Fireworks, Food, Music and the First Pour of Gamay Noir

Gamay Days

Get Thursday Tickets

Saturday Event Details

Shop Our Gamay Wines

We’re brining the spirit of Beaujolais Nouveau to the Finger Lakes

Every third Thursday in November, something magical happens in France. Villages throw parties, fireworks light up the sky, and wine lovers celebrate the release of Beaujolais Nouveau—a young, vibrant wine that captures the joy of harvest. Here at 20 Deep, we’re bringing that same spirit to Rochester, NY with Gamay Days—our annual celebration of the grape that defines us.

Harvesting Gamay Noir from the 20 Deep Vineyard

Why Gamay Matters to 20 Deep

When we planted our vineyard, Gamay was the grape we wanted most. We believed the Finger Lakes was missing something special, a grape that could produce bright, food-friendly wines with real personality. Not the heavy, high-alcohol wines from warmer regions, but something that actually tastes like where it’s from.

Gamay thrives in our cool climate, creating wines around 13% alcohol with brightness and nuance. It’s versatile enough to make three distinct styles, yet each one unmistakably reflects our terroir. That’s why Gamay isn’t just another grape for us, it’s the heart of what we do.

Join Us November 20-22, 2025

Whether you’re a wine enthusiast eager to learn about our winemaking process or just looking for a great party with fireworks, Gamay Days has something for you.

Three Wines, One Grape

Each November, we release three different Gamay wines that showcase what this grape can do:

Inside Out Gamay Noir

INSIDE OUT

Our Beaujolais Nouveau-Style Wine

Made using a traditional French technique where whole grape clusters ferment from the inside out. The result? A bright, juicy wine that’s ready to drink just weeks after harvest.

Encore Sparkling Gamay Noir

ENCORE

The Sparkling Sequel

What happens when you capture that same fresh fermentation in a bottle? You get Encore—our naturally sparkling Gamay. The bubbles come from the wine finishing its fermentation in the bottle.

Give It Time Oak Aged Gamay Noir

GIVE IT TIME

Our Flagship Gamay

Instead of rushing it to release, we age this Gamay for 12 months on French oak. The result is a wine with depth and complexity that shows what patience can create.

The Celebration

What Happens During Gamay Days?

Over the course of a November weekend, we transform 20 Deep into Rochester’s version of a French wine festival. There’s live music, amazing food, and yes—fireworks to cap it all off. But mostly, it’s about bringing people together to celebrate not just wine, but the connections wine creates.

Thursday, Nov 20th – The Insiders Preview

  • Barrel tasting of Give it Time

  • Passed hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie spread & dessert

  • Live music

  • Q&A with the head winemaker

  • Sabrage of Encore to close the night

Saturday, Nov 22nd – The Community Celebration

  • Inside Out delivered by horse-drawn carriage

  • Three tasting stations for Inside Out, Encore & Give it Time

  • Live music & food available for purchase

  • Q&A with the head winemaker

  • Fireworks display at 7 p.m.

Learn More About Gamay

Gamay is the grape behind France’s Beaujolais wines. It’s known for producing fresh, fruity reds that are lower in tannins than most red wines—making them incredibly food-friendly and approachable. While it’s been grown in France for centuries, it’s still relatively rare in the Finger Lakes, which is exactly why we chose it.

Every year on the third Thursday of November, France releases Beaujolais Nouveau—a wine made from Gamay grapes harvested just weeks earlier. It’s one of the only wines in the world with an official release date, and the French make it a true celebration. By law, it can’t be sold before 12:01 AM on that Thursday, leading to races to Paris and parties that last all night.

We’re bringing that same celebratory spirit to the Finger Lakes, adapted for our community and our wines.