6 Best Family-Friendly Wineries in the Finger Lakes
Bully Hill Vineyards
Is it normal to have a toddler shout “hooray!” when you tell them you’re going to a winery? That’s the reaction I get from mine almost every time.
It can be hard to get kids excited about going to places that are really meant for adults. What parent wants to spend another day at the playground, amusement park, or children’s museum? (We all go there – but that doesn’t mean we want to do it all the time.)
Maybe it’s because we go to them frequently. Maybe it’s because I’m good at finding kid-friendly places. Or maybe it’s just because wineries are the perfect place to go with your family.
Whatever the reason, my three-year-old loves to spend a few hours at the winery while I have a glass and chat with my husband and our friends.
This past weekend we revisited one of our favorite places – the Finger Lakes in New York. It is so beautiful, fun and relaxing there. We spent time at the lake, grilled on the deck, ate at restaurants on the water – and went to a bunch of wineries.
Now I’m sharing our favorite, especially family-friendly wineries in the Finger Lakes. Of course, there are a ton of fun wineries in the Finger Lakes. Most have spectacular views and impressive wine lists, but the wineries below are guaranteed kid-friendly – I’ve been to them all myself.
When you go to a kid-friendly winery, you won’t have to…
wonder if it’s okay to bring kids
worry about your kids disturbing other guests
watch them like a hawk
You can rest easy and actually enjoy yourself, knowing that your kids will have fun and you can have fun too. You deserve to sip and savor and get the most out of your vacation!
Check out these mom-tested, toddler-approved wineries to get started.
Seneca Lake
The largest of the Finger Lakes, the Seneca Lake Wine Trail includes 27 wineries, but there are even more wineries not on the official list. There are also fun breweries, distilleries and restaurants all around the lake.
Three Brothers Wineries and Estates
First on the list is Three Brothers. We have been to this one multiple times because it’s truly a favorite.
Looking for a unique tasting experience? They have three wineries, a micro-brewery and a cafe all in one location. One beautiful tasting room looks over Seneca Lake. Another is bayou-themed, which is super fun and one-of-a-kind.
Wine, beer, craft soda, food – everyone in your party can find something to enjoy. Then you can all hang out together on the covered deck, in the vines, or on some comfy Adirondack chairs.
Ventosa Vineyards
This winery looks like a Tuscan Villa – but it’s totally family-friendly. I did a tasting here with a baby in a carrier and no one batted an eye.
The vineyard overlooks the lake, and so does the beautiful terrace. The restaurant serves up a tasty lunch to go with your wine and has live music on Wednesdays.
If you’re worried your kids will disturb other patrons on the patio, they also have picnic tables on the grass so the kids can run free.
Visit Ventosa Vineyards to feel like you’re in Italian wine country without any of the stuffiness.
Grist Iron Brewing Company
Okay, so I cheated a little bit. This one is not a winery – it’s a brewery. But Grist Iron is so family-friendly, that I had to add it to the list.
Delicious doesn’t do this place justice. A pub-style eatery featuring Bavarian pretzels, pizzas, and sandwiches is the perfect place to stop for lunch. While there, you can sample their craft beer, brewed on-site.
They have indoor and outdoor seating, and yard games to keep the kids (and you) entertained.
Keuka Lake
Smaller and less intense than Seneca, Keuka Lake still offers many more wineries, breweries, and distilleries than you’d ever have time to visit. Check out some of the best wineries on Keuka Lake.
Bully Hill Vineyards
With one of the most striking views in the Finger Lakes, Bully Hill is full-service. It has multiple locations for tastings, a gift shop, and a delicious restaurant with out-of-this-world views.
You can build your own tasting for $2 a pour or just have them choose for you if you’re overwhelmed by the variety – this is what we did, and each one was fantastic.
Our kids loved running around on the fully enclosed deck while we experienced our tasting. If you need a break from wine, this is a great spot for lunch as well.
Weis Vineyards
Our kids loved the crushed stone patio and picnic tables – we loved the wine. Weis Vineyards has a gorgeous view of the lake, which we enjoyed as we leisurely sipped wine and watched the kids load up rocks into their dump trucks.
With an ambiance that feels both modern and rustic, this winery features tastings of their German-style wines in their brand new tasting space and old barn. They don’t have a full-service restaurant, but they do sell snacks to go along with your wine.
Domaine LeSeurre
You can hop right over to France from Germany – Domaine LeSeurre is right next door to Weis. With owners originally hailing from Champagne, France, you know the wine is going to be quality.
What makes this winery so kid-friendly is the large grassy field accompanying the stone patio. Have a bottle delivered to your outdoor table by their friendly staff, then sit back and watch your kids run and play. You don’t have to worry about them disturbing anyone so you can simply relax.
More to Explore
The Finger Lakes region of New York boasts more than 100 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Once you’ve checked out the above recommendations, keep exploring! Even out your trip with some downtime at the lake, hiking at Watkins Glen, exploring a variety of parks and waterfalls or shopping in one of the many cute downtowns.
With so much to see and do, you’ll have to book another trip to get the full experience.
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