As of 2025, the typical wine tasting in the Finger Lakes costs $10–$15 for a flight of 4–5 pours, each about 1–2 ounces. Prices can vary slightly, with some tastings available for less, and others costing more depending on the experience offered.

Several wineries offer enhanced tastings that include small bites such as bread, cheese, crackers, charcuterie, or curated food pairings. These pairing-style tastings typically range from $20–$25, and are a great way to explore how the wines interact with food.

Always check the winery’s website in advance for current pricing and tasting options.

It depends on the winery and the style of tasting, but around 1 hour is a safe estimate for a typical sit-down, guided tasting, leaving a little time to purchase some bottles. Some may be shorter or longer depending on how detailed the experience is.

For self-guided flights, it’s entirely up to you—they’re non-interactive, so you can take your time or move quickly.

A helpful tip: check the winery’s page on our site and look at the “Atmosphere” rating, which ranges from Fun to Serious. In general:

• Wineries on the Fun end of the scale tend to have quicker, more casual tastings—often 45 minutes or less.
• Wineries on the Serious end usually offer deeper, more structured experiences that take an hour or more.

Always check the winery’s website for specifics or tasting guides before you go.

Yes! It’s quite common for couples or friends to share a tasting, and we’ve rarely encountered a winery that has an issue with it. It’s a great way to sample without overindulging, especially if you’re visiting multiple wineries in one day.

In many cases, yes—a number of wineries will refund one tasting fee with the purchase of two or more bottles. However, policies vary by winery, so it’s always a good idea to ask during your visit or check their website in advance.

Tipping is not always required at wineries, but it’s definitely appreciated—especially if you’ve received a guided tasting or personalized service. A good rule of thumb is to tip $1–$2 per tasting or 10–20% of the tasting fee, depending on the level of service.

If your host goes above and beyond—offering extra pours, detailed explanations, or helping you choose bottles—leaving a tip is a great way to show your appreciation. For private or group tastings, a standard gratuity may already be included, so it’s worth checking in advance.

We recommend visiting 3 to 5 wineries per day, depending on how leisurely you want your pace to be. That allows time to enjoy each tasting, ask questions, take in the views, and maybe buy a few bottles—without feeling rushed or overwhelmed.

If you’re including lunch, travel time, and perhaps a longer guided experience, closer to 3 is ideal. For a more casual day with shorter, self-guided flights, you might be able to comfortably fit in 4 or 5.

Remember: tasting is about savoring, not speeding. A relaxed pace makes for a better experience—and a safer one if you’re driving.

While there’s no obligation to buy wine after a tasting, it’s strongly encouraged if you enjoyed the wine.

Wineries in the Finger Lakes are more like working farms than bars. Their purpose is to introduce visitors to the wines they produce, with the hope that you’ll take home a few bottles you loved. Tastings help you explore what suits your palate—not just to drink, but to discover.

If you didn’t find something you truly enjoyed, feel free to thank your host and move on—there’s no pressure to purchase. But if a wine stands out to you, buying a bottle is a great way to support the winery and the region’s craft.

Scenic views are subjective, but based on our extensive touring, the best winery views typically feature both the lake and vineyards, seen from a high vantage point. We consider factors like unobstructed sightlines, minimal road or parking lot interference, and a broad perspective. Wineries perched on hillsides with clear views of the lake and vines tend to offer the most stunning backdrops for your tasting.

• Wineries With a Beautiful View: Map / List
• Wineries with the Best View: Map / List

While the Finger Lakes is best known for producing outstanding Riesling, most of it is actually dry. That said, there are still many excellent producers of sweet Riesling, as well as sweet wines made from native and hybrid grapes that thrive in the region.

You can search by this criteria on our site to find the best matches for your taste.

Here are two quick links to get you started:

• Wineries That Are Good for Sweet Wine: Map / List
• Wineries That Feature Sweet Wine: Map / List

The Finger Lakes is actually known for its dry wines, so you’ll have plenty of options. In fact, there’s more dry wine than sweet produced across the region. You can search by this criteria on our site to find your perfect fit.

Here are two quick links to get you started:

• Wineries That Are Good for Dry Wine: Map / List
• Wineries That Feaure Dry Wine: Map / List

The Finger Lakes is best known for its world-class Riesling, which thrives in the region’s cool climate and lake-influenced microclimates. While many associate Riesling with sweetness, you’ll actually find far more dry Riesling than sweet.

Beyond Riesling, the region also produces excellent white wines like Grüner Veltliner, Gewürztraminer, and Chardonnay.

For red wine lovers, Cabernet Franc stands out as the signature red varietal, often joined by Pinot Noir and Merlot. The region also excels at making dry Rosé, typically from Cabernet Franc or Pinot Noir, which benefits from the Finger Lakes’ naturally high acidity and cool growing conditions.

In recent years, sparkling wines have also gained momentum in the region, made in both the traditional Champagne method and the more rustic, naturally fizzy pét-nat (pétillant naturel) style. These high-acid, vibrant wines are well-suited to the cool-climate grapes grown here and are increasingly popular among both producers and visitors.

While some Finger Lakes wineries produce Cabernet Sauvignon or Sauvignon Blanc, these grapes are traditionally grown in warmer climates, like California, and don’t thrive as well in the cool-climate conditions of this region. As a result, these wines can be harder to find—and when available, they may not match the profile you’re used to.

We often see visitors disappointed when they seek out their usual favorites and compare them directly to warm-climate versions. Instead, we strongly encourage you to explore the varietals the Finger Lakes does best, like Riesling, Cabernet Franc, Grüner Veltliner, dry Rosé, and sparkling wines. You might be surprised by what you discover when you leave expectations behind and taste what the region is truly known for.

Yes! Our Winery Search Page lets you easily search for wineries that serve food, including those with more substantial options beyond packaged snacks.

Almost every winery offers some basic bagged snacks—like chips, crackers, or packaged cheese and meats—to help soak up the wine. But if you’re looking for plated food, many wineries serve charcuterie boards, light bites, or sandwiches during tastings.

You can also search specifically for wineries with a restaurant-level experience, including on-site cafés, delis, or full-service restaurants—perfect if you’re planning a meal as part of your wine tour.

Many Finger Lakes wineries are dog-friendly, especially in their outdoor areas. However, some go a step further and welcome well-behaved, leashed dogs inside the tasting room. You can find these by searching on our site using the “Dog Friendly” category.

Yes! Many wineries in the Finger Lakes also offer alternative adult beverages such as local craft beer, hard cider, and even cocktails made with regional spirits. In the warmer months, sweet wine slushies are especially popular. You can use this website to search by beverage type and find spots that cater to a variety of tastes:

• Wineries that offer beer
• Wineries that offer spirits
• Wineries that offer slushies
• Wineries that are also a distillery
• Wineries that are also a brewery

The best place to stay really depends on which wineries you plan to visit. A smart strategy is to book accommodations near the top or bottom of a lake, which gives you easier access to wineries on both sides. Popular home bases include Watkins Glen, Geneva, Hammondsport, and Penn Yan—all charming towns with great lodging and dining options.

To plan your route, check out our full map of Finger Lakes wineries to get the lay of the land, then use our winery search to decide which stops to include on your tour.

The Finger Lakes offers a great wine tasting experience year-round, but late spring through fall is the most popular and scenic time to visit.

• May–June brings mild weather, blooming vineyards, and smaller crowds—ideal for relaxed tastings.
• July–August is peak season, with warm weather, lake activities, and a lively atmosphere. Expect more visitors and the need for reservations.
• September–October is harvest season and arguably the best time to visit. The fall foliage adds incredible beauty, and you’ll catch winemakers in action.
• November–April is the off-season, but many wineries remain open. You’ll enjoy quieter tasting rooms, personal attention, and occasional winter events or holiday specials.

No matter when you go, planning ahead—especially for weekends—is key to making the most of your trip.

Most Finger Lakes wineries are open year-round, though many reduce their hours during the off-season. It’s common for wineries to shift to Thursday–Sunday schedules in the winter months, and some may temporarily close for a few weeks.

Our website keeps up-to-date information on current hours and temporary closures to help you plan.

Visiting in the winter can actually be an advantage—tasting rooms are quieter, and you’re more likely to receive personalized attention from knowledgeable staff or even the winemakers themselves.

You don’t need to stick to an official wine trail—creating your own itinerary is often the best way to tailor your experience to your tastes and schedule. While the Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga Lake wine trails offer curated suggestions, keep in mind that these trails are paid marketing organizations, and some excellent wineries choose not to participate because of the membership fees.

That said, whether or not a winery is on a trail should not influence your decision to visit—many fantastic spots operate independently. Use our winery search and interactive map to explore all the region has to offer and build a tour that’s perfect for you.

There are four main ways to get around the Finger Lakes wine region, depending on your group size, comfort level, and budget:

• Book a car service with a driver
  This is one of the most popular and stress-free options. Many transportation companies in the region offer town cars, vans, or even buses for larger groups.

• Hire a driver to drive your car
  Some travelers prefer the comfort and familiarity of their own vehicle. In this case, you can hire a professional driver to operate your car for the day. It’s often more affordable than a full-service transportation package.

• Ride the Lakeside Trolley
  Based in Watkins Glen, the Lakeside Trolley is a hop-on, hop-off service that runs along both the east and west sides of Seneca Lake. It’s a fun and flexible option if your itinerary centers around that area. Be sure to reserve tickets in advance.

• Drive yourself
  This is the go-to choice for many experienced tasters. If you’re going this route, the key is to take it slow—sip, don’t drink. Make sure to eat throughout the day, and remember that the purpose of a wine tasting is to sample and discover, not to consume large amounts.

While a few wineries are technically within walking distance of each other, most are spread out along rural roads without sidewalks, and you generally won’t see people walking between them. That said, if you stick to the wineries and breweries located in-town, walking is a great option—especially in places like Watkins Glen or Geneva, where some locations are clustered together.

Yes, we maintain a list of Wineries with a Boat Dock.

Yes we maintain a list of Wineries with a Wedding Venue.