Finger Lakes winery guide

Ventosa Vineyards

Ventosa Vineyards is a family-owned, 100% estate winery on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York, in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine region.

Ventosa Vineyards

About Ventosa Vineyards

Ventosa Vineyards is a family-owned, 100% estate winery on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake in Geneva, New York, in the heart of the Finger Lakes wine region. Founded by Lenny and Meg Cecere, the winery opened its doors on September 25, 2005, and pays tribute to Lenny's grandfather, an Italian immigrant and Geneva tavern owner who learned to make his own wine during Prohibition. The name 'Ventosa' means 'windy' in Italian, and the property carries that heritage through with Tuscan-inspired architecture, a hand-painted tasting room, and an expansive terrace overlooking the vines and lake.

The estate's 23 acres of hand-picked vinifera vineyards grow only premium varietals, and every wine is grown, produced, and bottled on site. Ventosa specializes in dry, Old World-style, older-vintage red wines such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Lemberger, and Sangiovese, and was among the first New York wineries to grow the Italian white Tocai Friulano. Reds spend one to three years in oak plus at least a year in bottle before release, and production is intentionally limited to roughly 4,000 cases per year through aggressive fruit thinning. The wines have earned numerous national and international medals, highlighted by the 2011 Estate-Grown Lemberger winning the 2015 New York Governor's Cup as the best wine in the state, the only red wine ever to do so.

Beyond the tasting bar, Ventosa has been voted a top destination winery in the Finger Lakes. Guests can enjoy Mediterranean-inspired lunches at the on-site Cafe Toscana, sip wine on the terrace with sweeping views of the vineyards and Seneca Lake sunsets, tour the wine cellar with the winemaker, catch free live music every Wednesday, celebrate in the Tuscan-style La Vista e Bella ballroom (a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings), or stay overnight at the estate's Broad Meadow Mansion lodging.

Plan your visit

Address
3440 NY-96A, Geneva, NY 14456
Phone
(315) 719-0000
Hours
Winery & Tasting Room (Summer): Monday - Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM (tastings & flights until 6:00 PM) Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM tastings; BOGO Happy Hour 5:00 - 6:00 PM; Live Music 6:00 - 9:00 PM Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday: Closed Cafe Toscana (Summer): Monday - Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Thursday - Saturday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sunday: Closed Winter Hours (Oct 30 - May 12): Winery Monday - Saturday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Cafe Monday - Saturday 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Wednesday until 8:00 PM); Sunday Closed

Visitor amenities

  • Pet-friendly
  • Family-friendly
  • On-site dining at Cafe Toscana

Wines to explore

  • Cabernet Franc — Bright berries & peppery oak
  • Cabernet Sauvignon — Jammy dark fruit & spice
  • Pinot Noir — Black cherry & soft tobacco
  • Merlot — Smooth, plummy dry red
  • Lemberger — Governor's Cup spicy red
  • Sangiovese — Oak-aged cherry & spice
  • Saggio Red Blend — Bold Old World blend
  • Tocai Friulano — Crisp citrus & almond
  • Riesling (Dry to Sweet) — Bright peach & apple
  • Chardonnay — Lightly oaked & smooth
  • Pinot Gris — Clean, fresh & aromatic
  • Vino Bianco — Zesty everyday white blend
  • Vino Rosso — Easy-drinking smooth red
  • Rosato & Rose Trio — Fresh berry & grapefruit
  • Vino Fizzante — Crisp estate sparkling wine

More at this winery

Cafe Toscana (Mediterranean / Italian)

Cafe Toscana is Ventosa's on-site cafe, open year-round and serving light Mediterranean-style lunch fare including panini, wraps, salads, homemade soups, desserts, and its well-known pizzas, with gluten-free pizza shells and bread available daily. Guests order at the counter from a seasonal menu and daily chef specials, then dine indoors by large lake-view windows, on the expansive seasonal terrace overlooking the vineyards and Seneca Lake, or to-go at the picnic tables on the side lawn. Group luncheons and buffet options are available for larger parties with reservations.

La Vista e Bella Ballroom & Outdoor Wedding Pavilion

Tuscan-inspired event ballroom seating up to 300 guests with an in-house kitchen, plus a covered outdoor ceremony pavilion set against vineyard and Seneca Lake views and an air-conditioned bridal suite. Rated 5 stars on WeddingWire and The Knot, and named a winner of The Knot Best of Weddings in 2025 and 2026.

Broad Meadow Mansion (On-Site Lodging)

A 100+ year-old, 5,100-square-foot rentable mansion overlooking Seneca Lake and the Ventosa vineyards, sleeping 10 guests in 5 bedrooms with 5.5 baths. Amenities include a sauna, steam room, jacuzzi tub, three outdoor patios with an outdoor kitchen, expansive kitchen and dining room, laundry, WiFi, and central A/C.

Live Music Wednesdays & Happy Hour

Free, local live music year-round every Wednesday paired with a buy-one-get-one happy hour, held out on the terrace in good weather with Seneca Lake sunset views. Summer 'Sunsets & Wine' evenings also keep the winery open late until 9:00 PM.

Wine Cellar Tours & Charcuterie Tastings

Guided walking tours of the wine cellar, barrel room, and warehouse led with insight from winemaker Joe Gonzalez, with optional add-on tastings of five estate wines paired with a charcuterie board in the cellar. Tours are offered daily for groups of 8 or more by reservation.

Terrace & Seasonal Picnic Area

An expansive terrace spans the length of the building overlooking the estate vineyards, downtown Geneva, and Seneca Lake, ideal for enjoying wine, flights, and cafe food outdoors. Seasonal picnic tables on the south lawn let guests order to-go from Cafe Toscana for a vineyard picnic.

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