Named for their long and narrow shape, the picturesque Finger Lakes in New York are a sight to behold. Known for numerous waterfalls and state parks, the area has been attracting tourists with its charming towns, gorgeous scenery, and rich Native American history for years.
While there are plenty of wine tours to enjoy, connoisseurs of another variety will find no shortage of liquid gold. Home to several cideries, the Finger Lakes are full of fresh and flavorful options to quench the thirst of even the pickiest palates. Lift a pinky and sip on this list of notable cideries in the Finger Lakes.
8 WortHog Cidery
Seneca Lake, the largest of the Finger Lakes, is best known for its trout fishing, but it should also be known as the home of WortHog Cidery. New York apples are pressed to perfection and finished with light carbonation for a truly delectable final product. Visitors can enjoy a drink on location, as well as purchase bottles to take home. There are 9 unique ciders to choose from, with flavors ranging from "Big Bertha’s Blueberry" to "Grumpy Jerry’s Ginger." WortHog doesn’t stop at cider, though, boasting an array of meads and award-winning wines, as well.
- Address: 2770 State Route 14, Penn Yan, NY 14527
7 Star Cidery
The family-owned Star Cidery sitting on the Canandaigua Lake is proof that the best ciders are born from the heart. Since 2014, Star has sold its cider to nearby restaurants. Five years of success prompted the dedicated team to open its own taproom in 2019. Take a seat and enjoy a glass of "5 Point Cider," a blend of 5 varieties of locally grown apples. Craving something a little out of the ordinary? Toast with a swig of "Frisky Whisky," a delightful mix of wild apples and vanilla aged for a year in oak whisky barrels.
- Address: 3365 NY-364, Canandaigua, NY 14424
6 New York Cider Company
Built on sustainability, the New York Cider Company is well-loved by Ithaca locals. Homegrown apples are foraged in the wild to produce the unique flavor profile of their artisanal ciders. There are 10 dry ciders to fall for, available for purchase online or at many locations throughout New York. Every cider has a story at New York Cider Company. Savor their “Smokehouse” varieties, named not for their smoky taste but for the rare apples they are made with. Try their naturally fermented “Barn Swallow” assortment for an exceptionally rare flavor that can't be found anywhere else.
- Address: 245 Hayts Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
5 Black Diamond Farm and Cider
The owners of Black Diamond Cider company have been in the growing business for twenty years, only recently branching out to produce ciders from their orchard. Located on Cayuga lake, lucky cider lovers staying in the area have plenty of options to choose from. From their dry, earthy “Solstice Still” to their bubbly, tropical “RabbleRouser,” there is a flavor profile for everyone. Guests are encouraged to call ahead to book tours and tastings. Their ciders can also be found online or at local farmer’s markets.
- Address: 4675 E. Seneca Rd, Trumansburg, NY 14886
4 South Hill Cider
Located on the Finger Lakes Trail, South Hill Cider encourages its visitors to take a gander at the nearby waterfall after sitting down to sample their delicious ciders. Apple-lovin' long-time musician Steve Selin has transformed his orchard into an ideal place to host events of all kinds. Enjoy jazz stylings and wood-fired pizza that pairs perfectly with the six varieties of chemical-free, organic cider on tap. Or, take home a bottle or six of the twenty varieties available for purchase.
- Address: 550 Sandbank Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
3 Original Stump Blower (OSB) Ciderworks
Arguably the hippest cidery in the Finger Lakes, OSB has been serving it up in both Buffalo and Lakeville. The coolest brother-sister duo in town takes their cider-making seriously. Their desire to craft unique ciders means guests can never be sure what's going to be on tap, which makes a trip to the tasting room as exciting as Christmas. They're all about loving locally, so rather than competing with nearby bars, they instead lift them up. Chill out, chug down, and party on at this unique Finger Lakes cidery.
- Address: 5901 Big Tree Road, Lakeville, NY 14480 | 517 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14203
2 Grisamore Cider Works
Carrying on the legacy, the Grisamore grandchildren are using the family's apple orchard to craft small batches of reasonably-priced ciders for the public. Expect to taste the love in every glass at Grisamore Cider Works in Locke, New York. Visitors are welcomed to visit the family farm just around the corner, which grows a variety of fruits used to complement their ciders. The farm features a growing population of farm animals, a well-stocked store, and a greenhouse filled with plants for purchase.
- Address: 4069 Goose St, Locke, NY 13092
1 Finger Lakes Cider House
Take a pick from the twenty ciders available at the Finger Lakes Cider House in Interlaken. More than just a tasting room, the kitchen squad prepares picture-worthy charcuterie boards, delicious sandwiches, and pizzas to go with every glass. Sweet tooths can choose to enjoy the "Honeycrisp Ice Cider" and a gooey, chocolate chip cookie. The award-winning "Pioneer Pippin'" is sure to please a drinker on the search for something slightly dry. All foods and beverages served at the Finger Lakes Cider House are local, adding to the homestyle feel of this unique destination.
- Address: 4017 Hickok Rd, Interlaken, NY 14847