Founded in 2011 on the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake, Forge Cellars is dedicated to crafting terroir-driven wines that express the unique character of the Finger Lakes. A partnership between Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas, France, and Rick Rainey, Forge combines centuries of Old World winemaking philosophy with the exceptional vineyard sites of New York's premier cool-climate wine region.

Specializing in bone-dry Riesling, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Franc, Forge works with a network of sustainably farmed vineyards along Seneca Lake. Through meticulous vineyard selection, hand harvesting, spontaneous fermentations, and gentle cellar practices, each wine is crafted to reflect the individuality of its site and vintage.

At the heart of Forge's philosophy is a commitment to transparency and place. The winery's Classique wines capture the essence of east Seneca Lake, while its single-vineyard bottlings explore the remarkable diversity of soils, elevations, and microclimates that define the region. The result is a collection of wines that are vibrant, precise, and unmistakably Finger Lakes.

Experiences to book at Forge Cellars

Top reviews

Toni Sterling
May 27, 2024
Dry wine lovers - this is the place for you! Dry seemed to be their focus. They have local as well as European wines. The staff are very friendly and very accommodating. The cheddar cheese & jamon meat plate was amazing! The salon has a very laid-back vibe with some indoor and outdoor seating options. Would highly recommend!
Jonice Argenti
October 9, 2021
Fantastic

Location

Location 3775 Mathews Road, Burdett, New York 14818, United States

Region

USA

Spoken Languages

Services

Reduced Mobility Access
Pets Allowed
Parking

Visiting Hours

Monday - Tuesday
closed
Wednesday - Saturday
11:30 - 18:30
Sunday
12:00 - 17:00

Wine types

Red Wine
White Wine

Grape varieties

Riesling
Chardonnay
Pinot Noir
Cabernet Franc

Visitor reviews

What our community thinks about Forge Cellars

Check out verified reviews from visitors who've enjoyed their time at Forge Cellars.

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Reviews (8)

Bill M
Reviewed on October 16, 2025

My wife and I came to Forge on a beautiful Wednesday afternoon. The tasting room inside was very cozy and inviting but the seating area outside was breathtaking. They have a perfect view of the lake and it’s high enough on a hill that you can see a good quarter of it. There are numerous fire pits around that helped take the chill off. They brought us our flight and explained the differences to each wine. They’ve taken Riesling and turned it to an art form. The cheese plate was fantastic. They were very friendly to our dog. We will definitely return!

Review provided by Google

Mackenzie Homan
Reviewed on August 10, 2025

Highly recommended by a local. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve been blessed to travel the world tasting and studying wine. The Finger Lakes is my home, and only a few wineries really knock my socks off. For me, that means they go above and beyond in 1.) quality of wine 2.) location and views and 3.) service + knowledge. Forge Cellars absolutely had it all. 11/10 in every category. Today, our tasting host, Wes, was an absolute gem. Not only did he know everything there is to know about Forge’s vineyards and winemaking, but he was also a superb and interesting human being. My bestie and I felt so taken care of, paid attention to, and treated with high class hospitality. Somehow, at the same time, Wes treated us like royalty and portrayed the down to earth spirit of Forge’s terroir-driven wines. This is the PLACE if you want crispy, dry rieslings that put the Finger Lakes on the world map with a few unique wines thrown in the mix. Forge is a sister winery to a maison in France, so you can also taste and buy delightful French wines. The aesthetic is hip-cozy with pristine lake views. I can’t wait to go back with more of my wine-loving friends.

Review provided by Google

Elizabeth Fitzgerald
Reviewed on July 8, 2025

This is a nice spot with a modern interior, kind staff, and a decent view. My friend really wanted to visit since she works in hospitality and loves dry white wines. Personally, the wine was a bit too dry for my taste, so I stuck with one glass of Chardonnay instead of doing a full flight. The charcuterie board was scrumptious! We ordered the Petite Farmer's Plate, which came with Jamón Ibérico (a Spanish dry-cured ham aged 3 years from the Montaraz family), 18-month clothbound cheddar from Jasper Hill in Vermont, cornichons, mustard, and a warm mini baguette. Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. The vibe was cool and relaxed. If you’re a fan of dry wines, this might be the perfect spot for you!

Review provided by Google

Lionel Chol
Reviewed on October 1, 2024

The best winery in the Finger Lakes

Review provided by Google

A P
Reviewed on June 23, 2024

We loved visiting Forge! The Salon is a fun concept - laidback and relaxing. We had our dog with us, and all 3 of us appreciated the nice and cool air conditioning! We had two wines, and the jamon and cheddar cheese plate. It was delicious! The jamon was melt in your mouth good. Paired very well with the rieslings we had. Beautiful views. The aesthetic inside and out was very enjoyable. Rieslings usually aren’t up our alley, but the ones we tried were dry and refreshing on the hot day. Would def visit again and recommend!

Review provided by Google

Frequently Asked Questions about Forge Cellars

What type of wines does Forge Cellars produce?

Forge Cellars produces Red Wine, White Wine.

What grape varieties do they plant at Forge Cellars?

At Forge Cellars, they cultivate Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc.

What languages do they speak at the Forge Cellars?

At Forge Cellars they speak English.

Do they produce organic wines at Forge Cellars?

No, Forge Cellars is not an organic wine producer.