The Cayuga Lake Wine Trail is America's first wine trail, organized by local producers in 1983 - five years before Cayuga Lake was granted its own AVA. It runs along the shores of Cayuga Lake, the longest of New York's Finger Lakes, and its member wineries are overwhelmingly small and family-run. Expect a relaxed, unhurried pace and a good chance of being poured by the person who grew the fruit.
The 10 Member Wineries, North to South
Listed in geographic order down the lake, so you can drive the trail in sequence rather than doubling back:
- Montezuma Winery
- Swedish Hill Winery
- Buttonwood Grove Winery
- Six Eighty Cellars
- Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery
- Thirsty Owl Wine Company
- Hosmer Winery
- Sheldrake Point Winery
- Lucas Vineyards
- Six Mile Creek Vineyard
What the Cayuga Lake Trail Is Like
What sets this trail apart is scale. These are working family farms rather than corporate estates, so tasting rooms are intimate and conversations tend to run long. The lake itself moderates the climate, and Riesling, Cabernet Franc and the locally bred Cayuga White all do well here. Several members sit directly above the water on the western shore, where the views come free with the flight.
Planning Your Visit
The trail runs roughly north to south along the lake, so most visitors pick a direction and work down one shore. Three or four wineries is a comfortable day - these are conversational tasting rooms, not quick pours. The trail sells seasonal wine passes bundling tastings across member wineries, which is usually the cheapest way to visit several in one trip. Check the trail's events calendar before you go, and confirm hours directly with each winery, especially outside summer.
Trail vs. Appellation: What the Difference Means
It is worth knowing that the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail and the Cayuga Lake AVA are two different things. The trail is a tourism association that wineries choose to join, founded in 1983. The AVA is a federal grape-growing boundary, granted in 1988, and it sits inside the larger Finger Lakes AVA. That means there are wineries around Cayuga Lake that are not trail members, and the appellation on a bottle tells you where the grapes grew, not which marketing group the winery belongs to.
Explore More of the Finger Lakes
Keep planning with all Finger Lakes wineries, best time to visit the Finger Lakes, most scenic Finger Lakes wineries, the Finger Lakes AVA guide, dog-friendly Finger Lakes wineries. Browse every winery on the winery browser or plot your route on the map.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many wineries are on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail?
The trail currently has 10 member wineries: Montezuma Winery, Swedish Hill Winery, Buttonwood Grove Winery, Six Eighty Cellars, Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery and others. Membership is an opt-in association, so the trail is a subset of all the wineries around Cayuga Lake.
Is the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail the oldest wine trail in America?
Yes. It was organized by local producers in 1983, making it the first wine trail in the United States. The Cayuga Lake AVA followed later, in 1988.
How many wineries can I visit in a day on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail?
Three or four is a comfortable day. Member tasting rooms are small and conversational, and the drive between stops along the lake adds up. Trying to fit in more usually means rushing the parts worth slowing down for.
Do I need a pass for the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail?
No, you can visit wineries individually. The trail does sell seasonal passes that bundle tastings across member wineries, which is generally the best value if you plan to visit several. Check the trail's site for current pass availability and pricing.
Member list verified 2026-07-22 from the trail's published directory. Membership, hours, and pass availability change; confirm with the trail and individual wineries before visiting.