Taste award-winning wines, explore historic cellars, and experience the Finger Lakes in ways you’ve never imagined and see why this award-winning experience is cherished by guests from around the world for over 10 years.
Voted America’s #1 Winery Tour by visitors nationwide ~ Four years in a row.
Embark on an exquisite journey for your palate with the 1886 Wine Experience.
Step into a pioneering chapter of American wine as you explore award-winning wines, thoughtful pairings, and the historic setting where innovation took root along Keuka Lake.
Named for the year our stone winery was established, this immersive experience invites you to taste, learn, and discover wine through a series of guided explorations that change with the day.
Vineyard Days – Thursday and Friday
Step into the vineyard with a wine educator, feel the season firsthand, and discover what allows vinifera grapes to thrive in the Finger Lakes.
Sparkling Saturdays – Saturday
Descend into our historic 1886 cellar to uncover the craft behind Méthode Champenoise, then savor sparkling wines exactly as they were meant to be enjoyed.
Barrel Sundays – Sunday
Meet wine in the making as you wander the barrel room and taste a sample drawn straight from the cask.
Following each experience, enjoy a seated, guided tasting of our finest wines, thoughtfully paired with creative small bites designed to highlight each wine’s unique character.
Please note: wines poured during the tasting are not limited to the day’s tour theme.
Whether you’re a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning your journey, the 1886 Wine Experience invites you to explore, taste, and become part of a pioneering tradition that continues today.
Unfortunately, we cannot allow pets or guests under 21 years of age.
Food Restrictions:
Due to the nature of this experience, we are only able to accommodate deletions and cannot make modifications to individual dishes. However, whenever possible, we will do our best to offer substitutions by plating more of the items that align with your dietary needs. We appreciate your understanding and look forward to creating a memorable experience for you.
Thursday through Sunday
Two Seatings Each Day:
11:00 AM & 2:30 PM
Limited to 6 tables
Thursdays: Vineyard Experience
Fridays: Vineyard Experience
Saturdays: Sparkling Experience
Sundays: Barrel Experience
$75 per person.
$60 wine club members.
Book below:
Built in 1886 by Philip Argus, a German immigrant, the building was once the Western New York Wine Company. Like many Hammondsport wineries, the Western New York Wine Company went out of business during prohibition.
In 1980, Willy Frank, son of Dr. Konstantin Frank, purchased the property with the intention of producing the region’s first Méthode champenoise sparkling wine from traditional grapes like Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier.
We released our first Brut sparkling wine in 1985.
Today, the original historic underground cellar is home to our sparkling wine aging program. These wines will age in perfect natural conditions up to 5 years before release. The building is an architectural gem on Keuka Lake with its natural fieldstone walls and is listed on the National Registry of Historical Sites.
The 1886 Reserve Room features local artists rotating on a seasonal basis. Presented pieces are available for purchase.
Previous Artists:
Mud Lust Pottery
Poonam Choudhary (Poovi Art)
Linda Fazzary
Lisa Barbero
Email list members receive first access to new releases, winery news, and exclusive offers.
45 min – 1 hr | $18 per person | Last seating: 4 PM
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