Living Roots Wine Co.
📍 1.8 Miles 🚘 2 Minutes 🚲7 Minutes
Living Roots Wine & Co.: Year-Round Tastings Just Minutes from North Forest FLX
Looking for a wine experience that’s close, scenic, and thoughtfully crafted? Just 2 minutes down the road from North Forest FLX, Living Roots Wine & Co. offers a year-round tasting room perched above Keuka Lake, where the view is as memorable as the wine itself. With a focus on small-batch, low-intervention wines and a blend of Finger Lakes and South Australian heritage, Living Roots is the perfect first (or last) stop on your Keuka Lake wine adventure.
🍇 Rooted in Two Hemispheres
Living Roots is the creation of Sebastian and Colleen Hardy—he's a sixth-generation winemaker from Australia, and she's a Rochester native. Together, they’ve brought a fresh, global perspective to Finger Lakes winemaking. While they also operate an urban winery in Rochester, the Keuka Lake tasting room is where their Finger Lakes wines truly shine. This location focuses exclusively on cool-climate wines made right here in the region: dry Rieslings, crisp whites, earthy reds, and sparkling wines that are all produced with a light hand and a deep respect for the land.
🥂 The Tasting Room Experience
The moment you step into the tasting room, you’re greeted with floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase uninterrupted views of Keuka Lake. It’s bright, airy, and modern—yet still laid-back and welcoming. Tasting flights rotate with the seasons, featuring about five pours that highlight current releases, limited bottlings, and experimental styles. You can also order by the glass or bottle and simply sit back and enjoy the view.
Whether you're a Riesling enthusiast or curious about more natural, low-intervention winemaking, Living Roots offers something different from the typical tasting room—no buses, no crowds, just intentional wines and good conversation.
🍷 What to Try
Their Dry Riesling is a local favorite—zippy, mineral-driven, and incredibly food-friendly. You’ll often find a Cabernet Franc that’s lean, savory, and made in a lighter style than many Finger Lakes reds. If you’re in the mood for bubbles, their Sparkling Riesling or Rosé Pet-Nat is a must. Fans of experimental wines will love their occasional skin-contact whites and small-batch releases that are only available at the Keuka tasting room.
🌿 A Focus on Sustainability
What sets Living Roots apart is their commitment to minimal intervention. Many of their wines are fermented with wild yeast, bottled with minimal sulfites, and produced in small lots. They source grapes from sustainably managed vineyards around Keuka Lake and let each vintage speak for itself. This natural approach results in wines that are expressive, alive, and always evolving—perfect for the curious palate.
📍 Getting There from North Forest FLX
You don’t have to go far. Living Roots’ Keuka Lake tasting room is just 2 minutes down the road—an easy drive, walk, or even bike ride from your cabin. It’s the ideal place to kick off your Finger Lakes wine tour, wind down after a day on the lake, or simply enjoy a glass while soaking up the view.
Address: [Check their website or Instagram for exact hours and directions]
Distance: ~1 mile from North Forest FLX
Parking: Easy, on-site
🛍️ Bring a Bottle Back
Pick up a few bottles to enjoy at North Forest FLX. Their dry Riesling is the perfect companion for an evening on the porch, while a chilled Pet-Nat or skin-contact white is ideal for sharing around the fire pit. If you’re celebrating something special—or just want to make dinner extra memorable—their sparkling wines are a beautiful match.
🕰️ Tasting Room Info
Open Year-Round
Hours: Typically Friday–Sunday, with extended hours in summer (check their Instagram or website for updates)
Reservations: Not required for small groups
Pets: Friendly dogs welcome on the patio
Living Roots Wine & Co. is more than just a winery; it's a destination that offers a unique and charming wine experience. A visit here isn't merely about wine tasting; it's about understanding the roots of the winemaking process, connecting with the local culture, and appreciating the beauty of the land that makes it all possible.
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Iced tea
Kombucha
Sparkling water
Grape juice
Cold brew coffee
