Finger Lakes winery guide

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

Founded in 1979, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard is a pioneer of viticulture and winemaking in the Finger Lakes.

Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

About Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard

Founded in 1979, Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard is a pioneer of viticulture and winemaking in the Finger Lakes. The Wiemer estate spans 90 acres of prime vineyard sites on the western slopes of Seneca Lake, and the wines are among the most acclaimed in the region. Estate fruit is hand-harvested and hand-sorted, and vineyard qualities are worked in small lots and then blended to create wines of balance and texture. Fermentations rely on indigenous yeasts to ensure each wine embodies the truest expression of site.

Namesake and founder Hermann Wiemer hailed from Bernkastel in Germany's Mosel Valley, where his mother's family had been making wine for more than 300 years. Believing the cool climate and gravelly soils of the Finger Lakes resembled those of his family's Mosel vineyards, Hermann purchased the property in 1973 and successfully established his original 9-acre blocks of Riesling and Chardonnay in 1977–78. In 2007, he officially retired and handed over the winery to his apprentice Fred Merwarth, who partnered with Swedish agronomist Oskar Bynke to carry on Hermann's legacy.

Today, the estate is Demeter-certified Biodynamic at its HJW site and is widely recognized as one of the premier Riesling producers in the United States. The tasting room features an à la carte format allowing guests to design their own flights from a deep selection of dry Rieslings, Gewürztraminer, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wines, and more. The on-site Library houses over 2,500 bottles of reserve wine spanning decades of the estate's winemaking history.

Plan your visit

Address
3962 NY-14, Dundee, NY 14837
Phone
(607) 243-7971
Hours
Monday - Saturday: 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM; Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Tasting Room closes at 4:00 PM)

Visitor amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Family-friendly
  • Reservations available

Wines to explore

  • Dry Riesling — Crisp, mineral, aromatic
  • Reserve Dry Riesling — Complex, layered, age-worthy
  • Semi-Dry Riesling — Balanced, fruity, off-dry
  • Late Harvest Riesling — Lush, honeyed, sweet
  • HJW Vineyard Riesling — Site-specific, concentrated, mineral
  • Josef Vineyard Riesling — Ripe, structured, expressive
  • Magdalena Vineyard Riesling — Elegant, vibrant, focused
  • Dry Gewürztraminer — Floral, spicy, textured
  • Grüner Veltliner — Peppery, citrusy, lively
  • Chardonnay — Refined, balanced, restrained
  • Cabernet Franc — Savory, herbal, structured
  • Pinot Noir — Light, earthy, elegant
  • Blanc de Blanc — Sparkling, crisp, toasty
  • Blanc de Noir — Sparkling, delicate, mineral
  • Extra Brut Sparkling Riesling — Bone-dry, zesty, effervescent
  • Frost Cuvée — Aromatic white blend

More at this winery

The Library

An intimate setting within the heart of the winemaking facility, home to over 2,500 bottles of reserve wine spanning decades of Wiemer's winemaking history. Private, guided library tasting experiences explore vintage wines and take guests behind the scenes into the winery.

Open Doors Event Series

Small, personal engagements offering in-depth experiences on topics the Wiemer team is passionate about — from cellar tours to Pét-Nat deep dives, biodynamic farming walks, and more.

HJW Vine Nursery

Founded in 1974, the HJW Vine Nursery is at the heart of viticultural innovation for the vineyard and the Finger Lakes region. Specializing in custom grafting, it supplies grapevines to vineyards across the country.

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