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Experience the Finger Lakes with Chef Marcus & Jamie Guiliano

Your Soul-Shifting Wine & Culinary Journey Awaits!

November 10-13, 2025

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Your Passport to Unseen Finger Lakes: Beyond the Tourist Trail

The Finger Lakes region, a jewel just a three-hour drive from the Hudson Valley, boasts over 100 wineries and is celebrated as America’s #1 wine trail by TripAdvisor. But with VIP Winery Vacations, you won’t merely visit wineries; you’ll embark on an exclusive journey to the heart of this vibrant wine country. We don’t do “tourist traps”. Instead, we open doors to the authentic spirit of the region, leveraging the deep, personal relationships Marcus and Jamie have cultivated with esteemed producers since 2003 through their renowned Aroma Thyme Bistro.

This isn’t just a tour; it’s an invitation to experience the Finger Lakes as an insider. Picture yourself greeted personally by winery owners, exploring hidden barrel rooms, and discovering boutique vineyards not typically accessible to the public. You’ll taste the passion in every glass and feel the warmth of true hospitality. This is your opportunity to uncover the hidden gems of the wine industry, guided by those who live and breathe it.

Finger Lakes

A Curated Itinerary: Your Finger Lakes Immersion with Marcus & Jamie Guiliano

  • 12:00 PM – Meet at Harbor View Hotel, Watkins Glen
    • Gather in the lobby and load into the van.

  • 12:15 PM – Depart for Hillick & Hobbs Estate

  • 12:30–2:45 PM – Hillick & Hobbs Estate

    • World-class Rieslings grown on steep, slate-rich slopes. Guided tasting.

  • 3:00–5:15 PM – Finger Lakes Distilling
    • Small-batch whiskeys, gins, and liqueurs made from local ingredients. Private guided tasting and distillery tour.
  • ~5:30 PM – Return to Harbor View Hotel for Check-In
  • 6:30–8:00 PM – Private Welcome Reception – Harbor View Suite
  • 8:30–9:30 AM – Breakfast in the Harbor View Restaurant
  • 11:00 AM–12:30 PM – Forge Cellars
    • Minimal-intervention wines; bone-dry Rieslings, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay. Seated tasting with vineyard insights.
  • 12:45–1:30 PM – Lunch at Grist Iron Brewing Company
    • Pub-style fare, wood-fired pizzas, smoked BBQ sandwiches, craft beers, and gorgeous lake views.
  • 1:45–3:00 PM – Silver Thread Vineyard
    • Small-batch, terroir-driven wines with a focus on sustainability. Guided tasting and optional vineyard walk.
  • 3:15–5:30 PM – Boundary Breaks Vineyard
    • Panoramic views and award-winning Rieslings & Cabernet Franc. Relaxed tasting with optional light bites.
  • 5:30–7:00 PM – Break at Hotel
    • Time to refresh before dinner.
  • 7:00–8:30 PM – Dinner at Graft Wine + Cider Bar
    • Seasonal menu with thoughtfully paired wines and ciders.
  • 8:30–9:30 AM – Breakfast in the Harbor View Suite
  • 11:00 AM–12:30 PM – Red Tail Ridge Winery
    • LEED-Gold-certified, innovative wines including Teroldego, Pét-Nats, and classic Finger Lakes whites. Scenic west-side views of Seneca Lake.
  • 12:45–1:45 PM – Lunch at Tabora Farm & Winery
    • Farewell lunch for guests not staying the extra night. Fresh breads, pastries, deli sandwiches, and house wines.
  • 2:00–3:30 PM – Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard
    • Tour and tasting at one of the most iconic wineries in the Finger Lakes, known for world-class Rieslings and a commitment to indigenous yeast fermentation.
  • 3:45–5:15 PM – Barnstormer Winery
    • Cozy, relaxed tasting with small-lot wines and time to unwind before the evening.
  • 5:30–6:30 PM – Return to Hotel / Refresh
  • 6:30–8:00 PM – Dinner at Elephant Thai Restaurant
    • Aromatic, flavorful Thai cuisine to close the day.
  • 8:30–9:30 AM – Breakfast in the Harbor View Restaurant
  • 11:00 AM–1:15 PM – Living Roots Winery
    • Taste wines from both the Finger Lakes and Australia, crafted by a husband-and-wife winemaking team.
  • 1:15 PM – Official Farewell
    • Guests depart at leisure.

Forget the Wine Trail: A Private Tour to Meet the Real Finger Lakes Winemakers

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Ready to Journey Beyond the Bottle?

Let Marcus & Jamie Guiliano, your personal guides and acclaimed chefs, unlock a world of authentic, soul-shifting travel experiences. Forget the tourist traps; immerse yourself in curated adventures rich with personal connections, insider moments, and the true flavors of wine, spirits, and gastronomy.

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VIP Winery Vacations offers wine country tours in Italy, Spain, New York, and Mexico, with services like vineyard visits, airport transfers, villa stays, meals, guides, and tastings.

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VIP Winery Vacations / Aroma Thyme Bistro LLC – 165 Canal St, Ellenville, NY – Contact No. (845) 800-0449 – Email: info@vipwineryvacations.com

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