Where are the best Finger Lakes wineries for sparkling wine? We have the best bubbles list and why to pour into them.
Upstate New York’s Finger Lakes is one of the premier wine regions in the United States. The glacial soils and cool climate of the region are optimal for growing Riesling, and when many wine lovers think of the Finger Lakes, Riesling is what is top of mind. What may not be top of mind is sparkling wine, but throughout FLX, as those in the know call it, producers are making quality bubbles from Riesling and other grapes in a variety of styles.
Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, a pioneer in the region located on Keuka Lake, is one of those producers. Dr. Frank recently celebrated its 40th year of producing sparkling wine in the Finger Lakes. While it wasn’t the first to bottle bubbles in the region (that was Great Western Winery, now known as Pleasant Valley Winery), Dr. Frank was the first to make Méthod Champenoise wines from the classic Champagne grapes. This anniversary presents a timely opportunity to consider planning a sparkling wine tour of FLX, starting with the wineries in the eastern part of the region, making your way west to Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery.
There are 11 Finger Lakes, but the main concentration of wineries is on Cayuga, Seneca, and Keuka Lakes. This is certainly not an exhaustive list of wineries where you can sip on well-made bubbles, but hit up any of the “FLX chateaux” below, and you’ll be sure to walk away with an understanding of the craftsmanship and quality of the sparkling wine made throughout the region, most made from estate grapes or nearby vineyards.
Drinking Bubbles on Cayuga Lake
The sparkling wine options at Buttonwood Grove run the gamut of styles, from the traditional method Antonia Marie, a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay to the fresh and fun, canned The Farm sparkling Riesling (a spritz match made in heaven). If you’re looking for a standout red sparkling wine, try the Cabernet Franc Rosé Pét-Nat with just a hint of sweetness.
Bonus, the winery has four Robert Parker-approved cabins where you can stay while enjoying wine country. With views of the lake, a fire pit, and complimentary wine tasting, plus a mini fridge, toaster oven, and microwave, they’re an ideal home base for your explorations.
On the Western shore of Cayuga Lake, Sheldrake Point has a small but quality sparkling selection that’s fairly new, starting with the 2021 vintage. The winery’s Cuvée Brut is produced in the traditional method, made with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and zero dosage—a classic sparkling wine.
Of particular interest is the Blanc de Cabernet Franc, not the usual grape for a white bubbly. It has a deep, flavorful palate full of strawberry and flowers. There’s also a Lambrusco-like Merlot/Cab Franc red sparkling called Rouge Éclat that’s not to be missed. Stick around and enjoy a bite at Sheldrake’s no-reservation-needed Bistro that highlights local ingredients.
The Sparklers of Seneca Lake
For a taste of this highly sustainably-focused winery’s bubbles, head to its walk-in Winegarden Tasting Room (groups of 6 or more can make reservations). The Pét-Nat Rosé changes each vintage, produced from grapes that don’t end up in other wines. It’s a delicious no-waste bubbly. The traditional method extra brut Blanc de Blanc from Chardonnay is absolutely worthy as a celebratory wine or any occasion where a classic, Champagne-like sparkling wine is called for. But be aware, the Blanc de Blanc is not made every year, so if you like it, snag a bottle to take home. The winery is on the Eastern Shore of Seneca Lake, so it could make sense to visit this one on the same day as other Cayuga Lake wineries.
With a prolific and innovative sparkling program, a visit to Red Tail Ridge is a must for anyone who wants to experience bubbly in many forms. The winery produces a Blanc de Blanc, a Blanc de Noir, and a sparkling Rosé, as well as a Sekt made in the tradition of Germany’s sparkling Riesling—all quality wines.
Of the non-traditional bottles, the Perpétualle Change—a solera-like method sparkling wine made from various vintages—is a treat for your taste buds that changes from second to second on the palate. And the cranberry-forward Pinot Noir Pét-Nat is the bubbly you didn’t know your traditional holiday meals needed.
Sparkling Riesling in the Finger Lakes can run from dry to sweet, and Anthony Road’s is a versatile sipper on the brut side. It’s food-friendly, appropriate for a celebratory toast, and it also works simply as a bottle to pop as you sit outside on the porch watching the sunset.
Herman J. Weimer started its sparkling program by producing Sekt-style bubbly in the mid-80s, and that program has expanded over the years. The now Demeter-certified (biodynamic) winery makes seven different sparkling wines, and you can’t go wrong with any of them.
The winery offers both a 10-year disgorged Blanc de Noir and Cuvée Brut that rival quality Champagne as well as younger, easier-on-the-wallet bubbles. Of note are both the Extra Brut Riesling and the Separavi Brut Rosé for their quality and affordability.
Fox Run’s motto is “Drink wine. Be happy.” Who can’t get behind that? And anyone would be happy to quaff the winery’s 100% Blanc de Blanc traditional method sparkling wine from Chardonnay that spends three years in bottle before disgorgement. Looking for something cheerful and a little sweet? The forced carbonated Brillante Riesling is what you’re looking for.
If you need to stop for a bite while visiting the wineries on Seneca Lake, stop at Once, with a menu of small bites and sharables that focus heavily on sourcing local. This unique eatery offers wines from 19 Finger Lakes wineries and has about 40 different rotating wines—four of them are always sparkling—to get a taste of FLX all in one place.
Keuka Lake’s Sparkling Wines
Brut, Blanc de Blanc, Brut Rosé, and two versions of Riesling, Ravines makes a handful of sparkling wines that sit for at least four years on the lees before they’re disgorged, yet all are affordable bubblies. They’re also all quality, but the Blanc de Blanc is a standout of the worthy bunch.
Looking for something lower in ABV? Ravines also makes a 7% ABV, forced carbonated bubbly from the Valvin Muscat grape. Those who enjoy Moscato will probably enjoy this fizzy wine.
Living Roots makes wines in both the Finger Lakes and the Adelaide Hills of Australia, and at its FLX tasting room, you can get bubbles made from grapes grown in both locations. From its Finger Lakes grapes, the traditional method Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé is a quality crowd-pleaser, the Pét-Nat Riesling is another excellent example of the region’s use of one of its best grapes in bubbly, and the Session Spritz is a lower ABV offering.
By the time you reach Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery, you’ll be so full of bubbles your cork may pop if someone shakes you, but do not miss out on the sparkling wines of one of the region’s pioneering wineries. With an extensive Méthod Champenoise series dating back to 1985, the dedicated sparkling winemaker crafts fine Blanc de Blanc, Brut Rosé, and Blanc de Noir, as well as a sparkling Riesling Nature. The non-vintage Célèbre sparkling wines—one is a medium-sweet Riesling and the other is a blend of the three classic Champagne grapes—make excellent aperitifs.
Be on the lookout in the tasting room for the Art Series sparkling wines, bubblies made from grapes such as Grüner Veltliner or Sauvignon Blanc. Another special bottle to be aware of is the 2021 Brut Cuvee 2025, Dr. Konstantin Frank’s 40th anniversary bottle made from the 2021 Brut with the dosage coming from bottles of the winery’s first sparkling wine, the 1985 Brut.
How To Get to and Around the Finger Lakes
If you’re within driving distance of the Finger Lakes, taking your car is a smart choice. The closest large airports are the Greater Rochester International Airport and Syracuse Hancock International Airport. Ithaca Tompkins International Airport and Elmira Corning Regional Airport are smaller and closer, but from any of the airports, you will probably need to rent a car. Rideshare options are few and far between in the Finger Lakes, and if you manage to snag one, there’s no guarantee you’ll get one back to your lodging. If you do want someone to ferry you around, Visit Finger Lakes lists winery tour companies and other for-hire services that offer transportation.
Fortunately, if you do choose to drive, wineries don’t mind if you spit while tasting (if you don’t see spit buckets, ask), and it’s a pleasure to drive the winding roads with views of the lakes on one side of the road and wineries on the other. If you plan just two or three wineries a day, you’ll enjoy the ride.
Robin Shreeves is a drinks journalist and lifestyle features writer. Her wine writing has appeared in dozens of print and online publications including Wine Enthusiast, VinePair, Courier Post, Spirited magazine, Edible Philly, Edible Jersey, USA Today, and Drink Philly. A champion of wines from the mid-Atlantic region, she co-hosts an East Coast Wine chat on the Clubhouse app Sunday nights at 7pm. Her writer’s website Wine & Wonder has a weekly roundup of East Coast Wine News posted each Monday.