Finger Lakes winery guide

Barrington Cellars

Barrington Cellars is a small, family-owned and -operated winery perched on a hillside about 500 feet from the eastern shore of Keuka Lake, in the town of…

About Barrington Cellars

Barrington Cellars is a small, family-owned and -operated winery perched on a hillside about 500 feet from the eastern shore of Keuka Lake, in the town of Barrington in Yates County, just south of Penn Yan. Ken and Eileen Farnan have been growing grapes here since 1971, tending the surrounding Buzzard Crest Vineyards, which has been certified organic through NOFA since 1990. Nearly all of the fruit used in their wines is grown on the estate.

The winery is known for an unusually broad lineup of more than twenty wines spanning native (Labrusca), French-hybrid, and vinifera varieties, alongside fruit and ice wines. Favorites include the sweet, aromatic Buzzard's Peach and Buzzard's Pear, the gold-medal Niagara ice wine, red blends such as Raptor's Red, and dry varietals like Cabernet Franc and Baco Noir. The family also presses unpasteurized, preservative-free red and white grape juice that is frozen fresh and offered as a free tasting for children and designated drivers.

The current hilltop tasting room opened in 2004 and is the destination most visitors come for, offering sweeping views of Keuka Lake and the vineyards from its front porch. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic, relax on the deck, and stroll the gardens. Barrington Cellars is a stop on the Keuka Lake Wine Trail and keeps seasonal hours, so it is worth confirming times before visiting in the off-season.

Plan your visit

Address
2690 Gray Road, Penn Yan, NY 14527
Phone
(315) 531-8923
Hours
Memorial Day - Nov 1: Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Memorial Day - Nov 1: Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Spring: Friday, Saturday & Sunday (call to confirm hours) Winter: Saturday only 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visitor amenities

  • Family-friendly

Wines to explore

  • Riesling — Crisp and aromatic
  • Frosty Niagara — Sweet and fruity
  • Diamond — Light and floral
  • Cayuga — Crisp, semi-sweet white
  • Vidal Blanc — Off-dry and fruity
  • Delaware — Sweet native white
  • Kestrel White — Smooth white blend
  • Cabernet Franc — Dry, dark-fruited red
  • Baco Noir — Bold and dry red
  • Raptor's Red — Dark fruit and cedar
  • Buzzard's Blush — Light, fruity rose
  • Buzzard's Peach — Sweet and peachy
  • Buzzard's Pear — Sweet and subtle
  • Niagara Ice Wine — Rich, sweet dessert wine

More at this winery

Buzzard Crest Vineyards Fresh-Pressed Grape Juice

Buzzard Crest presses its own red and white grape juice with no pasteurization and no added preservatives. Because the juice begins to ferment within a week or two, it is frozen fresh and sold in jugs; thawed samples are usually available at the tasting room, including free pours for kids and designated drivers.

Hilltop Picnic Grounds & Gardens

The tasting room sits high on a hill with panoramic views of Keuka Lake and the surrounding vineyards from its porch and deck. Visitors are encouraged to bring a picnic, relax with a glass of wine, and wander the gardens - and, if lucky, spot the buzzards the vineyard is named for soaring overhead.

Nearby wineries