Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard — Attraction in Town of Starkey

A Finger Lakes Gem – Hospitality, Heart, and a Little Forklift Flair

Our visit to Hermann J. Wiemer Vineyard was nothing short of magical — a perfect blend of world-class wine, welcoming people, and the rustic charm that makes the Finger Lakes so special.

From the start, Victor and Dawn were absolute stars — warm, professional, and incredibly knowledgeable. They guided us through our tasting with grace and enthusiasm, making sure our group (a mix of clients and friends) felt both taken care of and fully immersed in the wines. Every pour came with a story, and every question was met with thoughtful, insightful answers.

Then there was Oskar, the owner — what a host! His hospitality was genuine, and his depth of knowledge about the region and the winery’s legacy added so much richness to the experience. In the tasting room, we especially appreciated the beautifully detailed map on display — something Oscar helped develop — which totally captivated the wine nerds in our group. It featured everything from lake depths to vineyard plots and grape varieties, tying together the region’s unique terroir in the most engaging way.

And the grounds… wow. Wandering around the vineyard felt like stepping into a pastoral postcard. Bees buzzing, ducks waddling, geese honking, and chickens strutting — it was a full sensory experience of the Finger Lakes. Charming, natural, and completely authentic.

Now, we can't leave without mentioning one final highlight: watching the very attractive winemaker gracefully operate a forklift like it was a dance. We won’t pretend it didn’t add a little extra sparkle to our day. Who knew heavy machinery could be so… captivating?

All in all, Hermann J. Wiemer delivered on every level — stunning wines, impeccable service, and an experience we’ll be talking about (and recommending) for a long time. A must-visit if you're...

I don't know that it is even possible to heap more praise upon HJW. Everything (everything!) - from the winery itself, to the service, on down to the wine - is world class. Our server (I believe it was Juan) was clearly passionate about the wine, and did a phenomenal job of creating the same passion within us as we tasted them. He was an absolute joy. The wine itself was equally incredible. They are the perfect representation of what wine will and should look like in the 21st century. Their biodiverse (ask them about it) wines are second to none in the Finger Lakes, and right up there with anything in the world - Old or New. Their 2020 Cab Franc was the first red that just absolutely blew me away. A beautiful, beautiful wine. Their 2020 Dry Riesling was elevated, as well. In case you're not yet noticing, 2020 was a good year. But their 2019 Flower Day (biodynamic, though not yet officially certified as so) was really the star of the show. A really bright wine with a great depth of flavor and an excellent finish.

Again, there is nothing about HJW that is not top notch. Perfect example: at 1030 in the morning on a cold winter day, where he was clearly busy working in the winery, it would have been easy for a member of ownership to simply mind his own business and go about his day. Instead, he not only greeted us, but also came back to our table later on to make sure we were enjoying the experience. It was clear he was doing it not just because be felt it was good business and service, rather that it was out of genuine caring. The fact that this winery also happens to reside in the heart of one of the most beautiful and unique regions in the country is just icing on the cake. Any wine tour of the FLs should absolutely start at Dr. Konstantin Frank and end...

First off, the wines here are generally excellent. Most of the time here we do have a good experience. My complaint here is that some of the staff, not most - just an occasional person, have a somewhat haughty attitude. My daughter, who was a second level wine club member ( they have 3 levels) had stopped getting wine shipments and emails and asked if I could check on this for her. When I asked the woman at the desk, she kind of nastily told me that it had expired and that they sent my daughter an email. I said that she didn’t receive it and she re-iterated, in a not too friendly voice, that they had sent an email. I then asked about rejoining and also about their top level membership, which now had some openings. We then went to our tasting, which we had to cut short because of a previous commitment. My daughter agreed to the $425 wine club membership and all of a sudden the woman was friendlier. I am sorry but I feel whether I am a top level wine club member or a first timer this business is based on customer service. I really did not appreciate her attitude early on Saturday morning!

It has now been six days since I signed up and I have not even gotten a "welcome email" to the top level membership as I was told I would by the woman...