Due to the events and regulations surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has been hit especially hard, us included. However, the wineries will be tentatively reopening their doors to tours, with a few big changes:
1. Wine tastings are sometimes by appointment only, and are only open to small groups. You may need to make reservations at specific wineries. Communicate with your Guide to make sure you can visit all these wineries! "Group Splitting" is strictly prohibited.
2. Winery selection may be limited. That is to say, we may not be able to visit all your preferred wineries. Some are closed, have different hours, or may already be booked by the time you request them! These restrictions are slowly lifting as we head into the rest of the year, but there are still restrictions!
3. With the rising prominence of the Delta Variant, many wineries strongly encourage mask wearing at all times, and some may even require it. While some wineries have looser rules for vaccinated visitors, failure to comply with winery regulations will result in being refused service and being asked to leave. There will always be prominent signage at all stops regarding each location's policies. Guests found not wearing masks after being asked by winery staff will forfeit their tour immediately, without refund. This is especially important with the rising prominence of the Delta Variant.
4. Lunch options may be limited due to capacity, changes to hours, or short staffing; this is especially true on weekdays. There will be a selection of cafes and eateries along the way, and there is no shortage of local meats and cheeses to discover! Not to worry, there will always be at least one or two places for a dedicated lunch.
5. Each winery will have its own set of rules for operation, and may seem strange or cumbersome. Adherence to a winery's rules is required to have a safe and enjoyable tasting experience. Failure to follow a winery's rules will result in immediate termination of your tour without refund. Your tour guide will help you navigate these regulations, as he is very familiar with most of the wineries you will be visiting.
6. Group tours (more than one party) will not be available; all tours are considered private, and the day is closed once the first booking is made. There is a maximum of four (4) guests for Wine Tours. More on that below.
7. Your tour guide will not be joining you inside the wineries, save for getting you set up at your table. Make sure your tell him when you're wrapping up, so he can warm up the van for you and meet you out front to load up the trunk with all your purchases!
We know that this is not ideal, but we are not in ideal times. It is important that we stay safe, but also remember the importance of living life to its fullest. Trust me, we miss the old routines as much as you do, and the wineries miss them too! The more we follow these health and safety guidelines, the faster we can return to normalcy and enjoy the Finger Lakes to their full potential.
1. Wine tastings are sometimes by appointment only, and are only open to small groups. You may need to make reservations at specific wineries. Communicate with your Guide to make sure you can visit all these wineries! "Group Splitting" is strictly prohibited.
2. Winery selection may be limited. That is to say, we may not be able to visit all your preferred wineries. Some are closed, have different hours, or may already be booked by the time you request them! These restrictions are slowly lifting as we head into the rest of the year, but there are still restrictions!
3. With the rising prominence of the Delta Variant, many wineries strongly encourage mask wearing at all times, and some may even require it. While some wineries have looser rules for vaccinated visitors, failure to comply with winery regulations will result in being refused service and being asked to leave. There will always be prominent signage at all stops regarding each location's policies. Guests found not wearing masks after being asked by winery staff will forfeit their tour immediately, without refund. This is especially important with the rising prominence of the Delta Variant.
4. Lunch options may be limited due to capacity, changes to hours, or short staffing; this is especially true on weekdays. There will be a selection of cafes and eateries along the way, and there is no shortage of local meats and cheeses to discover! Not to worry, there will always be at least one or two places for a dedicated lunch.
5. Each winery will have its own set of rules for operation, and may seem strange or cumbersome. Adherence to a winery's rules is required to have a safe and enjoyable tasting experience. Failure to follow a winery's rules will result in immediate termination of your tour without refund. Your tour guide will help you navigate these regulations, as he is very familiar with most of the wineries you will be visiting.
6. Group tours (more than one party) will not be available; all tours are considered private, and the day is closed once the first booking is made. There is a maximum of four (4) guests for Wine Tours. More on that below.
7. Your tour guide will not be joining you inside the wineries, save for getting you set up at your table. Make sure your tell him when you're wrapping up, so he can warm up the van for you and meet you out front to load up the trunk with all your purchases!
We know that this is not ideal, but we are not in ideal times. It is important that we stay safe, but also remember the importance of living life to its fullest. Trust me, we miss the old routines as much as you do, and the wineries miss them too! The more we follow these health and safety guidelines, the faster we can return to normalcy and enjoy the Finger Lakes to their full potential.
How the Wine Tour Works:
To keep things simple, we have one tour type available:
The Walk-In Tour: $115 per person
Walk-in tours are simple 6 hour tours (11am-5pm) that do not require reservations with the wineries, and are a great option for guests who are unfamiliar with the Finger Lakes, or have already made some reservations for themselves. We will visit up to five (5) wineries on the tour. Your tour guide will assist you with selecting wineries/breweries throughout the day, based on your preferences. You are not required to make your own reservations, though you may if you wish.
-Up to Four (4) guests are allowed on these tours.
-Tasting fees are not included in this package.
(Exceptions can be made for group sizes if you have already made reservations. Email us and we will work with you!)
Winery selection will be limited due to crowds and changes in reservation policies for many wineries.
Walk-in tours are simple 6 hour tours (11am-5pm) that do not require reservations with the wineries, and are a great option for guests who are unfamiliar with the Finger Lakes, or have already made some reservations for themselves. We will visit up to five (5) wineries on the tour. Your tour guide will assist you with selecting wineries/breweries throughout the day, based on your preferences. You are not required to make your own reservations, though you may if you wish.
-Up to Four (4) guests are allowed on these tours.
-Tasting fees are not included in this package.
(Exceptions can be made for group sizes if you have already made reservations. Email us and we will work with you!)
Winery selection will be limited due to crowds and changes in reservation policies for many wineries.
But What About Lunch?!
Don't you worry about a thing! Most of the wineries provide a fantastic selection of local meats, cheeses, chips and bread, or we can stop at one of many eateries along the wine trail. Lunch options on the trail are in more detail on our Recommendations page. Click the button below!
Make sure you read the Rules page too! These are very important, especially now, and are there to ensure we can safely enjoy the Finger Lakes and be welcome back next time we visit.
