Get Your Sips at These Cayuga Lake Wineries

Our exploration of Cayuga Lake wineries happened somewhat by accident.

We had every intention of exploring the best outdoor activities while in New York’s Finger Lakes, hopping around waterfalls and hiking about on the leaves that were just starting to crunch up.

Then the rains started, and continued for the entirety of our visit there.

What were we to do, but find shelter in one of the many delicious wineries available around the region’s second deepest lake?

I took one for the team so you don’t have to. Here’s a primer on the best Cayuga Lake wineries.

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Finger Lakes Wine: Tips Before You Go

Before I launch into the best Cayuga Lake wineries for your fun wine times vacation, I wanted to pass along a few tips I learned along the way.

We knew there was wine here, but we knew little else, assuming we’d have better weather to explore more of the region outside of tasting rooms.

What kind of wine is the Finger Lakes region known for? Wineries in the Finger Lakes specialize in white wine varieties and German-style wines. You’ll likely see a Gewurztraminer or two at most Finger Lakes wineries, rieslings, and crisp sauvignon blancs.

That doesn’t mean red wine isn’t flowing in the Finger Lakes.

You may even find a few red varieties that are new to your budding wine palate. Look for Lemberger grapes, used in both lighter pinot noir wines and bolder zinfandels.

For the full Finger Lakes experience, look for ice wine at spots you visit. I’ll mention where we tried it while exploring the Cayuga Lake scene, but it’s a fairly common addition to most tasting menus, for an additional fee.

It’s sweet as heck, much like a dessert wine, and will likely cost you a pretty penny if you’re looking to take a bottle with you.

Where are the most wineries in the Finger Lakes? The Finger Lakes region in New York State is spoiled with wineries, with more than 140 calling the region their home base. Cayuga, Seneca, and Keuka lakes will all have excellent options for you.    

Note: If you’re into cider, the Finger Lakes have quite a bit of that, too. There are 20 cider spots within an hour’s drive of Ithaca alone.

How many wineries are on Cayuga Lake? There are 16 wineries on what is called the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. There are more wineries in and around Cayuga Lake, but these vineyards make up America’s First Wine Trail, so that’s what we’ll focus on here.

Fun fact: Cayuga Lake is the longest of the 11 Finger Lakes. Seneca Lake is the deepest. Take that to your next trivia night.

Cayuga Lake Wineries: The 5 We Visited

We were lucky enough to hit five different Cayuga Lake wineries on our Finger Lakes visit. Part of that was the weather, but they’re also super cheap when it comes to wine tasting. Many of the wineries offer $1 pours, $5-$12 tastings, and $2 upgrades of their reserve wines.

This isn’t Napa, and I was perfectly fine with that.

I’ll go into detail on each winery here, listing others on the Cayuga wine trail that we’d love to check out next time below that.

Note: Keep in mind that with changing times come…changing times. Reservations will always be required by some, so check winery websites before you go and start sending me nasty emails about this and that.

Operating times will also vary by the season. We went in the fall for that peak fall foliage, but if you visit in the winter, expect to have more limited options.

As always, make sure you’re being safe throughout the Finger Lakes. Have a designated driver, or book a guided Cayuga wine tour or Finger Lakes experience from one of the options below:

Can you walk the Cayuga Wine Trail? Some of the wineries are close enough together that you can walk between them.

Interested in a map of all of the wineries I’ll share here to plot out a potential stroll, or even a running wine trail? (That’s not advised.) Check out my Cayuga Lake wineries map below:

GIMME THAT CAYUGA WINE TRAIL MAP

Americana Vineyards

Americana Vineyards in Interlaken was the very first winery we visited on our self-made Finger Lakes wine tour. It reminded me of wineries in Door County, Wisconsin, all homestyle with very sweet varieties on hand to make your lips pucker.

The fudge helped, too.

The barn Americana operates out of is an original 1820s barn that was relocated here from elsewhere in the region. It gives the whole place that rustic vibe.

The guy behind the bar slurping the last tastes of wine from the bottom of the bottles helped that rustic vibe along, too.

On our visit, we were served up our picks in little plastic cups, likely a pandemic protocol. It made things feel much more casual, which certainly fit the surroundings. Those surroundings, by the way, included two obese labs shuffling around, begging for snacks from tasters who felt bad enough to give them something.

It’d be cute if it didn’t make me so sad.

If you’re hungry, the Crystal Lake Cafe on site offers the usual lunch options, like sandwiches, salads, and daily specials. They give you a few snacks to go with your wine, including bites of wrapped cheese and chocolate that vary depending on what you choose with your tasting.

Oh, there are also Goldfish crackers involved, likely a snack for those fat labs from time to time, too.

Visitors during the warmer months may want to try the wine slushies they have swirling near the checkout. Americana Vineyards has live music events most weekends, and keeps things very family friendly otherwise. This isn’t the place to go all woo girl.

The Revolutionary Red, a semi-dry red blend, was the highlight for me here. The wines weren’t my favorite during our two days exploring the region, but I’d still say it’s worth a stop, if only to see the barn and those dogs.

No reservations required at this one.

Sheldrake Point Winery

Sheldrake Point Winery in Ovid was more my speed. It felt more like a traditional tasting, although all of the wines came out at the same time, offering me the chance to look like quite the boozehound.

Our tasting was seated indoors due to inclement weather, but there are adirondack chairs set up outside for sunnier days with views of the lake across the street. The setting here is gorgeous, and certainly part of the draw.

If you’re seeking Cayuga Lake wineries with docks, by the way, come here. You can tie up your boat and pop right in for a tasting in quite efficient fashion.

Tastings come in a few pre-selected options. The highlight for me at this one were the reds.

The vineyard’s proximity to the lake allows them to grow grapes for bold varieties like cabernet sauvignon, a bottle of which we took home with us.

This winery has won all kinds of accolades over the years, so you truly can’t go wrong with what you decide to sip. Many consider this one the best winery on Cayuga Lake.

Reservations are suggested but not required. If you’re traveling more than six people deep, you won’t be seated at this one.

Hosmer Winery

Hosmer Winery in Ovid was another casual stop where wines were served up flight-style. Tastes were poured in little plastic cups but you got a souvenir wine glass to take home with you if you wanted.

Now, this was about 19 months into the pandemic, so I believe that was still a COVID protocol for them.

Highlights for me were the ​​Grüner Veltliner, a dry white wine I’d never heard of, and their Cayuga White, what they described as a typical New York hybrid blend.

There is outside seating at this one but the patio is small. Reservations are recommended but not required, especially if you’re traveling in a twosome. 

Buttonwood Grove Winery

Buttonwood Grove Winery in Romulus was another standout, and topped the best wineries on Cayuga Lake if my wine tasting skills are any indicator.

When you present me with bread and cheese complimentary with my tasting, you know you’ll have my heart forever. We didn’t take home another bottle from this place, and it’s definitely a regret. 

The day was gloomy but dry when we arrived, allowing us to sit outside on the covered patio with views of the lake.

It was a seated tasting, with wines brought out one by one by staff. There’s also the option for a fun blind tasting, where the sommelier on hand chooses wines to present you with, and you guess what you’re sipping.

We didn’t know that was an option when we arrived, but observed the table next to us failing miserably and having a great time at it.

No matter how much you think you know about wine, by the way, I promise that you wouldn’t do well at a blind taste test. I’ve seen “I don’t like pinot noir” folks fall in similar circumstances.

Highlights on the wine list for me included their dry riesling — and I am by no means a usual riesling drinker — and their Big Red Blend. Big Red is a blend of those Lemberger grapes I mentioned and other grapes sourced from vines at Cornell University. 

Fun fact: Cornell has a top viticulture and enology program. Enology is the study of wine, by the way. Their grapes may just be the smartest in the world. I made that up, but it’s a joke I definitely made at Buttonwood.

Buttonwood also has ice wine available to taste for a premium. It was an extra $3 at the time of this writing, so it won’t break the bank or anything. Try it. You might like it. I didn’t, but you might.

Thirsty Owl Wine Company

The Thirsty Owl Wine Company in Ovid was our final wine stop in the Finger Lakes.

It was a standing room only tasting, as we arrived just as a few Cayuga Lake wine tours were finishing up. Despite the poor timing, we had a great time, and the woman pouring our wines was quite sassy.

I say that in the most positive way possible. I love a sassy wine pour.

The standout for me here wasn’t a wine at all, although Brian was loving on their ice wine. I loved their hard cider. The sassy woman pouring said she loved a dry cider, as this was, so I felt an immediate connection to both her and this delightful beverage.

The apples for their Fujac cider are grown locally at Cahoon Farms. As I love cider and supporting local growers, we took a bottle with us, along with a bottle of that ice wine that I hope gets better with age.

The Thirsty Owl does not take reservations, and will likely be busy when you arrive. That’s OK. It’s all part of the fun.

More Cayuga Lake Wineries to Try

You can spend weeks just sipping here, there and everywhere on a visit to the Finger Lakes. With more time, there were quite a few wineries we would have likely tried.

I’m old now, guys. I usually only hit two, maybe three per day, and then it’s a ticket to nap time for me.

Here are a few more Cayuga wine stops you could make on your own visit. Perhaps you’ll find your own personal favorite Cayuga Lake winery among these picks.

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery in Ovid prides itself on sustainable winemaking practices. Try their version of a Cayuga White or any of the fruity sweet wines they’re known for, like the Peach Essence. That’s their biggest seller. No reservations needed at this one as long as you’re in a group of less than six.

Goose Watch Winery

Goose Watch Winery in Romulus — there’s a Goose Watch in Lake Placid that I’m sure is great, but the one I’m talking about here — is lauded for its scenic views and white varieties you may not see elsewhere. No reservations needed at this one.

Knapp Winery

The Knapp Winery in Romulus is popular with those seeking wine and a delicious meal. The Knapp Vineyard Restaurant offers the expected cheese boards but also a full menu of salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads. Check hours before you go if you’re looking to eat. The restaurant is seasonal.

Long Point Winery

Long Point Winery in Aurora sits on the east side of Cayuga Lake, and the views look just as lovely. Get a bit whimsical with their Zinderalla, a sweet red best served chilled, or Moon Puppy, a semi-sweet cabernet franc. No reservations needed to visit this one.

Lucas Vineyards

We drove by this one at least four times on our way to other wineries and just didn’t make it in. We’ll be sure to next time, as Lucas Vineyards in Interlaken was Cayuga Lake’s first winery. They don’t take reservations at this time, and groups are limited to six.

Montezuma Winery

I’ll forgive Montezuma Winery the name as they’ve earned quite a few accolades for their wine. Try the Cranberry Bog if you want to taste what they’re known for. The winery is also home to Hidden Marsh Distillery if you’re interested in some small-batch spirits alongside your wine. Reservations are required for large groups.

Six Eighty Cellars

Six Eighty Cellars in Ovid is known for its unique winemaking process. They use vessels made of clay, terracotta, and materials imported from Italy and France to hold their fermenting wine. Most wineries in the Finger Lakes wine region are using stainless steel and oak. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Six Mile Creek Vineyard & Distillery

Six Mile Creek in Ithaca is a convenient stop if you’re exploring more of the city. It’s within minutes of Cornell University and Ithaca College, excellent spots to see coeds in their natural habitats. The distillery part in the name means they also serve up spirits, like their Amaretto-inspired Amore. Reservations are highly recommended.

Swedish Hill Winery

Swedish Hill Winery in Romulus has over 30 wines on hand at any given time, but they’re perhaps most known for their mascot, Doobie. Doobie, you see, is a miniature donkey, which brings all the wine drinkers to the yard. Reservations are available for groups.

Treleaven Wines

Treleaven in King Ferry is well-known in the region for their small batch wine program. The winery also offers a seasonal dining option at their on-site Simply Cookie’s Kitchen. Reservations aren’t needed unless you’re traveling with a larger group.

Where to Stay Near Cayuga Lake

There are 11 Finger Lakes, as you already know if you read this guide in detail. That means you have options when it comes to accommodations.

Where should I stay when visiting the Finger Lakes? Our base was in Ithaca, a great spot with lots of options for accommodations if you’re targeting Cayuga Lake and wineries near Ithaca. 

Check out these options for Ithaca hotels in and around the city from Booking.com:

• Argos Inn
• Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca
• Inn at Taughannock Falls
• Ithaca Marriott Downtown on the Commons
• La Tourelle Hotel & Spa

Seeking something more homey? Check out these picks from Vrbo: 

• Finger Lakes Apartment Near Wineries
• Gorgeous Finger Lakes Getaway
• Pet-Friendly Mallard Cottage
• Relaxing, Dog-Friendly Lake House
• The Timber Garden Cottage

Have you visited the Finger Lakes? Which wineries did you visit while you were there? I’d love to come back again and sip my way through vineyards near the other lakes. Share your tips with me in the comments!

Ready for the Finger Lakes?

Your Flight: I use a variety of tools to find cheap airfare, but if you’re looking to book during a particular period of time, especially during busy times (e.g. school breaks, holidays, and the fall if you’re hitting up that fall foliage), you should use Skyscanner.

It’s a great tool for when you’re more flexible, too, as it allows you to compare travel based on length of travel, departure date, etc.

Your Accommodations: I recommend Booking.com as your main option for accommodations, and Hotels.com as a comparison tool. Vrbo is great if you’re seeking something Airbnb-like that isn’t Airbnb. Scroll on up for my top picks in Ithaca, our chosen home base for our Finger Lakes exploration!

Seeking even more wallet-friendly accommodations? Try Hostelworld. Their picks are heavily vetted and reviewed to offer you a safe experience on a budget.

Etc.: For general travel goodies, visit my Favorite Things page. For more information on planning your travel, visit my Travel Tools page.

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