Raise a Glass: Your Guide to the Finger Lakes’ Award-Winning Wine Scene

A season by season guide to planning vineyard tours in the 
Finger Lakes “Wine Region of the Year” moment.

Noah Howard, Tour Cayuga PR Manager

Wine Enthusiast named the Finger Lakes the 2025 American Wine Region of the Year, praising a region where quality is now the norm and innovation keeps pushing forward.

The magazine points to more than 140 wineries and more than 10,000 acres under vine, shaped by both newcomers and multigenerational families. As stated in Wine Enthusiast, “The rolling hills that fringe 11 long, deep lakes at the center of the Empire State are home to a plethora of world-class wineries that craft vibrant Riesling of all shapes and sizes; herbaceous Cabernet Franc; red-fruited Blaufränkisch; a kaleidoscope of sparklers; and so much more. Add to this an increase in wine-tourism offerings, breathtaking lakeside vistas, and enchanting waterfalls, and the vibes in the Finger Lakes are entirely grown up.” 

Think of this as Tour Cayuga in the Finger Lakes planning guide. Two to three winery stops in a day is usually perfect, especially if you build in time for lakeside dining.

Spring

Spring is for discovery. The pace is calmer and tasting room conversations tend to go longer. It is also a great time to visit before peak weekends arrive.

Union Springs is a great spring base. Heart & Hands Wine Company—a NYS state certified sustainable winery—is a thoughtful stop for visitors who enjoy learning and want a sense of the cool climate styles behind the region’s rise. Nearby, Quarry Ridge Winery pairs Cayuga Lake views with an experience that naturally fits guided tastings and questions.

For a visit that feels personal by design, CJS Vineyards offers an appointment minded, small-scale experience that rewards curiosity. And if you want Cayuga County’s tiniest, most distinctive wine story, Fire Lane 6 Winery, on the shores of Owasco Lake, belongs on the list precisely because it does not feel like a conventional tasting room stop. Instead of a traditional tasting room, you will most often find them out in the community at events and festivals throughout the year, including regular Wednesday appearances at the Owasco Farmers Market. It is the kind of place you seek out when you want to say, “We found something.”

Spring cue: go earlier in the day and call ahead for groups.

Summer

Summer is when winery visits become full afternoons. Outdoor seating and long daylight make it the easiest season to satisfy mixed groups.

Treleaven Wines in King Ferry is built for this. Also a NYS state certified sustainable winery, it plays like a gathering place as much as a winery, and it is a strong pick when your group wants options, with an in-house professional chef, a spacious dining area, and a little buzz. Close by, Bright Leaf Vineyard delivers the Cayuga Lake summer formula: open views, relaxed pacing, and a setting that invites you to stay awhile.

If you want to anchor the middle of the day with lunch, Long Point Winery in Aurora keeps the itinerary simple. Amelia’s Deli on site serves a full menu of sandwiches and platters, including items on homemade focaccia, with Long Point wines by the glass for easy pairings.

For a quieter summer memory, Izzo’s White Barn Winery in Cayuga has the warm feel of a countryside retreat, and it comes with a signature detail visitors remember: the beautiful grounds and large pond, Lake Lorraine, named after co-owner Lorraine Izzo. Izzo’s is also Wheel the World Destination Verified, which helps travelers plan with confidence using measured accessibility information. 

To round out the day with something different, Giancarelli Brothers Winery in Weedsport adds a farm-based, fruit-forward stop that fits warm weather perfectly. Their lineup includes wines made with fruits like blueberry, cranberry, and apple, a reminder that wine country here is also harvest country.

Summer cue: give yourselves time to linger. Choose two stops and a lunch anchor, then let the third be optional.

Fall

Fall is the Finger Lakes payoff. Harvest energy meets peak color, and the landscape turns even a simple tasting into an occasion. It is also the busiest season, so planning matters.

If visitors want the serious wine side of Cayuga County, fall is prime time for Union Springs. Heart & Hands and Quarry Ridge both shine when vineyard talk feels connected to what you see outside, and when a guided tasting helps explain why the region is getting national attention. 

Then choose the mood you want. Treleaven brings harvest season momentum. Bright Leaf leans scenic and unhurried. Long Point keeps everything smooth by doubling as a built in lunch stop, especially helpful on busy weekends.

For a quieter counterbalance, CJS Vineyards offers a smaller, more personal visit. Izzo’s often becomes the “postcard” moment once the leaves turn golden around Lake Lorraine. Giancarelli Brothers is worth keeping on the list in fall too, when seasonal flavor and farm identity feel perfectly aligned with autumn travel.

Fall cue: book earlier than you think and consider a weekday.

A North Shore Detour Worth Planning

After you explore Cayuga Lake, widen the map. Cayuga County’s wine story continues north toward Lake Ontario, and it deserves its own half day.

Sterling Valley Vineyard in Sterling is the newest name in the county’s winery lineup. The Lake Ontario Wine Trail notes it opened in 2025, which makes 2026 its first full year of visitors building traditions around it. It is also experience forward right out of the gate, with bookable tastings, slushie experiences, and vineyard tours. 

Nearby, Colloca Estate Winery delivers a different shoreline mood altogether, a waterfront estate on Little Sodus Bay that feels like a destination day. Colloca is Wheel the World Destination Verified, another planning advantage for accessibility-forward travel. The winery continues to develop its on-site venues, including its events center ballroom. Local reporting also notes state funding awarded to help develop a boutique hotel and conference center at the property, supporting future stays and larger group occasions.

Travel cue: if you are doing multiple tastings, make a transportation plan before you start. It keeps the day relaxed.

A Toast to 2026

The Finger Lakes is best known for cool climate wines, especially Riesling in many styles from dry to sweet, plus as noted by Wine Enthusiast, a growing reputation for Cabernet Franc, Blaufränkisch, and sparkling wines, including traditional method styles. Our Wine Region of the Year moment is not a final stamp. It is a prompt to explore with intention in 2026, season by season, stop by stop.

Pick a pace that feels personal, and Cayuga County will give you the best result—new favorites, new stories, and a reason to come back.