Do I need a reservation?

Yes. Reservations are required because seating is intentionally limited to keep the tasting intimate.

How long does the tasting last?

Each session runs about 1.5 hours, typically 2:00–3:30 PM.

Can I use my wine club discount?

Wine club discounts do not apply to the tasting fee; club pricing may apply to purchases made that day.

Yes. A shared grazing board featuring local meats and cheeses is included with the tasting.

Is the tasting seated or standing?

The format is seated and conversational; if you need an alternative setup, contact the winery before your visit.

Are the wines from the same vintage?

Yes. The tasting compares three Dry Rieslings and three Cabernet Francs, all from the 2024 vintage, from different Finger Lakes producers.

Comparative Tasting at Billsboro Winery: Dry Riesling & Cabernet Franc in the Finger Lakes | Wine | Winery

At Billsboro Winery in Geneva, New York, a focused, 90‑minute tasting pulls back the curtain on how the Finger Lakes shapes two signature varieties: Dry Riesling and Cabernet Franc. Led by owner and winemaker Vinny Aliperti, the Comparative Tasting — Dry Riesling & Cab Franc places six 2024 bottles on the table: three Dry Rieslings and three Cabernet Francs, each from a different Finger Lakes producer but all the same vintage. The format is conversational and seated, pairing each pour with a shared grazing board of local meats and cheeses. The setting is the agricultural rim of the Finger Lakes, where long, glacially carved valleys, cool lake microclimates, and stony soils encourage aromatic acidity in Riesling and bright, savory tones in Franc. On arrival at Billsboro Winery you’ll find an intimate tasting room where close seating keeps the focus on aroma, texture, and the winemaker’s narrative of site and cellar decisions. This comparative model sharpens tasting skills—learn to trace differences in oak use, skin contact, maceration, and harvest timing across wines that otherwise share vintage conditions. Beyond tasting technique, the experience doubles as a field lesson in Finger Lakes terroir. The talk covers cellar aging choices and how ripeness and cooling lake breezes tilt a Riesling toward lime and petrol notes while steering Cabernet Franc toward red-fruit, herbaceous lift and softer tannins. The winemaker’s perspective makes the mechanics tangible; comments reference grape handling, stainless versus neutral wood, and blending choices without leaning on jargon. Practical details: sessions run roughly 1.5 hours at 2:00–3:30 PM; reservations are required and seating is limited. Wine club discounts do not apply to the tasting fee, though purchases the day of may still receive club pricing. This is ideal for curious wine lovers, club members wanting deeper context, and visitors looking to compare how micro-site and style transform a single vintage. Why book it? The tasting compresses a season’s worth of vineyard decisions into six sips and one instructive conversation, anchored by a local winemaker who knows these soils and routes to expression. For travelers basing themselves in Geneva or exploring the Finger Lakes wineries along Seneca and Cayuga Lakes, this walk-through tasting provides sharper palate skills and a clearer map of what to seek at other producers. Bring curiosity, a notepad, and a friend who enjoys arguing about subtle differences—this tasting rewards close attention. Plan to arrive a few minutes early to check in at Billsboro Winery’s tasting room; the intimate format means late arrivals can miss pours. Food sourcing is local—the grazing board features meats and cheeses from nearby farms. If you prefer standing service or larger groups, contact the winery ahead to inquire about private tastings or adjusted seating and tasting notes.