Uncork the Finger Lakes
Explore the Keuka Lake Wine Trail from Hickory Hill in Bath, NY. Standout wineries near Hammondsport, day-trip tips, and where to stay in the Finger Lakes.
Uncork the Finger Lakes: A Keuka Lake Wine Trail Guide from Hickory Hill
The Finger Lakes is one of the great wine regions in the country, and Keuka Lake is right at the heart of it. The steep, Y-shaped lake, sometimes called the Crooked Lake, has a knack for growing exceptional cool-climate grapes, and its shoreline is dotted with tasting rooms that pair award-winning wine with some of the best views in New York.
The best part for our guests: from your campsite at Hickory Hill in Bath, you are only about twenty minutes from the Keuka Lake Wine Trail. Spend the day tasting your way around the lake, then come home to a campfire. Here is how to do it.
What is the Keuka Lake Wine Trail?
The Keuka Lake Wine Trail is a collection of wineries circling the lake between Penn Yan, Branchport, and Hammondsport. The region made its name on Riesling and other cool-climate whites, but you will also find dry reds, sparkling wines, and sweet sippers along the way. Because the vineyards climb the hillsides right down to the water, the drive between stops is half the fun.
Harvest season, roughly September into October, is the liveliest time to visit. The vines are heavy, the tasting rooms are buzzing, and the fall color is coming in over the lake. It also happens to be a beautiful time to be camping.
Wineries to visit near Hickory Hill
There are more than a dozen wineries on the trail. If you only have a day, these standouts near the south and west sides of the lake are an easy drive from the resort:
● Dr. Konstantin Frank. A pioneering name in Finger Lakes wine, credited with proving that European vinifera grapes like Riesling could thrive here. Hilltop tasting room with sweeping lake views and a serious reputation for its whites.
● Heron Hill Winery. Producing award-winning wine since 1977, with a hilltop tasting room that Travel + Leisure once named among the most spectacular in the world. The view alone is worth the stop.
● Bully Hill Vineyards. A longtime destination winery with a restaurant, outdoor seating, and lake views, plus a fun, unpretentious personality. A good pick if you want lunch with your tasting.
● Keuka Lake Vineyards. A smaller, estate-focused stop near Hammondsport known for terroir-driven wines. A nice change of pace from the bigger rooms.
● Weis Vineyards. German-style wines from a winemaker who trained in Germany's Mosel region. Worth seeking out if Riesling is your thing.
Tasting-room hours, fees, and reservation policies vary by season and by winery, and some smaller rooms keep shorter fall and winter hours. Check each winery's website before you go so you are not caught out.
How to do the wine trail from your campsite
A relaxed day beats a rushed one. A few tips to make it easy:
● Pick two or three wineries, not ten. Tastings add up quickly, and the drives between them are part of the experience. Leave room to linger.
● Have a plan for driving. Choose a designated driver, or book a local wine-tour shuttle so everyone can relax. The roads around the lake are hilly and worth your full attention.
● Bring a cooler. Pick up a few bottles to enjoy back at your site. A Finger Lakes Riesling by the campfire is a hard combination to beat.
● Pair it with Hammondsport. The village at the foot of the lake is full of shops and cafes.
Our guide to a Keuka Lake and Hammondsport day trip maps out a full day if you want to build the wineries into a bigger outing. And if the weather turns, our rainy-day ideas near Hickory Hill have you covered.
Bring the wine weekend back to the resort
Love the wine-country vibe? So do we. Keep an eye on our themed-weekend calendar for our grown-up S'More Wine Please weekend, when we bring a little of that Finger Lakes wine spirit right to the campground with tastings and cozy evenings. It is the perfect bookend to a day on the trail.
Where to stay: Hickory Hill
A day of wine tasting is even better when you do not have to drive far to a comfortable bed. Hickory Hill offers everything from full-hookup RV sites to cabins and cottages that are ideal for a couples' getaway. Compare every way to stay and make the resort your Finger Lakes wine-country home base.