Forge Cellars

About

Forge Cellars

Forge Cellars is one of the most serious and celebrated wineries in the Finger Lakes — an artisanal producer founded in 2011 with a singular, uncompromising focus: handcrafted Dry Riesling and Pinot Noir from the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake. The winery is a collaboration between three passionate partners: French winemaker-grower Louis Barruol of Château de Saint Cosme in Gigondas, and Americans Rick Rainey and Justin Boyette.

The goal at Forge is to produce wines that speak unmistakably of the place they come from — the glacially carved soils, the cool lakeside climate, and the hillside terroirs of an 8-mile stretch along southeast Seneca Lake. Working with 16 vineyard sites, Forge produces both Classique blends — which consolidate the character of all 16 sites into perfectly balanced expressions — and single-vineyard lieux-dits that explore individual site character.

The property offers two distinct tasting experiences. The Summer House hosts reservation-only 90-minute guided tastings with a deep dive into glacial history, terroir, and a walking cellar tour with library pours. The Salon is a more casual, walk-in-welcome indoor/outdoor space with flights, by-the-glass service, artisanal tinned fish, and sweeping views of Bellows Vineyard and Seneca Lake. Dogs welcome in The Salon.

Why Visit

What to Expect

Tasting Options

Choose Your Experience

No walk-in tastings outside designated Salon hours. No buses or limos. Large groups email tastings@forgecellars.com.

The Wines

What's Pouring

Forge produces Dry Riesling and Pinot Noir exclusively — in Classique blends and single-vineyard lieux-dits. Wines sell out fast; join the mailing list or The Foundry club for first access.

• Riesling Classique ★The foundation of Forge — all 16 vineyard sites unified into one perfectly balanced, terroir-expressive Riesling
• Pinot Noir Classique ★Cool-climate Burgundian style — silky, precise, and site-expressive in a way that surprises
• Single-Vineyard RieslingsLieux-dits — individual vineyard expressions revealing the nuance of each site's soils and aspect
• Single-Vineyard Pinot NoirsLimited production site expressions — compare against the Classique for a terroir masterclass
• Château de Saint CosmeWines from Forge's sister winery in Gigondas — available at The Salon for transatlantic comparison
• Library & Seasonal ReleasesAvailable in the Summer House tasting or to Foundry members — sign up at forgecellars.com

Plan Your Visit

Tips for Visitors

• Book the Summer House if you want the deep experience — 90 minutes, cellar tour, library pour, and real terroir education. $40/person, Thu–Sat 11 AM.
• Walk into The Salon on a Friday or Saturday — no reservation needed, flights and by-the-glass, and those Adirondack chairs overlooking Bellows Vineyard are outstanding.
• Try the Classique bottling first — it's the best introduction to what Forge is doing, and comparing it to a lieux-dits is genuinely illuminating.
• Order the tinned fish — the anchovy and sardine conservas with bone-dry Riesling is one of the best pairings in the Finger Lakes. Commit to it.
• Dogs welcome in The Salon on a leash — well-behaved dogs are good boys and girls at Forge.
• 3775 Mathews Road, Burdett — turn off Route 414 onto Mathews Road, half mile in on the left.