How We Categorize Wineries
Our small team travels to visit and taste at as many wineries as possible to provide firsthand information based on our personal experiences. When time doesn't allow for a tasting, we’ll often stop by for a visit and to pick up a bottle for later. At the very least, we conduct thorough online research to give you concise and accurate information.
While we focus on the facts, a few of our categories are more subjective. We think this makes the website more valuable for our users. Click on the categories below to see how we evaluate each one.
We consider:
- Proximity to other wineries. Our website primarily focuses on planning winery tours, so we consider it advantageous when wineries are located in clusters and within around 15 minutes of each other.
- On the main route. Most of the lakes have a main route or trail along each shore that visitors generally follow when touring wineries. We give higher rating to wineries with an entrance on that route. If a winery isn't on the main route, we consider how far off the route it is, and whether there are signs on the route directing you when to turn.
- Well-marked and easy to find. Is the entrance easy to spot, or could you miss it? If you were just driving along the main route without a specific destination, would the winery catch your eye?
We consider:
- Lake, vineyard, or both. This is the most important factor, and the best views will include both the lake and vineyard.
- Perspective. Some wineries are close to the lake and at a low elevation, so you don't get as wide or far a view.
- Obstructions. Is it a clear view, or is it obstructed by trees or houses?
- Roads and parking. Roads and parking areas detract from the quality of the view.
We consider:
- The maximum group size the winery will accept without reservations. Typically, this number is 6-8.
- The maximum group size the winery will accept with reservations. This varies greatly, but many wineries will accept up to 12 if you contact them and make arrangements. Some wineries accept much larger groups.
- Are buses and limos allowed on the property? Many wineries do not allow buses and limos in their parking lot.
- Does the winery have enough indoor space for groups? Often, wineries accept groups, but they must sit outdoor, which isn't ideal in inclement weather.
- Does the winery have dedicated space for groups? It's nice for large groups to have their own room.
- Does the winery provide guided tastings for groups, or is it self-guided flights only?
Most Finger Lakes wineries are dog-friendly, allowing dogs in their outdoor spaces. However, we only label a winery
as 'Dog Friendly' if they welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs inside the tasting room. It's important to note that
when dogs aren't allowed indoors, it's usually due to New York state health regulations, not the winery's preference.
Service animals are always permitted, as required by the ADA.
| Possible Values |
|---|
|
Yes
|
|
Outdoor Only
|
|
No
|
Some wineries have a unique theme that goes beyond just wine, viticulture, or the Finger Lakes vibe. These
spots can be fun and interesting to check out, so we make sure to note them when we can.
We think wine tasting is always fun, but some wineries take a more serious approach to the wine and tasting
experience, while others focus on keeping things relaxed and fun.
- At more serious wineries, tastings can be very informative and educational, where you learn about their winemaking process and what makes them unique. You may get to try single-vineyard or vintage tastings for comparison. There's usually not a lot of distractions from the wine.
- Other wineries are more about kicking back and enjoying the vibe. They may offer more than just wine, like beer or wine slushies. The wine labels could feature fun characters or themes, and there’s often live music.
| Possible Values |
|---|
| Mostly Serious |
| More Serious than Fun |
| Balanced Fun and Serious |
| More Fun than Serious |
| Mostly Fun |
Everyone’s palate is different—some wine lovers crave crisp, bone-dry whites or structured,
tannic reds, while others prefer fruit-forward wines with a sweeter finish. To help you plan a wine
tour that suits your taste, we’ve created a simple classification system that ranks each
winery based on the general style of their offerings, from dry to sweet.
While most Finger Lakes wineries offer a mix of both, this guide highlights each winery’s overall lean, making it easier for you to choose stops that match your personal preferences.
While most Finger Lakes wineries offer a mix of both, this guide highlights each winery’s overall lean, making it easier for you to choose stops that match your personal preferences.
| Possible Values |
|---|
| Mostly Dry |
| More Dry than Sweet |
| Balanced Dry and Sweet |
| More Sweet than Dry |
| Mostly Sweet |
In the Finger Lakes, some wineries shine with crisp, aromatic whites like Riesling and
Gewürztraminer, while others are making a name for themselves with bold, expressive reds like
Cabernet Franc and Pinot Noir. To help you tailor your tasting adventure, we’ve organized wineries
by their general focus on red vs. white wines.
This guide isn’t about absolutes—many wineries offer a diverse selection—but it gives you a helpful sense of where each tasting room leans, so you can explore the styles you love most.
This guide isn’t about absolutes—many wineries offer a diverse selection—but it gives you a helpful sense of where each tasting room leans, so you can explore the styles you love most.
| Possible Values |
|---|
| Mostly Red |
| More Red than White |
| Balanced Red and White |
| More White than Red |
| Mostly White |
Lowest-priced non-discounted bottle of any style Riesling. Since almost every winery in the area makes
a Riesling, we provide this as a rough comparison of wine prices.
Plated food; we generally don't consider packaged cheese, meat, chips, etc. Practically every winery in the area
has some bagged snacks for sale to soak up the wine.