but I didn't realize how much I…read morewould love it. Had tried their McKensie bourbon at a bar or top and liked it, so was happy that it was on the itinerary of our wine and spirits tour. The space, like most wineries/distilleries/breweries up here, overlooks a lake (Seneca in this case) which is very scenic. Inside of the place was very nice and the staff could not be friendlier. I can't underscore the importance of the latter. Selection here is awesome. Some places make 2 bourbons and call themselves a distillery. These guys do whiskey, gin, vodka, varietals and other specialty stuff. I focused on the whiskeys which were awesome. I can see why these guys have won so many medals. I tried the small batch, cannoli infused bourbon, applejack, rye, straight bourbon, bottled in bond, single malt and Applejack. Everything was at least noteworthy. Single malt was awesome, which is the biggest thing I look for as the true test of a distillery. They had just started making the applejack, and it one of these best I've tried. People don't what the hell this is, but it's basically cider-based whiskey; it's great for cooking, drinking and was the first American-invented spirit going back to colonial times. Don't sleep on it. Only one I wish I had tried was the pot stilled, but I had enough to know it's probably good. I took home the applejack and the single malt, as those are really my go to's, however there was a lot worth trying. Also nice to see them offer number of cool cocktail options for those less inclined to drink pure alcohol. We ended the visit with some cigars infused with their cordials, which were an awesome surprise. This place is destination worthy. People think of wine when they think Finger Lakes, but there's more up here than that. This places exemplifies that. Will be back, and will buy their stuff locally.

    Photos
    Finger Lakes Distilling - My vodka spritzer with blueberry and ginger.

    My vodka spritzer with blueberry and ginger.

    Finger Lakes Distilling - Blueberries were a nice touch

    Blueberries were a nice touch

    Finger Lakes Distilling

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    J R Dill Winery - wineries - Updated May 2026

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