The East's great wine region: world-class Riesling on deep glacial lakes. Updated for 2026.
The Finger Lakes is the largest and most important wine region in the eastern United States, a cool-climate landscape of long, deep, glacier-carved lakes in upstate New York. Famous above all for world-class Riesling, the region also makes excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wine, and more, all shaped by the moderating effect of its deep lakes, which protect the steep lakeside vineyards from the region's cold winters. Since Dr. Konstantin Frank proved European vinifera could thrive here in the mid-20th century, the Finger Lakes has grown into a region of over 100 wineries, combining serious, acclaimed wines with stunning lake scenery, waterfalls, and a relaxed, welcoming, often walk-in-friendly tasting culture.
Below are the Finger Lakes wineries we recommend most overall, a mix of founding names, acclaimed estates, and scenic lakeside destinations. These are mostly walk-in-friendly; check seasonal hours. Current as of October 2026.
The region's founding name
The family winery of Dr. Konstantin Frank, who proved European vinifera could thrive in the Finger Lakes, sits above Keuka Lake with some of the country's oldest vinifera vines. It makes benchmark Riesling (plus other vinifera and sparkling), an essential, history-rich stop.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Keuka Lake / Hammondsport.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling and sparkling where Finger Lakes vinifera began; foundational.
A benchmark Seneca Lake estate
One of the Finger Lakes' most acclaimed estates (and a renowned vine nursery), Wiemer makes precise, age-worthy Riesling and other vinifera on Seneca Lake, a quality-defining producer and a must-visit for serious wine lovers.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Seneca Lake / Dundee.
Our tip: Taste the single-vineyard Rieslings; precise, age-worthy, and benchmark-setting.
Dry, European-leaning wines
Founded by French-trained Morten Hallgren, Ravines makes crisp, dry, Alsatian-leaning Riesling and other European-style wines from Seneca and Keuka lakes, a quality-first stop for the dry Finger Lakes style.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Seneca Lake / Geneva.
Our tip: Try the dry Rieslings and European-style wines; crisp and refined.
Terroir-driven Seneca Lake wines
A respected Seneca Lake estate with a popular cafe, Fox Run makes terroir-focused Rieslings and other wines in a welcoming setting, a quality-minded, visitor-friendly stop on the lake's west side.
Good to know: Tastings and cafe; estate. Seneca Lake.
Our tip: Taste the terroir-driven Rieslings and grab a bite at the cafe; welcoming.
Elegant wines, lake views
A striking Greek-revival winery on Seneca Lake's east side, Lamoreaux Landing makes elegant dry Riesling, sparkling, and reds from its estate vineyards, a scenic, quality-focused stop with beautiful lake views.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Seneca Lake.
Our tip: Taste the dry Riesling and sparkling with the lake view; elegant and scenic.
A large Seneca Lake landmark
A longtime, family-owned Seneca Lake estate with its own on-site brewery, Wagner makes a broad, approachable range of wines (its octagonal winery is a landmark), a welcoming, crowd-friendly, something-for-everyone destination.
Good to know: Tastings; estate and brewpub. Seneca Lake / Lodi.
Our tip: An easy, broad-range stop with a brewpub; welcoming and crowd-friendly.
Sparkling and a lakeside inn
A pioneering Seneca Lake winery known for its sparkling wines and a lakeside inn and restaurant, Glenora pairs an approachable range with sweeping lake views and on-site lodging, an easy, scenic, stay-and-taste destination.
Good to know: Tastings, inn, and dining; estate. Seneca Lake / Dundee.
Our tip: Taste the sparkling with the lake view; stay at the inn for a full visit.
A scenic Keuka Lake stop
Perched above Keuka Lake with one of the region's best views, Heron Hill makes well-regarded Riesling and other wines in a distinctive, welcoming tasting room, a scenic, approachable stop on the quieter Keuka shore.
Good to know: Tastings; estate. Keuka Lake / Hammondsport.
Our tip: Taste the Riesling with the Keuka Lake view; scenic and welcoming.
The Finger Lakes' wineries cluster along the shores of three main wine lakes. Seneca Lake, the deepest, has the largest concentration (Wiemer, Ravines, Fox Run, Lamoreaux Landing, Wagner, Glenora), while Keuka Lake (Dr. Konstantin Frank, Heron Hill) and Cayuga Lake have their own loops. Pick one lake to focus on per day, base yourself in a lake town like Geneva, Watkins Glen, or Hammondsport, and follow the shoreline wine trail. Most tasting rooms are walk-in friendly, which makes the region relaxed and spontaneous, but confirm seasonal hours since it is quieter in the colder months. The lakes, gorges, and waterfalls make the scenery a highlight, so leave time for the views and the lakeside towns.
Do not try to circle multiple lakes in one day; pick one shore and go deep. Do not assume the wines are all sweet; the Finger Lakes makes superb dry Riesling and other serious wines. And do not forget to check seasonal hours, the region is quieter and some wineries keep shorter schedules outside summer and fall.
Which are the best wineries in the Finger Lakes?
A well-rounded list includes the founding Dr. Konstantin Frank (Keuka Lake), the acclaimed Hermann J. Wiemer, the dry-focused Ravines, the terroir-driven Fox Run, the elegant Lamoreaux Landing, the large, welcoming Wagner, the sparkling-and-inn Glenora, and the scenic Heron Hill, a mix of pioneers, benchmark estates, and lakeside destinations.
What is the Finger Lakes known for?
Riesling above all, it is America's great Riesling region, but the Finger Lakes also makes excellent Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, and sparkling wine. The region's deep glacial lakes moderate its cold climate, enabling world-class cool-climate wines, and it is the largest and most important wine region in the eastern US, with over 100 wineries.
Where is the Finger Lakes wine region?
In upstate New York, south of Lake Ontario, centered on a set of long, deep, glacier-carved lakes. The main wine lakes are Seneca (the deepest and most winery-dense), Keuka, and Cayuga, each ringed by lakeside vineyards and wine trails. Lake towns like Geneva, Watkins Glen, and Hammondsport make convenient bases for exploring the shores.
Is the Finger Lakes good for a wine trip?
Very. It combines serious, acclaimed wines, especially Riesling, with stunning scenery (deep lakes, gorges, and waterfalls like Watkins Glen) and a relaxed, mostly walk-in-friendly tasting culture. Pick one lake to focus on per day, base in a lake town, and enjoy the loop. It is a few hours from several Northeast cities, so most visitors make a weekend of it.
How many wineries are in the Finger Lakes?
More than 100, spread across the shores of Seneca, Keuka, and Cayuga lakes (and a few smaller ones). Seneca Lake has the largest concentration and the most Riesling producers, while Keuka and Cayuga have their own established wine trails. The density and walk-in-friendly culture make it easy to visit several wineries in a relaxed day along one lake.
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By lake: Best Seneca Lake wineries · Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.