Discover the Charm of Toast Winery: Unique Wines, Fun Experiences, and Passionate Owners

Located a few minutes north of Watkins Glen on the west side of Seneca Lake, Toast Winery stands out as a must-visit destination for wine enthusiasts seeking a memorable experience. With a unique collection of wines, creative guest offerings, and a heartfelt story behind its creation, Toast Winery has something for everyone. Here’s a closer look at what makes this winery truly special.

1. Wine Selections That Delight the Senses

Toast Winery takes pride in its diverse and innovative wine offerings, particularly the Toast’ed series. This collection showcases wines with bold flavors and distinctive profiles, perfect for adventurous wine lovers. There is Sitra (a dry hopped Chardonnay), James (a peach-infused Riesling), and Rita (think wine meets a margarita).

Whether you’re a fan of rich reds, refreshing whites, or something a little unexpected, Toast’s diverse wine list promises something to pique your interest. These wines not only reflect the local terroir but also the winery’s commitment to pushing boundaries and creating unforgettable sips.

2. Fun and Interactive Guest Offerings

At Toast Winery, the guest experience goes beyond the glass. They offer a range of seasonal and interactive events designed to engage and delight visitors. In the fall, enjoy a cozy cup of Mulled Wine, perfect for crisp autumn days.

If you’re visiting in the summer or fall, don’t miss out on the Wine and Pickle Pairings—an unexpected but delightful combination that’s sure to spark conversation and curiosity.

For those who love to get creative with their food and wine, the Build Your Own Charcuterie experience allows guests to craft their own gourmet boards, pairing cured meats, cheeses, and other delicious bites with their favorite Toast wines. Build Your Own Charcuterie is available Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, year-round, with the exception of Wine Trail event weekends.

3. The Passionate Owners Behind It All

The heart and soul of Toast Winery comes from its owners, Mike and Jayne, who were once wine lovers just like their visitors. Their journey from wine enthusiasts to winery owners adds a personal touch to everything they do.

Mike is originally from Erie, PA and Jayne is from New Jersey. They met and married while they were both working corporate jobs for a large confectionary company. They started visiting the Finger Lakes pretty regularly after they started dating and also started to dream of owning their own winery.

In her own words, Jayne Gibbs adds, “These visits also stirred a passion in Mike and he began to read every book out there about making wine.  He began making wine in the kitchen and was quickly moved to the basement.  Life took us to North Carolina and we started to visit wineries there in the Yadkin Valley area.  After 3 years in North Carolina we began to look more seriously into making our dream a reality with buying a winery.  We looked at wineries in both North Carolina and the Finger Lakes, we ultimately knew that moving back North was our goal, closer to family and the Finger Lakes was always a special place for us and we loved it here.  In the fall of 2020 we finalized the purchase of an existing winery. We have learned a lot in these last 4 years with still a ton to learn but we still look around at the winery and the Finger Lakes and think how blessed we are to call this home and to be living our dream.” 

Mike and Jayne’s love for wine and desire to share that passion with others inspired them to create a welcoming space where guests can not only taste great wines but also feel like part of the family. Their hands-on approach and warm hospitality are evident in every aspect of the winery, making it a place where memories are made.

The middle photo above is Jayne and Mike participating in Deck the Halls a number of years back… when their dream was still just a dream!

Ready to plan your visit?

Toast Winery offers an inviting blend of unique wines, engaging guest experiences, and a personal connection that makes every visit special. Whether you’re sipping on a wine from the Toast’d series, enjoying a seasonal offering, or meeting the passionate duo behind it all, a visit to Toast Winery is one you won’t soon forget. Make it a stop on your next wine adventure!