The Works Tasting Session (Wine, Whiskey or Cider)

The best part of The Works Tasting Session is the choice. You can sample seven Adirondack Winery wines, or switch to four ciders or four American Oak Whiskeys if wine is not your thing. I like the sparkling welcome toast and the snack plate with local cheeses, crackers, wine-infused chocolates, jelly, olives, and marshmallows. I also like that the session ends with a seasonal drink and a souvenir wine glass.

The main drawback is the setting. This is a downtown tasting room, not a quiet tour through vineyards or a behind-the-scenes look at wine production. Seating can be limited, and the Lake George location does not offer a winery tour. Reserve ahead if you want a particular time, especially during a busy visit.

Key points to know before booking

• Choose your drink: Pick seven wine pours, four hard ciders, or four American Oak Whiskey pours.
• A full snack plate is included: Expect cheeses, crackers, chocolates, jelly, marshmallows, olives, and other small bites.
• The tasting finishes with a seasonal treat: You receive a wine slushie in summer or warm mulled wine or a hot apple toddy in winter.
• The group is small: The experience accepts a maximum of 10 people, though the public tasting room can still feel active.
• It is a downtown Lake George stop: The tasting room is at 285 Canada Street, near public transportation and close to other town attractions.
• Plan on about an hour: The schedule is compact, making it easy to fit into a day in Lake George.

A tasting room experience with three different paths

The Works Tasting Session is designed for mixed tastes. One person can choose wine, another can prefer cider, and a whiskey drinker does not have to sit through a wine flight. That flexibility is a real strength for couples and small groups.

For the wine option, you choose seven Adirondack Winery wines, with each pour measuring three-quarters of an ounce. That gives you enough to compare styles without committing to a full glass of every bottle. The staff guides you through the choices, so you can ask about sweeter pours, dry wines, sparkling options, or bottles suited to a meal.

The cider flight includes four pours of three ounces each. The American Oak Whiskey Flight includes four one-ounce pours. Those are different tasting experiences, so think about pacing. The whiskey option delivers more alcohol by volume than the wine flight, while the cider pours are larger. You also receive a sparkling toast, a premium wine sample, and a four-ounce finishing drink, so this is not a session to rush through.

I would plan to spend the full hour at the tasting room. The official duration is approximate, and the pace depends on how much you discuss each pour and how busy the counter is.

Starting with a sparkling toast

The experience opens with a celebratory sparkling toast. It is a small touch, but it gives the session a clear beginning and makes the tasting feel more like an occasion than a quick sample at a shop.

This opening works especially well for couples celebrating a birthday, anniversary, engagement, or simply a day away together. You do not need a special reason, of course. Lake George is the sort of place where a shared toast can be enough of an event.

The staff then helps you select your main flight. If you are new to wine, ask for guidance rather than choosing at random. The tasting staff, including Kat according to the supplied experience details, can help make the selection less intimidating. The point is not to identify every aroma perfectly. It is to learn what you enjoy and find a bottle you may want to take home.

Seven wines, four ciders, or four whiskeys

The wine flight is the broadest option, with seven choices at three-quarters of an ounce each. That makes it the best pick if you want a proper introduction to Adirondack Winery’s range. You get enough variety to compare several styles, and the premium wine later adds another point of contrast.

The cider flight gives you four larger pours at three ounces each. Choose it if you prefer fruit-forward drinks, lower-pressure tasting, or something different from a standard wine flight. One tasting experience included four ciders with the snack plate and a small wine slushie, which made the cider choice feel complete rather than like a lesser substitute.

The whiskey flight includes four one-ounce American Oak Whiskey pours. This is the right path for someone who prefers spirits, but it is also the option to approach most carefully. Four one-ounce pours, followed by the other included drinks, can add up. Eat the snacks, take your time, and arrange your transportation sensibly.

All three choices are served at the same downtown tasting room. You are not touring separate farms or production areas. That keeps the experience simple and convenient, but it also means you should not book it expecting a visit to the actual winemaking facility.

The happy snacker plate is more than a garnish

The food is an important part of the value. You receive a plate of artisanal, locally sourced cheeses, crackers, wine-infused chocolates and jelly, marshmallows, olives, and other small bites. The portions are meant to share, and the plate is enough for two people as a light snack.

I like this inclusion because tasting alcohol without food is rarely as pleasant or as useful. Cheese and crackers help reset your palate between pours. The sweet items give you a chance to see how the wines or ciders work with dessert-style flavors. The wine-infused chocolate and jelly also add a playful local touch.

Do not think of the plate as lunch or dinner. It is a tasting snack, not a full meal. If you are booking this around a meal, keep that distinction in mind. You may want to eat beforehand, especially if you choose the whiskey flight or plan to sample generously.

The food also makes the experience more social. A couple can share the plate while comparing notes, and a small group can pass items around without interrupting the tasting.

The premium pour and the seasonal finish

After the main flight and snack plate, you receive one premium wine. You can choose from sparkling, dessert, or reserve options. This is one of the more useful parts of the session because it lets you compare a special-category wine with the regular tasting pours.

If you enjoy sweet wines, the dessert choice may be the most distinctive. If you prefer bubbles, the sparkling option gives the session another change in style. The reserve pour is likely to appeal to someone who wants a fuller or more special bottle, though the exact selection can vary.

The final drink changes with the season. In summer, you finish with a four-ounce fruit-infused wine slushie. In winter, the choice is warm mulled wine or a hot apple toddy. This seasonal switch gives the same tasting a different feel depending on when you visit.

The slushie is a fun finish, especially on a warm day in Lake George. It is not simply another standard tasting pour. The winter drinks make more sense after an afternoon outdoors or a cold walk through town. Because the serving is four ounces, it is a small dessert-style conclusion rather than a full cocktail.

Taking home the logo wine glass

You also receive a premium souvenir wine glass with the winery logo. The glass is designed to enhance the aroma of the wine, so it is more useful than a random souvenir cup. It gives you a practical reminder of the tasting and can be used at home with any bottle.

For a $40.66 price per person, the glass adds to the value. You are not paying only for the alcohol. The price includes the main tasting, sparkling toast, snack plate, premium wine, seasonal finishing drink, and glass. A gratuity of $6.84 per person is not included, so factor that into the final cost.

The value depends on how you use the session. If you want one drink and a quick stop, it may feel expensive. If you enjoy comparing several pours, sharing food, receiving a premium sample, and taking home a glass, the package is easier to justify.

The experience is also more appealing for a couple than for someone traveling alone. The snack plate is designed to share, and the format encourages conversation. Two people can make a relaxed tasting out of a compact one-hour stop.

What the Lake George location does well

The tasting room is at 285 Canada Street in downtown Lake George. That makes it easy to add to a day in town, and the location is near public transportation. You return to the same meeting point at the end, so there is no complicated transfer or second location to find.

The downtown position is also the source of one tradeoff. People may come in to shop or ask about tastings, and the counter can feel active. This is not a private dining room. The atmosphere is relaxed, but you should expect a working retail tasting room rather than a silent, formal tasting salon.

Seating is another practical concern. One experience was marked down because there were not enough seats for the expected winery setting. If you need to sit for the entire hour, contact the provider before booking or be prepared for a less formal setup.

The maximum group size for the activity is 10 people. That helps keep the guided portion personal, though the overall room can still include people making purchases or taking part in other tastings.

Who will enjoy The Works most

I would recommend this to couples looking for a low-key Lake George date activity. The sparkling toast, shared snack plate, premium wine, and souvenir glass give it a celebratory shape without requiring a full evening.

It also suits first-time visitors who want a simple introduction to local drinks. You can learn what Adirondack Winery offers without planning a long excursion. The staff helps with the choices, and the three flight options make the activity workable for mixed groups.

Cider fans and whiskey drinkers should pay attention to the alternatives. You do not have to choose wine simply because the business is called a winery. The cider flight offers four three-ounce pours, while the whiskey flight gives you four one-ounce samples.

This is less suitable for someone seeking agriculture, production, or a facility tour. The Lake George tasting room does not offer a tour of the winemaking facility. If seeing where the wine is made matters to you, the Queensbury location has the production operation and may be the better choice.

Underage companions may wait inside away from the bar. A very small children’s table and chalkboard are available, and non-alcoholic slushies can be purchased for an additional fee. The minimum age to take part in the tasting is 21, and you need a valid government-issued photo ID.

Timing, booking, and practical details

The experience is offered at multiple times during the day, which makes it easier to fit around a Lake George schedule. It is booked an average of 17 days ahead, so I would reserve early if you are visiting on a weekend, during a holiday period, or for a special occasion.

Walk-ins may be accepted when space is available, but a reservation is the safer choice if you want a tasting at a specific time. The maximum activity size is 10 people, and an available seat is not guaranteed simply because the shop is open.

Mobile tickets are accepted, and the experience is offered in English. Service animals are allowed. Confirmation is provided at booking.

You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted, and the cut-off uses local time.

Should you book this Lake George tasting?

Book The Works Tasting Session if you want a friendly, guided introduction to Adirondack Winery with enough food and variety to make it feel like a real outing. The strongest reasons are the choice of wine, cider, or whiskey, the well-stocked snack plate, and the combination of premium and seasonal pours.

I would skip it if you expect vineyard views, a production tour, extensive seating, or a quiet formal tasting. The downtown room is convenient and social, but it has a retail feel.

For most couples and first-time Lake George visitors, the package offers solid value at $40.66 per person before the $6.84 gratuity. Reserve ahead, bring valid photo ID, choose your flight based on your actual taste, and give yourself the full hour. That is the best way to enjoy the tasting without treating it like a race.

FAQ

Where does The Works Tasting Session take place?

It takes place at Adirondack Winery and Extreme Heights Cidery Lake George Tasting Room, 285 Canada Street, Lake George, New York 12845.

How long does the experience last?

The session lasts approximately one hour and ends back at the Lake George tasting room.

How much does the experience cost?

The listed price is $40.66 per person. A gratuity of $6.84 per person is not included.

What drink options can I choose?

You can choose seven Adirondack Winery wine pours, a four-pour Extreme Heights Cider flight, or a four-pour American Oak Whiskey flight.

How old must I be to take part?

You must be at least 21 and show a valid government-issued photo ID to participate in the tasting.

Is food included?

Yes. The package includes a snack plate with artisanal locally sourced cheeses, crackers, wine-infused chocolates and jelly, marshmallows, olives, and other items.

Do I receive anything to take home?

Yes. You receive a premium souvenir logo wine glass.

Is a tour of the winemaking facility included?

No. The Lake George location does not offer a tour of the winemaking facility. Options for seeing where the wine is made are available at the Queensbury location.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted or refunded.