Wine Tasting Tours in Finger Lakes
United States · 5-6 hours · Max 6 guests
From $125/person
The Finger Lakes is America's premier cool-climate wine region — eleven long, narrow glacial lakes in upstate New York, with 130+ wineries clustered around Seneca, Cayuga, and Keuka Lakes. The region is famous for Riesling (the best in North America), Gewürztraminer, dry rosé, and increasingly elegant Cabernet Franc. The lakes moderate the cold winters and short summers, creating a microclimate where European Vinifera grapes thrive in a region that should be too cold for them.
Book a Tour in Finger Lakes
Choose the experience that suits your group.
Standard Tour
Small group · Up to 6 guests
$149/person
- ✓Expert local guide
- ✓Transport between wineries
- ✓Tastings at 4-5 wineries
- ✓Max 6 guests
Private Tour
Your group only · Custom itinerary
$299/person
- ✓Expert local guide
- ✓Transport between wineries
- ✓Tastings at 4-5 wineries
- ✓Custom itinerary for your group
Tour Options
| Tier | Price | Duration | Group Size | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LocalTastingTours | $125 per person | 5-6 hours | Max 6 | Small-group Seneca Lake tour, 3 wineries with transport |
| Local wine trails | $25–$60 per person | Self-paced | Self-driven | Pre-set lake loops with tasting punch cards |
| Self-Drive | $15–$40 per person | Self-paced | Any | Maximum flexibility — tasting fees are very low |
LocalTastingTours
$125 per person
5-6 hours · Max 6
Best for: Small-group Seneca Lake tour, 3 wineries with transport
Local wine trails
$25–$60 per person
Self-paced · Self-driven
Best for: Pre-set lake loops with tasting punch cards
Self-Drive
$15–$40 per person
Self-paced · Any
Best for: Maximum flexibility — tasting fees are very low
What to Expect
Book your tour
Choose dates and group size. We confirm appointments at small-production estates.
Meet your guide
Hotel pickup in Geneva, Watkins Glen, or Ithaca. Orientation on the lakes and the Riesling styles.
Visit 3 wineries
Deliberate selection along Seneca Lake — a Riesling icon, a sparkling specialist, and a Cabernet Franc producer.
Lunch and return
Lunch at a winery or lakeside restaurant. Return transfer with a discussion of the region's emerging styles.
Best Time to Visit Finger Lakes for Wine Tasting
Late September through October for harvest and fall foliage — the most magical season. Mid-summer (July-August) is busy and warm. Spring is muddy and quiet. Winter is closed at many wineries but offers wine + snow shoulder-season specials.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Finger Lakes good for Riesling?
How does Finger Lakes Riesling compare to German Riesling?
What other wines are made here?
Which lake is best to visit?
When is the best time to visit?
Free Finger Lakes Wine Guide
The insider's guide to Finger Lakes wine tasting — best wineries, what to skip, local tips.
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