Cozy Winter in Finger Lakes Wine Country 

If you’ve ever wondered what winter feels like in Finger Lakes Wine Country, imagine this: steam curling off a mug of mulled wine, quiet vineyard rows tucked under snow, lakes so still they look like brushed metal, and tiny towns glowing with soft golden light.

Winter here is romantic. It’s cozy. It’s a little adventurous. And once you try a cold-season escape to the FLX, you’ll want to come back every year.

This 5-day winter itinerary takes the heavy lifting of planning away, and is complemented with some local tips to make your winter getaway a little more special and easygoing!

Check into a lakeside inn, such as the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel or the Inn at Glenora Wine Cellars; a boutique B&B, such as The Laurentide Inn; or rent a cabin with a fireplace from Finger Lakes Premier Properties.

Your only mission on Day 1: settle in and slow down.

Winter in the Finger Lakes shines in the quiet moments. There’s just something about the way the light hits the lake at dusk, the hush that settles after a snowstorm, the cozy glow of your room as you unpack.

What to Do:

• Take a short walk along the lake to soak in the fresh air.
• Sip a local Riesling or Cabernet Franc as you unwind.
• Enjoy a relaxing dinner at a nearby tavern or inn. Check out our Small Town Guides for some suggestions!

Local Tip:
Bundle up and step outside around 10 pm. Winter skies are often crystal clear, and stargazing over the lake is pure magic.

Today is all about warming up from the inside out. Winter wine tasting in the Finger Lakes is intimate and serene, with fewer crowds, more conversations, and tasting rooms aglow with soft lighting and fireplaces. This is the perfect time to get to know your winemaker and enjoy a more leisurely experience at your favorite winery.

Spend your day on the Seneca Lake Wine Trail, known for world-class Riesling, Cabernet Franc, sparkling wines, and scenic tasting views, or along Keuka lake Wine Trail, where boutique wineries, historic vineyards, and sweeping lakeside views come together for a warm, welcoming flavor of Finger Lakes Wine Country, or the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail which blends pioneering Finger Lakes winemakers, diverse tasting rooms, and stunning waterside landscapes into a vibrant, easy-to-explore route perfect for both first-timers and seasoned wine lovers.

Suggested Flow:

• Start with a late-morning tasting at a winery (click on the linked wine trails for more information on each).
• Enjoy a cozy lunch at a café or winery bistro.
• Continue to a panoramic-view winery for golden-hour pours.

Looking for a Sober-Curious experience? Check out our guide here!

Local Tip:
Even though winter is quieter, call ahead. Hours may shift with the weather, and checking in ensures a smooth day of tasting.

Winter waterfalls in the FLX are breathtaking, dramatic, icy, and surprisingly peaceful.

Start your morning exploring along the upper trails of Watkins Glen State Park (the glen trails are closed during the winter months), or the scenic Keuka Outlet Trail. Even if trails are snowed over or partially closed, the overlooks offer spectacular views of frozen cascades.

After your mini-adventure, shift into full relaxation mode with an afternoon spa session. Choose from massages, saunas, steam rooms, or a quiet relaxation space. We put together a great list of spas to choose from in our earlier winter guide here.

Local Tip:
Stop at a local café for a warm pastry or cinnamon latte before your hike. The combination of hot coffee + cold-air waterfall viewing is a winter romance you didn’t know you needed.

Today is about savoring the Finger Lakes beyond wine.

Kick things off at a local creamery or cheese barn. Winter cheeses here are rich and intensely flavorful. Then switch gears with visits to a cider house, craft brewery, or distillery (such as Finger Lakes Distilling, Barrelhouse 6, and Krooked Leyk)

Spend the afternoon wandering one of the region’s charming towns:

• Hammondsport – tiny, charming, postcard-worthy
• Penn Yan – cafes, bakeries, and lakeside strolls
• Dundee – quiet-town charm, rural landscapes, and lakeside drives
• Corning – galleries and the iconic glass museum
• Watkins Glen –  shops with lake views
• Elmira – theatrical performances and historic sights
• Owego – antiquing and art trail to explore

Close out the day with a farm-to-table dinner at places (such as Graft Wine and Cider Bar, The Cellar Restaurant, The Park Inn, Dean Lane, and Main Deck) highlighting seasonal produce, artisan cheeses, and warm winter flavors.

Local Tip:
Buy a wedge of local cheese and a bottle of wine to take home. They make thoughtful gifts or the perfect post-trip movie-night pairing.

Before you say goodbye, enjoy one last dose of winter magic.

Choose your adventure:

• Snowshoeing through quiet woods
• Cross-country skiing along scenic lake trails
• Ice fishing with a local guide
• A simple village stroll for fresh-air photos and final cozy vibes

The Saunders Finger Lakes Museum often hosts ice fishing and cross-country skiing events, and will have snowshoes available for rent. Visit their events page here. 

End your trip with one more stop at a tasting room or café and raise a glass (or mug) to a beautiful winter escape.

Local Tip:
If the sun peeks out, pull over at any roadside lake overlook. Winter light here is soft, golden, and unbelievably photogenic.

A winter getaway to Finger Lakes Wine Country is the perfect blend of romance, relaxation, and low-key adventure. With intimate tasting rooms, snowy hikes, farm-fresh comfort food, and spa-like coziness, the region invites you to slow down and savor every moment.