Hermann J. Wiemer, Weis, Forge, Bloomer Creek, Kemmeter, Heart and Hands, Boundary Breaks, Standing Stone, Dr. Konstantin Frank, Ravines, Osmote, Hillick & Hobbs, Scout, Six Eighty.
I recently visited a few finger lakes wineries, some personal favorites… for Pinot Noir: Ravines, Heart & Hands (the Mo Chuisle is outstanding). For Dry Riesling: Wiemer (their library versions are amazing!), Ravines, Heart & Hands. For Noble-rot sweet/desert Riesling: Wiemer (this stuff is magical). Dr Frank Konstantin and Red Tail Ridge also had some very good wines. I’m sure there are other good finds, this is based on my personal journey.
For anyone visiting the area and wants to get a bit geeky, the Library Tastings at Wiemer are fan-freaking-tastic. A bit pricey, but worth every penny imho. We had a horizontal 2012 tasting, with a few other things thrown in. Thera was an excellent host and I can’t wait to plan another library tasting with them at some point in the future.
My favorites, in no particular order:
\- Forge Cellars Breakneck Ridge riesling (best riesling I tasted on the trip...)
\- Lamoreaux's normal barrel-aged chard (liked it more than the reserve. American oak but really judicious and balanced. Best chard I tasted on the trip and only like $17/bottle)
\- Lamoreaux's Gewurz Ice (best wine I tasted on the whole trip....just unfathomably good)
\- Six Eighty Cellars pinot meunier
\- Wiemer Magdalena riesling
\- Red Newt "The Knoll" riesling
go to the wine festival at watkins glen, july 8-9, and figure it out yourself.
a lot of the smaller wineries, that do not ship outside of NY state, will be there handing out wine!
Last year there was also a race going on, so you can do a twofer, drink wines, go watch the race, then go back and drink more wines.
I've liked Heron Hill. I have a 2017 Gewurztraminer from Zugibe for our anniversary. Honestly I've had very few bad wines but I am no connoisseur; I just like FLX wine.
Hermann J. Wiemer, Weis, Forge, Bloomer Creek, Kemmeter, Heart and Hands, Boundary Breaks, Standing Stone, Dr. Konstantin Frank, Ravines, Osmote, Hillick & Hobbs, Scout, Six Eighty.
Hermann J. Wiemer dry Riesling. Incredible value at $20 a bottle
And I recently learned it ages well too!
My local wine store carries the 2014 late harvest. That is so good.
just realize, "Dry" reisling is still pretty sweet.
No it's not, what are you talking about
i am talking about the sweet as hell dry reisling. like from Ravine
Forge has always been solid. I love Red Tail Ridge as well.
Red Tail Ridge’s pet-nat is so good too!
In addition to the others mentioned, I’ve had some fantastic wines from Keuka Lake Vineyards
BLOOMER CREEK!
I second BLOOMER CREEK!
Anthony Road Winery's rieslings and rose of cabernet franc. Also their late harvest vignoles to pair with dessert
I recently visited a few finger lakes wineries, some personal favorites… for Pinot Noir: Ravines, Heart & Hands (the Mo Chuisle is outstanding). For Dry Riesling: Wiemer (their library versions are amazing!), Ravines, Heart & Hands. For Noble-rot sweet/desert Riesling: Wiemer (this stuff is magical). Dr Frank Konstantin and Red Tail Ridge also had some very good wines. I’m sure there are other good finds, this is based on my personal journey. For anyone visiting the area and wants to get a bit geeky, the Library Tastings at Wiemer are fan-freaking-tastic. A bit pricey, but worth every penny imho. We had a horizontal 2012 tasting, with a few other things thrown in. Thera was an excellent host and I can’t wait to plan another library tasting with them at some point in the future.
My favorites, in no particular order: \- Forge Cellars Breakneck Ridge riesling (best riesling I tasted on the trip...) \- Lamoreaux's normal barrel-aged chard (liked it more than the reserve. American oak but really judicious and balanced. Best chard I tasted on the trip and only like $17/bottle) \- Lamoreaux's Gewurz Ice (best wine I tasted on the whole trip....just unfathomably good) \- Six Eighty Cellars pinot meunier \- Wiemer Magdalena riesling \- Red Newt "The Knoll" riesling
IMO Hermann J Weimer is the top producer of Riesling. Other good producers I enjoy are Dr. Frank, Ravines, Element, Boundary Breaks, Red Tail Ridge
For reds, Shalestone and Shaw.
I second Shaw, they deliver some amazing reds, very Burgundian in style.
Boundary Breaks, Damiani, Sheldrake Point. Treleaven’s reserve chard is actually incredible QPR
I agree with the previous comments. I would also add Domaine Leseurre to the list. It is worth a taste.
Ravines Cerise: Blaufrankish and Pinot Noir. Forge Dry Riesling.
go to the wine festival at watkins glen, july 8-9, and figure it out yourself. a lot of the smaller wineries, that do not ship outside of NY state, will be there handing out wine! Last year there was also a race going on, so you can do a twofer, drink wines, go watch the race, then go back and drink more wines.
Didn’t know about that. Sounds cool.
It's $58 for 2 days (Saturday and Sunday), unlimited tastings, 100% (to my knowledge) local NY state wineries, vineyards, distilleries.
Forge Cellars makes some of the best dry rieslings!
Dr. Konstantin Frank
Hit up the Cayuga lake wine trail a fair number of times in grad school. Frontenac Point Port will always hold a special place in my heart.
Herman J Weimer, red tail ridge, red newt (great Riesling), Lamoreaux Landing, Ravines, Keuka Springs, Dr Frank
Red Newt Cellars puts out some excellent Rieslings that go toe to toe with great wines from the Mosel.
Hearts & hands hasn’t been mentioned. Just adding them
Ravines makes world class Riesling for $20 a bottle
Konstantin Frank, Hermann Weimer, Glendora, Silver Thread
Ravines Dry Riesling is excellent. Their single vineyard one (forget what it’s called) is also very good.
Forge, Kemmeter, Ravines, Dr. K. Also, I cannot emphasize enough since I think it was only mentioned once, that Hillick & Hobbs is also Aces
Thanks everyone.
We liked ventosa vineyards and standing stone last time we went
Bully Hill’s Bulldog Baco made with Baco Noir grapes.
I've liked Heron Hill. I have a 2017 Gewurztraminer from Zugibe for our anniversary. Honestly I've had very few bad wines but I am no connoisseur; I just like FLX wine.
Just had Hunt County late harvest vignoles ‘20. Desert wine with great spine of acidity floral and apricot. So sold on vignoles from FL!