Finger Lakes winery guide

Six Mile Creek Vineyard & Distillery

Six Mile Creek Vineyard is Ithaca's oldest winery and distillery and one of the earliest members of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, first opening its doors in 1987.

About Six Mile Creek Vineyard & Distillery

Six Mile Creek Vineyard is Ithaca's oldest winery and distillery and one of the earliest members of the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail, first opening its doors in 1987. Founded by Roger and Nancy Battistella, who gave Ithaca its first vineyard and tasting room, the winery has grown from just 250 gallons of wine in its first year to more than 10,000 gallons today, along with a full line of grape-based spirits and liqueurs. Since 2015, owners Mark and Amy Renodin have expanded the product line while maintaining the winery's standard of personable, knowledgeable service.

The tasting room occupies a beautifully restored 19th-century Dutch Colonial barn, extensively remodeled in 1997, with a deck overlooking the vineyard and the scenic Six Mile Creek Valley. An event room added in 2003 hosts gatherings throughout the year and doubles as a second tasting room on busy weekends. Just a few miles from downtown Ithaca, the property offers panoramic views over the vineyards, pond, and rolling fields, making it a popular first stop on a Finger Lakes trip.

Guided tastings are led at the bar by staff, with six wine selections for $10 and spirit tastings at $2 each (up to three). Guests can also enjoy wine by the glass or bottle, local beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and cheese and snacks, with indoor seating plus covered and open-air outdoor seating. The estate grows hybrid varieties including Cayuga, Seyval Blanc, Vignoles, and Marquette on site, sourcing additional grapes from nearby Cayuga and Seneca Lake vineyards, and its 2016 Cabernet Franc won the Governor's Cup - Best of Show - at the 2019 New York Wine Classic.

Plan your visit

Address
1551 Slaterville Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850
Phone
(607) 272-9463
Hours
May 1 - October 31: Monday - Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM November 1 - April 30: Sunday - Friday: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM November 1 - April 30: Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Closed: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, January 1-9 Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve: open until 3:00 PM

Visitor amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Family-friendly

Wines to explore

  • Chardonnay Reserve — Toasted almond & butterscotch
  • Chardonnay — Mineral, peach, lightly oaked
  • Grüner Veltliner — Pear, apricot, bright acidity
  • Reserve Riesling (Dry) — Dry melon, apple, tangerine
  • Seyval Blanc — Floral, lemongrass, refreshing
  • Ithaca White — Melon & apple blend
  • Vignoles — Grapefruit, honey & vanilla
  • Riesling (Semi-Dry) — Floral, melon, flinty finish
  • Rosatto (Rosé) — Dry strawberry-rhubarb rosé
  • Ithaca Red — Jammy berries, spicy finish
  • Pinot Noir — Earthy, light cherry, food-friendly
  • Chancellor — Blackberry, currant, soft tannins
  • Lemberger — Dark fruit, lightly spiced
  • Cabernet Franc — Dried fruit, spice & oak
  • Quintessence — Plum & spice Bordeaux blend
  • Ithaca Blush — Honeysuckle, cherry, gentle spice
  • Odyssey — Strawberry, cherry, off-sweet
  • Pasa Tiempo — Honey, lemon-lime, semi-sweet
  • Cantare — Sweet grapey Niagara, honeydew
  • Bellissimo — Sweet raspberry, balanced acidity
  • Sweet Abby's Red — Sweet strawberry-cherry red
  • Avery's Spumante — Semi-dry sparkling blush

More at this winery

On-Site Distillery & Spirit Tastings

Ithaca's oldest distillery operates in-house on a traditional copper pot still, producing vodka, gin, grappa, limoncella, orangecello, and an Italian-inspired amaretto - all distilled from wine. Spirit tastings are offered at the bar for $2 each (up to three selections); due to state licensing, spirits are sold by the bottle for off-site enjoyment only and cannot be shipped.

Private Events & Weddings

The restored Dutch Colonial barn, deck, and pond-side grounds host weddings and private events, with indoor gatherings for up to 30 guests after business hours and outdoor receptions for up to 75 guests. Venue rental starts at $500 for indoor events and $1,000 for outdoor events, with wine service, bar setup options, and rental coordination provided.

Deck & Outdoor Seating with Valley Views

Covered (late spring through fall) and open-air outdoor seating plus an indoor seating area overlook the vineyard, pond, and Six Mile Creek Valley. Tables are first come, first served; guests may bring outside non-alcoholic beverages, and well-behaved leashed pets are welcome in the tasting room and on the grounds.

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