Wine slushie in hand, then a proper pour.

The Works Tasting Session in downtown Lake George turns an easy 1-hour stop into a well-paced mix of choice, food, and a fun finale. I especially liked the variety of 7 wine pours you can pick (with cider or whiskey as a real alternative) and the snack plate built around locally sourced cheeses and wine-infused bites. One thing to consider: seating can feel tight at the tasting counter when the room is full.

If you want something romantic but not fussy, this fits. The staff member Kat (and the rest of the team) kept the mood relaxed and the explanations clear, and the experience is designed for first-timers who just want to enjoy without studying a wine textbook.

Key Points at a Glance

• Choose your flight: 7 Adirondack Winery wines, or swap to Extreme Heights ciders or American Oak whiskey
• A toast at the start plus a drink-based finish: wine slushie in warm months or warm options in colder ones
• Locally sourced cheese and snack plate with wine-infused chocolates and jelly
• Small format with a maximum of 10 people, held right on Canada Street
• Souvenir included: a premium logo wine glass meant to enhance aroma
• Under-21 options: kids can wait at a small table; non-alcoholic slushies cost extra

A 1-Hour Tasting Built for Lake George Days

This is a compact tasting experience, about an hour long, that works well when you want a memorable Lake George activity without losing half your day. The timing matters because Lake George is all about stacking experiences: a walk downtown, a boat cruise, dinner plans, then something that doesn’t drag.

You’ll start at Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery Lake George Tasting Room at 285 Canada St, and you’ll end back there. It’s English-speaking, and you get a mobile ticket. The format is also small: the experience caps at 10 people, which keeps things friendly and keeps you from getting lost in a huge crowd.

Most importantly, it’s designed around choice. Instead of forcing you into a one-track wine tasting, you can pick wine, or take a flight of cider or hard whiskey if that suits your night better. That flexibility is a big part of why this feels like a “date plan” option, not just a wine outing.

Choose Your Flight: Wine, Cider, or American Oak Whiskey

Here’s the core structure: you begin with a sparkling toast, then you choose a tasting flight. If you’re a wine person, you’ll taste 7 different Adirondack Winery wines with pours sized at 7 3/4 oz total (split across those selections). If you’re not, you’ll pick one of the alternatives:

• Extreme Heights Cider Flight: four 3 oz pours
• American Oak Whiskey Flight: four 1 oz pours

What I like about this setup is that it lets your group match the mood. If one person wants wine and the other isn’t into it, you still get a shared experience at the bar counter. You’re not stuck watching someone else sip while you sit there hungry.

It also helps that the staff keeps the pace easy. You’re not rushed from one glass to the next like it’s a factory line. You can pause, take notes if you want, and talk through what you’re tasting.

If you’re specifically hunting for a first-time-friendly explanation, this is the kind of experience where the talk is meant to support your choices, not judge them. Kat in particular comes across as calm and professional, which makes the whole thing feel low-pressure.

The Snack Plate Is Not an Afterthought

The tasting is paired with a “happy snacker” plate that’s meant to keep your palate in good shape. This isn’t just plain crackers dropped on the table to check a box. You’ll get a mix that includes artisanal, locally sourced cheeses, crackers, and wine-infused items like chocolates and jelly, plus olives, marshmallows, and more.

That combo is handy for two reasons:

First, it helps you taste better. Alcohol flavors can blur if you go in totally empty. The food gives your taste buds something to reset against.

Second, it makes the experience feel like a hangout, not a lesson. The snack board is built for sharing, so it works even if you’re only half paying attention to the tasting notes.

In one strong review, people called out the cheeses as delicious and the whole atmosphere as fun and relaxed. That matches what this format is trying to do: keep you comfortable enough to enjoy the drinks and the conversation.

One Premium Wine Plus the Finale Drink

After the initial tasting flight, the experience adds a bonus element: you get to try one premium wine on top of your initial selection. The premium bottle choice can fall into categories like Sparkling, Dessert, or Reserve, so you still get variety even after you’ve already picked your main flight.

Then comes the ending that people tend to remember. You finish with a fruit-infused wine slushie in summer, or a warm mulled wine option, and in winter you may end with a hot option like a hot apple toddy. The experience also includes a final tasting moment, wrapped up with the take-home souvenir.

This matters because the finale turns a typical tasting into something more playful. A slushie finish, for example, is a very Lake George move—cool, refreshing, and easy to enjoy without needing to “get” wine culture first.

The Souvenir Wine Glass: Small Detail, Real Payoff

You take home a premium souvenir logo wine glass. The detail that makes this more than a gimmick is that the glass is designed to help enhance aroma.

Will it magically improve your wine at home? No. But for a souvenir, it’s a useful one. It also gives you a physical reminder of the experience, which sounds minor until you realize most “wine tasting” souvenirs are either cheap mugs or bottle openers you forget about.

If you’re buying gifts anyway, this is an included item, which helps make the overall price feel more justified.

Price, Value, and What You’ll Want to Budget For

The price is $40.66 per person, and alcoholic beverages plus snacks are included. Gratuities are listed separately at $6.84 per person.

If you’re budgeting, plan for roughly $47.50 total per person before any extra add-ons. That might sound like a lot at first, but you’re not just paying for glasses. You’re getting:

• A sparkling toast
• A flight choice (either 7 wines or a 4-pour cider/whiskey flight)
• The snack plate with cheeses and wine-infused items
• One premium wine
• A slushie or warm finish drink
• A souvenir glass

So when you break it down, it’s more like a packaged tasting night than a quick pour-and-go stop.

My practical take: this is a good value if you’d otherwise pay for drinks and appetizers separately. If you’re already planning a full dinner and two other stops with cocktails, it may feel expensive for only an hour of sipping. But if you want an activity that includes food, drinks, and a keepsake, it’s a strong deal.

Meeting Point and Timing: Make It Fit Your Lake George Plan

This is located in a prime spot on Canada Street. It’s near public transportation and uses a mobile ticket, so you can move efficiently once you’re downtown.

Multiple sessions are offered throughout the day. That flexibility is useful because Lake George schedules often shift—weather changes, boat times, and dinner reservations all tangle together. A tasting that repeats through the day helps you find a slot that still leaves time for your next plan.

Duration is about 1 hour, so it pairs well with:

• A pre-dinner stop if you like dinner reservations on time
• A daytime break after walking around town
• A couple activity that doesn’t require long-distance travel

One thing to plan for: seating can be limited at the counter. When the room is full, it can feel tight. If you’re the type who gets impatient with shoulder-to-shoulder spaces, arrive a bit early for your time slot and keep your expectations realistic.

Facility Tour Is Limited Here

If you came for a behind-the-scenes winery tour, don’t count on it at this Lake George location. A tour of the wine making facility is not available here.

If that’s important to you, you’ll want to look for making-facility options at their Queensbury location instead. In other words: this experience is about tasting and enjoying, not about walking through production lines.

That’s actually a good match for most visitors who mainly want a fun, guided tasting with food and a smooth flow.

Who This Experience Is Best For (And Who Might Skip)

This tasting is a great pick if you want an easy, romantic couples activity. The combination of guided tastings, snack sharing, and a fun finale drink makes it feel special without being stiff.

It’s also a nice first-time stop for people who feel unsure about wine. The structure gives you a guided way to try multiple styles, and the staff keeps things friendly, so you don’t have to fake confidence.

You might consider skipping or switching your plan if:

• You strongly prefer spacious seating and don’t like counter-style tasting rooms
• You’re expecting a full winery tour experience on site
• You’re traveling with mostly non-drinkers and don’t want to pay for alcohol included in the package

There’s also an important note for mixed-age groups: the minimum age to participate in tasting is 21 with valid government-issued photo ID. Underage guests can wait inside at a very small children’s table with a chalkboard, and non-alcoholic slushies are available for an additional fee. That makes it workable for families who still want the grown-up experience.

Should You Book The Works Tasting Session in Lake George?

Book it if you want a high-comfort, one-hour Lake George activity that includes drinks, snacks, and a souvenir, with real choice between wine, cider, and whiskey. The small group size and the warm, professional tone from the staff (including Kat) help it feel welcoming even if you’re new to tastings.

Skip it if you’re chasing a production tour, or if you hate tight seating at a tasting counter. In that case, you may prefer a different kind of Lake George wine plan.

If your goal is simple—enjoy great local pours, eat good pairings, and end with a slushie or warm drink—this one is an easy yes.

FAQ

How long is The Works Tasting Session?

It lasts about 1 hour.

What can I taste during the session?

You’ll try 7 different Adirondack Winery wines of your choice. If you prefer not to do wine, you can choose a flight of Extreme Heights Ciders or American Oak Whiskeys instead.

What else is included besides tastings?

You get a sparkling toast, a snack plate with artisanal locally sourced cheeses and other items, one premium wine, and you’ll finish with a wine slushie (or warm mulled wine / hot apple toddy depending on season). A premium souvenir logo wine glass is included.

Is there a minimum age to participate?

Yes. The minimum age is 21 for tasting, with valid government-issued photo ID. Underage guests may wait inside at a small children’s table; non-alcoholic slushies are available for an additional fee.

Is a tour of the wine making facility included?

No. A wine making facility tour is not available at this Lake George location. Making-facility tour options are offered at their Queensbury location instead.

What is the cancellation window?

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the experience starts. If you cancel within 24 hours, the amount paid is not refunded.