Unwind at this Stylish Enomatic Wine Bar in Downtown Rochester
One of the stellar aspects of living in Rochester, New York, is the proximity to the Finger Lakes (FLX) wine country, especially if you’re a wine enthusiast. Over the years, I have spent my summers exploring the Finger Lakes, chipping away at this expansive region, town by town, and city by city, to find the wineries that align with my own palate, which tends to lean towards bold, dry, medium to full bodied, crisp, rich, bright and tannic wines depending on if we are talking red or whites, and undoubtedly a good naturally sparkling, Pét-nat (pétillant naturel) during the warmer months.
A small sample of Rosé on the outside patio next to a small smokeless fire table.
As for wines of the Finger Lakes, in the past decade, the local industry, which is largely comprised of family-owned wineries, has seen innovation and an expansion in high-quality winemaking, as suggested by Wine Enthusiast in this 2025 article titled, “The Finger Lakes, American Wine Region of the Year, Is a Hotbed of Innovation.” For the 11 gorgeous, finger-like shaped lakes in Upstate New York that are home to over 140 wineries, this praise has come from dedication, hard work, and the drive to produce fantastic wines in a climate that endures heavy snowfalls during the winter, humid summers, and sometimes unpredictable weather changes. It is through the labor of love, community, experience, climate change, and ambition that Finger Lakes wines are propelling towards a place of praise and recognition.
The patio and entrance of Unwine’d, an enomatic wine bar at the Grove in Downtown Rochester, New York.
As I write these words, snow begins to fall onto the city of Rochester, and looking out the window of my downtown apartment, I am reminded of the volatile nature of the Finger Lakes region. And while I long for those warm summer days when I can explore the lakes, sip on a chilled glass of bone-dry Riesling, and watch the boats dash across the water and send ripples to the shores, I know that there is a cool, stylish wine bar that I can drop by to savor wines from regions around the world including the FLX in less than a 10 minute walk from my door.
Unwine’d is a wine bar that uses Enomatic wine dispensers. This type of system grants you the ability to self-pour your own glasses of wine based on regional and personal preference, and allows you to try something different than what you’re used to. If you have not had the chance to try one of these wine dispensers before, the act is simple. When you arrive, you will be asked to provide your payment card, which will be held onto, and then you will be given a purchase tracking card that you can use to access dozens of wines by waving the card near the dispenser. You can dispense 2, 4, or 6-ounce pours of whichever wine stands out to you. While choosing from their large selection, you will find that each bottle tells a story. A description is added that includes the name, region, alcohol by volume, details of the wine, and tasting notes. These can range from dry to sweet, light to bold, soft to acidic, and smooth to tannic. It is an outstanding experience, one that gives you the ability to try different wines without committing to a full glass.
An enomatic wine dispenser filled with various wines to try at Unwine’d in Downtown Rochester.
Unwine’d at the Grove in Downtown is truly a gem in the center of the city. The space is beautiful with comfortable and inviting seats, an energetic, yet relaxing ambiance with a trending playlist that sets the mood. If you visit the wine bar on weekends, you’ll find that the room is alive with energy, and guests in stylish apparel. While hanging out, you might hear some conversations in foreign languages, as guests are traveling from far and wide to savor fine wines at this downtown hotspot. It’s a great bar to stop in for a drink before heading to a dinner reservation or a musical performance nearby.
There are many regions to try, and it is a great way to get a taste of the Finger Lakes while you’re in town. In life, we must remember the importance of relaxation. It is vital to our mental health, physical health, and supports our rejuvenation. To engage socially with good friends, lovers, or colleagues on an entertaining night out never goes out of style. Here’s to getting out once in a while, tossing on a hip outfit, and celebrating life with the people that matter most.
A side perspective of the space at Unwine’d. It features a relaxing, chic, yet elegant decor with a casual ambiance, perfect for unwinding with others over a glass of wine.
