Shared Wine, Chocolate and Cheese Tasting in Conesus Lake

Small wineries can make a big impression. At Deer Run Winery near Conesus Lake, you get a seated tasting of four house wines, each matched with a small bite, for $20 per person. The setting is casual and personal rather than polished and grand, which gives the visit a friendly, local feel.

I especially like the generous three-ounce pours, which add up to 12 ounces of wine, and the mix of cheese and chocolate pairings. The hosts, including Candi, Sam, Grace, and Hailey, have earned warm praise for making the tasting relaxed and enjoyable. The main drawback is that the chocolate portions may feel modest for the price, and the winery does not offer a lake view despite being close to Conesus Lake.

The tasting lasts about 45 minutes and is limited to six people, so you will not be lost in a large crowd. You may share a table with other parties, or, on a quiet day, have the tasting area mostly to yourself. Either way, this is a calm stop best suited to people who enjoy conversation, local wine, and an unhurried bite with their glass.

Key things to know before you go

• Four three-ounce pours: You receive 12 ounces of wine in total, split across four different bottles.
• Cheese and chocolate pairings: Conesus White and Runway Red come with cheese, while Pebble Beach Blush and Max Black are served with chocolate.
• Small group setting: The maximum group size is six people, giving the tasting a more personal feel.
• Close to Conesus Lake: The winery is near the lake, but the tasting site does not promise a lake view.
• Lunch is separate: You can add food at the Tankroom Café, but lunch is not part of the $20 tasting.
• Easy cancellation terms: You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time.

Arriving at Deer Run Winery near Conesus Lake

Your visit begins at Deer Run Winery, 3772 West Lake Road in Geneseo, New York. The tasting starts and ends at this same location, so you do not need to arrange transportation between several wineries or figure out a separate return point.

The winery sits near Conesus Lake in the Finger Lakes region. That location makes it a handy stop during a day around the lake, but keep your expectations in check: being close to the water does not mean you will sip wine overlooking it. One past visit specifically noted the lack of a lake view.

The setting is part of the appeal. Deer Run is smaller than the large wineries with showy tasting rooms and elaborate displays. The atmosphere can feel more like sitting in a friendly kitchen than entering a formal wine center. I find that appealing when I want the wine and the people to take center stage.

The tradeoff is simple. If you want a sleek room, sweeping views, and a full wine-country production, this may feel plain. If you prefer a low-key tasting where the staff has time for you, the smaller scale works in your favor.

The 45-minute tasting format

This is a seated tasting rather than a quick walk-up sample. You receive four wines, each in a three-ounce pour, with a small food match for each glass. A sheet describing the wines and pairings may be provided, which helps you keep track of the different styles as you taste.

The group limit is six people. That matters because wine tastings can become noisy or rushed when too many people gather around one counter. Here, the small size gives you a better chance to ask about the grapes, sweetness, medals, and food matches.

The pace is also flexible enough for a relaxed visit. One person described having water refilled while waiting to sober up, a useful detail if you plan to drive later. You should still treat the tasting as a meaningful amount of alcohol. Four three-ounce pours equal about three standard glasses of wine, depending on the wine’s alcohol content.

The experience ends back at the winery. You are not being moved through a long route, and there is no complicated schedule to manage. That makes the tasting easy to fit into a larger Finger Lakes outing.

Conesus White and Runway Red with cheese

The first two wines are paired with cheese. The pairings are small, so think of them as tasting companions rather than a meal. They give you a chance to see how salt, creaminess, and texture affect the wine.

Conesus White is a semi-dry white wine with grape-forward notes. It has received a gold medal and is likely to suit people who want something fresher and less sweet than a dessert-style wine. The cheese helps balance the wine and gives you a simple way to compare the flavors side by side.

If you normally choose white wine, this is a comfortable place to begin. If you prefer bone-dry wines, the semi-dry style may taste sweeter than expected. The tasting format helps because you only need to commit to one pour, and you can decide how it fits your palate before buying a bottle.

Runway Red is a red blend with berry notes and a touch of black pepper. It has been recognized as a best-in-category and gold-medal wine. The description suggests a smooth, easygoing red rather than something heavy or tannic.

The cheese pairing should appeal to people who like a straightforward wine match. One useful feature of the tasting is that the food is already selected for you, so you can focus on the contrast between the two reds and the two sweeter wines that follow.

Several people bought bottles after tasting, especially red wines. That does not mean every bottle will suit every palate. One person who does not usually drink much wine enjoyed three of the four wines but did not care for the sweet wine. The lesson is practical: use the tasting to find your own favorite instead of assuming medal-winning wines will all suit you.

Pebble Beach Blush and Max Black with chocolate

The second half moves into sweeter territory. Pebble Beach Blush is a sweet blend with peach and melon notes. It has received a double gold award and is paired with chocolate.

This should be a good match for anyone who likes fruit-forward wines and dessert pairings. Peach and melon notes can make a wine feel soft and bright, while chocolate adds richness. If you normally avoid sweet wines, this pour may be the one you like least, but it is still useful for showing the full range of Deer Run’s lineup.

Max Black is the winery’s best-selling sweet red blend. It has gold-medal recognition and grape jelly notes, making it the most dessert-like wine in the flight. It is also one of the bottles that people often choose to take home.

The pairing may include a small piece of chocolate or a mini peanut butter cup. That is a fun match for a sweet red, though the portion is not large. One person felt the chocolate pairing was expensive for its size, and that is a fair concern if you are judging the $20 price mainly by the amount of food on the plate.

I see the chocolate as a flavor tool, not a snack course. The purpose is to show how sweetness in the wine changes when you add cocoa or peanut butter. If you want a full dessert, you may leave wanting more. If you enjoy tasting comparisons, the small bites do their job.

What the staff adds to the visit

The wine matters, but the staff can shape the whole experience. Candi received especially warm praise for welcoming people, preparing the tasting, refilling water, and keeping the visit fun. Sam was described as enthusiastic and able to guide the tasting with energy.

Grace has also helped visitors compare different flights and explain the grapes in each wine. Hailey made a solo tasting feel social and interesting. These details matter because a small winery depends on personal service more than grand facilities.

You may also meet one of the owners, as some visits have included time with the owner. That kind of contact is not guaranteed, but it fits the friendly character of the place. The best version of this tasting is not a memorized speech. It is a conversation about what is in the glass and what you like.

The experience can vary with the day and the crowd. On a colorful fall Friday, one couple found the winery nearly empty and had a very quiet tasting. They enjoyed the peaceful setting, but anyone hoping for a lively social event should know that the mood may be subdued.

The value of $20 per person

At $20, this tasting offers a solid amount of wine. Four three-ounce pours are more generous than the tiny samples served at many wineries, and the price includes a cheese or chocolate match with every glass.

That makes the experience a good value if you enjoy tasting several styles and plan to stay for the full flight. It is also useful for couples who want to compare preferences before purchasing a bottle. With four wines ranging from semi-dry white to sweet red, you get a broad snapshot of the winery’s popular offerings.

The value is less convincing if you are mainly paying for food. The cheese and chocolate portions are small, and one person felt the chocolate pairings did not fully justify the cost. You should think of the food as a tasting accent rather than four appetizers.

The winery has also been praised for offering more wine than many comparable tastings at a lower price. Still, prices and pours can vary across wine country, so I would judge this experience by its relaxed format and 12 total ounces, not just by the medal claims.

Adding lunch at the Tankroom Café

Lunch is not included, but the winery has a Tankroom Café where you may be able to eat after the tasting. Several people enjoyed the food, including a burger with chips, and described the menu as tasty and satisfying.

This is a useful option because the tasting itself is not lunch. Four wine pours can leave you needing food, especially if you arrive without having eaten. A meal also gives you time to settle before driving.

Do not assume lunch is part of the reserved activity or that a particular dish will be available. The supplied details confirm the café and positive food experiences, but they do not provide a current menu, hours, or reservation rules. If food is central to your plan, confirm those details directly before you go.

Who will enjoy this tasting most

This tasting suits couples looking for an easy date activity, solo visitors who enjoy chatting with staff, and small groups that want a short stop rather than a full winery tour. It also works well for people who are still learning what wine styles they like.

You will get the most from it if you enjoy both sweet and semi-dry wines. The flight is not built around one narrow style. Conesus White and Runway Red offer more familiar wine profiles, while Pebble Beach Blush and Max Black show the winery’s sweeter side.

The experience may not suit you if you want a vineyard walk, a formal production tour, a lake panorama, or a full meal included in the price. It may also disappoint if you expect large cheese portions or a substantial chocolate course.

Service animals are allowed, and most people can participate. Confirmation is provided when you book. The small maximum of six people is helpful for personal attention, but it also means you should reserve ahead, especially since the experience is commonly booked about two weeks in advance.

Booking and cancellation details

The activity is available with a mobile ticket, so you can keep the confirmation on your phone. The meeting point is Deer Run Winery, 3772 West Lake Road, Geneseo, New York 14454, and the visit returns to that same point.

Free cancellation is available until 24 hours before the scheduled start time. Cancel at least 24 hours ahead for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made inside that 24-hour window are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off follows local time.

Should you book the Deer Run tasting?

I would book this experience if you want a friendly, short Finger Lakes wine stop with generous pours and a clear mix of savory and sweet pairings. The staff is a major strength, and the small group limit makes the tasting feel more personal than a large winery operation.

I would skip it if your priority is a lake view, elaborate facilities, or a substantial food spread. For most people, the $20 price is fair because it includes four three-ounce pours and four pairings, but the chocolate portions may feel light.

For the best visit, arrive ready to compare styles, bring a plan for getting home safely, and consider adding lunch afterward. If Max Black or Runway Red wins you over, leave room in your luggage for a bottle.

FAQ

Where does the wine, chocolate and cheese tasting take place?

The tasting takes place at Deer Run Winery, 3772 W Lake Road, Geneseo, New York 14454, near Conesus Lake.

How long does the tasting last?

The tasting lasts approximately 45 minutes.

How many wines are included?

You receive four wines, with a three-ounce pour of each wine.

Which wines are paired with cheese?

Conesus White and Runway Red are paired with cheese.

Which wines are paired with chocolate?

Pebble Beach Blush and Max Black are paired with chocolate.

Is lunch included in the $20 price?

No. Lunch is not included, though the winery has the Tankroom Café for food.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded.