Crisp pours with a guide at your elbow. This Ultimate Tasting Experience in Queensbury pairs a sparkling welcome with a guided flight of 7 handcrafted tastes, plus easy swaps if you want whiskey or hard cider instead. You choose your style up front, then your host keeps things moving so you’re not stuck staring at a menu like it’s a riddle.

What I like most is the built-in pacing and the table-friendly food. You’ll share an Adirondack-style charcuterie board with wine-infused treats, and you’ll finish with a dessert sequence that can include dessert wine and sweet bites. One thing to consider: at about 1 hour 30 minutes, this is a “taste and mingle” format, not a long sit-down dinner experience.

Key highlights you’ll actually feel

• Sparkling welcome first, so you’re in vacation mode from minute one
• 7 guided pours (choose wines, or switch to whiskey/cider flights if that’s your vibe)
• A real food pairing, not just alcohol: charcuterie plus dessert boards
• Take-home souvenir glass, included with the experience
• Small groups up to 10, which helps the guide answer questions instead of rushing you
• Barrel room view from your seat, and a tour request if time allows

Queensbury Tasting Room Setup: bar seats, rustic tables, and a view

The whole experience happens inside the Adirondack Winery & Extreme Heights Cidery Queensbury Tasting Room at 395 Big Bay Road. Plan to arrive, get checked in, and get seated quickly at either the tasting bar or a rustic oak table. That matters because this is a fast-moving format where you’ll taste, share, and snack without long gaps.

The room itself is designed for enjoying your drink, not just purchasing one. One of the best practical perks here is that you can see the barrel room and wine-making facility right from your seat. Even if you don’t do a full add-on tour, that visual context helps you connect what you’re tasting with how it’s made.

I also like that it’s set up for groups. You’re eating at the same time you’re tasting, which keeps things social and stops the experience from feeling like a class where you’re only taking notes. And if you’ve got dietary needs, you’re not left out: gluten-free options are available for the board.

The sparkling toast and your concierge guide

Every tasting begins with a sparkling welcome—think bubbly, bright, and meant to set the mood. Then your guide takes over. They walk you through each pour and keep the experience structured, which is a big deal for people who are new to wine (or new to whiskey and cider, for that matter).

What makes this feel more personal is that the guidance is specific. In real visits, hosts like Arielle and Kat have been praised for clear, thorough explanations and a friendly, chatty style. That kind of hosting matters because it changes the tasting from just sipping into a guided story you can follow.

You also get choices, which keeps this from turning into a one-size-fits-all flight. If you’re not into wine, you can switch to a whiskey or hard cider flight option instead of the wine lineup. That’s a smart move for mixed groups—someone who’s there for cider won’t feel like they’re stuck doing the same thing as everyone else.

The 7-pour flight: wines first, or a switch to whiskey/cider

The centerpiece is the guided tasting of 7 handcrafted samples. You can expect a mix that fits different palates: bold reds, crisp whites, rosés, and fruit-infused favorites. Your host guides you taste-by-taste, so you’re not left guessing what you should notice.

Here’s how to make the flight work for you. If you like food-friendly flavors, lean toward reds and crisp whites. If you want something lighter, start with rosés or fruit-forward pours. If you’re not a wine person, choose the whiskey or hard cider flight from the start so the whole experience stays enjoyable.

A key detail: the guide is there to help you make sense of what you’re tasting. Even if you’re not using the words like dry, tannic, or off-dry, you’ll still learn what to expect and what to pair it with. That’s why people get more out of this than a self-guided tasting room where you’re just pointing at labels.

Dessert finale planning: dessert wine, sparkling, or a reserve sample

The tasting doesn’t end with the last sip of your flight. You get a special finish that may include dessert wine, sparkling, or a reserve sample. This is a clever pacing trick. Instead of shifting to “and now snacks,” you end with something sweet or special, which makes the whole experience feel complete.

After the flight, you’ll also get a premium sample pour as part of that tasting flow. The exact mix depends on what’s being offered that day, but the structure stays the same: guided tasting, then a closer that feels like a treat.

If you’re deciding what to go with, think about your taste for the end of the experience. If you want a satisfying sweet note, choose the dessert-leaning option (dessert wine if offered). If you prefer something lighter, the sparkling finish can feel more refreshing. And if reserve sounds intriguing, that’s often where the guide’s enthusiasm can pay off the most.

Charcuterie board: the Adirondack board at your table

One of the most practical reasons this experience works is the charcuterie board that comes alongside the tasting. You’re not just drinking; you’re eating. That makes the flavors clearer and it keeps the alcohol from feeling too heavy.

The board is described as the Adirondack style: artisanal cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruit, bread, crackers, and wine-infused treats. In other words, it’s built for pairing. You’ll have salty, creamy, and sweet elements, which gives you a real chance to notice how a wine (or cider, or whiskey) changes with each bite.

The experience also specifically notes gluten-free options available. If gluten is a concern, it’s worth letting your host know when you arrive so you can get the right version of the board without stress.

Also, you’ll be sharing the board at your table. If you’re on a date or with friends, that’s half the fun. It nudges you to taste together, trade bites, and keep the conversation going. In a short 1.5-hour format, shared food is the fastest path to a good vibe.

Dessert board: truffles, macarons, cupcakes, and cookies

After the charcuterie, the sweet part arrives. You’ll enjoy a dessert board with wine-infused chocolate truffles, macarons, cupcakes, and cookies, described as locally crafted. This isn’t just a random dessert plate. It’s structured like a second course.

What I like about doing dessert at the end is that it turns the tasting into an actual experience, not just a flight with a snack at the finish. The wine-infused truffles and other sweets also help you answer a common question: does this winery’s style match what you like when it’s sweet? If your group is split—some want fruity pours, others want chocolate—this board lets everyone get their moment.

And because it’s a board, you can sample around instead of being stuck with one dessert you end up not loving.

Barrel room and optional winery tour: when you want more

The barrel room and winemaking facility are visible from your seat. That’s already a nice bonus for people who like process, not just tasting.

If you want more, you can ask your host for a Winery Tour. The experience says they’ll do their best to accommodate you, which is the honest way to handle timing in a working facility. Practically, this is best if your group finishes early or you’re flexible.

If you’re the kind of person who wants a full walkthrough, don’t assume a guaranteed tour. Treat the tasting as the main event, and the tour as a possible add-on if your host can fit it in.

Seasonal sip: mulled wine in winter, slushie in summer

This experience also includes a seasonal sip. In winter, you can enjoy warm mulled wine. In summer, it shifts to a wine slushie. Either way, it’s a fun way to anchor the tasting in the season you’re visiting, instead of making the whole experience feel identical year-round.

If you’re visiting in colder months, the warm option can be a welcome contrast to the cooler feel of a tasting room. In warmer months, the slushie version can feel lighter and more playful, especially if you’re not trying to overthink your pours.

Price and what you actually get for $64.20

At $64.20 per person, this experience isn’t a budget tasting, but it’s also not priced like a restaurant dinner. It sits in a middle lane where you’re paying for three things at once: guided drinking, food, and a sweet finish.

Here’s what helps justify the price:

• Multiple guided pours (7 samples) plus additional tasting elements
• Charcuterie board with cheeses, meats, fruit, bread, crackers, and wine-infused treats
• Dessert board with multiple sweet items, locally crafted
• A take-home premium wine glass, which is a real souvenir, not a flimsy coupon
• Small group size up to 10, which keeps the guide involved instead of floating past your table

One detail to plan for: gratuities aren’t included. The listing notes gratuity of $10.80 per person. That means your true cost is a bit higher than the sticker price, so I’d treat the total as your starting budget and not the final number.

Timing-wise, you’re looking at about 1 hour 30 minutes. That’s ideal if you want something fun in the middle of a day without committing to a long event.

Who should book this (and who might not)

This is a great fit if you want a social experience with clear structure. It works well for date nights, girls’ weekends, birthdays, and groups that include at least one person who’s new to tastings. The guided hosting and food pairing help everyone enjoy themselves, even if your group disagrees on what drink they like.

It’s also a smart choice if not everyone is a wine person. Since you can switch to whiskey or hard cider flights, you don’t end up with one person “doing the wrong thing” just to keep the group together.

Who might hesitate: if you want long, deep technical tastings or a multi-hour tour schedule, this is a short format. You can ask about a tour, but the main promise here is the tasting-and-food experience, not a detailed facility marathon.

How to make the most of your visit

A few practical tips can improve your experience fast:

• Start with the flight you’re most interested in, even if your group tries to influence you. This experience is built around your choices.
• Pace yourself through the tasting and let the charcuterie do its job. The board helps the flavors make more sense.
• Save a little curiosity for the dessert finale. Dessert wine or reserve pours often feel different than the earlier flight.
• If you’d like a winery tour, ask your host politely during the experience. They’ll do their best based on timing.

And if you’re traveling as a couple or group, keep it interactive. Sharing boards are the whole point here.

Should you book the Ultimate Tasting Experience?

If you want a guided tasting with real food pairing, sweet finish, and a small-group feel, I think this is an easy yes. The pricing can make sense because you’re not paying just for drinks—you’re also paying for guidance, charcuterie, dessert, and a take-home glass. Plus, the option to choose wine, whiskey, or hard cider keeps it fun for mixed tastes.

I’d skip it only if you’re looking for a longer, tour-heavy itinerary. This is about tasting well, eating well, and leaving with a souvenir—not spending half your day inside a winery.

FAQ

How long is the Ultimate Tasting Experience?

It runs about 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.).

What drinks are included?

You’ll have a guided tasting experience with alcoholic beverages. You can choose wine (7 handcrafted samples) or opt for whiskey or hard cider flights instead.

Is food included, or is it just tasting?

Food is included. You’ll share a charcuterie board and also have a dessert board.

What is the price and is gratuity included?

The price is $64.20 per person, and gratuity is not included. Gratuity is listed as $10.80 per person.

Do I get a souvenir?

Yes. You take home a premium wine glass.

Is there an option for a winery tour?

Your seat offers a view of the barrel room and winemaking facility, and you can ask your host for a winery tour. They will do their best to accommodate you.

What if the weather is poor?

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

How big is the group?

This activity has a maximum of 10 travelers.