That first sip sets the mood fast.

This Queensbury tasting experience mixes a sparkling welcome toast with a guided flight of handcrafted pours, plus food you can actually share. I like how it gives you clear structure: start with bubbly, sample 7 wine options (or swap to whiskey or hard cider if you prefer), then finish with a sweet note and a dessert spread.

Two things I really liked: the staff-led pacing, and the way the food is built to match what you’re tasting. Arielle has the kind of warm, organized explanations that help you taste with purpose, and Kat’s style makes first-time visitors feel comfortable asking questions. One consideration: it’s only about 1 hour 30 minutes, so this is a tight tasting-and-eat session, not a long, slow winery hangout.

Key highlights before you go

• Sparkling welcome toast to kick off the experience at the tasting room bar or an oak table
• Choose your flight: 7 handcrafted wine samples, or whiskey and hard cider flights if you want a break from wine
• Adirondack Board + dessert board arrive during the session, with gluten-free options available
• Seasonal sip option that changes with the time of year, including mulled wine in winter or wine slushie in summer
• Barrel room visibility from your seat, with a winery tour only if you ask and the team can fit it in
• Take-home premium wine glass so you get a souvenir that feels like part of the tasting

Queensbury Tasting Room Vibe: Bar Seating, Barrel Room Views, and a Real Welcome

You’ll start at the Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery Queensbury Tasting Room at 395 Big Bay Road, Queensbury, NY 12804. The setup is casual but nice: you’ll be seated either at the tasting bar or at a rustic oak table, and you’ll enjoy the experience in the tasting room while you eat and sip.

A small detail I appreciate: the welcome is a sparkling toast, not just a handoff to start tasting. That makes it feel like an occasion, whether you’re on a date night or celebrating with friends.

One extra perk that you can use right away is the visibility of the barrel room and wine-making facility from where you sit. Even if you don’t do the optional tour, you’re still looking at the work happening behind the scenes. If you do want more, you can ask your host for a winery tour and they’ll do their best to accommodate you.

Guided Wine Flight (or Whiskey/Cider): How the Sampling Works

This is built around a guided tasting at the bar or table, with your host keeping you on track. The core wine option is 7 handcrafted wine samples, with choices across bold reds, crisp whites, rosés, and fruit-infused favorites. Your Wine Concierge guides each taste, so you’re not stuck guessing what to look for.

If you’re not a wine person, you’re not stuck. The experience is flexible: you can choose whiskey or hard cider flights instead of the wine tasting. That’s a big deal for groups with mixed tastes, because nobody has to pretend they love grapes to have a good time.

Here’s how the tasting structure feels in practice:

• You get the sparkling welcome first.
• Then comes your guided flight (7 wine pours, or the whiskey/cider alternative).
• You finish with a special pour at the end, like a dessert wine, sparkling option, or a reserve sample.

That end step matters. A lot of tastings just stop after the last dry wine. Here, the finale helps you transition into dessert and sweetness without feeling like the evening ran out of steam.

The Food Pairing: Adirondack Board + Dessert Finale (and Gluten-Free Options)

Wine tastings can get awkward when the food shows up too late or doesn’t relate to what you’re drinking. Here, the experience keeps you fed alongside your pours.

You’ll share an Adirondack Board, built from artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, bread, crackers, and wine-infused treats. It’s the kind of board that works for small talk and actual sharing, not just a token bite. If you need gluten-free options, the experience notes that they’re available, so you can ask in advance or discuss it when you arrive.

Then the session pivots into dessert. You’ll enjoy a dessert board with locally crafted sweets like wine-infused chocolate truffles, macarons, cupcakes, and cookies. The mix is smart because it gives you different textures and sweetness levels, which helps when you’re switching from dry or fruity pours to richer flavors.

The practical takeaway: you don’t need to eat before you go. Alcoholic beverages and meals are included, and the plan is built to keep you tasting without getting overwhelmed by alcohol or hunger.

The Seasonal Touch: Mulled Wine in Winter and Wine Slushies in Summer

One of the fun parts of this tasting room approach is the seasonal shift. You might see warm mulled wine in winter or a wine slushie in summer, which changes the vibe from cozy and spiced to chilled and playful.

You’ll also be able to enjoy a wine slushie as part of what’s described for the experience, so even if you’re choosing lighter tastes, the sweet-and-cold option helps anchor the session.

If you’re planning your trip around the calendar, this is a nice win. You’re not doing the exact same thing year-round. You’re getting a version that matches the season.

Viewing the Barrel Room, Asking for a Tour, and Getting More Than Just Tastings

Even without a full tour, you’re not in a sealed-off tasting room experience. The barrel room and wine-making facility are viewable right from your seat, so you have something visual to go with what the host is explaining.

If you want more, you can ask for a winery tour. The wording here is important: they’ll do their best to accommodate you, so don’t count on it like it’s guaranteed every time. Still, it’s a good option for curious guests who want context beyond flavors.

If your group likes facts, this helps. If your group prefers just relaxing with food and conversation, the view is enough to keep the room from feeling static.

Price and Value: What $64.20 Buys in 90 Minutes

At $64.20 per person for about 1 hour 30 minutes, this tasting is priced like an experience, not like a basic self-serve flight. You’re paying for the full set of built-in elements: alcoholic beverages plus meals.

That matters because you’re not just buying drinks. You’re also getting:

• A guided tasting flow (including the guided flight portion and a special finale pour)
• A shared charcuterie board
• A shared dessert board
• A premium sample pour as part of the experience details
• A take-home premium wine glass

The one extra cost to know up front: gratuities aren’t included. The listing notes gratuities at $10.80 per person. If you budget for that, the total still feels more reasonable because the session includes food and guided pacing.

Overall, I see the best value when:

• Your group has mixed tastes (wine vs. whiskey vs. hard cider)
• You want a structured evening with something sweet at the end
• You like pairing flavors instead of just sampling quickly

Who This Works Best For (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This experience fits well for birthdays, date nights, girls’ weekends, and small groups who want a fun “tasting + food” plan without heavy planning.

It’s also a strong choice if you:

• Want a guided experience where someone helps you taste and choose
• Like the idea of swapping to whiskey or hard cider if needed
• Appreciate a take-home item, especially a premium glass

It may not be the perfect match if you’re looking for a long, deep, step-by-step tour format. With the time being about 90 minutes, the pace is efficient. You’ll get a lot of variety, but you won’t have hours to linger over every single detail.

Booking Notes That Affect Your Day (Quick but Useful)

A few practical things that can change how smooth your experience feels:

• Your ticket is mobile.
• The group size is capped at a maximum of 10 travelers, which usually helps keep service more attentive.
• The experience is near public transportation, which can be handy if you’re coordinating rides.
• Service animals are allowed.
• Confirmation is received at booking time.
• It requires good weather. If weather cancels it, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

If your schedule is tight, the good news is that it runs from the listed meeting point and ends back there.

Should You Book This Tasting Experience?

I’d book it if you want a fun, friendly tasting session with real food, not just a quick pour in a cup. The strongest reasons are the guided structure, the clear option to switch to whiskey or hard cider, and the fact that the dessert board and seasonal sip help make the end of the night feel planned.

I’d think twice only if you’re hoping for a long winery tour as the main event. Here, the tour is optional and the core value is the guided tasting + shared boards within about 90 minutes.

If you want an easy, high-comfort way to try wine (or cider/whiskey) in Queensbury with minimal fuss, this one earns a strong yes.

FAQ

How long is the tasting experience?

It lasts about 1 hour 30 minutes.

What does the price include?

Alcoholic beverages and meals are included.

Are gratuities included in the $64.20 price?

No. The listing notes gratuities of $10.80 per person.

Can I choose whiskey or hard cider instead of wine?

Yes. If you’re not into wine, you can choose whiskey or hard cider flights.

How many wines do you sample?

The wine option includes 7 handcrafted wine samples, guided by your host.

What food is included?

You’ll share an Adirondack Board (cheese, cured meats, fruit, bread, crackers, and wine-infused treats) plus a dessert board with locally crafted sweets.

Do they offer gluten-free options?

Yes, gluten-free options are available.

Is a winery tour included?

A winery tour isn’t guaranteed, but the barrel room and wine-making facility are viewable from your seat, and you can ask your host for a tour if they can accommodate it.

Do you get a take-home item?

Yes. You take home a premium wine glass.

What happens if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.