Finger Lakes winery guide

Deer Run Winery

Deer Run Winery is the westernmost winery in the Finger Lakes and the oldest operating winery on Conesus Lake, perched on the lake's northwestern shore just…

About Deer Run Winery

Deer Run Winery is the westernmost winery in the Finger Lakes and the oldest operating winery on Conesus Lake, perched on the lake's northwestern shore just south of I-90 (Exit 8 off I-390) and about 30 minutes from Rochester. It began as the lifelong dream of founder George Kuyon, who took up amateur winemaking in 1975 while working at Kodak in Rochester. After retiring in 1998 he purchased a 20-acre parcel of farmland above Conesus Lake and, working with Cornell researchers to test the soil, planted the vineyard in 2001 with varietals such as Riesling, Traminette, Corot Noir and Noiret. The winery opened its doors in 2003.

Today Deer Run is a family-owned and operated farm winery run by a father-and-son winemaking team, George and Scott Kuyon. The estate's roughly 5-acre vineyard supplies about 20% of the winery's fruit, with the balance sourced from growers across the Finger Lakes. The portfolio spans more than 15 approachable, award-winning wines ranging from dry to sweet and white to red, including best-sellers like the sweet Max Black, the semi-dry Conesus White blend, and Runway Red, the winery's most-awarded wine.

Beyond the tasting room and gift shop, Deer Run has grown into a destination for food, music and celebrations. The Tankroom Cafe, opened in 2022, serves a full menu plus a popular Sunday brunch, and the property hosts a long-running Thursday-night summer concert series along with vineyard weddings and tented receptions under its pond-side pavilion. Wine lovers can also join the Wine of the Month Club for quarterly winemaker selections and member perks.

Plan your visit

Address
3772 West Lake Road, Geneseo, NY 14454
Phone
(585) 346-0850
Hours
Monday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Friday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Visitor amenities

  • On-site dining at Tankroom Cafe

Wines to explore

  • Riesling — Semi-dry, tropical & stone fruit
  • Dry Riesling — Crisp, citrus & green apple
  • Reserve White — Concentrated Riesling, age-worthy
  • Traminette — Semi-dry, honey & apricot
  • Chardonnay — Unoaked, crisp & clean
  • Conesus White — Semi-dry, grape-forward blend
  • Pebble Beach Blush — Sweet blush, peach notes
  • Max Black — Sweet red, grape jelly
  • Runway Red — Off-dry red, dark berry
  • Conesus Red — Smooth, approachable red
  • Saperavi — Oak-aged, dark berry & spice
  • Cabernet Franc — Dry, cherry & licorice

More at this winery

Tankroom Cafe (American / Cafe)

Opened in 2022 inside the winery's original tank room, the Tankroom Cafe is a full-service cafe pairing Deer Run wines with shareable appetizers, fresh salads and creative sandwiches. Signature items include the Cheesy New Yorker (a grilled cheese with New York white cheddar, apple slices and Riesling hot pepper jelly) and the Calabria chicken-pesto hoagie. A well-loved Sunday brunch is served weekly.

Thursday Night Summer Concert Series

A long-running summer tradition launched in 2012, featuring live music, food trucks and wine slushies on the winery grounds. The series has grown to draw well over a thousand guests on busy nights.

Weddings & Events Pavilion

Vineyard ceremonies and tented receptions for up to ~200 guests are hosted under the winery's pond-side pavilion, with a bridal suite on site. Deer Run is a popular Conesus Lake wedding and special-event venue.

Vineyard, Tasting Room & Gift Shop

Guests can walk the estate vineyard high above Conesus Lake, sample wine flights in the tasting room (including cheese and chocolate pairings), browse the gift shop, and play lawn games such as corn hole.

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