Sip, Savor, and Sail: Sodus Bay Tastings Aboard the Rose Lummis

Set out across Sodus Bay from Pier 53 Open Air Bar and Brick Oven, 7147 Lake Bluff Road in Wolcott, New York, on a two-hour evening cruise aboard the Rose Lummis. On select Saturday nights, local wineries, breweries and cideries come on board to offer tastings as the shoreline slides past—an approachable, social way to sample Finger Lakes–adjacent flavors without driving. The Rose Lummis slips over water that opens into Lake Ontario; the bay’s shallow flats, reeds and channel markers create a small-boat landscape where migrating waterfowl and the occasional osprey patrol. Guests gather on deck to sip flights from nearby producers, trade tasting notes and watch late light rim ripples against sandbars. Conversations are easy; the boat’s gentle motion and panoramic sightlines make even the simplest pour feel cinematic. This is as much a short cruise as it is a moving tasting room. The format is simple: arrive at Pier 53 at least 30 minutes early to check in, find a seat, and enjoy two hours of cruising while vendors set up their tasting stations on board. Live music often accompanies the evenings—on some dates Doctors Orders provides a soundtrack—so expect a lively, social atmosphere that pairs well with sipping. The trip highlights the region’s coastal character: low bluffs and field edges, marsh vegetation, and long views toward Lake Ontario, as well as the human history of small-boat fishing and shoreline recreation that defines Sodus Bay. It’s a chance to taste local ciders, wines, and craft beer while floating through the geography that informs those beverages—the orchards and vineyards that hug inland hills and lakeshores. Practical details: the cruise lasts two hours; wear layers because wind and water chill can sharpen after sunset. Bring a camera, a light jacket, and cash or card for tastings and any bottle sales. Check the host’s calendar for specific dates and participating producers. The boarding point is Pier 53 Open Air Bar and Brick Oven • 7147 Lake Bluff Road, Wolcott NY 14590; plan your transport and parking in advance. Why book it? It’s a low-effort, high-reward evening that combines regional flavor with open-water perspective—perfect for first-time boaters, food and drink fans, and anyone who values a relaxed social outing with a local edge. For visitors to the North Rose/Wolcott corridor, this sail adds a memorable maritime angle to a Finger Lakes–area tasting itinerary. Bookings are handled through the event listing—reserve early for popular dates, especially when live music is scheduled—and arrive prepared for a relaxed cruise experience; while the Rose Lummis offers ample deck space, wear nonslip shoes, and consider coordinating carpools or local lodging in North Rose or nearby Sodus Point to make the evening seamless and safe and fully enjoy.