Finger Lakes winery guide

Red Newt Cellars Winery & Bistro

Red Newt Cellars has been at the leading edge of the Finger Lakes winery scene for almost 30 years. Featured wines include Riesling and Dry Riesling.

Red Newt Cellars Winery & Bistro

About Red Newt Cellars Winery & Bistro

Red Newt Cellars has been at the leading edge of the Finger Lakes winery scene for almost 30 years. Founded in 1998 by David and Debra Whiting on the east side of Seneca Lake in Hector, NY, the winery has a long history of outstanding wines and pioneering spirit, and is regarded as a preeminent producer of Finger Lakes Riesling, along with Cabernet Franc, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Gris, Merlot, Syrah, and Pinot Noir. Visitors are invited to taste wines with origin and purpose, and to experience sense of place and personality in the glass.

The hospitality team guides guests through the portfolio via traditional standup tastings at the bar (first come, first served, no reservation needed), as well as wines by the flight, glass, half glass, and bottle. Casual wine and food service runs daily with cheeseboards featuring local cheeses and a lite fare menu (hummus, tapenade, focaccia, pita), with seating indoors or on the outdoor deck overlooking the vineyards.

The Bistro at Red Newt opened its doors in 1999, where founding chef Debra Whiting was a leader in the burgeoning farm-to-table scene. Today the kitchen continues with a small menu of wine-focused, shared-table-style meals that pay tribute to the agricultural bounty of the Finger Lakes, including the winery's famously delicious grilled cheese sandwiches on house-made Anadama bread.

Plan your visit

Address
3675 Tichenor Road, Hector, NY 14841
Phone
(607) 546-4100
Hours
Winery Tasting & Sales: Daily 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Casual Wine & Lite Fare: Daily 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Bistro Lunch: Friday - Sunday 12:00 PM - 3:30 PM Bistro Dinner: Friday & Saturday 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Visitor amenities

  • Reservations available
  • On-site dining at The Red Newt Bistro

Wines to explore

  • Riesling — Crisp, aromatic & site-driven
  • Dry Riesling — Citrus-driven, mineral & precise
  • Gewürztraminer — Floral, spicy & exotic
  • Pinot Gris — Fresh, round & fruity
  • Cabernet Franc — Savory, peppery & bright
  • Merlot — Plush, dark & polished
  • Pinot Noir — Silky, red-fruited & earthy
  • Syrah — Cool-climate, spicy & dark

More at this winery

The Red Newt Bistro (Farm-to-table / Wine-inspired small plates)

The Bistro at Red Newt opened in 1999 under founding chef Debra Whiting, a leader in the Finger Lakes farm-to-table movement. The kitchen cooks in a shared-table style inspired by the wines — simple starters arrive first, with more involved sharing plates and composed dinner entrees to follow. Lunch features the signature Red Newt grilled cheese on house-made Anadama bread and griddled mac & cheese; the wine list spans current releases by the glass plus an extensive selection of reserve, single vineyard, and library wines.

Red Newt Wine Dinners & Live Music Events

Multi-course wine dinners drawing on Red Newt's long commitment to Finger Lakes wines and regional foods, plus live music events (such as the Professor Keys live piano series) hosted at the winery throughout the season.

Outdoor Deck & Vineyard Views

Table-service seating on the outdoor deck (weather permitting) with wine by the glass, cheeseboards of local cheeses, and views over the east side of Seneca Lake.

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