Winery
Come experience Finger Lakes Wine with a TASTING
Plan your perfect Finger Lakes wine tasting experience with us, where award-winning Vinifera estate wines are paired with breathtaking Seneca Lake views and elegant Tuscan-inspired décor. Come see what the Finger Lakes has to offer as New York’s premier wine region. (Wine tastings are indoors only, busses without reservations will be turned away)
Groups up to 6:
No reservations taken, $10 pp to sample 5 wines of your choice. We also have wine tasting flights that you can enjoy on your own.
Group reservations (7+):
Reservation required, last reservation is at 1pm. 7-12 people (12+, email us and we will let you know if we can make an exception in our off-season). Please do not split up into smaller groups to meet this requirement or you will be asked to leave.
Groups 15+ lunch & tasting together:
International Award-winning Wine
Located in the heart of New York’s Finger Lakes wine region, Ventosa has earned numerous awards and accolades at prestigious regional, national, and international wine competitions. Our 100% estate wines have received multiple Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals at competitions such as the New York Wine Classic, the Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition, the Berlin International Wine Competition, and the East Meets West Wine Challenge. In one of NY state’s highest honors, our 2011 Lemberger was awarded the Governor’s Cup for Best Wine in New York State at the New York Wine Classic - the only red wine to do so. We have also received high ratings from respected publications including Wine Enthusiast and Wine & Spirits Magazine. These recognitions highlight our commitment to producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Finger Lakes region.
Wine Cellar Tours
Add a wine tasting & charcuterie board to your tour for the full Finger Lakes wine tasting experience!
Come and tour our wine cellar and see how winemaker Joe Gonzalez makes his award-winning wines! The 1 hour tour includes a private, guided 20 minute walking tour of our cellar, barrel room, and warehouse. For optional add-ons, follow your tour with a tasting of 5 samples of our 100% estate grown/bottled/produced wines paired with a charcuterie board in our cellar – where the magic happens! Tours are offered daily for parties with a minimum of 8 people, with a reservation, & based upon the winery’s availability. Please email Meagan@VentosaVineyards.com
Wine Tours
Tours: $25/person
Tour & cellar tasting: $43/person
Tour, tasting, & charcuterie: $60/person
20% gratuity & 8% tax added. The Club at Ventosa members enjoy 10% off
OUR TASTING ROOM
The hand painted Tuscan inspired tasting room is the perfect spot to relax, sip a glass of wine, have lunch and enjoy the beautiful warm surroundings. The custom made granite tasting bar overlooks the estate vineyards and Seneca Lake. You will be greeted by one of our knowledgeable wine stewards who will guide you through your tasting experience.
IS VENTOSA DOG FRIENDLY?
Since we serve food (health department codes), only service (not emotional-support) animals are allowed inside our building. Any other friendly, well-behaved, & leashed dogs are welcome on our terrace and picnic area (to the South). Please be sure to clean up after your dog before leaving.
PRIVATE EVENTS
Ventosa Vineyards offers the perfect settings for your private events. Birthday celebrations, business luncheons, bridal and baby showers, no gathering is too small as there are multiple menu options to fit any budget. Learn more about our wedding and café group luncheon offerings.
Finger Lakes Winery - 100% ESTATE VINEYARD
Unlike other wineries, we don't buy grape juice. All of our wines are grown right here, aged in our cellar, bottled in our cellar, & every thing else that goes into producing our wines. Our 23 acres of estate vineyards overlooking Seneca Lake consist only of vinifera varietals. Ventosa Vineyards is known for producing quality dry red wines such as our award-winning Cabernet Franc, Governor's Cup winner Lemberger, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot and the popular Italian varietal Sangiovese. Ventosa is also the first and one of the few New York State wineries that grow and produce Tocai Friulano, a white Italian varietal similar to Sauvignon-blanc. We also serve Finger Lakes’ favorite Riesling, as well as Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, & many other blends including rose. Our winemakers have recently created our first sparkling wine: Vino Fizzante! When visiting the winery, you will learn about the specific grapes grown here on the estate and get to try them.
OLDER VINTAGE RED WINES – OLD WORLD STYLE WINE
While our focus is primarily on dry reds, we are committed to producing wines that are sure to please any tasting profile. Ventosa Vineyards wines are 100% estate grown, produced and bottled. In order to accentuate the quality of our red wines, we ensure that they age in oak 1 to 3 years & at least 1 year in the cellar after being bottled. As a result, you will find some of the oldest vintages of red wines in the Finger Lakes here in our winery.
Finger Lakes Terrior - NUTRIENT-RICH SOIL
The vineyard at Ventosa is supported by a nutrient-rich clay loam soil. All vineyard work is done manually, without the aid of herbicide sprays which can sterilize the soil. Our annual case production is lower, with an average of 4,000 cases a year, because we practice 35-40% fruit thinning before veraison (or the onset of ripening). This practice sacrifices high yields but affords better quality juice as more of each vines’ energy goes into fewer grape clusters. We strive for greater quality rather than mass quantity.
SENECA LAKE WINERIES MAP
See the Seneca Lake Wineries map & brochure of many wineries around Seneca Lake as well as a map of locations.
SENECA LAKE AVA
Covering nearly 205,000 acres, Seneca Lake is the deepest of the 11 Finger Lakes. The 35-mile-long (55km) lake rarely freezes, and stores heat and cold which serve to moderate the temperatures throughout the year. In spring, winds off the cold lake delay budburst until after the dangers of frost have passed. In summer, the lake heats up, and the warm air movement throughout late summer and fall helps to extend the growing season, giving Seneca Lake wineries the longest growing season in the Finger Lakes region. This means that grapes can ripen sufficiently while retaining acidity, making for wines with good balance. In winter, the warmth of the lake reacting with the colder air from the land creates snow, which covers the vines and insulates them from devastating freezes.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS...
Is there outside seating and outdoor dining?
Yes, we have an outside terrace that spans the length of our building overlooking Seneca Lake, Down-town Geneva and our vineyards. You can also have your food delivered out on our terrace. We do not do tastings outside but you can order wine or flights to take out there and enjoy.
What kinds of wines do you produce?
In our 21 acres of grapes, we grow Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Lemberger (Blaufränkisch), Syrah, Sangiovese, Tocai Friulano (also used to make our sparkling fizzante), Finger Lakes’ favorite Riesling, Chardonnay, & Pinot Grigio. See our complete list of available wines here.
Are dogs allowed?
Since we serve food, we cannot allow dogs inside due to the health department rules. You can sit outside on our terrace. There is a staircase at our South West corner where you can walk up with your dog and pick out a table. Ask our staff if you would like a water bowl for your pup!
Do you do tastings outside on your terrace?
We do have a self-guided flight tasting that you can order and take outside to enjoy on our terrace. We only do our full tasting experience inside at our tasting bars, which all run along our huge windows so you still have a great view!
What makes your winery unique?
We offer it all: 5-star Finger Lakes weddings, 5-star accommodations, international award-winning Finger Lakes wines, also serve delicious food from Cafe Toscana, outdoor dining and beautiful view of Seneca Lake and Downtown Geneva.
Are you a sustainable Finger Lakes winery?
Although we are not certified sustainable, there are several practices we follow to promote sustainability. In our vineyards, we use regenerative farming methods to conserve resources, enhance soil health, and support biodiversity whenever possible. We believe these practices result in healthier, more resilient vines and high-quality fruit. We do not use herbicides, and we minimize the use of machinery whenever possible. We also have a compost management and application strategy in place. Our grapes are hand-picked and hand-pruned, providing employment opportunities for dozens of additional workers during the fall harvest season. We strive to conserve natural resources whenever possible and protect the ecosystems around us. During our peak season, we employ more than 60 local team members, contributing to our community and local economy. Our café uses compostable materials for to-go orders and reusable plates and silverware for dine-in service. We remain committed to finding new ways to strengthen and expand our sustainable practices every day.
Where should I stay for a Finger Lakes wine weekend?
Not only are we located at the very top of the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, but we also offer on-site accommodations. Our Broad Meadow Mansion, located next door to Ventosa, sleeps up to 10 guests and overlooks our vineyards and beautiful Seneca Lake. To ensure a private and relaxing experience, the mansion is rented exclusively as a whole house.
Can we boat there? Do you have water access?
Currently, we do not. We are 1 mile North of Stiver's Marina where you can dock...they also offer boat rentals.
Current HOURS
Winery (tastings)
Mon-Tues - 10am-9pm (tastings/flights until 6pm, on-site bottle consumption ends at close)
Wednesday (Live Music) 10am-5pm
(BOGO happy hour 5pm-6pm, music 6-9pm)
Sunday CLOSED
CAFÉ TOSCANA
Mon-Wed - 11am-8pm
Thur-Sat - 11am-5pm
Sunday CLOSED
