Why should you visit Saratoga Springs, NY for wineries?
This blog post covers the best wineries in Saratoga Springs, New York.
The wineries in Saragota Springs offer a small but mighty selection of delicious wines from elegant reds to lovely whites.
Wineries in and around Saratoga County work with traditional grapes such as Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc. They also work with northern climate grapes suited to withstand winters in upstate New York.
Although Saratoga Springs is not one of New York State’s officially recognized American Viticulture Areas (AVAs), this is still a grape growing area. It’s also easy to visit – Saratoga Springs is a short forty minute drive from Albany or a three and a half hour drive from New York City.
The best wineries in Saratoga Springs, NY with a tasting room
Saratoga Winery
The Saratoga Winery is located off State Route 29, just a few miles west of downtown Saratoga Springs. Their tasting room has a refined yet rustic vibe true to the Adirondacks and their spacious outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy live music in the summer.
Like most wineries in Saratoga Springs, NY, the Saratoga Winery offers tasting flights. Their wines are split into a “dry flight” and a “sweet flight.” But they offer much more than wine. This family-owned winery has local beers, fantastic cocktails, and mimosa fueled brunches. The Drunken’ Horse Hut (their outside bar) serves wine slushies and sangria on Friday nights.
Saratoga Winery also makes wood-fired pizza, which of course pairs perfectly with a glass of wine. There’s wine, beer, spirits, cheese, and wood fired pizza all under one roof. What more could you want?
Adirondack Winery
Adirondack Winery offers a range of both traditional and nontraditional beverages.
They produce wine using well-known grape varietals such as Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, and Gewurztraminer. They also make unusual fruit wines such as “Orchard Blossom” wine that tastes like green apple, “Beachside Bubbly” that tastes like peaches, and Berry Breeze, which is reminiscent of “strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.” Adirondack Winery produces some unusual wines compared to other wineries in Saragota Springs, NY.
Adirondack Winery has two tasting rooms: one in Queensbury and one in Lake George. The Lake George tasting room is open year-round. The Queensbury tasting room offers special events, outdoor seating, and (perhaps most importantly) charcuterie boards.
Victory View Vineyard
Victory View Vineyard specializes in northern climate grapes such as “marquette, maréchal foch, frontenac, la crescent, lacrosse, petite pearl and melody,” according to their website.
Guests can sample wine made from their farm-grown grapes in either the outdoor or the indoor tasting rooms. Victory View Vineyard also leads tours of their winery so guests can learn about the winemaking process and see the vineyard. This family-owned business is a thirty minute drive from Saratoga Springs but it’s well worth the trip.
Galway Rock Vineyard & Winery
Galway Rock Vineyard & Winery has a tasting room in Ballston Lake, which is a twenty-minute drive from Saratoga Springs, NY.
Their tasting room is decorated in an elegant yet rustic fashion with wooden barrels, stacks of wine bottles, and plenty of wood. Guests can enjoy beautiful mountain views from their relaxing patio. Galway Rock Vineyard & Winery hosts special events throughout the year, such as yoga sessions and holiday themed tastings.
Galway Rock Vineyard & Winery sells a variety of wines made in the Finger Lakes region and on Long Island. Their main Galway Rock line includes a dry Chardonnay, a dry Riesling, a dry Rosé, and a semi-sweet Vignoles. Their label Saratoga Sparkling Co. includes a sweet Moscato, an extra dry Rosé, and a brut Blanc de Blanc sparkling wine. They also carry both a dry and semi sweet Riesling. As you can tell, Galway caters to white wine enthusiasts.
Fossil Stone Farms
Fossil Stone Farms lies a short ten minute drive outside of Saratoga Springs. The farm originally focused on horses but later switched to wine growing.
They focus on grapes such as Marquette, La Crescent, and Petite Pearl. According to their website, Marquette grapes have “notes of cherry, berry, black pepper, and spice,” La Crescent grapes have “aromas of apricot, peach, citrus and pineapple,” and Petite Pearl is Syrah-like with “spice and fruit jam qualities.”
Fossil Stone Farms hosts wine tastings at their farm but you can also pick up a bottle at local shops in Saratoga Springs. Fossil Stone Farms is a great choice if you’re still debating which winery to visit first among all the wineries in Saragota Springs, NY.
Ledge Rock Hill Winery
Ledge Rock Hill Winery is one of the best wineries for both wine lovers and their beer drinking companions.
While the wine lovers of your group enjoy the educational wine tastings, beer enthusiasts can sample a variety of beers from local breweries. Guests can also pair this wine with gourmet cheese, cured meats, and delicious chocolates.
Located in the Lake George Area, Ledge Rock Hill Winery is a great spot to taste wine amongst the beautiful Adirondacks. Ledge Rock Hill Winery divides their wine into “the dry side” and “the sweet side.” The drier wines from Ledge Rock Hill Winery are made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Melody, and Traminette grapes. Cornell University developed the Traminette grape using parent varieties such as Gewurztraminer.
The sweeter wines from Ledge Rock Hill Winery begin with grapes like the Cayuga White grape, which grows throughout the Finger Lakes region. Sweet wines from Ledge Rock also include ingredients like blackberry flavor, peach flavor, green apple flavor, cranberry flavoring, and kiwi and pear flavors.
Thirsty Owl Saratoga
The Thirsty Owl Saratoga offers nearly two dozen wines made from grapes such as Syrah, Pinot Noir, and Riesling. They organize tasting flights, educational wine tastings, wine and food pairings, and a wine club.
Guests who fancy a drink outdoors can relax on the spacious patio. They produce Malbec and Syrah (unusual for the region) and, thanks to a vineyard near Cayuga Lake, their wines reflect the Finger Lakes region.
Delicious wine and cheese boards make the Thirsty Owl a great place to begin – or end – a night out in Saratoga Springs. Beyond cheese boards, their bistro offers American food like macaroni and cheese.
The Wine Bar
The Wine Bar is exactly as its name suggests; it’s a lovely wine bar!
This unique establishment offers a full bar, a smoking lounge, and a private event space. The menu lists multiple gourmet cheeses and the wine list features dozens of wines from across the world. Guests can enjoy a small plate, a full entrée, or a pizza. What’s not to like?
Saratoga Springs is a great place to try beer or spirits
While the wineries in Saratoga Springs, NY are the main draw, don’t miss the local craft beers or distilleries. This charming town offers a range of local wineries, craft breweries, and distilleries.
For breweries, check out Artisanal Brew Works, Bolton Landing Brewing Company, and Walt & Whitman Brewing Company.
For distilleries, look into Yankee Distillers, Village Garage Distillery, Springbrook Hollow Farm Distillery, and Saratoga Courage Distillery. Whether you’re in it for the wine, the beer, or the spirits, this tiny town in upstate New York has a burgeoning craft beverages scene that offers something for everyone!
Similar wine regions to explore
New York wine country destinations worth a trip
Saratoga Springs lies in the Hudson River Valley. Another Hudson Valley gem is Warwick, New York. According to the New York Times Warwick “has a Goldilocks quality.” Our list of the best wineries in Warwick NY covers where to go in a town that’s not too big and not too small. It’s just right.
The Finger Lakes region produces some of the best wine in the Northeastern United States. The wineries situated on and around Keuka Lake often have gorgeous lakeside views and delicious award-winning wine. Our list of the best Keuka Lake wineries shows you exactly where to go.
Penn Yan is a village situated on Keuka Lake’s northern side. The best wineries in Penn Yan, NY have lakeside tasting rooms and rolling vineyard views. And delicious wine, of course!
Pennsylvania wine country destinations to visit
I like Philadelphia but I don’t associate the city with wine. Funnily enough there are dozens of wineries nestled throughout the Brandywine Valley hills just outside of Philadelphia.
Chester County is home to many great wineries, which happen to have it all: charm, grace, and good taste! Our list of the best Chester County wineries shows which wineries are worth a trip.
New Hope, Pennsylvania is a joyful quirky little town full of history. Our list of the best New Hope wineries details where to grab a glass within (and outside) the city limits.
