Ice Wines - need I say more? Sweet wine drinkers, this is the place to be without a doubt. (They…read morehave dry as well.) I enjoy the tastings here beside they as split into Dry and Sweet so I don't have to bother with dry wines. The grounds are stunning and so relaxing!

We had such a wonderful experience at Lakewood Vineyards! From the moment we walked in, everyone…read morewas incredibly welcoming and friendly. Even the adorable dogs on site made us feel at home. Monica led our wine tasting and truly made the experience. She was personable, knowledgeable, and took the time to teach us about Lakewood's history, their wines, and the winemaking process. Nothing ever felt rushed or focused on making a sale. Instead, you could genuinely feel the pride they have in what they produce and their love for wine, which made the tasting so much more enjoyable. They went above and beyond by telling us about upcoming events, recommending other places to visit and somewhere to grab lunch, and encouraging us to take our time walking through the vineyard and enjoying the property. We felt completely welcomed from beginning to end. I left not only happy with the wines we tried, but actually feeling like I had learned something and experienced a little piece of the Finger Lakes wine community. This is exactly what I hoped a wine tasting here would be like. I would absolutely come back and highly recommend Lakewood to anyone visiting Seneca Lake. A special thank you to Monica for making our visit so memorable!

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.

We came here as part of a wine tasting tour. The first winery we stopped at and we could not have…read morepicked better. The grounds were beautiful and the tasting room was elegant and beautiful. Our server/host was fantastic. He was friendly and informative. He didn't overwhelm us with details about the making of the wine until he realized I was interested in the nerdy stuff. The wines were excellent and I especially like being able to fast two of the wines that Paul Hobbs makes in California. I bought three of the just released 2024 vintage of the dry Riesling and should have bought more. This is definitely worth the stop. We all had a great time.

Great place. Nice ambiance. Very knowledgeable and personable staff. Sat at the bar with my…read moredaughter and got a nice education on the wines and the area in general.

Honestly, one of my least favorite wineries. My husband and I both did a tasting and did not like…read moreany of their wines, other than the welcome pour. We also felt like our hostess was pushy and trying too hard. Giving the winery two stars instead of one because it is cute inside and they had a cute winery kitty! Otherwise, I don't think this winery is worth it.

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

This father daughter duo is unmatched. They are both so personable and knowledgeable, able to make…read morerecommendations based on my preferences and were spot on. Loved everything I tried.

Stopped in for a wine tasting around 4:00. Beautiful tasting room with tables, high tops and a bar…read morearea. We were seated near the window with a view of the lake and vineyard. The tasting consisted of five wines and a few pieces of cheeses and crackers. We ended up also ordering a charcuterie board. The olives were amazing. All the wines were flavorful and refreshing. we also ended purchasing glass each. At the bottom of the building the have an outside bar also with an amazing view. Everyone was friendly and helpful!

We have our favorite wineries along the finger lakes but like to try a new one each trip. We tried…read moreAtwater for the first time and were pleased with the choice and will make it a regular stop on our wine tours. The tastings are served while seated at a table and each selection is thoughtfully explained by the expert staff. Atwater has some different approaches to wines and this can be a welcome change from the somewhat repetitive nature of wine tasting. They have a good selection of orange wines and these seem to be growing in popularity. The tasting room is large and looks like a restaurant and there is even a host to greet you at the door. There is an outdoor bar and seating area if you want to enjoy a beverage in the great outdoors

The staff were very friendly. The cheese was quite nice. The wine itself was good. You got to…read morechoose between a selection of 2 for most wines. Our tasting host was wonderful. Overall very decent wines. Would recommend for the fun experience

My favorite stop on our trip to Watkins Glen for wine tasting due to the store, service and cute…read moretasting area!!! Love that they also pair their wine tasting with cheese!!! Our pourer was great! Went on a Monday so ham not busy and she was super sweet and friendly. Couldn't help but buy some cheese and other wine themes items on top of wine we enjoyed.

Great simple spot with deli sandwiches, baked goods, and great wine. There are two buildings, one…read morewith food and the second being the wine tasting. The staff were all kind and very helpful. We went on a Wednesday, and there were a few stragglers but it was a small wait for food (totally worth it) and quick pours (I'm not complaining about that). It's only 13 minutes north from Watkins Glen, which made the drive back towards the gorge much more enjoyable. We started our wine tasting at Tabora. It was so enjoyable that I bought a bottle on the way out. Would do this again and would recommend for an affordable, picnic style, and an easy wine tasting.

Customizable tasting flight with a friendly staff. We originally did not have this on our list of…read moreplaces to go for tastings but stopped by because of their gluten free food options for a member of our party. The quiches were amazing particularly their cheddar and mixed vegetable one. There is an adorable store inside with many baked goods and plenty of meal options. The staff is nice is both the bakery and the wine store. They are helpful and kind. Their barrel aged aurore was so pleasant and light but round and smooth. We came 3 times for the food.

Came to this winery as a stop on our self guided Seneca Lake West Shore wine tour. As we pulled in,…read moreit was if we were driving through a mystical land filled with old dinosaur, animal and goblin statues. Once through the magical forest, you are greeted by a beautiful view of their vineyard and the rolling hills of the area. The staff was friendly. We chose to do a self guided wine tour with a flight of sweet and dry wines both $12 each (pictured). We found a quiet spot out on the back patio to enjoy our flights. We enjoyed the selected wines and service. We would happily return to try more.

Castel Grisch is a refreshingly unique/quirky place. Significantly more laid back and less…read morefancy/formal than the surrounding wineries, this place has a lot of fun statues both outside and inside. There is a giant dog, Leo who works there, and is so friendly and well behaved. The staff member doing our tasting was kind and attentive. The wine was on par with the area. Their rose actually tastes like strawberries which pleasantly surprised me. Amazing vibes the whole time

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!