The first thing you notice at Heron Hill's flagship tasting room is the view. The soaring timber-frame building sits on a hillside above Keuka Lake's western bluff, and through those tall windows the vineyards tumble downhill toward water that changes color with the weather. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most dramatic winery settings in the entire Finger Lakes. Founded in 1977, Heron Hill has been at this for nearly fifty years, and the operation reflects that maturity — sustainability isn't a marketing buzzword here but a genuine commitment woven into how they farm their estate vineyards on both Keuka and Canandaigua Lakes.

The wines to pay attention to are in the Eclipse reserve series, where winemaker Nova Cadamatre pushes into more ambitious territory with Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Blaufrankisch that can genuinely surprise people who still underestimate the region. The everyday whites are solid — the dry Riesling and semi-dry options are crowd-pleasers that move fast — but if you're only going to taste a few, spend your time with the reserves. Heron Hill operates two tasting room locations, so check which one fits your route before you drive out.

This is a place that works equally well as a date afternoon or a stop on a broader Keuka Lake wine trail run. The Gold for Best Winery from FLX Finest tracks with what locals already know: Heron Hill delivers both the postcard setting and the substance in the glass. Just don't skip the view from the deck if the weather cooperates — it's the kind of panorama that sells people on the Finger Lakes before they've even tasted anything.