The lovely man who did our tasting was so friendly and so knowledgeable. He absolutely elevated the…read moreexperience into the next level. He was attentive but not pushy and seemed to love his job genuinely so much. The view was absolutely gorgeous and the wines were lovely. I appreciated how they gave us some from the region as well as from other wineries owned by the same owner of Hillick and Hobbs. The ambiance was lovely and they let us select where to sit which I very much appreciated.

The winery is beautiful and the 21 Reisling is wonderful. The only thing I never understand with a…read morebeautiful setting like this is having some soft music playing to add to the ambiance. It would be great if owners of places like this understood that music and atmosphere make people stay and spend more money with very little long term investment. Also kind of odd these places are not open until at least 7 in the summer on a Thursday. Still a great place to check out near Watkins Glen!

Talk about excellent service and wine!!! The other half and I did a tasting. Our server was awesome…read moreand funny! We ended up buying 6 bottles of wine! Can't wait to crack one open with dessert tonight! Parking lot was easy in and out and building had a great horseshoe bar that gave you plenty of space

Silver Springs Winery was such a trip in the best way possible. Total hippy vibes, tie-dye…read moreeverywhere, and some of the most unexpectedly deep convos with the artsy owner and his anime-loving daughter. Also: incredible views of the vineyard through their open back area. All the wines are dangerously drinkable. Super fruit-forward, super sweet, and tasted almost exactly like juice - until you remember they're rocking a sneaky 14%. Proceed with caution (or not). Definitely one of the more memorable and quirky stops we made. Come for the wine, stay for the stories and energy.

I went here on a Sunday with a group of 11 for brunch. As I…read morewalked in the building is an old restored timber frame building. Very impressive. Our waitress was very prompt and helpful. I was amazed that she could take care of 11 people. I ordered the biscuits and gravy. They were very good. My wife got the quiche and she said it was good. They had a very nice selection of beer and wines. The view was amazing.

Amazing food and ambience with a view of Seneca Lake. Only tried the Sauvignon blanc but it was…read moredelightful!

I went here with three buddies for a tasting. We all had…read moresomething different. Everything we tried was great!! We just had the bar mix for food. Our waitress was very nice. I think all 4 of us left with bottles.

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!

This place is awesome! The view is incredible and the owner/winemaker was so knowledgeable and…read morewelcoming. And all of the wines we tried were delicious, we had trouble deciding which one to buy! I highly recommend!

My husband and I stopped by Osmote Wine a week or so ago when we spent the Fourth of July in the…read moreFinger Lakes. It was one of the three wineries we stopped at, and we had a great visit. Osmote is a small winery, with a focus on what they call "low-impact wines": natural fermentation, low-intervention, classic varieties and modern disease-resistant hybrids... The property is beautiful, with a great view of Seneca Lake. It's a sort of covered pavilion but open on all sides - very open to nature. They offer their wines by the glass or as part of a tasting ($20/person for 4 2-oz. pours). My husband had one glass, while I went with a tasting. I enjoyed all of the wines, and we took a few bottles home with us. The service was great - friendly, casual, helpful - the doggie employee/greeter was a charmer, too. Osmote also produces pork, and you can visit the pigs they're raising which are just down the hill from the winery. Osmote is a great winery to visit on your trip to the Finger Lakes if you're looking for a natural wine producer with a casual, outdoor setup for tastings, Osmore is a no brainer. I'm looking forward to drinking the bottles we brought home, but I'd love to return for another visit in the future, too!

Great wine, ambiance and service! A wonderful all around experience! We will definitely be back.read more

Newly open spot, don't let the lack of reviews or pics stop you from visiting - one of my favorite…read morespots on my trip. Beautiful view of the lake - enjoy the view of sailboats and birds as you sip your wine. Worth the drop in. Thank you Joe and Hunter for your beautiful views and conversation!

Catherine Valley Winery is located just outside of Watkins Glen on the east side of Seneca Lake…read more Mini flights are $12 and are enough to catch a bit of a buzz. If you wanted to just taste a sip of wine, I'm not sure how that works. I am into sweeter whites these days, and the four I tried did not disappoint. I had riesling (good but not extraordinary), Lost Irishman, Seneca Steamer (I enjoyed these both equally), and Viva (sparkling). The ambiance is the best part - the patio overlooking the lake is lovely. We enjoyed our wine while taking in the scenery. We purchased two bottles of wine and one hard cider, and they were all $19, The bathroom could use an update, but that was my only quibble. CV isn't the fanciest Finger Lakes winery but it's relaxing and enjoyable.

We have been coming to this winery for over 10 years. It's very small so don't expect anything…read morefancy like the other ones on the trail. Seating is limited as well as food. But they have the best wine and the best view in my opinion. Either you will love it or hate it. ‍ Sweet Revenge Lost irishman And their cider is my favorite if they have their ginger cider available that's a 10/10 also!

Amongst winery after winery after winery, Solera is such a refreshing stop for an AMAZING on tap…read morelist, good cocktails, games, and really good food. A great variety on tap such as Trillium and Fidens. Fun cocktails like an Orange crush which brings me back to beach vibes and lavender lemonades. They have darts, a selection of board games, outdoor seating and stage in the summer time. I got the cuban which had a perfect crust to it and their fries are SOLID. There's a reason it's always crowded!

Solera Tap House is a hidden gem in the Finger Lakes. From the moment you walk in, you're welcomed…read moreby a relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff, and an impressive selection of craft beers, cocktails, and local beverages. The food is outstanding--everything is fresh, flavorful, and thoughtfully prepared. The wings are some of the best around, and the menu offers something for everyone. Whether you're stopping in after a day at the wineries or looking for a place to relax with friends, Solera delivers a great experience every time. The outdoor seating area adds to the charm, especially during the warmer months. Excellent service, great drinks, delicious food, and a fun, laid-back vibe make this a must-visit spot. We came for dinner and trivia and ended up meeting Caroline. She was a Rockstar behind the bar and was quick to offer great suggestions. Tom ran trivia and endured everyone had fun. Even though we were riding the "Struggle Bus" we ended up winning. We'll definitely be back!

Definitely a must do!! So many winery's all good. Brought home 24 assort bottles and several types…read moreof ice wines!!

Enjoyable time. Friendly knowledgeable people. Great wine tasting experience. I bought several…read morebottles of wine both sweet and dry.

Set sail for True Love, a truly enjoyable time!…read more Bottom Line Up Front: We had a wonderful, relaxing, and fun time for a good price. The Good: The history of the John Alden designed schooner is worth reading before you go. We had some more "salty" members of our group that recognized the name of the schooner from the 1956 movie "High Society" starring Bing Crosby, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra and after that we were on board for a wonderful time. We even were seated in the seats once occupied by Gene and Bing. We purchased our tickets after being approached by Terry who negotiated a decent price with us because he wanted a full boat for the next trip. Captain Bill was an experienced Captain and is well known in the area. He got us underway and was a delightful host regaling us with stories about the "True Love", Seneca Lake and surroundings, as well as, some stories about racing the "True Love" and his crew, Spencer and Marena. Captain Bill even assisted another sailing boat that was in distress and precariously close to the lake edge. The trip was two hours long and on time. The crew served non-alcoholic and adult beverages (some free, some for a price) while underway and also sold some souvenirs (Whisky and glasses). The Bad: There was nothing bad, from start to finish, this was a very enjoyable trip and the crew definitely enjoyed sharing their love of the "Trie Love" with the joyful passengers. The Ugly: Absolutely nothing other than we could not be out for longer. If you find yourself in Watkins Glen, this is definitely an enjoyable to kick back, relax, and let the wind fill your sails. They say a picture is worth 1000 words, so I am going to end my post with a few that we snapped along the way. May you have fair winds, and following lake waters!

Excellent sailing experience The crew was great and was…read morevery eager to make sure we had a great time The boat was in excellent condition