Finger Lakes winery guide

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the Finger Lakes, family-owned and operated by Tom and Susie Challen.

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery

About Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery

Cayuga Ridge Estate Winery is one of the oldest wineries in the Finger Lakes, family-owned and operated by Tom and Susie Challen. Its tasting room occupies a rustic, historic barn lit by the warm glow of Gothic church lamps, set on a hillside at the center of the western Cayuga Lake Wine Trail with views over the lake. The Challens farm their estate vineyards using sustainable practices aimed at consistent fruit quality and wines they describe as straightforward and honest.

The estate lineup spans dry reds such as Chancellor and oaked and unoaked Cabernet Franc; a signature Cayuga White drawn from the property's oldest Cayuga White vines; Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and both barrel-aged and unoaked Chardonnay; and a line of fruit wines led by the best-selling Peach Essence and Cranberry Essence, plus the sparkling Cranberry Frost that anchors their popular Barn Mimosa. Tastings are relaxed and self-directed at $8 for any four wines of your choice.

Beyond the bar, an eclectic gift shop stocked with art, antiques, and local provisions invites browsing, and guests can pick up artisanal cheese and picnic fare to enjoy on the covered deck or lawn. The winery is dog- and family-friendly, welcomes walk-ins (reservations requested for groups of six or more), offers seasonal winemaking tours, and is a Harvest Hosts site for traveling RVers. Light café fare such as paninis, wraps, salads, soups, and desserts is available in season.

Plan your visit

Address
6800 NY-89, Ovid, NY 14521
Phone
607-869-5158
Hours
Open daily: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Visitor amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Family-friendly

Wines to explore

  • Cayuga White — Light, crisp, refreshing white
  • Riesling — Juicy, fresh, semi-sweet
  • Gewürztraminer — Aromatic and floral
  • Chardonnay (Unoaked) — Crisp, honeysuckle and cider
  • Chardonnay (Barrel-Aged) — Honey and butterscotch
  • Cabernet Franc (Oaked) — Lightly oaked dry red
  • Cabernet Franc (Unoaked) — Fruit-forward dry red
  • Chancellor — Dry, rich red
  • Orange Muscat — Aromatic sweet white
  • Peach Essence — Sweet, juicy peach
  • Cranberry Essence — Cranberry-infused white
  • Cranberry Frost — Sparkling cranberry; mimosa-ready

More at this winery

Winemaking Tours

Seasonal guided tours of the barn winery and estate vineyards, historically offered mid-May through mid-November on Saturday afternoons; call ahead to confirm current times.

Gift Shop

An eclectic 'urban home decor' shop inside the barn featuring art, antiques, gifts, and local provisions, plus artisanal cheese and picnic fare to enjoy on site.

Harvest Hosts RV Stays

A Harvest Hosts location offering overnight RV parking beside the vineyards with lake views for members.

Vine-Leasing Program

A vine-leasing ('Vigneron') program that lets participants sponsor or lease vineyard rows; confirm current availability with the winery.

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