New York | Finger Lakes | Seneca Lake Wine Trail

Location

Address: 4162 NY-90, Union Springs, NY 13160

Phone: (315) 889-8500

Website: heartandhandswine.com

Reservations: Book a Tasting

State: New York Wineries

Wine Region: Finger Lakes Wineries

American Viticultural Area: Finger Lakes AVA, Cayuga Lake AVA

Wine Trail: Cayuga Lake Wine Trail

About Heart & Hands Wine Company

Heart and Hands Wine Company is widely regarded as one of the best Cayuga Lake wineries, located on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake, part of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail. Founded by Tom and Susan Higgins, this boutique winery has quickly become a destination for wine enthusiasts seeking high-quality, small-batch wines in the Finger Lakes region. Since their first Pinot Noir harvest in 2012, Heart & Hands has been dedicated to producing wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Finger Lakes, with a particular focus on Pinot Noir, Riesling, and sparkling wines, crafted in the traditional Méthode Champenoise.

Visitors to Heart & Hands Wine Company can expect a personalized, intimate tasting experience that sets this winery apart from others in the region. The tasting room is warm and inviting, offering a cozy space where guests are encouraged to fully explore the wines. The knowledgeable staff takes pride in guiding each visitor through the tasting process, providing detailed explanations of the winemaking methods, the characteristics of each wine, and how the local climate and limestone-rich soils contribute to the winery's distinctive style. The relaxed atmosphere allows for engaging conversations with the team, and on many occasions, Susan herself will lead the tastings, offering guests the rare opportunity to learn directly from one of the winery’s founders.

One of the most popular options for guests is the Signature Tasting, which lasts 60 minutes and includes a flight of five wines. This tasting often showcases the winery’s celebrated Finger Lakes Pinot Noir and Riesling, alongside other wines. In addition to these staples, the winery’s innovative Esoteric series gives visitors the chance to taste rare and unique grape varieties such as Aligoté, Arvine, and Auxerrois. These wines, while lesser-known, reflect the pioneering spirit of Heart & Hands, which strives to push the boundaries of traditional Finger Lakes winemaking.

For guests seeking a more immersive experience, the UTV Vineyard Tour & Tasting offers a behind-the-scenes look at the winery’s vineyards and farming practices. This 90-minute tour, led by Susan Higgins herself, takes visitors through the estate vineyards aboard a UTV, providing a close-up view of the terroir that plays such a crucial role in the production of Heart & Hands' exceptional wines. Along the way, guests will enjoy a progressive tasting of six wines, including the winery’s award-winning Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. Paired with light bites, this experience offers a deeper understanding of the viticulture behind the winery’s success, making it a must for serious wine enthusiasts and those looking to learn more about the Finger Lakes wine region.

The sparkling wines at Heart & Hands are some of the finest in the region, earning the winery a reputation for crafting the best Finger Lakes sparkling wine. Produced using the Méthode Champenoise, these sparkling wines are made with the utmost care. The result is a refined sparkling wine with elegant bubbles and complex flavors that rival those produced in more famous wine regions.

Heart & Hands also shines with its Pinot Noir, which has become a signature wine for the winery. The Finger Lakes’ cool climate and limestone soils create ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir, and Heart & Hands has mastered it. The winery’s Pinot Noir consistently receives high praise for its depth of flavor and balance making it one of the best Finger Lakes Pinot Noirs.

Whether you're visiting for the intimate tastings, the educational vineyard tour, or simply to experience some of the best wineries on the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, Heart & Hands Wine Company delivers an experience that blends passion, innovation, and a true connection to the land. Its standing as a premier stop on the Finger Lakes winery directory makes it a must-visit for anyone seeking to explore the best that the region has to offer.