On this 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 along the Lake Ontario Wine Trail are made from some of the best fruit in New York State.  The soil and climate help make the wines, spirits, and hard ciders unique.

Because the venues are smaller, on this Rochester wine tour you’ll have more personal attention from the owners and staff. 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.

WINE TRAIL PASSPORT

The Lake Ontario Wine Trail Passport provides 3 free tastes and bottle/product discounts at ten member venues.  Your passport is good for 12 months, so you can come back and visit any we didn’t manage to fit in! You can purchase your passport at our first stop, or buy it in advance from their website. The 2025 passport is $40 per person. If you’re just along for the fun or just want to purchase by the glass, skip the passport and pay as you go!

WINERIES

Young Sommer Winery specializes in grape and fruit wines and hard cider 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.

Boom Point Winery is a hidden gem whose wines have won awards at the Great American International Wine Competition.  Rieslings are the star here, but they also feature Muscato, reds, and a dry Rose made with blaufrankisch grapes.

JD Wine Cellars is a family operated farm winery featuring hand crafted red, white, and 100% fruit wines. In addition to the tasting room guests can visit a farm market, ice cream shop and activity area.

Ol’factory Farm, located in Red Creek NY, produces lavender infused wines and ciders made from locally sourced juices and lavender from their farm. They also have a soap/gift shop and host the NY Lavender Festival each year.

Silver Waters Winery specializes in fruit wine made with real fruit, no concentrates or extracts. They feature red, white, fruit, and flower wines, using only fresh local fruit grown by their friends and neighbors.

Colloca Estate Winery, overlooking Little Sodus Bay, is home to the eleven acre Lake Effect Vineyard® planted to 100% grafted vinifera vines. They produce five wines grown on property and also source premium fruit from the famed Barossa Valley in South Australia to craft big, bold red wines.

Casa Larga Vineyards grow two varietal classes – the European Vinifera and French-American Hybrids. Particular varieties include Chardonnay, Riesling, Gewürztraminer, Muscat D’Ottonel, Vidal, DeChaunac, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.

BREWERY, CIDERIES & DISTILLERY

DisBatch Brewing Company was started by lovers of beer and of those who gave their time in service of others. As first responders, they understand the sacrifice and the challenges, as well as the rewards. The team remains committed to those traits as brewery owners and brewers.

Rootstock Cider and Spirits was the first post-prohibition cidery in the Rochester region.  They’re dedicated to using only locally sourced ingredients in crafting premium ciders, perry, and spirits.

Embark Craft Cider Works uses apples grown next door at Lagoner Farms. They focus on the quality of the apples they grow and the unique attributes of each variety to craft ciders with distinct flavor profiles ranging from dry to sweet.

WINE TRAIL ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Trail associate members include include charming bed & breakfasts, great restaurants, bountiful farm markets, and unique shops.  Many offer discounts to passport holders. Your passport is good for 12 months, so you can plan a future day trip and be home in time for dinner, or make a weekend of it!

Book your Lake Ontario Wine Trail experience today!

Available April through early December, Thursday to Sunday.  Actual itinerary may vary depending on venue availability.