Geneva Music Festival’s 2025 theme: A festival of music and wine

Originally published in Finger Lakes Times on April 17, 2025

The Geneva Music Festival has unveiled the details of its 2025 season theme: “A Festival of Music and Wine.”

This year’s festival celebrates two of the Finger Lakes Region’s treasures — its world-class music and renowned winemaking — by bringing them together in a multi-sensory experience.

Beginning May 15 and continuing through June 8, the festival will feature an outstanding lineup of musicians performing across Geneva, with select concerts offering exclusive wine pairings from Finger Lakes wineries. The season pays tribute to the winemakers who have shaped the region, drawing parallels between the artistry of a beautifully composed piece of music and a thoughtfully crafted vintage.

With performances set in a variety of Geneva venues, including a scenic winery, this year’s festival invites audiences to enjoy the rich depth of the region’s music and wine culture.

“Our festival is about bringing people together through shared experiences,” GMF CEO and artistic director Geoffrey Herd said. “What better way to do that than with music and wine? They’re meant to be shared.”

Music meets winemaking
This season, GMF highlights the deep connection between musical and winemaking traditions. Just as Finger Lakes wine has grown — once known primarily for Rieslings but now embracing bold new varietals — so, too, has music, evolving across centuries while staying rooted in tradition.

This season, GMF celebrates evolution in both forms, inviting audiences to explore how innovation and time-honored tradition intertwine.

Music & Wine Festival highlights:

• W4RP Trio (May 15, Ravines Winery) — The kickoff concert delivers a multi-genre performance blending classical music with jazz, bluegrass, rock, and beyond. Ravines’ award-winning wines will be available for purchase by the glass, with all proceeds benefiting the Geneva Music Festival.
• Tradition & Innovation (May 23 & May 24, Gearan Center for the Performing Arts, HWS) — Much like a wine’s terroir tells the story of its origins, this program highlights how music reflects its cultural roots, blending time-honored tradition with modern expression. Billsboro Winery will host a public tasting, plus a special vintage pour exclusively for wine club members.
• Old World Roots (May 29 & May 30, Gearan Center) — This program journeys through French and German masterworks, paying tribute to the European traditions that have shaped both music and winemaking. Keuka Lakes Vineyards Winery will host a tasting; details are being finalized.
• Cécile McLorin Salvant & Sullivan Fortner Duo (May 31, Gearan Center) — Experience the artistry of five-time Grammy Award winner Cécile McLorin Salvant, hailed by the New York Times as “the finest jazz singer to emerge in the last decade,” accompanied by virtuoso pianist Sullivan Fortner, in an intimate duo performance. Airy Acres will host a complimentary tasting for all attendees, with an additional premium pour available to wine club members.
• German Legends (June 5 & June 6, Gearan Center) — Just as Hermann J. Wiemer brought the artistry of German winemaking to the Finger Lakes, this program celebrates the rich legacy of German Romanticism and its lasting influence. Concert goers will enjoy a curated tasting experience from Hermann J. Wiemer, including an exclusive reserve pour for wine club members.

“Music and wine are both deeply sensory experiences that can evoke memory and connection,” said Kim Aliperti of Billsboro Winery. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Geneva Music Festival for these performance receptions where audiences can immerse themselves in both.”

GMF ticket holders who are wine club members to any of the participating wineries receive 20% off tickets.

Plan your visit

With concerts taking place at venues like Ravines Wine Cellars and Geneva On The Lake, GMF offers a blend of music, wine, and local charm.

Individual concert tickets are $40. A season pass offers 20% savings on the festival’s seven main concerts.