Why the Finger Lakes NY Should Be on Your Summer 2025 Bucket List
Tucked away in upstate New York, the Finger Lakes wine region has quietly grown into one of the most compelling wine tourism destinations on the East Coast. With its dramatic glacier-carved lakes, rolling vineyard hills, and an ever expanding roster of world-class wineries, it offers a wine country experience that’s both elevated and effortless. If you’re craving a weekend getaway that feels like a well-kept secret, add the Finger Lakes to your 2025 summer plans!
Below, we’ve rounded up five standout wineries you won’t want to miss.
Buttonwood Grove Winery – Lake Views & Award-Winning Rieslings
Perched on the western slope of Cayuga Lake, Buttonwood Grove feels like a postcard brought to life. Known for its beautifully balanced wines, the winery earned top honors when its 2016 Riesling Reserve won the Governor’s Cup for Best Wine in New York State. On a hot summer day, their fun and fruity Riesling Pét-Nat is pure refreshment.
Founded by Finger Lakes natives Dave and Melissa Pittard, this family-run winery blends deep agricultural roots with warm hospitality. Visitors can enjoy live music on the spacious deck, wine tastings in the cozy tasting room, or an overnight stay in one of their secluded vineyard cabins tucked beneath the pines. With fire pits, panoramic views, and a laid-back, welcoming atmosphere, Buttonwood Grove is the kind of place that invites you to slow down, soak it in, and savor every sip.
Wagner Vineyards Estate Winery – A Finger Lakes Icon
One of the oldest and most established wineries in the Finger Lakes, Wagner Vineyards has been producing wine on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake for over 40 vintages—and they’re still innovating. With a fifth-generation family legacy rooted in the region’s glacial soils, they offer more than 30 award-winning wines, from bone-dry Rieslings to lush dessert wines. Their Cabernet Francs and crisp dry whites are regional staples, but the real magic happens on their scenic deck overlooking the lake.
The experience doesn’t stop at wine. Wagner is also home to a craft brewery, Wagner Valley Brewing Co., which pours a rotating lineup of beers from hoppy IPAs to smooth dark ales. And if you’re hungry, the Ginny Lee Café serves up seasonal, wine-friendly dishes with one of the best vineyard views in the region. It’s a one-stop destination for tasting, sipping, and unwinding—classic Finger Lakes at its most laid-back and delicious.
Forge Cellars – Terroir-Driven Wines with French Soul
Forge Cellars brings Old World precision to the raw beauty of the Finger Lakes. Founded by French vigneron Louis Barruol and American wine veteran Rick Rainey, Forge specializes in bone-dry Rieslings, cool-climate Pinot Noir, and Cabernet Franc—each crafted to express the soul of southeast Seneca Lake.
Their approach is hands-on and deeply intentional: all fruit is harvested and sorted by hand, fermentations are spontaneous and small-batch, and intervention is kept to a minimum to preserve vineyard purity. The result? Wines that transport you straight to their origin, with a clear sense of place in every sip. Forge’s Classique and single-vineyard bottlings reflect the remarkable diversity of soils along an eight-mile stretch of Seneca Lake. Forge is less about flash and more about feeling—wines that speak quietly but leave a lasting impression.
Six Eighty Cellars – Elevation & The Art of the Unexpected
Perched high above Cayuga Lake, Six Eighty Cellars is one of the region’s most exciting new voices in wine. Rising 680 feet from lake to vine, the site offers both panoramic views and prime growing conditions. Six Eighty sets itself apart by embracing Old World winemaking techniques rarely seen in the Finger Lakes. Amphorae, sandstone eggs, and concrete tulips take the place of stainless steel and oak, resulting in wines that are pure, textural, and expressive of the land.
Expect an adventurous lineup: Grüner Veltliner, Chenin Blanc, and Pinot Meunier—varieties seldom found in the region, alongside reimagined classics like a semi-carbonic Cabernet Franc aged in Cocciopesto, and a Riesling that was wild fermented in a French sandstone egg. The experience is immersive. Minimal intervention, maximum vision—Six Eighty Cellars invites you to taste what happens when nature, elevation, and innovation meet.
Weis Vineyards – German Precision Meets FLX Soul
Founded by German-born winemaker Hans Peter Weis and his Finger Lakes-raised partner Ashlee, Weis Vineyards beautifully blends Old World winemaking traditions with local heart. Located on the peaceful shores of Keuka Lake, this boutique winery has quickly become a favorite among Finger Lakes wine lovers—earning accolades like New York State Winery of the Year (2022 & 2024) and the Governor’s Cup for their 2018 Riesling Ice Wine.
The tasting room is warm and unpretentious, with friendly, knowledgeable staff who guide you through a curated selection of handcrafted wines—like their standout Dry Rosé, vibrant Gewürztraminer, velvety Cabernet Franc, and elegant Chardonnay. Outdoors, the casual patio offers Adirondack chairs and picnic tables with views of the lake—perfect for enjoying a flight, glass, or bottle at your own pace. With live music, sweeping vineyard views, and a relaxed atmosphere, Weis feels like a hidden gem you almost want to keep to yourself—but can’t help telling friends about.
Make It a Weekend (Or a Week)
Beyond the wine, the Finger Lakes offers waterfalls, hiking trails, charming small towns, and dockside dining that feels like a step back in time. Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend, a solo retreat, or a wine-fueled adventure with friends, this region is the hidden gem you’ve been looking for.
Pro Tip: Visit mid-week for quieter tasting rooms and longer, more personal chats with the amazing visionaries behind these wines.
Your Summer 2025, Poured Just Right
At Domaine Trimble, we’re all about savoring the little things—great wine, even better company, and those easygoing moments that make summer feel…well like summer! Think of this Finger Lakes Wine guide as the grown-up version of those epic summer bucket lists you made as a kid—only now, there’s better snacks and really good wine. Whether you’re collecting wine for your cellar or stories for your next dinner party, let the Finger Lakes be your muse this summer.
Cheers to where the road (and the wine) takes you this summer.