New York | Finger Lakes | Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Location

Address: 3775 Mathews Rd, Burdett, NY 14818

Phone: (607) 622-8020

Website: forgecellars.com

Reservations: Book a Tasting

State: New York Wineries

Wine Region: Finger Lakes Wineries

American Viticultural Area: Finger Lakes AVA, Seneca Lake AVA

Wine Trail: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

About Forge Cellars

Forge Cellars is one of the most exciting modern wineries in the Finger Lakes, blending European winemaking tradition with a deep respect for local terroir. Founded in 2011 by Rick Rainey and Louis Barruol—the celebrated French winemaker behind Château de Saint Cosme and Château de Rouanne in the Southern Rhône—the winery is a prime example of European vintners recognizing the Finger Lakes’ potential, especially for cool-climate white wines.

Located on the southeast side of Seneca Lake, Forge Cellars specializes in hand-crafted dry Riesling and Pinot Noir, with standout offerings of Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc as well. Their winemaking philosophy centers on sustainability, minimal intervention, and precision, resulting in elegant, expressive wines that are unmistakably tied to place.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of a visit to Forge is exploring their extensive lineup of single-vineyard Rieslings. It’s a rare opportunity to taste how different vineyard sites—each with unique soils, slopes, and microclimates—express themselves through the same grape. A great example is the Caywood Vineyard Riesling, from vines planted in the 1970s by French winemaker Charles Fournier, one of the early believers in Finger Lakes vinifera potential, alongside his friend Dr. Konstantin Frank.

For a broader view of the region, their Riesling Classique blends fruit from all 16 vineyard sites Forge works with—each located along an 8-mile stretch on the southeastern shores of Seneca Lake. It’s fascinating to compare the individual vineyard bottlings with the Classique blend to see how site and soil create different nuances in aroma, texture, and minerality.

Forge offers tastings in two distinct spaces. The Summer House offers intimate, appointment-only tastings in a refined, yet rustic space, while The Salon provides a more casual, open-air setting with sweeping views of Seneca Lake. Here, you can build your own flight or order by the glass, including wines from Forge’s sister wineries in France—Château de Saint Cosme and Château de Rouanne—for a transatlantic tasting experience.

And if you're feeling snacky? Try one of their artisanal tinned fish offerings, which pair surprisingly well with their crisp, dry Rieslings—an unexpected but welcome nod to European wine bar culture.

Set atop a hill with unobstructed views of Seneca Lake, Forge Cellars delivers a thoughtful, terroir-driven tasting experience that seamlessly blends Old World tradition with New World innovation—making it a must-visit for anyone exploring Finger Lakes wine country.