Finger Lakes Gems Hiding in Plain Sight
Hamilton Street · Geneva · New American / Farm-to-Table · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed July 26, 2026 · How we review
RagingWine reviewed Kindred Fare Kitchen & Bar’s wine list and gave it The Wild Card — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
Seven labels is a short list by almost any measure, but Kindred Fare doesn't waste a single slot on autopilot pours. The mix of Finger Lakes locals and a couple of serious Old World names signals that someone here is paying attention — even if the list itself hasn't grown much lately.
The Finger Lakes backbone is strong: Sheldrake Point Cabernet Franc, Ravines Meritage, and Red Newt Cellars Cab Sav give you a proper tour of what the region does best beyond Riesling. Then things get genuinely interesting — a P. Jaboulet Aîné Hermitage La Chapelle sits next to a Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese (via Frank Schoonmaker Selections, no less), and a Stag's Leap White Riesling rounds things out on the American side. It's an eclectic seven that punches well above its count. The glaring gap is anything on the lighter, fresher end — no rosé, no Pinot, no entry-level crowd pleaser for the table that just wants something easy.
By-the-glass options aren't clearly published, which is a frustration on a list this compact — with only seven labels, you'd hope most of them rotate through the glass program. If staff can pour you the Sheldrake Point Cab Franc by the glass, take it immediately. Otherwise, plan on splitting a bottle.
Sheldrake Point Cabernet Franc — null
Sheldrake Point is one of the most consistent producers in the Finger Lakes, and their Cab Franc is the region's calling card grape done right — earthy, a little smoky, with that signature cool-climate freshness. Ordering it here keeps money local and gets you something genuinely worth drinking.
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese
Most diners at a cozy New American spot in upstate New York will scan right past a German Spätlese — and that's a mistake. The Sonnenuhr vineyard is one of the Mosel's great sites, and a Spätlese at the dinner table is far more versatile than it looks on paper. If you see it poured by the glass, it's an automatic yes.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars White Riesling
Stag's Leap is a Napa brand built on Cabernet; their White Riesling is a side project that doesn't hold a candle to what's growing two hours from this restaurant. With the Wehlener Sonnenuhr on the same list, there's no reason to settle here.
Ravines Meritage + Rotisserie Chicken
Ravines Meritage is a structured Bordeaux-style blend that has enough body to stand up to rich rotisserie chicken without overwhelming it. The dark fruit and restrained oak complement the savory, herb-roasted skin in the best possible way — this is a pairing that actually makes sense.
The Bottom Line
Kindred Fare is doing something genuinely interesting with seven bottles in a warm, neighborhood room in the Finger Lakes — the Jaboulet and the Wehlener Sonnenuhr alone prove this list has a real point of view. It's not a deep cellar, but it's a thoughtful one, and that counts for a lot in a town this size.
· Geneva · Wine bar / enoteca
Vinifera is the kind of place that earns a Wild Card not because we have proof of a flawless list, but because the concept — old-world regions alongside Finger Lakes producers, in a speakeasy-style room in upstate New York — is genuinely worth the detour to find out. If you're passing through Geneva or heading to the wine trail, this is the obvious stop for a nightcap with some ambition behind it. Book ahead, order a flight, and ask whoever's behind the bar what they're excited about.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Geneva · Steakhouse
The Hunt Club is an intriguing case — a special-occasion steakhouse in the Wisconsin lake country with a members-only wine program that hints at more depth than the public-facing list reveals. If you're a Geneva National member, the 50% off bottles and boutique wine access make this a genuine wine destination; if you're not, it's a solid steakhouse wine list with a scenic backdrop and fair pricing that won't embarrass anyone. Go for the ribeye and Parker rolls either way — and ask your server what's behind the member curtain before you order.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Downtown Geneva · Geneva · Wine Tasting Lounge
Trestle Thirty One is a legitimate reason to make the detour to Geneva — not just for wine tourists, but for anyone curious about what focused, single-estate winemaking looks like in the Finger Lakes. If you want range across regions, look elsewhere; if you want to understand one place deeply, this is your spot.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
West Side Seneca Lake / Barracks Road · Geneva · Special Tasting / Wine-Focused
Ravines is the rare winery tasting experience that makes you forget you're on a tourism trail — the wines are too honest for that. If you're anywhere near the Finger Lakes and you skip this, you're doing it wrong.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
West Side Seneca Lake / Barracks Road · Geneva · Tasting Menu / Wine Dinner
This isn't a wine list review — it's a winery experience wearing a dinner jacket. If you're already sold on Ravines or want a focused deep-dive into what serious Finger Lakes wine can be, the Geneva barn delivers that with conviction. If you need optionality or outside references, you'll want to eat somewhere with a broader list.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Varietal Specific
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
West Side Seneca Lake / Route 14 south of Geneva · Geneva · Event Dining / Farm-to-Table
This is a destination experience, not a restaurant wine list — but if you're making the drive to Seneca Lake anyway, an estate dinner at Fox Run is a genuinely satisfying way to drink through the lineup with food underneath it. Send a friend? Yes — but tell them to go for the Cab Franc.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Set & Forget
Proper
Country Club Plaza · Kansas City · New American / Farm-to-Table
Rye Plaza's posted list is practical: most 6 oz glass pours are $14 to $16, and the bottle list runs from a $40 Chianti to $440 Krug. Order the Whole Cluster Pinot Noir by the glass with the fried chicken, or open a bottle of the $40 Badia di Morrona Chianti and finish with the $25 Vin Santo. Vintages are subject to change, so confirm current availability and prices; this unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
South Lakeland · Lakeland · New American / Farm-to-Table
Garden Bistro is genuinely charming for lunch and the sandwiches deserve better company than this wine list provides. Order the food, skip the wine, and hit a bottle shop on the way home.
Grocery Store
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
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