Winery · South East Seneca

Ria's Wines

Terroir-driven, organically farmed wines on the shores of Seneca Lake — a fresh voice in the Finger Lakes.

Hector, NY
Thu–Mon · 11 AM – 5 PM
~9 miles from Watkins Glen
Organically Farmed Estate
Vineyard Patio & Lake Views
Custom Flights & By the Glass

About

Ria's Wines

Ria's Wines is one of the most exciting newer additions to the Seneca Lake wine trail — a winery, vineyard, and tasting room at 9782 Route 414 in Hector, officially opening its doors in July 2024. Founded by husband-and-wife team Ria D'Aversa and Michael Penn, it occupies the beautifully renovated former Bagley's Poplar Ridge property with stunning vineyard and lake views from the tasting room patio.

The estate vineyard sits just 1,000 feet from the southeastern shore of Seneca Lake in the region's so-called "banana belt" — a particularly favorable microclimate for cool-climate varieties. Vines here are up to 40 years old, planted in glacially tilled soils atop ancient shale, and farmed with organic and ecological practices with a goal of regenerative certification by 2028. Varieties include Riesling, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Lemberger, Cayuga, and Baco Noir.

The winemaking approach is minimal intervention — indigenous yeasts, extended skin contact for whites, foot-treading for reds, no additives or adjustments. The result is a portfolio of naturally produced, site-driven wines with remarkable clarity and energy. Tasting options include custom flights, by-the-glass, and seasonal spritz, alongside bar snacks and a dedicated kids' menu.

In Our Words

Our Story

Ria's Wines is the kind of place the Finger Lakes needed more of — serious, thoughtful winemaking in a setting that makes you want to linger. The patio view over the vineyard toward Seneca Lake is genuinely beautiful, and the wine in the glass matches it. Ria brings Cornell-level viticulture expertise and a genuine passion for organic farming; Mike brings world-class winemaking experience from France, Italy, New Zealand, and California.

The Riesling is precise and electric. The Cabernet Franc is light-footed and expressive in the best Loire Valley tradition. And the Late Harvest is a showstopper — that orange bottle and the pour over the vineyard railing says everything about how approachable and beautiful this place is. It opened in 2024 and is already one of the must-visit stops on the east shore.

— South East Seneca

Why Visit

What to Expect

Estate-Grown Wines

100% estate fruit from 40-year-old vines — Riesling, Chardonnay, Cab Franc, Lemberger, and more.

Organically Farmed

Ecologically farmed vineyard with regenerative certification targeted for 2028. No additives, no adjustments.

Vineyard Patio & Views

Indoor tasting room, outdoor patio, and a green garden — all overlooking the vineyard and Seneca Lake.

Custom Flights

Build your own flight, taste by the glass, or try a seasonal spritz — a flexible, relaxed tasting experience.

World-Class Winemaking

Mike Penn's experience spans France, Italy, New Zealand, and California — all applied to Seneca Lake terroir.

Family Friendly

Bar snacks, a seasonal spritz menu, and a little something for kids too — welcoming for all ages.

The Wines

What's Pouring

All wines are estate-grown, naturally produced with indigenous yeasts, and crafted with minimal intervention. Custom flights and by-the-glass available daily.

  • Riesling ★Precise, mineral-driven, and electric — a textbook expression of Seneca Lake Riesling
  • ChardonnayMacon-inspired style — green apple, pear, floral notes, and subtle hazelnut with soft minerality
  • Cabernet Franc ★Light-footed Loire-style — bright cherry, raspberry, pipe tobacco and cigar box
  • Late Harvest VignoleThe showstopper — rich, aromatic, and beautifully balanced sweetness from the estate
  • LembergerAn undersung Finger Lakes red — spiced, earthy, and expressive from old vines
  • Seasonal SpritzA rotating seasonal option — ask what's on the bar today

Full current lineup at rias-wines.com — portfolio evolves with each vintage.

Meet the Winemakers

Ria D'Aversa & Michael Penn

Both UC Davis wine program graduates with extensive experience across California and the world, Ria and Mike moved their family to the Finger Lakes in search of a unique cool-climate terroir and a place to put down roots. Ria is founder and viticulturist — her background in organic farming is perfectly matched to the Finger Lakes climate, and she teaches viticulture at Cornell University's School of Viticulture. Mike is the veteran winemaker, with stints in France, Italy, New Zealand, and California informing his minimal-intervention approach.

Together they purchased the former Bagley's Poplar Ridge property in 2022, completed an extensive renovation, and opened their tasting room to the public in July 2024. The mission is simple: let the vineyard speak.

Plan Your Visit

Tips for Visitors

  • Build a custom flight — the Riesling and Cabernet Franc together tell the full story of what this estate can do.
  • Sit on the patio — the vineyard and lake view is one of the best on the east shore, full stop.
  • Try the Late Harvest Vignole if it's available — that orange bottle is iconic and the wine is exceptional.
  • Groups of 7 or more require a reservation — book ahead via exploretock.com/riaswines.
  • Open Thursday through Monday — closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
  • 9782 Route 414 in Hector — about 9 miles north of Watkins Glen, easy to pair with Hazlitt or Ryan William.

At the Tasting Room

The Experience

Thu – Mon · Daily

Custom Wine Flights

Build your own flight from the current Ria's Wines portfolio — a flexible, personal tasting experience that lets you explore the lineup at your own pace.

Daily

Seasonal

Seasonal Spritz

A rotating seasonal spritz option — light, refreshing, and perfectly suited to an afternoon on the vineyard patio overlooking Seneca Lake.

Seasonal

Daily

Patio & Garden Seating

Indoor tasting room, outdoor patio, and a green garden — three distinct spaces to enjoy your glass with sweeping views of the vineyard and Seneca Lake.

Daily

Year-Round

New Vintage Releases

Each vintage brings new expressions from the estate vineyard — follow @riaswines on Instagram or visit rias-wines.com for the latest releases and availability.

Seasonal

Reserve a tasting at exploretock.com/riaswines

More Wineries to Explore

Your Next Stop

Three more exceptional wineries just up the road on the east shore of Seneca Lake.

Forge Cellars tasting room
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Forge Cellars

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Visit forgecellars.com →
Silver Thread Winegarden
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Silver Thread Winegarden

Boutique, sustainably farmed estate producing terroir-driven Riesling, Cab Franc, and Pinot Noir. Wine and food pairings in the stunning former Dano's space on Route 414.

Visit silverthreadwine.com →
Sawmill Creek Estate tasting room
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Sawmill Creek Estate

Seven generations of the Hazlitt family farming the legendary Sawmill Creek Vineyards since 1852. Handcrafted, terroir-driven wines from one of the Finger Lakes' most storied vineyard sites.

Visit hectorwinecompany.com →
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Full Directory
South East Seneca

Wineries, breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and experiences across the east shore of Seneca Lake — all in one place.

Visit southeastseneca.com →