Our Philosophy

We were founded under one simple premise - the Finger Lakes makes some darn good wines, and they deserve to be enjoyed far and wide! The boutique wineries we work with live and breathe the craft from soil to glass; from estate wineries carefully tending the vines they shape into each vintage, to family vintners meticulously sourcing the best fruit of the region. From there, it’s passion, expertise, and elbow grease - a whole lot of it - to produce the boutique wines we have the honor of taking to you all. Some focus on dry, acid-driven whites and roses, others let a touch of sweetness through, and still more challenge prevailing opinion and show, year-by-year, that the Finger Lakes can make some truly special, age-worthy reds. Taken together, our selections demonstrate the true breadth and depth of boutique winemaking in the Finger Lakes.

Our Lakes

A landscape view showing green fields, a body of water in the distance, and a dark, cloudy sky overhead.

The “Finger Lakes” collectively refer to a group of 11 thin, long lakes in Upstate New York, originally formed by the retreat of glaciers nearly ten thousand years ago. They are known for being remarkably deep for their narrow width, with Seneca and Cayuga lakes each surpassing 400 feet at their extremity. This depth, combined with the steep slopes that arise from their shores, create microclimates that help regulate the immediate environment of the region, to the advantage of grape vines in the area. From the summer, the lakes hold warmth later into the year, warming the surrounding slopes and extending the growing season. From the winter, the cool temperatures from the water delay bud-break and provide extra frost protection. These benefits, in addition to the well draining shale slopes that define the region, make the Finger Lakes a truly special viticultural region.

Our Future

Our goal is to expand the reach and prominence of Finger Lakes wines, throughout our Upstate communities. We strive to bring better representation to the region, and break the dated customer-level misconception that the Finger Lakes only makes cloyingly sweet, cheap wines. We look forward to sharing our conviction in Finger Lakes wines, and providing the connection from passionate producer to curious customer, one bottle at a time!

Our History

Finger Lakes Selections was founded in 2025 by Tucker Coburn, after he worked just over a decade in restaurants, with several management positions and a brief, educational, stint as a Finger Lakes winery’s Harvest Intern. The idea first sprang from his experience cultivating the Finger Lakes focus of the wine list at the 1833 Kitchen & Bar at The Inns of Aurora as its Assistant Manager. In that role, he noticed a lack of representation for local boutique wineries, and heard complaints even among the largest in the region that they were getting “lost in the book” of their national distributors. Finger Lakes Selections was formed to bring the focus back home - providing representation from the Finger Lakes, for the Finger Lakes.