Lake Ontario Wine Trail Experience
On this unique Rochester wine tour, we visit the Lake Ontario Wine Trail – one of our region’s hidden gems. Due to their location along the shores of Lake Ontario, the craft beverages from the wineries, distilleries, and cideries along the Lake Ontario Wine Trail are made from some of the best fruit in New York State. The soil and climate, coupled with years of experience in the industry, make the wines, spirits, and hard ciders unique. Each one is handcrafted with care, and with each look, smell, and sip, you get a taste of what this beautiful, bountiful area has to offer.
Wine Trail Passport
If you wish, you can pick up a Lake Ontario Wine Trail Passport at our first stop. The $40 passport (not included) provides 3 free tastes at each of the eleven farm-to-glass wineries, distilleries, cideries, and the new brewery, plus special offers and discounts at most member venues. Trail associate members include restaurants, bountiful farm markets, and unusual shops Your passport is good for 12 months, so you can come back and visit any we didn’t manage to fit in! If you’re just along for the fun, or you just want to purchase by the glass, or you want something other than the featured beverage, skip the passport and pay as you go!
Stops on the trail
Because the venues are smaller, on this Rochester wine tour you’ll have more personal attention from the owners and staff, and the intimate settings ensure your experience won’t be crowded out by bus tours. The actual itinerary for your Rochester wine tour along Lake Ontario may vary according to the days of the week the venues are open, your preferences, and the time you wish to spend at each stop.
Embark Craft Cider Works hand crafts hard cider using apples grown on-site at Lagoner Farms, a family farm since 1909. Farmers first and foremost, they focus on the quality of the apples they grow and the unique attributes of each variety to craft ciders with distinct flavor profiles within a range from dry to sweet.
Young Sommer Winery specializes in grape and fruit wines that truly embody the unique climate that clings to the Lake Ontario shoreline. It’s just an incredibly beautiful growing region with vineyards and fruit trees all around. Overlooking 20 acres of fruit and grapes, Young Sommer Winery is a casual escape from your busy lifestyle.
Boom Point Winery is Lake Ontario’s newest winery, and already has some award-winning wines. Rieslings are the star here, but they also feature Muscato, reds, and a dry Rose made with blaufrankisch grapes.
Old Goat Cidery offers a variety of 6 tapped hard ciders that change throughout the Cidery’s season. Sample flights, pints and slushies are offered for on-site consumption, and howlers and growlers may be purchased. In 2019, they decided to branch out and try something new – apple wines! Their tasting room is located in The Apple Shed farm market, a shop filled quality seasonal produce, gifts, kitchen-related items, homemade baked goods & fresh fudge.
JD Wine Cellars, established in 2010, is a family operated farm winery featuring hand crafted red, white, and 100% fruit wines. The winery is unique in that is located at Long Acre Farms, one of the oldest agritourism farms in New York State. In addition to the tasting room guests can visit a farm market, ice cream shop and activity area.
In addition, along the way there are farm markets and unique shops to explore, including LW Emporium Co-Op, The Apple Shed, Burnap’s Farm Market, Lagoner Farms, Long Acre Farms, Pop’s House of Country Collectibles, and Morgan’s Farm Market. Depending on the season, you can even pick your own produce!
Book your Lake Ontario Wine Trail experience today!
Available April through early December
Monday through Thursday: Old Goat Cidery, JD Cellars Winery, & Casa Larga Winery
Friday & Saturday: all venues are open.
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DepartureYour home or accommodation
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Departure Time11:00 AM
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Return TimeApproximately 5:00 PM.
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IncludedLake Ontario Wine Trail ExperienceDoor-to-door servicePrivate TransportationTastingsPersonal Guide
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Not IncludedSamplesLunchEntry Fees